These are the best places you can stay in Crete. Where to stay in Crete depends on your situation, as you can find something for you in every area, whether it is Chania, Heraklion, Malia, Rethymnon, Hersonissos, Agios Nikolaos, or western Crete (which in my opinion is the best area to stay in Crete).
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?
- 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
Crete is a massive island (in case you don’t know it…). It’s the size of Hawaii’s Big Island!
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.
There are big cities with more than 500.000 people in Crete. 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:
Keep reading…“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”
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- 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.
1. Best Place To Stay In Crete (Overall)
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
2. Chania or Heraklion ?
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 big city (more than 500,000 people live in Heraklion and its suburbs), and almost nothing reminds you that you are on a Greek island while you are there.
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
3. Best Place for a Honeymoon in Crete
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 SantoriniAs 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 Greece4. Best Place for Families and 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:
5. Best Place for Young Couples
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.
6. Best Place For Nightlife
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 NightlifeBest 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
7. Best Place for Beaches in Crete
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):
8. 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?
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!
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 serves as 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—roughly the size of Hawaii’s Big Island. 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.
