Guide to Maleme

"A peaceful patch of Crete, blessed with a never-ending pebble beach, Maleme was made for sun-worship."

Want to concentrate on catching some serious rays this holiday? If so, then Maleme is for you. Located to the west of Chania and Platanias, this undisturbed place has one very hot asset – its gorgeous beach. A long belt of pretty pebbles washed by bright blue waters, it's perfect for serious sun-worshippers, largely because there are no diversions to get in the way of you and that tan. There are some watersports that might temporarily seize your attention. But if you're not interested in them, they won't detract you from your downtime. Most importantly, the resort itself doesn't tempt you with any significant diversions. A chequerboard of quiet roads, hotels and tavernas, it exists merely to service your beach life rather than compete with it. Even if you do take time out to enjoy a meal of rice-stuffed tomatoes and carafe of icily-cold wine, it shouldn't take too long. Energies revived, it's just a short trail back from the nearby tavernas to the beach, your return applauded by a thousand cicadas. When you finally decide on doing something different, Platanias, with its shops and restaurants, is worth rummaging around. And when night comes, you'll find that Maleme keeps to the same lazy pace as the days. Evenings here are about dining out in a taverna watching a Cretan sunset, before maybe visiting the two or three music spots in the west end of the town.

Find the cheapest late deals to Maleme leaving in the next six weeks.