Yet even the places that attract more visitors, such as lazy Plakias, west of Preveli, stand apart from the north and its resorts.

BBC: Seductive southern Crete

Having one of the south's longest beaches, Plakias has attracted some smallish hotels and restaurants, though the truly extraordinary Youth Hostel Plakias (open from Greek Easter through October) also attracts devotees of all ages.

BBC: Seductive southern Crete

One of the reasons why Plakias and other southern getaways have remained relatively immune from mass tourism is the terrific summer wind that roars through everything, pelting beach-goers with sand and whipping up whitecaps on the sea.

BBC: Seductive southern Crete