Crete

Places to Stay in Crete

Choosing locations to stay in Crete is certainly essential to enjoy your holiday to the fullest. Here is a guide to select the most suitable locations for your stay.
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As Crete is the most populous of the Greek islands and one of the country’s main tourist destinations, it is important to carefully select where to stay during your trip. The island has a unique historical and archaeological heritage combined with heavenly beaches and crystal-clear sea.

Crete is divided into four provinces, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lassithi, and the advice is to rent a car to be able to see the most beautiful beaches and main attractions more easily. But, whether you rent a car or rely on public transport, choosing the right accommodation also means saving time in transfers between locations.

Some areas of the island (generally in the north-western part) have accommodation facilities and establishments well organised to receive tourists, while others (generally in the easternmost part) are still less touristy areas where you can find authentic villages, small taverns and free beaches.

The choice of accommodation also depends on the type of holiday you want to have: do you like free beaches or equipped ones? Do you like beach parties or do you want relaxation and tranquillity? Here then is an article that will help you choose the most suitable accommodation for you according to your needs.

Chania

The Old Town of Chania

Chania is definitely one of the most popular cities to sleep in on Crete, thanks to its characteristic old town and its location not far from both the airport and famous beaches. The city bears the marks of all the major civilisations that have made Greek history, such as the Venetians and Turks, and among the narrow streets of its centre, an ancient and traditional atmosphere can be found.

Chania also has the advantage of not being too far from renowned beaches, such as: Falasarna, Balos, Elafonissi, Stavros and Marathi. Due to these characteristics, it is often very crowded in summer, so the advice is to book accommodation well in advance.

Recommended Hotels in Chania

Hotel
1 Lucia Hotel
Chania Town - Akti Kountourioti
8.2Very good 1.731 reviews
Loukia Hotel enjoys a privileged location at Chania’s old venetian port, overlooking the well-known Kountourioti promenade.
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Hotel
2 Arkadi Hotel
Chania Town - 1866 Square
9.1Superb 1.353 reviews
This central Chania hotel is just 200 metres from the Old Town walls and the Venetian harbour.
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Hotel
3 El Greco Hotel
Chania Town - 47-49 Theotokopoulou Str
9.2Superb 1.343 reviews
El Greco Hotel is located in the Old Town of Chania, right next to the Venetian harbor and only 500m from the beach of Nea Chora.
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Kissamos

The lagoon of Balos, near Kissamos

Kissamos is located about 40 km from Chania and is a town where you can find cheaper accommodation than in the capital. Here you will find excellent restaurants, a lively nightlife and the best beaches on the island nearby – a winning combination, to say the least.

Kissamos is the ideal location as a base from which to reach all the most famous beaches in the province of Chania, such as: Balos, Elafonissi, Falassarna.

Recommended hotels in Kissamos

Residence
4 Aphrodite Beach
Kissamos - 49 Agamemnonos Street
9.2Superb 1.424 reviews
Aphrodite Beach Hotel is located on the sandy beach of Mavros Molos in Kissamos.
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Residence
5 Christina Beach Hotel
Kissamos - Beach Road of Kissamos
8.9Fabulous 1.212 reviews
Christina Beach Hotel features spacious accommodation with sea views, located at the seafront of Kissamos Town.
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Hotel
6 Galini Beach Hotel
Kissamos - Telonio Beach
8.9Fabulous 769 reviews
Set amidst a 4,000-m² area, beachfront Galini Beach is a family-run hotel on the Kissamos Gulf with free sun loungers and umbrellas.
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Heraklion

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum

If you have come to Crete not just for the sea but because you love history and archaeology, Heraklion is definitely one of the best places to stay.

Here you will find the beautiful Archaeological Museum that holds one of the largest collections of Minoan art and, close to the city, some of the most famous archaeological sites: Phaistos, Malia and Knossos, the ancient city famous for the legend of the Minotaur.

The city also hosts the island’s main international airport and also a port that has connections both to mainland Greece and to other islands such as Santorini and Mykonos. As the island’s capital and a major tourist centre, Heraklion is a city with a wide choice of accommodation and facilities, as well as several bars and clubs for those who enjoy the nightlife.

Recommended Hotels in Heraklion

Hotel
7 Athinaikon Hotel
Heraklio Town - Leof. Eth. Antistaseos 89
8.4Very good 4.607 reviews
Athinaikon Hotel occupies a central position in the heart of Heraklion, just a short stroll from the port and offers comfortable, en suite rooms.
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Hotel
8 Sofia Hotel
Heraklio Town - Stadiou 57
8.3Very good 3.973 reviews
Less than 5 minutes' bus ride from Heraklion centre in Crete, Sofia hotel offers a seasonal swimming pool and a seasonal restaurant.
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Hotel
9 Infinity City Boutique Hotel
Heraklio Town - ARIADNIS 9
8.5Fabulous 3.008 reviews
Located in Heraklio Town, 200 metres from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the family-run Infinity City Boutique Hotel features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi throughout the property.
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Hersonissos

Hersonissos is a small town not far from Heraklion Airport and is an ideal destination for those looking for a holiday full of fun and late-night partying. In summer, the town fills up with young people who animate the centre full of clubs, pubs and discos after sunset.

Near the centre of Hersonissos, however, there are not only beautiful beaches but also family and youth-friendly attractions such as Star Beach, a beachfront water park, Labyrinth Park, a Greek mythological theme park with a maze, miniature golf, archery and other attractions, and Aquaworld Aquarium.

Recommended Hersonissos Hotels

Hotel
10 Esperides Resort Crete, The Authentic Experience
Hersonissos - Costa Varnali Street, Koutouloufari, Hersonissos, Crete
9.1Superb 920 reviews
Esperides Resort Crete, The Authentic Experience is located in the centre of the popular and traditional Koutouloufari Village, just 1 km from Hersonissos.
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Resort
11 Star Beach Village & Water Park
Hersonissos - Themistokleous 3
8.5Fabulous 831 reviews
Just 50 metres from the sandy beach and the port in Hersonissos, the Star Beach Village features a spacious pool complex with water slides, a children’s playground and free on-site parking facilities.
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Resort
12 Bella Beach Hotel
Hersonissos - Anissaras Hersonissou
8.3Very good 748 reviews
Lying on the sandy beach of Anissaras, the 5-star Bella Beach offers elegant accommodation with views over the Cretan Sea or the complex’s well-kept gardens.
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Malia

A stretch of beach in Malia

Considered Crete’s most festive town, Malia is a resort about 35 km east of Heraklion that is suitable for nightlife and entertainment lovers. From a small agricultural village, the town has developed into one of Crete’s most famous towns for beach parties hosted by famous DJs. Accommodation can be found here in different price ranges, including flats and small studios.

Recommended hotels in Malia

Residence
13 Theo Star Beach Hotel
Malia - Nikolaou Grammatikaki
8.6Fabulous 945 reviews
Set in Malia in the Crete region and Central Malia Beach reachable within 1.
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Residence
14 Drossia Palms Hotel and Nisos Beach Suites
Malia - Dimokratias St.
9.1Superb 929 reviews
Drossia Palms Hotel and Nisos Beach Suites is a beautiful complex set amidst delightful gardens with palm trees and located 150 metres from the Malia beach.
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Residence
15 Parthenis Hotel & Suites
Malia - Arsinois Str.
8.4Very good 552 reviews
Set just a 5 minutes’ walk from the beach and close to Malia, Parthenis Hotel & Suites is an intimate and quiet hotel surrounded by an attractive garden.
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Elounda

Considered one of the most ‘in‘ towns on Crete, Elounda is a place that combines luxury accommodation, relaxation and beautiful natural scenery. This town is often chosen as a destination by VIP couples or wealthy families looking for comfort and tranquillity without budget constraints.

Here one can find lavish flats or houses with private pools and beaches, or luxurious hotels with all the amenities. Elounda is about an hour’s drive from the capital Heraklion, and is considered together with Sitia one of the best towns to explore the eastern part of the island.

Recommended Elounda Hotels

Hotel
16 Enorme Infinity Elounda
Elounda - Main Street
8.9Fabulous 1.608 reviews
Built amphitheatrically on a hillside of Elounda, beachfront Enorme Infinity Elounda - Adults Only offers a view of Elounda bay and the island of Spinalonga.
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Hotel
17 Elounda Krini Hotel
Elounda - Andrea Papandreou, Elounda
7.5Good 516 reviews
Just 200 metres from Elounda Beach in Crete, Elounda Krini Hotel features free WiFi, a restaurant and buffet breakfast.
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Residence
18 Elounda Heights
Elounda - Main Street
9.6Exceptional 489 reviews
Overlooking Mirabello Bay and the beautiful Venetian castle on the island of Spinalonga, the adults-only Elounda Heights offer an outdoor pool and free Wi-Fi.
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Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos at night

Agios Nikolaos, located in the easternmost province of Crete, is a picturesque village characterised by small taverns, traditional restaurants and local craft shops.

In addition to beautiful beaches nearby, the town is famous for Lake Voulismeni, which is connected directly to the sea by a canal. A perfect destination for couples or families seeking tranquillity, who can find different types of accommodation here to suit their different needs. From the port of Agios Nikolaos, it is also possible to leave by boat to visit the historic island of Spinalonga.

Recommended Agios Nikolaos Hotels

Resort
19 Miramare Resort & Spa
Agios Nikolaos - Gargadoros
8.3Very good 1.500 reviews
Built on the panoramic slopes above the seafront, the Miramare is a hotel and bungalows complex situated at the peaceful Gargadoros.
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Hotel
20 Zeus Eleva Miraya
Agios Nikolaos - Havania beach
8.1Very good 1.311 reviews
Overlooking Agios Nikolaos Gulf, Meliti is just 100 metres from Havania Beach and features a swimming pool.
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Hotel
21 Minos Palace Resort
Agios Nikolaos - Main Street
9.4Superb 1.171 reviews
With magnificent sea views from a rocky headland above Aghios Nikolaos Bay, this adults-only resort blends together all the ingredients for a relaxing holiday.
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