Beaches Near Koutoloufari
Malia Beach
The beach of Malia is a wide beach with fine sand and calm waters. It is one of the more crowded beaches in Crete, so there are a lot of sunbeds. You will of course find food service, massages, watersports, beach bars, and hotels right by the beach at Malia.
Sarandaris Coves
The Sarandaris Coves are slightly quieter than Malia, and are found 27 kilometers to the east of Heraklion. The waters are calm because they are protected from the northern winds. These coves are ideal for families and for couples looking for a typical Cretan beach.
Anissaras Beaches
The peaceful resort area of Anissaras is found 21 kilometers east of Heraklion, just west of Cape Sarandaris. So, it is slightly farther from Koutouloufari, but it is worth the extra driving to reach Anissaras. The area is popular for large hotels, which are often right next to the beach. All the beaches in this area are organized and have umbrellas and sunbeds, some of which are free for those staying at the hotels.
Hersonissos
Hersonissos is also one of the most popular resort towns in northern Crete. It is busy and takes up a couple of kilometers of coastline, reachable in about 30 minutes from the Heraklion International Airport. The name “Hersonissos” means "Peninsula” in Greek. There is a small village with the same name inland, with the name “Old Hersonissos.”
What To Do in Hersonissos
Hersonissos has plenty of beaches, a modern town with many shops for tourists, clothing stores, and restaurants offering both local and international food, as well as many bars and nightclubs. Be aware that Hersonissos will be busy in the summertime, especially at the beach. Large luxury hotels can be found in the area, as well as Crete’s most popular golf course.
Other Activities near Hersonissos
If you are traveling with children, Hersonissos is a great area because of the two Water Parks, as well as the Hersonissos Aquarium and the giant CretAquarium in Gournes. For the adults, there are plenty of bars and Irish pubs in the town center, some of which stay open until the early hours of the morning.
Where to Stay in Koutouloufari: Villa Ippocampi
Villa Ippocampi is a small hotel on the edge of Koutouloufari, with friendly owners, a lovely cafe, a swimming pool, and spacious rooms. In the early 1980’s, Nikos Psaltakis built his hotel “Villa Ippocampi” about one kilometer from the beach, so people had their doubts at first. However, now that the water is so crowded with resorts and noisy bars, this became the ideal escape with access to the water if needed.
Villa Ippocampi Style
The hosts Nikos and his Dutch wife Lydia are a charming pair, offering Greek hospitality and welcome drinks. The garden is filled with flowers and rooms are a peaceful escape for visitors to Crete’s northern coast. Wooden furniture and kitchenettes make the rooms stylish and romantic, especially when coupled with the olive branches and bougainvilleas that are placed outside. The Villa has a select number of rooms available and is adults-only. It focuses on eco-friendly technologies for its pool and hot water heating, and the greywater from the rooms is used again to water the olive groves.