This active beach town on Crete's north coast has ancient Minoan ruins and a lively nightlife scene. Popular with young travelers, its bars and clubs stay open until dawn.
Malia, 34 kilometers east of Heraklion in Crete, has grown from a farming town into one of Greece's main beach party destinations. You'll find young travelers dancing at beachfront clubs until sunrise, families swimming in the calm waters of Sun Beach, and locals drinking coffee in the stone-paved streets of the old quarter. The town's 5-kilometer coastline includes six beaches, while sites like the 1700 BC Minoan Palace and centuries-old churches in the Medieval quarter tell stories of the town's past.
Getting to Malia
Regular buses run between Heraklion and Malia, taking about 40 minutes. If you're driving, follow the National Road east from Heraklion toward Agios Nikolaos - the route is well-marked and takes 30-40 minutes.
Layout and Areas
The main road splits Malia into two distinct sections. The old quarter sits south of the road, where you can walk through narrow stone-paved streets lined with traditional Cretan houses and purple bougainvilleas. North of the road, you'll find the beach area with modern hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs. Dimokratias Street, known locally as Beach Road, connects the town center to the shore.
Beaches and Swimming
The 5-kilometer coastline contains six separate beaches. At Glozanie Beach, you can rent jet skis and paddleboards, or grab a drink at one of the many beachfront bars. Sun Beach has calm waters and stays shallow for several meters, making it ideal for families with children. Local residents often gather at Potamos Beach, where you'll find fewer tourists and more traditional Greek tavernas.
Nightlife Scene
From 11 PM to 4 AM, the strip behind the beach fills with party-goers. Most clubs and bars don't charge entry fees, and you can dance to music from international DJs throughout summer. The crowd consists mainly of British and European tourists in their early twenties.
Day Trips from Malia
In the village of Krassi, 15 minutes north, you can sit under a 2,000-year-old plane tree and fill your water bottle from the natural spring. Spend half a day in Heraklion, 45 minutes west, to walk around the 16th-century Venetian fortress of Koules and see the Ottoman Vezir Mosque. Daily boats leave from Heraklion's harbor to other Greek islands.
Minoan Palace Archaeological Site
East of town, you can explore the ruins of Malia's Minoan Palace, the third-largest palace from this ancient civilization in Crete. Built in 1700 BC, it was said to be ruled by King Sarpedon, son of Zeus. The site's most significant find, a golden bee pendant, is now in Heraklion's museum.
