Malia holidays

Malia holidays

Deals from £201 per person

While it might have thousands of years of history behind it, modern-day Malia is now as famous as the party capital Crete. Holidays to Malia are stocked with everything you could need to make yours one to remember. Soak up the Mediterranean sunshine from a soft-sanded beach or clear the cobwebs from the night before with some high-octane water sports. If you need a day out, the nearby Watercity is packed with thrills, spills, rides, slides, and plenty of laughs!

However, nightlife is the star of the show. Once the sun goes down, you’ll find this sleepy little town erupts into a kaleidoscope of neon lights, club tunes, and some of the best bars on the island. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or part of a group that loves to party, then Malia is the perfect place for you.

Things to do

Malia is Crete’s very own Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde resort. As well as a vibrant party destination, it’s a beach-lovers paradise with sun-bleached sands shelving gently into sapphire-blue seas. There are plenty of water sports if you want to add some adrenaline to your Malia holidays too, like water-skiing and banana boating.

Head to Watercity waterpark, a short bus ride away from the main resort. There, you’ll find some white-knuckle rides and slides, such as the Turbo Cyclone, the Hyper Race, and the Kamikaze. If that’s a bit too much for you, Watercity has its own sun loungers and bars. Once you’ve recovered and the sun goes down, it’s time to embrace Mr Hyde and get stuck into the world-famous nightlife. Whatever you’re hoping to discover, holidays to Malia promise plenty of entertainment.

Excellent beaches

Malia has one of the best beaches in the whole of Crete. The golden sand stretches for six kilometres and gently deepens into the warm, turquoise sea. It’s lined with sun loungers and parasols for you to sit back, relax, and take in the spectacular views. When you get a little hungry, you can head to one of the beach bars and sample various snacks to sate your appetite. The beach is well developed, with lots of thrilling water sports to choose from, should you wish to try.

For those that can’t get enough of the party atmosphere, head straight to Bikini Beach where you’ll discover a range of activities to keep you occupied when you tire of sunbathing. With a jacuzzi area, table tennis, and a resident DJ, this beach paradise has everything you need for fun in the sun. Or if you’d prefer a quieter retreat, spend a day down at the Potamos Beach. Less crowded than the main beach of Malia, this peaceful location is the perfect place to unwind and nurse your hangover. Take a nap in the shade or lie back on the soft sands and watch the world go by.

Wonderful attractions

Malia holidays promise a delightful range of attractions to make your getaway truly special. As well as the excellent beaches and buzzing nightlife, there are plenty of activities to try your hand at. For an action-packed adventure full of excitement, embark on an off-road safari tour where you can experience breathtaking panoramic views and a plethora of other delights for the senses. Or take a walk on the wild side and visit the Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre, home to a host of exotic reptiles.

History and culture

Today, Malia is known primarily for its buzzing nightlife. Still, it was actually the oldest inhabited area in all of Greece. Olive oil is the symbol of Crete and is a big part of Greece’s rich culture. Malia produces around 600 tons of olive oil a year, and it’s the olive farms that shape the beautiful countryside.

Suppose you want to explore the quieter side of Malia. In that case, there are lots of day trips and excursions around the island, like a trip to view the unspoilt, ancient Minoan palace ruins where Crete’s royal family once reigned. Located on the north-east coast of Malia, this historical site is a must-visit for anyone interested in Ancient Greece. First constructed in around 1900 BC, it was destroyed and rebuilt in 1650 AD. Today, the ruins at this site reflect the rebirth of the palace. Wander around at leisure and imagine what life was like in the town many years ago.

Once you’ve had a look around, head into Old Town Malia where you can meander the cobbled streets and discover the glorious churches to which this area is home. Witness the incredible architectural detail at the Church of Agios Dimitrios and enjoy a traditional lunch in the flower-filled courtyard.

Buzzing nightlife

Beach Road, aka ‘The Strip’, is home to various well-stocked bars and nightclubs playing all sorts of music, from cheesy tunes to club classics. If you fancy a delicious cocktail or singing your heart out at karaoke, then start your night at Bar One and Premier.

Want something a little more contemporary? Then Candy Club is the place for you. It has an extensive sound system and is notorious for being the biggest Malia club. It hosts events through the season, playing music from all genres including house and EDM. To have an unforgettable night, party at one of Candy Club’s famous silent discos or UV glow events. If you’re a fan of house music, head to Zig Zag, or frolic in foam three times a week at Camelot Castle Club.

The well-established nightclub, Mode, is also not to be missed. Party under the stars in its open-air area or grab a drink at one of its four bars. Its resident and guest DJs will have you dancing the night away in the spectacular, tropical setting. Nearly all the clubs and bars are open daily, so you’ll be spoilt for choice whenever you head out.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including Aghios Nikolaos | Athens | CorfuCrete | Elounda | Halkidiki | Heraklion | Hersonissos | KalamataKefaloniaKos | Lefkas | LesbosMykonos | Olympius Riviera | PargaRethymnon | Rhodes | SantoriniSkiathos | Skopelos | Stalis | ThassosZante 

 

Map of Malia

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12-28 ℃

If you want to make the most of the sunshine on your holiday, book your break between May and June, when the mercury is at its highest. 

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Approximately four hours

Flights land at Heraklion Airport, which is just over 30km from the resort.

Malia is best for...

Beach lovers: The main beach offers 6km of powder-soft sands; perfect for soaking up the sun.

Clubbers: The strip is legendary for being Crete’s leading clubbing zone, packed with bars, clubs and non-stop parties

Thrill-seekers: With the nights taken care of, spend your days racing go-karts, riding jet-skis or speeding down water slides.

Fast facts for Malia

Language: While the main language spoken is Greek, most of the locals have a good command of English.

Currency: You’ll need to exchange your pennies and pounds for Euros, before jetting off on your holiday.

Local time: Malia is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Heraklion International Airport. The transfer time to Malia is 1 hour 45 minutes.
Flight time from UK: The flight time to Malia is 3.5–4 hours.

Tourist Information: Further Malia tourist information can be found at
www.visitgreece.gr.

Visa / Health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday to Malia.

Holiday destinations related to Malia:

  • Aghios Nikolaos
  • Elounda
  • Hersonissos
  • Heraklion
  • Rethymnon
  • Stalis
  • Getting around Malia

    By bus: The bus service is reliable and cheap, running regularly during high season. The service runs past all the resort’s beaches, as well as out to neighbouring towns and attractions.

    By taxi: Taxis are readily available and are an affordable option for making short journeys, or returning to your hotel at night. There is a taxi rank in the centre of town.

    On foot: It’s possible to walk to most places of interest in Malia in about 10 minutes. Many of the hotels are right by the beach and within easy walking distance of the town and its nightlife.

    Events in Malia

    Malia Live: This is the biggest and most hotly-anticipated event in the resort. Taking place over three days in July, you’ll see big-name acts such as Lethal Bizzle, Tinie Tempah, and J Hus and Mist entertaining a 3,000-strong crowd from neighbouring resorts such as Stalis and Hersonissos. Warm-ups are hosted by acclaimed DJs and the whole thing kicks off on the Pleasure Beach.

    Tourist’s day: In September, Malia hosts a special Tourist’s Day to get visitors involved in the local culture. The day is part of a traditional Cretan festival celebrated by locals, and gets everyone involved in enjoying Greek dancing, music and food in the old town square.

    Malia weather

    Temperature: Summer average of 28°C.

    Best time to visit: May and June.

    The mercury starts to climb from May, hitting the mid-twenties before climbing higher through June, July and August, peaking in the low thirties. From September, things start to cool off, but only as far as the low twenties. However, the winter months are when the region sees the most rainfall. While the summer season is extremely busy, many choose to visit in spring, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the crowds are thinner.

    Best hotels in Malia

    Places similar to Malia to visit