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The town of Malia on the north coast of Crete is ancient, but
its appeal as a holiday destination is unquestionably for the
young: 18 to 30-year-old revellers out for fun, sunny days and
steamy party nights. The ruins of the 2000 BC Palace of Malia, a
mile or so from the neon strip of the modern resort, draws a few
tourists, but most are more intent on taking excursions to enjoy
the thrills and spills at the waterpark about 15 minutes away, or
soaking up the sun, swimming and sea sports on the miles of
beautiful white sandy beach. Modern Malia is a hodge-podge of
apartment and hotel complexes, tavernas, cafes, kiosks and shops
crammed along a busy strip, offering everything the package tour
holidaymaker could wish for. At night the lights are bright and the
music pumps in the many cosmopolitan pubs and clubs until sunrise.
The most attractive feature of Malia is its three miles (5km) of
sandy beach, washed by crystal clear sea, under blazing sun. There
is no natural shade but the beach is well-supplied with parasols
and sunbeds, and dotted with bar kiosks and watersports operators.
The road into the mountains south of the resort, leading to the
pretty village of Krasi, offers a scenic alternative with its
wooded slopes and rushing springs.
