Malia Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Malia. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages - Olive Oil Factory

• Quad Safari: Off-Road Day Tour with Dinner & Transfers

• Knossos & Lasithi Plateau: Land of Zeus,Villages, Olive Oil Tour

• Zeus Cave, Lassithi Plateau, Olive Oil Factory, Kritza, Pottery

• Full-Day Jeep Safari Tour with Cooking Lesson

Technically, visiting Malia is free outside of transportation costs—you can wander Old Town, the beaches, or bustling Dimokratias Street for free. However, many visitors opt for a tour to get more out of their time here (and skip the hassles of a rental car). Guided tours, which often feature attractions such as the Palace of Knossos or Spinalonga, start at US$30.

Yes, Malia is definitely worth visiting. Its attractions range from sandy beaches to the historic Old Town to the wild-ish nightlife (if you prefer to avoid nightlife crowds, skip visiting in the summer). You'll also be able to visit Minoan ruins and dive into the food scene as you explore the northeastern coast of Crete.

Per one customer who booked the Knossos - Zeus Cave - Old Traditional Villages - Olive Oil Factory, "This tour was probably the best I have ever done! It was very rich, local, and tasty. Not to mention our guide who was exceptional himself!"

The Palace of Malia covers an area of around 7,500 square meters (80,729 square feet). This colossal archeological site is the third-largest of Crete’s Minoan palaces; during a visit, you can see the palace’s foundations and the layout of its rooms, including a large central courtyard and ceremonial steps.

Yes, Malia is a good place to go. Aside from sandy beaches and nightlife, the big draw for history buffs is the archeological site roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) east of the town. You can see the preserved ruins of a Minoan palace and its adjoining settlement.

Malia is famous for its buzzing nightlife scene, which is particularly popular with travelers under 30. However, it’s not all clubs and partying—the island is also renowned for housing the Malia Palace Archaeological Site, one of Crete's three major Minoan palaces believed to date back to 1900BC.

Yes, Malia has a small port on its outskirts but this is really for fishing boats and small vessels. For cruise ships and ferries, you'll need the busier port of Heraklion. It takes around 30 minutes by car if traveling between Malia to Heraklion Port.

Yes, Malia is usually busy in July as this tends to be the peak tourist season in Crete. If you’re looking for a lively atmosphere and lots of sunshine, it’s a good time to come. However, for a quieter visit that still has plenty of sun, aim for April through June instead.

Yes, Malia is ok for older visitors. Though it's often associated with the lively 18-30’s nightlife scene, there's an abundance of attractions well-suited for the mature traveler, such as the Malia Palace Archaeological Site. For a more relaxed experience, avoid the peak months of July and August.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Malia. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Heraklion:

• Palace of Knossos

• Archanes

• Heraklion Archaeological Museum

• Spinalonga

• Samaria Gorge

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Heraklion.