Crete is Greece's largest island, with Venetian harbour towns, long sandy beaches, mountain gorges and some of the best food in Greece. It's big enough that where you stay shapes your whole holiday, so it pays to pick the right base.
This guide explains the best areas to stay in Crete for families, couples, nightlife, luxury and quieter breaks, with hotel picks and links to compare prices in each area.
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The best areas to stay in Crete at a glance
| If you want… | Stay in | Why | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couples & culture | Chania | Venetian harbour, old town lanes and tavernas | See hotels |
| Families & a beach resort | Platanias | Long sandy beaches west of Chania | See hotels |
| Families & a town | Rethymno | Pretty old town and a long sandy beach | See hotels |
| A lively resort | Hersonissos | Bars, beaches and big family resorts | See hotels |
| Nightlife | Malia | Crete's best-known party resort | See hotels |
| Luxury | Elounda | Upmarket resorts and boats to Spinalonga | See hotels |
| A harbour town | Agios Nikolaos | Lakeside town on Mirabello Bay | See hotels |
| Peace & quiet | Plakias | Relaxed south-coast village and beach | See hotels |
Hotels in Crete worth a look
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
A long-established luxury resort on the seafront near Elounda, with suites and villas, some with their own pools.
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Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
A boutique hotel in a restored Venetian mansion in Chania's Old Town, a short walk from the harbour.
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Minoa Palace Resort
A large resort on the beach at Platanias, with several pools and the resort's bars and restaurants close by.
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Aquila Rithymna Beach
A beachfront resort on the long sandy beach east of Rethymno, set in large gardens with four pools and four restaurants.
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Minos Beach Art Hotel
A seafront hotel on the edge of Agios Nikolaos, with bungalows and villas set among gardens and modern art.
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Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa
An adults-only resort near Hersonissos, known for its lagoon-style pools and swim-up rooms.
Check pricesWhich part of Crete?
Crete is around 260 km long, so it's worth choosing your base carefully. Most resorts are on the north coast. The west, around Chania, Platanias and Rethymno, is greener, with the Samaria Gorge and the beaches of Balos and Elafonissi within reach on a day trip. The centre and east, around Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, are closest to Heraklion airport and have the biggest choice of hotels. The south coast, around Plakias, is quieter and more rugged.
Where to stay in western Crete
Chania
Crete's most picturesque town, with a Venetian harbour and lighthouse and a maze of old town lanes full of tavernas, boutique hotels and shops. Beaches are a short drive away, and it's a handy base for the Samaria Gorge and Balos.
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Platanias and Agia Marina
A stretch of resorts just west of Chania, with long sandy beaches facing the little island of Agii Theodori and plenty of bars and restaurants. The old village of Platanias sits on the hill above.
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Rethymno
A charming town between Chania and Heraklion, with a Venetian harbour, a hilltop fortress (the Fortezza) and a long sandy beach lined with hotels stretching east of the town.
Compare pricesWhere to stay in central and eastern Crete
Heraklion
Crete's capital and biggest city, close to the airport and the Minoan palace of Knossos. It has a Venetian harbour and fortress and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, though most beach holidaymakers stay in the resorts nearby.
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Hersonissos and Malia
A big, lively resort east of Heraklion airport, with a busy seafront of bars and restaurants, sandy beaches and water parks nearby. Malia, a little further east, is Crete's best-known party resort.
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Elounda
A former fishing village in the east of the island that's now home to many of Crete's most luxurious hotels. Boats run from here to the island of Spinalonga.
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Agios Nikolaos
A pretty harbour town on Mirabello Bay, built around a small lake linked to the sea, with cafés, restaurants and small town beaches. Elounda and Spinalonga are a short drive away.
Compare pricesWhere to stay on the south coast
Plakias
A relaxed village on the south coast with a long beach backed by mountains, good walking and a quieter, more traditional feel than the north coast resorts.
Compare pricesCrete holiday packages
Booking your flight and hotel together can work out cheaper, especially in the school holidays, and flight-inclusive package holidays from UK travel companies are ATOL protected.
Arriving in Crete and getting around
Flights from the UK to Crete take around four hours. Most people fly to Heraklion (HER), the main airport, which is around 30 to 40 minutes from Hersonissos and Malia and around an hour from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos. Chania airport (CHQ) is the better choice for Chania, Platanias and the west, while Rethymno sits roughly between the two.
Buses link the main towns along the north coast, but a hire car is the best way to explore the beaches, gorges and mountain villages.
Car hire in Crete
When to visit Crete
Crete is one of the warmest and sunniest parts of Greece. The beach season runs from around May to October, with July and August the hottest and busiest months. May, June, September and October are warm but quieter, and many resort hotels close over the winter. For a season-by-season guide, see The best Greek islands for 2027.
Things to do in Crete
- Knossos and Heraklion: a guided tour of the Minoan palace and the city.
- Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa: a boat trip to the famous lagoon.
- Samaria Gorge hike: a full day's walk through the gorge, with the boat back.
- Spinalonga and Agios Nikolaos: a day trip to the island fortress and the harbour town.
- Elafonissi beach: a day at the famous pink-sand beach.
- Dia Island sailing cruise: a day's sailing with a meal and drinks.
Travel insurance for Crete
Book your cover as soon as you've paid for your trip, so you're protected if you need to cancel. Crete is part of Greece, so take your GHIC too, but it isn't a substitute for travel insurance. If you plan to hike the Samaria Gorge or ride a quad bike, check your policy covers it.
Cover for any tripCoverwiseGet a quote
Flexible coverExplorerGet a quote
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