Crete’s top party resort, Malia lies 37 kilometres from Heraklion. Developed in the 1980s, it is popular with a young British crowd, its main draw the neon-lit strip of late-night discos, English-style pubs, and fast food kiosks. Hotels and apartments overlook the two-kilometre-long sand beach, offering water sports and bungee jumping. The Star Beach water park in Chersonissos is also nearby. Daily excursion boats run to Ayios Nikolaos.
