If you are heading off to the largest island in Greece, then be sure to read about our selection of the top ten places to stay there. Crete has a wonderful mix, which makes it a welcoming and unique holiday destination. There are mountain villages and in contrast, long sandy beaches. There are places where you can try your hand at water sports and its climate is said to be the best in Europe, making it an appealing destination all year round.
The locals are welcoming and there are developed tourist areas, but also hidden beaches waiting to be discovered. Heraklion has a wonderful archaeological museum, which must be on your list to visit and small trendy cafes to enjoy some fine coffee. Perhaps, the most well known city, Chania has the impressive Venetian harbor, but if you are looking for somewhere quieter, visit Sitia for a slower and gentler pace of life.
Scroll on down and find out about the top 10 places to stay in Crete, Greece.
1. Kastro Hotel in Heraklion (from USD 47)
Kastro Hotel is very well located, only 2.5 miles (4 km) from Heraklion Airport. The archaeological site of Knossos Palace is a fifteen minute drive away and Heraklion Port is just under 1 mile (1.6 km) away. Kastro Hotel is well-situated for exploring the ancient sites of Heraklion. It has spacious, air-conditioned rooms with breakfast included in the rate. Rooms include an LCD TV and mini fridge. Some rooms have a terrace or balcony.
A good breakfast buffet is available each morning in the hotel restaurant. The 24-hour hotel bar serves drinks and light meals. Room service is also available. Free internet access is provided.
Kastro Hotel
Address: Theotokopoulou 22
5.43 km (3.4 mi) from Knossos Palace
2. Renovated apartment in Iraklio (from USD 74)
This apartment has been fully renovated, making it clean and comfortable. It is near Lions Square, which is a quiet street. It is a short walk from the bus station and from the local market.
The kitchen has an oven and fridge and there is a television in the living room. There is also a washing machine, an iron and cooking equipment. A coffee, tea and espresso machine is available, and there are restaurants nearby.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
daughter enjoyed the toys the balcony and the tvthey have coffee machine and a good kitchenthe apartment was spacious and equipped well with all necessary amenities and was pretty cleannice to have your own coffee espresso machine and time to do laundrywe loved the size and location of this apartment and the internet was fast and reliableCleanliness:
very clean and quite confyexcellent apartment clean and stylishcommunication easy check in easy space clean and comfortableplace was also clean n thoughtfulclean place comfortable beds spacious apartmentHost:
the hosts are wonderful toothe host was quite responsive and nicevery nice and helpful host aswellhost charalabos was brilliantthanks to a wonderful hostRead more reviewsLocation:
great central location to discover irakliona great location so close to everythingnice apartment and central locationthe location is perfectgreat location in the middle of the city
Superhost
3. An apartment with a view in Platanias (from USD 76)
This beautifully well maintained, modern apartment is 7.5 miles (12 km) away from Chania. The apartment has a veranda and a balcony facing the Cretan Sea. Staying here, you will be less than a fifteen minute walk from the closest beach.
The apartment has comfortable furnishings for an enjoyable stay. There is a kitchen, with all that is required to make lovely holiday meals.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
quiet with lovely views of the sea from all the apartmentsfrom your apartment you have a perfect view to the island as advertisedCleanliness:
apartment very very clean and well equippedthe apartments are perfectly clean well equipped and in very good shapethe apartment was clean comfortable and had everything we needed to prepare our own mealsHost:
marianne and manolis are perfect hostsgreat location clean apartment very friendly care by marianne and manolisRead more reviewsLocation:
if we come back to crete we will definitely come back to this place
4. Spacious apartment in Chania (from USD 59)
This apartment is located in one of the most beautiful streets of old town Chania, just seconds away from the sea. This building dates backs to the 1200s, when Crete was under Venetian rule. The building has been fully renovated and restored and although the building dates back many centuries, it has all modern comforts.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the air-conditioning worked but we preferred the fangiven the very hot weather the air conditioning was much appreciatedthe apt was wonderful and the roof deck was an excellent bonuswe closed shutters and windows at night had air conditioning and slept really really wellwe had an absolutely lovely stay in katerinas apartmentCleanliness:
the apartment was clean well-maintained and comfortablefantastic stay in chania the apartment was clean and well equippedthe apt is clean and the location is greatthe apartment is just as depicted warm cosy clean and tidythis apartment is very clean and in an amazing part of the venetian old townHost:
friendly host with a gallery downstairskind host and great flataikaterina was a fantastic hostaikaterini was a wonderful hostexcellent place excellent hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is outstandingthis location is absolutely perfectthe location was perfecthonestly an amazing location on a picturesque street close to everythingeasy access with taxi and well close to walk to bus stations
5. Kydon Hotel in Chania (from USD 106)
Kydon Hotel is 8 miles (13 km) from Chania International Airport. There is free private parking available on site. Staying here, you will be a 14-minute walk from the beach. This hotel is across the street from the main market hall and just a short walk from the Old Town and the Venetian Harbour. Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas of the hotel. Guests can also request to borrow a mini I-pad during their stay at the hotel.
All rooms are air-conditioned and the suites have a balcony and an LED TV with satellite channels. From most of the guest rooms you will be able to see views of the Old Town, the Venetian Harbour and the Cretan Sea.
On the first floor the restaurant serves a Greek breakfast buffet including homemade pies and sweets, fresh fruit salad, local yogurt and a variety of fresh bread sticks.
Kydon The Heart City Hotel
Address: Sofoklis Venizelos Square & 2, Str. Tzanakaki
106.12 km (66.0 mi) from Knossos Palace
6. A place by the sea in Kalamaki (from USD 94)
This first-floor sea facing apartment is just minutes from Kalamaki beach. It has two large bedrooms and a bathroom. The apartment is fully air conditioned and has a television and WiFi.
The spacious veranda gives you the fantastic view of the sea. It’s a wonderful area to eat, sunbathe or just watch the sun rise and set.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the wireless was excellent and the air conditioning was delightful when it got really hot outsidethe deck is amazing with a beautiful view of the sea and the apartment is really well equippedgorgeous apartment with a truly amazing terrace and viewsthe flat was clean and very comfortable with a stunning view over the sea and the sunsetthere was food in the refrigartor and the view was wonderful and everything we needed was in the apartmentCleanliness:
very clean and well equippedthe place is new and very cleanthe morning walks along the beach and swimming in the spotless clean water is a true battery rechargerHost:
zabia was the perfect hostzabia is a fantastic hostzabia and her family are perfect hostsshe is really a super host thumbs upthe apartment is wonderful zabia is an absolutely wonderful hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is spot on peacefully perfectperfect location to stay with our familythe apartment has the best location in kalamakilocation was perfect with the place directly located in front of the beach suiting families with childrenthe place is beautiful and very well situated right on the beach
7. Blue Palace Hotel in Elounda (from USD 334)
This really is a palace! Set on the Elounda coast, this five star hotel is somewhere to escape to if you are looking for luxurious accommodation with delicious cuisine and a state of the art spa. It includes infinity pools, a water sports centre and two tennis courts. Each room has satellite LCD TVs, while some also include a CD/DVD player. Some room types enjoy private access to a section of the beach.
The hotel restaurant serves Greek, Cretan, Italian and Asian dishes. There is also a Moroccan style bar, a pool bar and a beach bar, where you can sip a drink whilst looking out at the sea.
Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort, Crete
Address: Plaka
51.39 km (32.0 mi) from Knossos Palace
8. Castello City Hotel in Heraklion (from USD 61)
A short walk from Heraklion beach, this delightful hotel offers you views of the sea, the old city and Venetian walls. It is located close to the bus and taxi stations. The airport and port are easily accessible from here.
The hotel has spacious, air conditioned rooms, with soundproof windows, a television, mini fridge and safe. Open plan family rooms are also available. Breakfast is served daily in the hotel restaurant, consisting of a Greek buffet. In the evening, you can enjoy a drink, the first one for free, at the fifth floor lounge bar.
Castello City Hotel
Address: 1, 62 Martyron Avenue
5.41 km (3.4 mi) from Knossos Palace
9. A traditional house in Agios Nikolaos (from USD 86)
This traditional house has all the basics required. There are a few beaches within a twenty minute’s drive and the nearest town is just a few miles away. There you will find great restaurant choices, a farmer’s market and a peaceful harbor.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
we loved the spyradaki's house from the traditional styled interior to the beautiful sea view from the patio tableCleanliness:
constantly kept clean and tidy changed our towels and bed linenthe house and surroundings are clean well equipped and well maintainedRead more reviewsHost:
yanna her husband and her daughter were great hostseverywhere are lush plants and flowers our hosts could not be more kind or friendly a wonderful experienceyanna & yannis were very helpful always available and provided us with great tips for beaches restaurants etcso lovely owners left us even with an overnight stay and did not take any money for ityanna and yannis are very helpful and friendly
10. View of the sea and mountains in Chania
This apartment with its large balcony gives you good views of Almyrida and Souda bay. It is an ideal place to stay for families with children. The balcony has plenty of sun beds, a table, chairs and barbecue hut. You will be within walking distance to the beach, restaurants and supermarkets. Kalives Blue Flag Beach Resort is just a few minute’s drive away.
88.92 km (55.3 mi) from Knossos PalaceAccommodates: 8
Minimum Nights: 1
Refund Policy : 100% refund if you cancel at least 14 days before check-in.
Top guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
the pool balcony and views were fantasticthe wi-fi was reliable and the speed really goodwe had a lovely week in pon's apartmentthe accommodation was excellent clean and comfortable with great view to the seathe apartment and pool were both very clean and the views from the balconies were fantasticCleanliness:
pool very clean apartment had everything requiredeverything was very cleanevert was very clean and the bedding and towels werethe apartment is spotlessly clean and well maintainedthe pool was a bit chilly but very cleanHost:
the owner responding promptly to all queries and directions were usefulpon was helpful and responsive beforehandvery friendly host it was easy talk to him and he answer quicklythe owner was very helpful providing all the information we needed to prepare for the tripRead more reviewsLocation:
apartment in good location for tavernas and shopsnice apartment and good location everything was greatgreat location just 5 minutes from shops tavernas and the beachalmyrida is a smallish but for us a nicely sized location with plenty of good restaurantsthe location was good for visiting and we particularly enjoyed visiting chania and the historic ruins at aptera
Charming Crete
No matter where you choose to stay in Crete, this beautiful island with its history and natural beauty will leave you with many happy memories.
History
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