Everything you need to know to make Malia the perfect birthday destination!
After twenty-one years, it is safe to say I have never out grown the excitement of my birthday. So, in true Emily manner, we took a girls trip to Malia to celebrate in the best way possible!
Where to stay
We booked a package holiday with EasyJet, flying from Gatwick Airport and spending 4 nights at the Sarpidon apartments, just a 5 minute walk from the Malia strip. Well...sort of! When we initially booked the trip, EasyJet had a deal on, offering different discounts dependant on the amount being spent. With that in mind, we decided to book separately as two groups of two as opposed to all together, saving around £100 each. Though this seemed like a savvy idea to begin with, we were swiftly knocked down a peg when we booked our first room, only to be told we had paid for the last room in the hotel. After half an hour of research and a few trips to google maps, we came across the King Village Apartments which appeared to be next door to our hotel...crisis averted.
Once we arrived, we checked into our 'separate' hotels, welcomed by the best view of each other on our balconies opposite! A quick freshen up and a bit of concealer, we headed to Malia strip... the celebrations had begun!
Malia Strip
With restaurants, bars and clubs, a few pizza stands and mini markets, Malia strip is the perfect destination to drink your problems away and celebrate in style. After a bite to eat at McDonalds, we head to Zoo bar, my personal fave, for a sex on the beach and a few woowoo's, followed by a trip to Oasis Bar for a few essential shots and a flying stop at Lux Club to see Silky perform.
The entry fee for Lux Club was a €20 deal, offering free entry for a week, though we didn't go back again.
I could write about the bars on the strip all day, though once you're there I don't think it will make a difference. Each bar has reps with tempting offers to get you inside, so when you're there trip advisor has no sway! On our second evening, I wore a birthday sash and received 21 free shots from Wembley bar... and I couldn't tell you where we went from there! But all in all, working your way down the strip you can't go far wrong, though be prepared that not every bar is as cheap as you'd think anymore with some bars charging €9/€10 per cocktail.
Things to do...Not so hangover friendly
Flying Sofas After a heavy night I wouldn't recommend a trip on the flying sofas at Malia beach, but if you want a crackin' story to tell then it is definitely worth the ride. For €20 per person, you get a short trip on the jet ski's to the boats, what feels like an obstacle course challenge to get onto the sofas and a 10 minute ride around the ocean. The best €20 we ever spent! Something about being pulled around at full speed on a giant inflatable whilst being brutally splashed with salty water and using all your strength to hold on for life is just a no brainer! and for €15, you can receive all the pictures taken before and during the ride.
Boat Trip from Agios Nikolos €40 per person got us a coach trip to Agios Nikolos, a historic town about 30 minutes away from Malia, where we were able to spend an hour exploring, a boat trip to the historic Spinalonga island and an open ocean to swim, paddle and float in! Whilst on the boat you can enjoy a range of beverages, a variety of different ice-cream and slushies as well as learning about the ocean you travel on and destinations you pass.
Whilst touring Agios nikolos, I recommend visiting Cafe Hellas. For a light bite and a view, you couldn't ask for a better spot!
Where to eat
Brasserie Restaurant https://brasserie-malia.gr
For a fine dining experience located at the bottom of the strip, Brasserie Restaurant offers a range of fine wines, pizza and pasta, grill and traditional Greek cuisines. I personally recommend trying their cheesy garlic bread followed by a healthy portion of chicken gyros and chips, of course with a few cocktails too.
Napolitana Restaurant https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/ShowUserReviews-g616162-d3574645-r676863174-Napolitana_Restaurant-Malia_Crete.html
Named one of Malia's best restaurants on trip advisor, we visited Napolitana on two occasions for lunch. The friendly staff make for a welcoming experience, with the restaurant providing the perfect view for people watching. After trying their calamari, meatballs and pasta and traditional gyros, I can confirm it does not fail to live up to their reputation. The portions are on the American side, with prices matching what you would find in a standard English pub, though we failed to review their cocktail list!
Local Eat Greek https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g616162-d17810646-Reviews-Lokal_EatGreek_Restaurant-Malia_Crete.html
Situated just a 10-minute walk from Malia Strip, in the heart of Stalida, Local Eat Greek is a traditional restaurant, providing a range of food and drink, followed by fruits and a shot of raki. Though not directly on your doorstep, the food is more than worth the short journey and is surrounded by quite bars for a potential 'chill' evening.
Last but not least... Sarpidon Apartments restaurant and bar! The in-hotel restaurant provided a large menu and it did not fail to deliver. From cheesy chips around the pool, to pizza and calamari in the evening, the food was tasty and the cocktail menu accompanied our meal perfectly. The bar staff were friendly and chatty and to top it off, the restaurant comes with the hotel cat who provides the perfect bit of entertainment.
Of course it wouldn't be the end of a trip without a flight delay...though for us it meant an entire extra day with our flight leaving at 1am the following morning. We decided to make the most of it and spent the day soaking up the last of the sun and re-enacting titanic in the pool, a pretty positive day all things considered. But a €9 cheeseburger at Heraklion airport later and a 24 hour day, we were back in Rugby and ready to start planning my 22nd birthday celebrations!
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