A family friendly beach, a vibrant mix of culture and a laid back vibe makes this seaside resort a hit with Brits all year round
Brits still looking for travel inspiration in April need not look any further – as this lesser known village in Crete has just about everything going for it.
Stalida, also known as Stalis, sits on the north coast of the island, between the party town of Malia and Hersonissos. Traditionally an old fishing village, it is now a beloved tourist spot on the island and has been slowly growing in popularity within the last two decades. Despite its low-key buzz, the village is mostly tailored to families with the usual souvenir shops, restaurants and bars lining the central area and promenade. But it’s not over-commercialised, and travellers looking to experience a bit of the local culture will certainly find this through Greek cuisine and the rugged, untouched surroundings.
Its main attractions are three-fold, with the Lychnostatis Open Air Museum and the Dikti Mountains being two of the highlights for people to delve into Greek history. But for those looking to soak up the sun, the village’s beach is extremely popular with Stalis Promenade Ikaros and Daedalus lighting up come dark with a bustling food scene and late night trading. TripAdvisor claims the village is extremely popular with travellers from all over Europe due to its versatility of things to do.
Known for its family friendly vibe, party-goers may be the only groups dismayed, as it is not considered a prime hotspot for clubs – with Stalis’s nightlife relatively low-key in comparison to its neighbour, Malia. EasyJet Holidays does however brand the village as a “vibrant town”, adding: “Stalis has developed from a small fishing village to a vibrant town. You’ll undoubtedly spend lots of time on the beach. A 6.5-kilometre stretch of soft golden sand winds all the way to the town of Malia, and it’s well organised, with plenty of sun-loungers and umbrellas to hire. There are cafés, tavernas and places to rent boats from, too.”
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Temperatures in April are not sizzling hot, but mildly pleasant which makes for comfortable exploring. According to TUI, the average daily maximum is 20C and the average daily minimum is 10C – which makes for perfect sunbathing weather on Stalis beach.
The holiday company predicts there is a 68% chance of a perfect sunny day and a 32% chance of seeing some clouds in Stalis in April, with on average 5mm of rainfall. It adds: “It’s possible to swim in the sea at this time of year but it’s generally a little too cool for most. The average sea temperature is 18C.”
Reviewers rave about the village’s main beach, with one person saying: “Nice beach, crystal clear waters, white sands and many local places for a cocktail, what more could you want on a chill and relaxing holiday.” Another added: “Excellent, excellent beaches in this sector – and probably everywhere in the region. The water is very clean, clear, transparent – you can see small fish swimming around you legs. The beach itself is also very clean, sandy.”
Getting there and accessibility
For families looking to venture to Crete over the Easter holidays the village is well-positioned, just 15 miles away from Crete’s Heraklion Airport, which equates to a 20 minute transfer. Most major airlines operate from this hub, including the likes of TUI, easyJet and Ryanair.
Flights from major London airports run directly, taking around four hours door-to-door. Prices for package holidays range from around £700 to £900 per person for a week’s stay in a self catering apartment.
