Stay in Chania and western Crete if this is your first visit. It is the most walkable base on the island and the only one within easy reach of Balos, Elafonissi and Falassarna. Pick Rethymno if you want an old town with a long beach attached, Heraklion for Knossos, museums, ferries and the widest choice of flights, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda for five-star and adults-only resorts in the east, Hersonissos for family all-inclusives, and the south coast for heat and quiet in the shoulder season.
Crete is 260 km from end to end, so the area you book matters more here than on any other Greek island. Choose it by what you actually want to reach on the ground, not by the photographs.
Some hotel links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
BEST HOTEL IN CRETE:Domes Noruz
BUT ALSO CHECK:
- For Beach: Caramel Grecotel
- For Families:Creta Maris
- For Couples:Abaton Island
- All-Inclusive:Nana Princess
- Adults Only:Stella Island
- In Chania: Domes Noruz
- In Heraklion:Onira Suites
- In Rethymno:Rimondi
Depending on your situation, this is where you should stay in Crete(jump quickly with the links below or keep reading):
- Best Place To Stay In Crete (Overall)
- Chania or Heraklion?
- The Main Areas of Crete at a Glance
- How Many Bases Do You Need?
- Rethymno: Old Town Plus Beach
- Agios Nikolaos & Elounda
- Crete’s South Coast
- Best Place For Honeymoon
- Best Place for Families & Kids
- Best Place for Young Couples
- Best Place for Nightlife
- Best Place for Beaches
- Where to Stay in Crete WITHOUT a Car
- Best Place To Stay In Crete for Older Couples
READ ALSO:
- Best Villas in Crete
- Best Hotels in Crete
- Best Family Villas in Crete
- How to Get From Athens to Crete
- Best Family Hotels in Crete
- Best Chania Beaches
The main areas of Crete, and who each one suits
Crete is divided into four regional units: Chania in the west, Rethymno, Heraklion in the centre and Lasithi in the east. Almost every accommodation decision comes down to which airport you land at and how far you are willing to drive from it. These are the six areas most visitors actually choose between.
| Area | Best for | Nearest airport | Drive from airport | Car needed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chania & western Crete | First visits, Venetian old town, Balos, Gramvousa and Elafonissi | Chania (CHQ) | About 20 minutes to Chania town | Yes, for the far-west beaches |
| Rethymno | An old town with a long beach attached | Chania (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER) | About 1 hour from either | Helpful, not essential |
| Heraklion | Knossos, museums, ferries, the most flights | Heraklion (HER) | About 15 minutes | Not in town; yes to explore |
| Agios Nikolaos & Elounda | Five-star and adults-only resorts, calm gulf swimming | Heraklion (HER) | 1 hour to 1 hour 10 | Useful; most resorts run transfers |
| Hersonissos & Malia | Family all-inclusives, water parks, resort nightlife | Heraklion (HER) | 25 to 40 minutes | Optional |
| South coast (Plakias, Paleochora, Ierapetra) | Heat, quiet and reliable shoulder-season sun | Chania (CHQ) or Heraklion (HER) | 1 hour 30 to 2 hours | Yes |
Two practical notes on the airports. Heraklion (HER) is the busier of the two by a wide margin, handling more than 10 million passengers in 2025, so it usually has the cheaper and more frequent flights. Its replacement, the new Kastelli airport inland from the city, had reached 67% completion in February 2026 and is expected to open around 2028. That is worth knowing if you are booking a Crete trip several years out, but it changes nothing for now.
How many bases do you need in Crete?
One base is enough for up to five nights, two suit a week or more, and three only make sense on a fortnight. Every hotel change costs about half a day, and on Crete that half-day is spent on the same stretch of highway you would drive anyway on a day trip.
| Trip length | Bases | What that looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 5 nights | 1 | Chania for beaches and old town, or Heraklion for Knossos and museums |
| 6 to 8 nights | 1 to 2 | Chania plus Rethymno, or Rethymno alone as the low-driving compromise |
| 9 to 11 nights | 2 | One base in the west (Chania), one in the east (Agios Nikolaos or Elounda) |
| 12 to 14 nights | 3 | Chania, then Rethymno, then Agios Nikolaos, moving west to east |
The distances that drive those decisions, measured along the northern highway:
| Route | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Chania to Rethymno | 60 km | About 1 hour |
| Rethymno to Heraklion | 78 km | About 1 hour 15 |
| Chania to Heraklion | 138 km | About 2 hours |
| Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos | 65 km | About 1 hour |
| Chania to Agios Nikolaos | 204 km | About 3 hours |
Arriving by sea changes the arithmetic. Overnight ferries from Piraeus reach Heraklion in roughly nine hours, generally leaving around 21:00 and docking between 06:00 and 06:30, with up to five sailings a day at the height of summer. The Chania route runs one or two a day and lands at Souda, about 7 km east of the town, not in Chania itself. Crossings and operators are listed on Ferryhopper, and our Athens to Crete guide compares the ferry against flying.
Crete covers 8,336 km2 with 1,046 km of coastline. It runs 260 km east to west, widens to 60 km and narrows to about 12 km, which is why two towns that look close on a map can be a two-hour drive apart.
It’s understandable if you cannot figure out where to go in Crete. There are many places, and the island is so diverse and different from one area to another, making it challenging to decide.
You need more than 5 days in Crete (that’s why I do not recommend taking the ferry to Crete) and you won’t be able to explore the whole island in one trip, so you have to choose which one of its prefectures you will focus on: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, or Lasithi. It’s not your typical little, cute Greek island with the small white-washed houses and picturesque roads.
Crete has working cities, not only resort villages: about 624,000 people live on the island and roughly 165,000 of them in Heraklion. So, you are probably wondering: Western Crete or somewhere else?
Or maybe just Chania? What about Rethymnon, Heraklion, Malia, Hersonissos, or Agios Nikolaos?
Where would you be able to find the best beaches in Crete? Here is what I believe about Crete:
“Unless you are staying in an all-inclusive resort in Crete then you would definitely need a car on the island and more than 5 days in total. The best area to stay in Crete is the western part of the island or the “Chania prefecture”, as it has the most picturesque villages, the gorgeous Samaria Gorge, the beautiful beaches of Balos, Falassarna, Platanias, Elafonissi and obviously the most picturesque town of Crete which is Chania old town”
Keep reading…
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VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW:
- Best Place To Stay in Crete: Chania and Western Crete – this is the best area to stay in Crete as it has the best beaches, the famous Samaria Gorge, and the beautiful Chania Town
- Best Hotel in Crete: Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
- Best Villa in Crete:Elounda Luxury Villas (but there are lots of amazing villas in Crete, or even more impressive, stunning beach villas)
- When should I go to Crete? The best time to visit Crete is in June or September because the weather will still be hot, but you won’t find that many tourists on the island; avoid July and August by any means if possible.
- North Crete or South Crete: South Crete (that looks to Africa continent) is full of unique beaches (like Agia Roumeli, or Palaiochora), cute remote villages (like Hora Sfakion) but no big towns (like Chania or Heraklion); the best hotels in Crete and the best towns in Crete are all on the north side of the island; it’s also good to know that the roads network between north and south Crete is not that good so it’s not worth it staying on the south side of the island
- Best Hotel in Chania Town:Domus Renier Boutique Hotel
- Best Area To Stay if it’s your first time in Crete: I suggest you stay as close to Chaniaas possible because it is the best area in terms of hotels availability, beautiful villages and towns; however you should definitely visit Knossos Palace and the Heraklion area because it’s where most of the historic sites of the island are
- Best Hotel in Western Crete: Minoa Palace Resort & Spa
- How to Book a Hotel for Crete: go to Booking.com and make your choice. Airbnb has far fewer rooms and villas available in Crete.
- Best All-Inclusive Resort in Crete: Amirandes Grecotel Exclusive Resort
- Best Beaches in Crete: you can stay close to one of the Crete beaches, but undoubtedly western Crete (close to Chania) has the most impressive beaches; the island has thousands of incredible beaches, and some of them are also close to Heraklion, Hersonissos, Elounda, and Agia Pelagia – the best beaches in Crete (with Google Maps links) are: Agia Roumeli, Palaiochora, Falassarna, Balos, Elafonissi, Kolokitha, Preveli, Agios Pavlos, Vai, Ammoudara, Seitan Limania, Potamos
- Best Area for culture and History: if history, archaeological sites, and museums are your top priority, then you should stay as close as possible to the Heraklion area, as this is where Knossos Palace is, along with the excellent archaeological museum of Heraklion and the less famous Phaistos Minoan Palace
- Cheapest Hotels in Crete: generally as a rule of thumb if you stay in less picturesque or remote areas you will find better prices but there is always a catch as you may spend lots of hours driving to and from your hotel – however I believe that Rethymnon (which is very picturesque but less touristic than Chania) is an excellent spot for you to explore both Chania and Heraklion areas as it is in the middle
- Best Area in Crete for families with kids: Hersonissos – the best thing about Crete is that it has hundreds of all inclusive resorts that are probably the best thing for families with kids as they have plenty of amenities and everything in walking distance; Hersonissos is the area with the most family resorts around but there are family resorts all over the island and if you find another one that you like go for it (especially if it is around Chania)!
- Best Family Resort in Crete: Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort
- Best Area for Nightlife: No, it’s not Malia as many online guides suggest; Malia is a teenager’s resort with cheap nightlife and junk food restaurants (unless this is what you want…). Chania is the best place for nightlife, with beautiful bars, elegant clubs, lovely wine bars, and restaurants.
- Best Alternative Places to Stay in Crete: Agios Nikolaos, Rethymnon, Sitia
- Best Areas to Stay in Crete for Older Couples: I honestly believe Chania or Agios Nikolaos areas are also the best for older couples, as they have the best resorts and are very easily accessible and walkable, with lots of amenities and a very relaxing vibe
- How to Get From Athens to Crete: I recommend taking the 45-minute flight from Athens to Crete.
Best place to stay in Crete overall: Chania and the west
The best place to stay in Creteis the Chania area, or western Crete, which has the best beaches of the island and some of the best hotels. It also has the beautiful Chania town with its elegant restaurants, the picturesque Old Town of Chania, and the incredible Samaria Gorge (which you should hike).
If you have ever seen a picture of Crete, chances are it is from Chania or one of the western Crete beaches. Chania has an international airport with direct flights from all over Europe.
The hotel you stay in on Crete can make or break your holidays, as there are thousands of options. You have to understand that even though it’s not necessary to have a car in Crete, there is no other way to explore the beauty of Crete most effectively and quickly.
Yes, there are local buses in Crete (as well as Santorini and Mykonos buses), but they won’t take you everywhere and will not take you when you want them to. So, western Crete is the best option for all occasions, but it is best for those who wish to have the best beaches, access to excellent restaurants, and lavish resorts.
Western Crete (and Chania) is the best option for your first time in Crete. I highly recommend staying in Chania Town, even if it is not on the beach, as you will have plenty of options for dinner, lunch, and nightlife at your doorstep and beautiful beaches within a 30-minute drive.
- Best Hotel in Western Crete:
Minoa Palace Resort & Spa - Best Hotel in Chania Town:
Domus Renier Boutique Hotel
Chania or Heraklion: which base suits you?
Heraklion is Crete’s capital and the biggest city on the island. Heraklion has the biggest airport and port in Crete and is one of the best archaeological museums in Europe.
Heraklion is a working city rather than a resort — around 165,000 people live in the city itself and roughly 300,000 in the wider Heraklion regional unit — and almost nothing reminds you that you are on a Greek island while you are there.
On the other hand, Chania (or Hania) has an amazing old town with lots of cute little shops and amazing restaurants. But that doesn’t mean Heraklion is not full of nice restaurants, for example. The food in Crete is excellent everywhere!
Stay at Heraklion if:
- You are only planning to visit Crete for 2-3 days (which I do not recommend), and ferries and flights only go to Heraklion
- You want to be close to the museums and the amazing Knossos Palace
- You don’t care much about the beaches and swimming (though there are some nice beaches at Heraklion prefecture)
Stay at Chania (or western Crete) if:
- You want to be closer to the best beaches of Crete
- You want a more picturesque town to wander around
- You don’t care about archaeological sites and museums
- Best Hotel in Chania Town:
Domus Renier Boutique Hotel - Best Hotel in Heraklion Town:
GDM Megaron - Best Hotel in Heraklion prefecture:
Drossia Palms Hotel
Rethymno: the easiest old-town-and-beach base
Rethymno is the one Cretan base where you can walk out of a Venetian old town straight onto a long sandy beach, which makes it the obvious pick for anyone who would rather not drive every day. The old quarter is one of the better-preserved Venetian and Ottoman townscapes in Greece, wrapped around the Fortezza fortress on the headland, and the town beach runs east from the old harbour for several kilometres.
It is also the only major town roughly equidistant from both international airports: 60 km from Chania and 78 km from Heraklion, about an hour either way. If you have one week and cannot decide between the west and the centre, Rethymno is the compromise that costs the least driving. Arkadi Monastery, the site of the 1866 uprising against Ottoman rule and a national symbol in Greece, is about 23 km inland from the town.
Book here if you want an old town, a beach and day trips in both directions from a single hotel. Look elsewhere if Balos and Elafonissi are the point of the trip, because both are a long day out from Rethymno, and you would be better off in Chania.
Agios Nikolaos and Elounda: eastern Crete’s resort coast
Elounda holds the densest cluster of five-star and adults-only resorts on the island, and Agios Nikolaos, 11 km to the south, gives you a real town to walk into in the evening. Both sit on the Gulf of Elounda and Mirabello Bay, where the water is far calmer than the exposed north-west coast, which is the practical reason the luxury hotels ended up here rather than near Chania.
The area is 65 km from Heraklion airport, about an hour on the highway. Boats from Elounda, Plaka and Agios Nikolaos run to Spinalonga, the fortified island that was Greece’s leper colony from 1905 to 1957 and is now the most visited site in eastern Crete. Agios Nikolaos itself is built around Lake Voulismeni, a small, deep harbour lake ringed with tavernas.
Stay here for resort comfort and calm swimming. Do not stay here if you also want western Crete: Chania is 204 km away, roughly three hours each way, which is a full day gone in each direction.
Crete’s south coast: hotter, quieter, better in the shoulder season
The south coast faces the Libyan Sea and stays warm and dry for weeks after the north has cooled, which makes it the strongest choice for an October or April trip. Ierapetra, with around 12,000 residents, is the southernmost town in Europe and only about 400 km from the Libyan coast. Plakias, Paleochora and Matala are the smaller, beach-first alternatives.
The trade-off is access. Nothing on the south coast is near an airport. Allow 1 hour 30 to 2 hours from Chania or Heraklion, often over mountain roads, and expect thin bus services. Come with a rental car and the intention to stay put rather than tour.
Best place for a honeymoon in Crete: Elounda
Let’s admit it: Crete is not the first Greek island that comes to mind when considering a honeymoon in Greece. A honeymoon in Santorini is what you think of first.
But Crete has some of the best hotels in Greece, offering fantastic food and incredible service. And in fact, Crete might be a more affordable option for a honeymoon in Greece than Santorini and Mykonos (which can be extremely expensive).
The reality is that choosing the right honeymoon hotel in Crete is the most important decision because this is where you will be spending most of your days (and nights…). The other great thing about Crete is that it has a million things to do, cute villages to visit, beaches to swim and even amazing lakes and gorges to hike; this might be a great opportunity for a couple to explore an amazing island with lots of natural beauty, amazing food, magnificent history and lovely people.
Read Also:Best Honeymoon Hotels in Santorini
As I said, the hotel is one of the most important things while planning your honeymoon.
The place with the most impressive hotels in Crete is (by far) Elounda (on Google Maps), which is on the east side of Heraklion. It has some hotels with celebrity-level service and facilities…
DO NOT make the mistake of booking a honeymoon package for Crete. I have discovered from friends that these are charged surprisingly more than a hotel room you’d book by yourself.
Travel Agents market amazing Crete, Mykonos, or Santorini honeymoon packages like the holy grail of honeymoons, but it’s just a nice room with your private pool, maybe. Depending on the hotel, you may get some extras, but I think it’s not worth it. Just head to Booking.com and book a suite or a room at Elounda.
BEST HOTELS IN ELOUNDA :
Read Also:Most Beautiful Destinations in Greece
Best place for families and kids: Hersonissos
Crete is the perfect place for family holidays. It offers amazing family hotels, many beautiful beaches, and an island full of history and activities for the kids.
The area with the most family hotels in Crete is called Hersonissos, but great family resorts are scattered everywhere on the island, from Chania (west) to Agios Nikolaos (east).
I am not a big fan of all-inclusive hotels and resorts. They don’t really give you the opportunity to travel properly, explore a place, and feel its vibes, as you mostly stay in a hotel.
If you don’t want to stay at an all-inclusive hotel in Crete, you should consider renting a villa that can sleep more than one family! There are hundreds of amazing villas all over the island.
READ ALSO: Best Villas in Crete
READ ALSO: Best Beach Villas in Crete
However, I do understand why they appeal to so many families, honestly… Hersonissos (or Chersonissos) has a massive sandy beach, waterparks, amazing family resorts, and even aquariums. The great thing about Crete is that the island has many water parks, which you can visit even if your hotel does not have a swimming pool or water features for kids.Crete and Greece are super safe, and you don’t have to worry about anything (but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful every time you are on holiday).
BEST FAMILY HOTELS IN CRETE:
- Lyttos Beach
- Creta Maris Beach Resort
- Grand Hotel Holiday Resort
- Stella Palace Resort & Spa
- Kiani Beach Resort Family All Inclusive
- Mitsis Rinela Beach Resort & Spa
- Caramel Grecotel Boutique Resort
Best place for young couples: Chania prefecture
If you are adventurous and want to see Crete’s best with your other half, you should stay in the western part (Chania prefecture) or in Chania town.
Chania prefecture is probably the area with the most fascinating things to do on the island:
- Visit the amazing beaches of Elafonissi and Balos lagoons
- Hike the world-famous Samaria Gorge
- Explore the nightlife of Chania’s old town
- Visit one of the most remote areas in Greece: Hora Sfakion
- Visit the famous Zorba beach (where the famous movie was shot)
If you don’t want to rent and drive a car or a scooter on the island (which will make your life much easier, to be honest…), try to find a place in Chania Town as all the buses start from and end there.
Best place for nightlife in Crete: Chania, not Malia
You may have probably read online that Malia is the best area for nightlife in Crete. So, let me describe to you who the people are who are visiting and partying in Malia: teenagers who probably get seriously drunk every night. Is that for you?
You can visit Malia and explore the very low-quality, cheap clubs and bars (you will rarely see any locals apart from the people who work there), but in my opinion, this is bad nightlife. If you just finished school and want a cheap place to spend your holidays, you may have the time in Malia, but is that proper nightlife…?
On the other hand, I truly believe Chania offers the best package for nightlife: elegant bars, mainstream clubs, beautiful cocktails, wine bars, and amazing restaurants.
Read Also:My Ultimate Guide on Santorini Nightlife
Best Bars and Clubs in Chania are:
- Sinagogi
- To Monastiri tou Karolou
- Fagotto Jazz Bar
- Karamela
- Avalon Rock Pub
- Peacock Tail Bar
- BARRAKI
- Rogmi Mini Bar
Best place for beaches in Crete: the Chania coast
Western Crete (Chania Prefecture) is hands down the best area in Crete to enjoy the amazing, crystal clear Greek waters on beautiful, long sandy beaches.
READ ALSO: Best Beaches in Crete
Not many places in the world have so many beautiful beaches in such proximity.
Bear in mind, though: You always need a car in Crete because buses (though reliable) won’t allow you to explore all the beaches of western Crete; the island is pretty big and you need your means of transportation (unless you stay in an all-inclusive resort and you don’t care about moving around…)
VERY IMPORTANT: You won’t be able to swim in the seawater in the winter as the water will be pretty cold! Suppose you visit Crete in November, December, January, February, March, and April. In that case, FORGET about visiting the beaches as you won’t be able to swim, and these areas are pretty much deserted.
- Best Hotel in Western Crete:
Minoa Palace Resort & Spa - Best Hotel in Chania Town:
Domus Renier Boutique Hotel
BEST BEACHES IN WESTERN CRETE (CHANIA PREFECTURE):
Where to stay in Crete without a car
Crete is a massive island, so if you plan to see as many places as possible, you need a means of transportation. Renting a car is always an option, but the road network in Crete can be confusing, and the locals have one of the worst reputations in Greece as drivers. You must be careful!
So, if you want to visit Crete without a car, you should stay in one of the biggest cities, like Chania or Heraklion. Because Chania is cuter than Heraklion, it is a better overall option.
From Chania, you should be able to take a bus to Crete’s best beaches and to the other big towns of the island, such as Heraklion or Rethymno. You can take a bus from Chania to Falassarna, a bus to Samaria Gorge for hiking, and even buses to Elafonissi and Balos tropical beaches.
Crete Weather
Crete is one of Greece’s hottest places and one of Europe’s hottest places.
Here are the average temperatures in Crete from Holiday-weather:
These are just the average highs and lows, but usually, the temperature can be more than 40 degrees Celsius in July or August.
Bear in mind that because the island is so big, the temperature varies depending on the altitude and the wind. It’s colder up in the mountains.
What is the hottest month in Crete?
July is usually the hottest month in Crete, but August can be equally hot and humid. You won’t need jackets or long-sleeved clothes in July and August in Crete—that’s for sure! However, Crete can become notoriously windy in August, which brings the temperature down.
Is it Always Windy in Crete?
No, it’s not always windy, but it can get windy in July and August (especially on the north side that looks over the Aegean Sea), so you should get prepared for that scenario. The most important thing to remember is to check the wind and go to a beach that is not hit by the winds, and the best way to know that is to ask any locals!
What is Crete, Greece, famous for?
Crete is famous for its history (Knossos Palace and Minoan civilisation), the amazing landscape with the thousands of beaches, the incredible Samaria gorge, the delicious Cretan food, the picturesque towns of Chania, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, and of course the lovely and extremely hospitable Cretan people who are some of the proudest people in Greece
There are some amazing family hotels to choose from, but if this is your first time in Crete, I strongly believe you should stay in Western Crete and as close as possible to Chania town, as it is the island’s most beautiful area.
As a final note, always remember to book your accommodation at least 6 months in advance, as most hotels sell out quickly every year! Crete’s diverse landscape, beautiful beaches, incredible food, and lovely people won’t disappoint you, and you will want to return for more next year!
Last updated: August 2026
This update added an area-by-area breakdown of where to stay in Crete, an airport and drive-time table for each base, guidance on how many bases to book for a given trip length, and full sections on Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and the south coast. Heraklion’s population figure was corrected, and the island’s size, road distances and ferry times were re-checked against current sources. Hotel rates and availability change constantly, so confirm the live price before booking.
Sources
- Explore Crete, road distances between towns in Crete
- Ferryhopper, Piraeus to Crete ferry routes, frequencies and crossing times
- Spinalonga and Ierapetra, historical and geographic background
- Kastelli airport project updates, construction status of Heraklion’s replacement airport
FAQs
What is the best area to stay in Crete for the first time?
Chania (Western Crete) is the best area for first-time visitors. It offers the best balance of picturesque Venetian architecture, excellent dining, and relatively easy access to Crete’s most famous beaches, including Balos, Elafonissi, and Falassarna.
Which part of Crete is the hottest?
The southern coast of Crete is the hottest and driest part of the island, as it faces the Libyan Sea toward Africa. Towns like Ierapetra and Palaiochora consistently record higher temperatures than the northern cities (Chania, Heraklion) and are excellent choices for late autumn or early spring travel.
Where is the best place to stay in Crete for couples?
For romance and boutique luxury, the old towns of Chania and Rethymnon are ideal for couples. If you prefer high-end resort seclusion over walking through historic towns, the Elounda area (near Agios Nikolaos in eastern Crete) is home to the island’s most exclusive 5-star adult-only resorts.
Which is better: Chania or Heraklion?
Chania is better for beaches, boutique hotels, and atmospheric, walkable streets. Heraklion is better for history buffs (Knossos Palace is here) and is the main transit hub for ferries and flights. Most travellers prefer the charm of Chania for their main base.
Where should families stay in Crete?
Hersonissos and the surrounding areas in northern Crete are the best for families. This region has the highest concentration of all-inclusive family resorts with kid-friendly amenities, shallow beaches, and proximity to the Heraklion airport, which minimises long driving times after your flight.
Do I need a car in Crete?
Yes, unless you plan to never leave your resort. Crete is a massive island, 8,336 km2 and 260 km from end to end. To visit the best beaches or explore the Samaria Gorge, renting a car is essential, as the public bus system (KTEL) is reliable but slow and limited to main routes.
What are the main areas of Crete?
Crete has four regional units: Chania in the west, Rethymno, Heraklion in the centre and Lasithi in the east. Most visitors choose between six areas within them: Chania and the west coast, Rethymno, Heraklion, Hersonissos and Malia, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, and the south coast around Plakias, Paleochora and Ierapetra.
How many hotels should I book for a week in Crete?
One base is enough for up to five nights and two suit a week or more. Crete runs 260 km end to end, so a second base only saves real driving if it moves you between the west and the east of the island. Three bases are worth it only on trips of roughly two weeks.
Which airport should I fly into for Crete?
Fly into Chania (CHQ) for the west coast and Rethymno, and Heraklion (HER) for Knossos, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. Heraklion handled more than 10 million passengers in 2025 and usually has more routes and cheaper fares, but landing there adds about two hours of driving if your hotel is in Chania.
