Whitsun holiday: The best last-minute offers for the sunny island of Crete

Crete is the star among the Greek islands: with a length of 260 kilometers and a width of 60 kilometers, a whole new world opens up to holidaymakers. With mountains more than 2000 meters high. With more than 400 gorges including the spectacular Samaria Gorge, one of the longest gorges in Europe. With pretty port cities like Retyhmnon or Chania. With the more than 3500 year old palace of Knossos, the most famous archaeological site in Crete. With monasteries, churches and chapels and the stalactite cave in the Lassíthi plateau, where the father of the gods Zeus is said to have been raised by goats. With white villages in the hinterland that enchant with their traditional architecture and cozy taverns. And of course with beaches that range from rocky bays on the cliffs, white sandy beaches with palm trees like in Vai and tiny pebble bays to offshore islets.

Conclusion: The nature on Crete is so diverse that hikers, water sports enthusiasts and beach mermaids as well as culture or family vacationers will find paradisiacal conditions. And that with daytime temperatures of around 27 degrees, the sea has pleasant values ​​of more than 22 degrees – perfect beach holiday weather in June.

1. Cactus Beach: Family friendly beach hotel near Heraklion

Right on the beach and at the same time right in town: The 4-star Hotel Cactus Beach is located on the north-east coast of Crete in Stalis. Families and beach holidaymakers will find everything they need for unforgettable Pentecost holidays in the well-kept complex with 172 residential units and a pool.

For children there is a pirate ship with a slide park, for adults there is a fitness centre, a jacuzzi, a hammam and a sauna. All age groups can let off steam with activities such as billiards, bowling, mini golf or volleyball, a riding stable is just around the corner. And of course the fine sandy, gently sloping hotel beach with loungers and a beach bar.

• Price example: 7 nights all-inclusive with flight and hotel transfer from 715 euros per person in a double room

Glittering water, paradisiacal coasts – soak up the sun now: These are Greece’s most beautiful dream beaches

2. The Royal Blue Resort: Relaxing holiday on the north coast

Relaxation and concentration on the essentials: The Royal Blue Resort is quietly and secluded on the north coast near Rethymno. Two large pools and a private beach section – protected by breakwaters – invite you to splash around, swim and sunbathe. There is a wellness area with a gym, jacuzzi, sauna and thalassotherapy pool.

Children can look forward to an in-house playground and daily childcare. However, there are no animation programs for adults. There is a tennis and volleyball court, a hairdressing salon, a jeweler, a souvenir shop and a boutique. The 187 rooms are modern and stylish, four restaurants and three bars spoil the guests with delicious creations and products from Crete.

• Price example: 7 nights with breakfast and flight from 825 euros per person in a double room

3. Lyttos Beach Hotel: Sports and sandy beach near the airport

The paradise for tennis players, swimmers, soccer players, basketball players and mountain bikers has a name: Lyttos Beach Hotel, 25 kilometers west of the island’s capital Heraklion, 20 minutes from the airport. Sports and entertainment are very important here. The family-friendly hotel is located directly on a 350-metre-long sandy beach. For those who prefer to splash in fresh water, the water park has eight large water slides, several pools, including a river pool and a pool for professional swimming training, and even a heart-shaped pool.

21 tennis courts – from sand to hard to padel tennis courts – and our own tennis academy offer the best training conditions for tennis players. The hotel’s range of activities also includes a large fitness studio and a bike rental service with high-quality equipment. The 96 rooms are divided into spacious family rooms, suites and double rooms, many of which have a private or shared pool. All are located in maximum two-story houses. Five restaurants and five bars under palm trees provide variety when it comes to eating and drinking.

• Price example: 7 nights all-inclusive, flight and hotel transfer from 960 euros per person in a double room

4. The Royal Senses Resort: A treat for all the senses on the Northwest Coast

5 stars on a hill on the beach of the northwest coast: near the fishing village of Panormo, the Royal Senses Resort, which belongs to the Curio Collection by Hilton, invites you to a luxurious vacation. All 178 accommodations of the 5-star beach resort in the white cube-house style have unobstructed sea views and are elegantly furnished. Families with several generations are very welcome. There is an Aqua Splash Park with different zones, fountains, whirlpools and slides, large loungers and trampolines.

And an extra pool area. A varied workshop program is available for children – from pottery and drawing to dance and theatre. Parents and grandparents will find a variety of shopping options at the resort’s marketplace – from designer boutiques to pop-up shops for deli and souvenirs. In the spa, the focus is on herbal therapies, a sauna, hammam and fitness studios (indoor and outdoor) with different courses await guests who want to do something for themselves and their well-being. Speaking of well-being: five restaurants and three bars promise creative cuisine, cocktails and soft drinks with local herbs.

• Price example: 7 nights with breakfast, flight and hotel transfer from 1100 euros per person in a double room with sea view

5. Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa: Family vacations in casual luxury

White, blue, cream: The spacious Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa complex is located in Kokkini Hani on the north coast, not far from Heraklion. The 5-star hotel with 393 rooms was renovated last year – in a boho style. Children are very welcome in the beach hotel, there is a lot for them to experience – games, handicrafts, sports, courses, films, movement exercises. Daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Mini, Junior or Teens Club.

There are also two separate children’s pools with salt water, a pool with fresh water, two water slides and a children’s corner in the main restaurant with a special buffet for the little ones. The activities on offer are aimed at all age groups, such as windsurfing, water skiing, canoeing, diving or just relaxing at the infinity pool. And of course the sandy beach belonging to the Mitsis Rinela with its stylish wooden loungers and parasols. Three restaurants with a view of the changing shades of blue of the Cretan Sea promise the finest cuisine.

• Price example: 7 nights all-inclusive with flight and hotel transfer from 1520 euros per person in a double room

Glittering water, paradisiacal coasts – soak up the sun now: These are Greece’s most beautiful dream beaches