Move Over Santorini! This Stunning City Is Greece’s Most Visited Beach Destination

While you dream of vacationing in Greece, likelihood is Santorini is the primary place that involves thoughts.

Immediately recognizable by its placing blue and gleaming white townscape sitting excessive and mighty above the Aegean Sea, it is probably the most lovely cities on Earth I’ve ever had the possibility to go to.

As for a favourite? I most well-liked Crete. Much less touristy, blissfully tranquil, and nonetheless stamped in my thoughts’s eye is what appears to be {a photograph} stolen from a postcard, but I skilled it in actual life.

However vacationers are flocking to a unique island…

Although my favourite metropolis was the beautiful city of Chania, my lone journey to Greece was pre-pandemic, so developments and journey patterns have modified a lot since then.

As such, Santorini stays simply as iconic, however it has definitely had a down yr, with excessive costs and pure catastrophe dangers plaguing tourism numbers. That is the place Crete has stepped in to avoid wasting the day.

Chania could also be my favourite Greek getaway, however the individuals have spoken — Greece’s hottest seashore vacation spot is none aside from Heraklion, an under-hyped coastal metropolis oozing Athens vibes by way of historical past and boasting gorgeous shores which have captured vacationers’ want for solar and sand.

Uncover Athens Vibes With out The Grit

Athens is an exceptional metropolis to go to. House to timeless marvels, vibrant tradition, unimaginable arts and eats, there’s an underlying edginess surrounding the town with soiled again alleys and graffiti-lined streets.

In fact, the eyesores and sketchiness after sunset aren’t stopping anybody from visiting, welcoming a smidge beneath 5 million arrivals within the first half of 2025.

As for Heraklion, they’re seeing a hefty quantity of tourists too for a spot many individuals could not level out on a map.

2.1 million vacationers have visited Heraklion from January to July this yr, probably the most for any seashore vacation spot in Greece.

Crete’s largest metropolis is equal elements gorgeous shoreline and a time capsule of historic sights with far fewer crowds than Athens and never almost as edgy.

Heraklion (pronounced hih-RAK-lee-ən) boasts a vibrant waterfront and quite a few websites to hop across the metropolis, marveling at architectural treasures spanning civilizations.

The next websites are absolute must-visits and can have you questioning why individuals act like Athens is the one wondrous metropolis to take deep dive into historical past:

In fact, there is not any evaluating Athens’ Acropolis when you see it, however Heraklion is a incredible various and one which should not be missed in your subsequent European journey.

Santorini Who? Heraklion Is Teeming With Dreamy Villages

As an entire, Crete is an astounding island; you could possibly keep for weeks and really feel you are simply scratching the floor.

With so many parts to uncover, whether or not it’s postcard marinas, scenic vineyards, beautiful Mediterranean shores, and all of the aforementioned landmarks, your head will probably be left spinning.

But when there’s one side of Heraklion you have to learn about, it is the encompassing villages on the outskirts of the town, the place probably the most outstanding seashores value visiting lie.

First up is Archanes, lined with rows of colourful properties, quaint church buildings, a maze of alleyways, and conventional Cretan delicacies and beautiful native wine.

Second is Alagni. You gotta pay a go to to Lyrarakis Vineyard, certainly one of Crete’s prettiest wineries. This city can also be house to Alagni Cretan Resort, the right base to unwind in a luxe villa away from the town noise.

Gortyna rounds out the highest 3. It is best for historical past buffs who need much more than what the town of Heraklion gives as you may discover serene, storied streets, tranquil lakes, and much more ancient ruins.

However let’s not overlook the seashores, as they seem to be a delight to go to even in fall, as temps hover within the 70s till mid-November.

In keeping with TripAdvisor’s newest rankings, these are guests’ prime 5 favourite Heraklion seashores proper now:

1. Potamos Seaside
2. Stalis Seaside
3. Komos Seaside
4. Ligaria Seaside
5. Kokkino Ammos Seaside

You’ve got come all this manner, so why not splurge? 5-star Lyttos Beach Hotel is an all-inclusive hideaway within the small coastal city of Hersonissos with free transport to and from the airport.

How To Attain Heraklion

Not like myself, who faucets his heels 3 instances yelling “Opa!” and pretending to magically transport to Chania once I attend San Diego Greek Pageant annually, sadly, it takes a bit extra effort to show desires into actuality.

Athens is globally related. Heraklion? Not a lot, however it’s straightforward to overcome with only one layover (the identical as I did when visiting Chania).

Heraklion’s airport is effectively related all throughout Europe, but when it have been me, I might go for a ferry trip, which has grow to be one thing of a bucket-list merchandise for Greece vacationers.

Since Athens is the apparent option to fly into, perhaps spend a few days there seeing the sights earlier than having fun with lesser crowds and extra inviting aesthetics by hopping aboard a ferry ride with gorgeous sea views.

Or plan to remain some time — Heraklion is certainly one of Greece’s prime digital nomad locations in spite of everything…

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Author & Journalist based mostly in San Diego has visited 36 international locations and written over 1000 articles with a give attention to sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a light-weight on lesser-known gems.