Crete is the largest of the Greek islands on which to stay. It lies to the south of mainland Greece, in the Mediterranean Sea. Sometimes nicknamed “the island of the gods” for its importance in mythology, Crete bears witness to the multiple historical and cultural pasts it has experienced over the last few centuries. Its history, culture, lifestyle, landscapes and beaches have made it a popular tourist destination for Greeks and foreigners alike. But where to stay in Crete?
To prepare for your stay in Crete, you need to choose the right accommodation. This choice depends on both the length of your trip and your main expectations. In this guide, we present the main places to stay in Crete, with our recommendations:
Key information
Before going into the description of the areas to target when selecting accommodation in Crete, here are the essentials to know about tourism.
Our favorite places to stay
First of all, if you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Crete:
- $ this accommodation just a 1-minute walk from Nea Chora Beach in Chania.
- $$ this hotel has the ideal location and good value for money in Heraklion.
- $$$ this upscale establishment, 100 meters from Koum Kapi beach. It’s one of the best places to stay in Chania, budget permitting.
Map of different areas to stay in Crete
We’re now sharing the map on which you can find all our recommended hotels or apartments where to stay in Crete. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas that we will cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for small budgets, blue for mid-range and red for luxury hotels.
The essentials for accommodation in Crete
Here’s some information to help you get to know the island a little better:
Places to stay in Crete
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Crete.
Accommodation in Chania, the heart of Cretan life
Chania, or Chania in Greek, is Crete's second largest city. Situated to the west of the north coast, it is renowned as the center of Cretan entertainment. Most festivities and events take place here. Nightlife is particularly active, with some of Crete's most popular restaurants and bars. The beaches are also very lively.
Among the main places of interest to visit, you're bound to come across :
- the harbour, with its many historic buildings
- the 16th-century Venetianlighthouse
- the mosque, the first mosque built in Crete in the 17th century by the Ottomans
- the covered market, where you'll find many Cretan specialties.
Thanks to its liveliness and tourist appeal, Crete offers a wide range of accommodation options. These are mainly hotels and apartments. Staying here is an excellent choice for a road trip around the island.
You can browse our guide to where to stay in Chania for more information.
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Conveniently located within walking distance of local bars, cafés and minimarkets. Nea Chora Beach is also close by, just a 1-minute walk away. The hotel offers modern, well-equipped rooms with views of the White Mountains.
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Just a 10-minute walk from the beach and right in the heart of Old Town, this aparthotel is the ideal place to stay. It occupies a building dating back to the 19th century and has retained a certain charm. Bars, restaurants and shops are just a few steps away.
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Just 100 meters from Koum Kapi beach, this relaxing 4-star hotel offers a large restaurant, free parking and an outdoor pool. The town center and Old Town are within easy walking distance.
Stay in Heraklion, capital of Crete
Considered the capital, Heraklion is an essential stopover on a first visit to Crete. It is often the gateway to the island, with its international airport. Staying a few nights in the capital is an excellent choice for continuing your road trip afterwards.
Located in the eastern part of the north coast, this city boasts a large number of sites of interest. The main ones are
- knossos Palace, the island's most visited archaeological site
- the old town, with its narrow streets
- the Archaeological Museum, offering a panoramic view of the history of Crete
- the medievalcity walls
Heraklion is a lively place, with many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Other activities include boat trips, scuba diving and canyoning in the surrounding area. So it's a good idea to stay here to be as close as possible to all these tourist attractions.
Heraklion offers a wide range of accommodation options. These include hotels and apartments.
For more information, see where to stay in Heraklion.
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Hotel close to Heraklion port. Excellent value for money. Features a bar and family rooms.
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Hotel in the heart of Heraklion. Most rooms have a balcony or terrace. It features a restaurant and bar. It's a great value for money place to stay in Crete's capital.
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5-star hotel complex offering large suites with sea views. With rooms decorated in the style of the 50s, it features a restaurant and bar.
Stay in Réthymnon, a city of Cretan history and culture
As Crete's third-largest city, Rethymnon is also a great place to stay.
Situated in the center of the north coast, between Chania and Heraklion, this city is well worth a visit for anyone staying in Crete. Indeed, its charm lies in its rich historical and cultural identity, as well as its tranquility compared to the first two.
The main sites of interest in Rethymnon are
- the fortress of Rethymnon (Fortezza), built by the Venetians in the 16th century
- the Kara Musa Pasha mosque, a Venetian building transformed into a mosque by the Ottomans in the 17th century
- the Church of the Four Martyrs, built in honor of four local martyrs in the 19th century
- the Archaeological Museum, with exhibits dating from prehistoric and Roman times
For accommodation in Rethymnon, a wide choice of accommodation at all price levels is available. These are mainly apartments and hotels.
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Historic establishment by the sea and close to Rethymnon Fortress. Excellent value for money. Features swimming pool, restaurant and bar.
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Luxury beachfronthotel complex. It features a swimming pool and bar. Rooms are spacious, with balconies overlooking the sea. It's a good 5-star place to stay in Crete.
Stay in Agios Nikolaos, a symbol of Cretan elegance
Located in north-east Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a seaside resort sometimes referred to as the "Cretan Saint-Tropez", due to its particular elegance. Symbolized by its colorful houses, Agios Nikolaos is also renowned for the cleanliness of its beaches, which can be reached on foot from the heart of the town. The atmosphere is lively, with numerous boutiques, cafés and restaurants.
The main sites of interest in Agios Nikolaos are :
- lake Voulismeni, a pleasant place to stroll and watch the colorful fishing boats
- the historic center, with its colorful houses and staircases
- an excursion to Spinalonga, an island with a Venetian fortress 15 km from Agios Nikolaos
There is a wide range of accommodation to stay in Agios Nikolaos. Prices are very attractive compared to the main towns of Crete. Mostly apartments and hotels.
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Aparthotel close to the seafront at an attractive price. Modern, it includes a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.
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Apartment near the sea. The rooms are spacious and feature a balcony with a view of the city and Lake Voulismeni. It's a quiet, well-located place to stay.
Accommodation in Sitia, a quiet town in eastern Crete
Situated at the eastern end of Crete's north coast, the city of Sitia is a possible alternative to the bustle of the big cities and the west of the island.
In terms of tourist attractions, you can see the remains of the Kazarma Fortress. This is the only remaining structure from the Venetian era in the area. The port, the archaeological museum and the folklore museum are the other most important sites of interest in Sitia. If you're looking for peace and quiet and authenticity, Sitia is the place to stay.
The range of accommodation available to stay in Sitia is fairly limited, as it is not very well developed for tourism. On the other hand, rates are generally low and attractive.
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Low-cost establishment. It features a swimming pool, terrace and bar. A good option if you're looking for a budget stay in Crete.
Stay in Malia, a small seaside resort steeped in history
A small seaside resort, Malia is located on the western part of Crete's north coast.
Popular with young people, it offers a lively nightlife and bars, as well as beautiful beaches for relaxing. Strolling through the narrow streets of the old town is equally enjoyable. History buffs can also discover the ruins of the Minoan palace, one of the three most important in Crete.
However, if this is your first visit to Crete, staying here is not the best option. Accommodation in Malia is best suited to those who have already visited the island's must-see sites and want to enjoy its lively, sandy beaches. Or for those on a multi-stop road trip.
Malia offers a wide range of accommodation, mainly hotels at all price levels.
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Modern seafront establishment with swimming pool, terrace, bar and restaurant.
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Luxury beachfronthotel. It features a swimming pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant and private parking.
Stay in southern Crete, the island's wildest coastline
The southern part of Crete is much less popular than the north. There are fewer sites of interest. Nevertheless, nature is wilder and the panoramas are more interesting. There are also some beautiful stretches of sand to discover. Among the most interesting places are the villages of Choria Sfakion, Matala, Elafonisi, Paleochora and the Samaria Gorge.
Because this coast is less busy, the choice of accommodation is much smaller than in the north of the island.
Choosing accommodation in the south of Crete, even if only for part of your trip, is therefore much less relevant than in the north. However, it can be interesting if this is not your first visit to Crete. Or in the context of a discovery road trip. The exploration of new, wilder places would then be worth considering.
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Located in Chora Sfakion. On the seafront, it features a bar, restaurant and private parking.
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Aparthotel located in Elafonisi. It includes a swimming pool, spa and bar. Fairly attractive rates.
Summary
Choosing where to stay in Crete depends on a number of factors.
First of all, the locations of these accommodations will be linked to the main expectations of your visit to Crete. If you want to discover Cretan history and culture, staying in one or more of the three major cities is the best choice. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the beaches and peace and quiet, you’ll want to stay in authentic villages on the north coast, or even in the wilder southern part of the island.
The second important factor in choosing your accommodation is the length of your stay. In just a few days, you can take full advantage of a specific part of Crete. For a more complete tour of the island, you’ll need to allow between a week and 10 days. You’ll need to stay in a number of different places