Come on an journey to northern Crete, the place sunshine, sea, turtles and countless raki will fill your coronary heart with surprise!

© Kerry McCarthy
The place to remain in Georgioupoli
To save cash, and a variety of organising, we selected an easyjet vacation that included flights, transfers and lodging at Athena Residences Resort, which was an absolute delight. Sitting simply on the sting of the city we had the advantage of not being within the hustle and bustle of the centre however we had been additionally a really brief stroll away from all the things as nicely!
- Seashore & seashore membership – 5 minutes
- Nearest taverna – underneath 1 minute
- The primary sq. – 10 minutes
- The harbour space – quarter-hour
The flats had been very clear, nicely introduced and spacious, and there was a pool surrounded by gardens, so we didn’t really feel like we had been backing onto one other resort. We nearly had sea views, and great views of the mountains too. The house owners had been extremely pleasant and really useful certainly, we’d undoubtedly return!

© Kerry McCarthy
Issues to do in Georgioupoli
Eat, drink, store, sail, swim, snorkel, sunbathe… There may be loads to do right here, and many excursions from the close by inns and seashore bars. The seashore could be very very lengthy, so loads of locations to bag a parasol and get served drinks and snacks whichever course you go! Right here’s what we received as much as:
Kalivaki Taverna Seashore Day. Right here you’ll discover the perfect little bit of seashore, tremendous gentle sand and really secure swimming. The water is shallow for fairly a method, and crystal clear, free from seaweed and stones. The Taverna serves up wonderful meals (small cheese pies are a should, together with stuffed vine leaves and zucchini flowers), and is connected to lodging if you wish to make this place your base.
Kalivaki seashore is on the far finish of the city, close to the harbour and has a river working into it which for those who look fastidiously is crammed with fish and turtles! Don’t miss the wonderful fashions of forts, amphitheatres and different wonderful Greek structure simply across the again of the taverna.

© Kerry McCarthy
Lake Kournas. We took the “enjoyable prepare”, an affordable (€7 per grownup return) brief journey on a highway prepare from Membership Tropicana Seashore Bar as much as the one freshwater lake in Crete. I can not suggest visiting this place sufficient, particularly if you’re with youngsters. The lake is big, surrounded by mountains, is crystal clear and you’ll rent pedalos to go discover and see the turtles!
Undoubtedly take your swim stuff and a snorkel set too because the water is good for exploring, and also you would possibly even be capable to bag your self a pedalo with a slide. The place actually is big, so that you it doesn’t really feel like you’re in amongst everybody out on the lake. There are additionally tavernas the place you possibly can refuel, and sunbeds amongst the greenery if you wish to spend a day there.
Eat scrumptious native meals! We had recent fish at Poseidon Seafood Restaurant – I can personally vouch for the seabass, conventional Cretan meals at Nostos – my son wished us to return for the grilled cheese, I wished to go once more for the grilled squid; and extra of the identical at Taverna Babis, the place I had the perfect prawn saganaki I’ve ever eaten. All of those locations are inside a 5 minute stroll of one another, and likewise served wonderful souvlaki (grilled meat on a skewer).
Be warned – portion sizes listed here are big! I doubt there are numerous individuals who would be capable to match an appetiser together with a principal meal in a single sitting!

© Kerry McCarthy
What I cherished (and didn’t love) about Georgioupoli, Crete
I cherished how pleasant everyone seems to be, and the customized of serving Raki as a complementary drink after consuming, together with dessert. I additionally fairly loved the truth that the Raki simply retains on coming. It’s most definitely an acquired style, however after the primary shot, you get used to it! Kalivaki Taverna served theirs ice chilly and with cherries. Superb!
There wasn’t a lot to not like in any respect, I suppose if I used to be to select something, it’s getting used to the Greek sewerage system and remembering to not flush paper down the bathrooms!

© Kerry McCarthy
Would I’m going to Georgioupoli once more?
Sure, I might. It’s a beautiful laid again place to be primarily based and there are many excursions and day journeys to different areas of the island. Subsequent time we go, we need to discover a number of the seashores on the southern aspect – Elafonissi seashore is excessive on the record for its pale pink sands!
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Journey Author Bio
Kerry McCarthy is a journey author, writer, artist, and breathwork teacher. You may see extra of her adventures on Instagram @kerrymccarthystars.

© Kerry McCarthy