In this guide, I will list the best resorts in Crete and talk about the features of each one. Depending on how you are going to vacation – with your family, as a couple or with a group of friends – one resort will be much better than the other.
I’ll continue the guide below with more details about these places, as well as recommending options for accommodation.
Be sure to read the article to the end, I’m sure it will help you make the right choice, and the article is full of tips that will help you save time and money.
Given the size of the island, it’s important to choose carefully to make sure you can easily get to everything you want to do and see. But for a more comfortable exploration of the island, I recommend renting a car so you don’t have to depend on public transportation.
Our Pick of the Best Hotels in Crete 🔝
- 💎 Luxury Hotel: Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas
- 🔮 Boutique Hotel: Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
- ✨ 5-Star: Amirandes Grecotel Boutique Resort
- 🏨 4-Star: Rimondi Boutique Hotel
- 💸 Budget-friendly: Dorian Boutique Hotel
- 🏄♀️ Beach Hotel: Creta Maris Beach Resort
- 👨👩👧👦 For Families: Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel
Remember: Crete is a very touristy island and accommodation prices can be high, especially in high season. My advice is to always book accommodation in advance to have more options to choose from and most importantly to find the best deals.
Quick Guide to the Best Neighborhood in Crete 📋
- 💃 For Nightlife: Hersonissos, Malia
- 👀 For the First Time: Heraklion
- 🌟 For Local Vibe: Rethymnon
- 🗿 For History: Chania
- 👪 For Families: Agios Nikolaos, Agia Marina
- 🏖 For Beaches: Platanias
- 🕊 For Quiet Stay: Ierapetra
- 👛 For Luxury: Elounda
1. Hersonissos – Best Place to Stay in Crete for Nightlife 🍸
🌊 Popular resort: Hersonissos is one of the most popular and developed resorts of Crete, located on the northern coast of the island. The town is only 30 km away from Heraklion, the capital of Crete.
🏖️ Beautiful beaches: Hersonissos is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea, which stretch for many kilometers. Here you will find both lively beaches with entertainment and quiet secluded bays. The sea is clean and the water warms up to +24C.
🍽️ Tourist infrastructure: The resort offers a well-developed tourist infrastructure – many hotels for every taste, restaurants with Cretan and international cuisine, stores, entertainment centers, water parks. Along the seafront there are cozy taverns and cafes with live music in the evenings.
🏛️ Attractions galore: There is something to see here and besides beach vacation – the ruins of the ancient city of Hersonissos, the Crete Aquarium, Water City water park.
Best hotels in Hersonissos
Skipper Beachfront Suites
Cook's Club Hersonissos Crete
Kahlua Boutique Hotel
Palmera Beach Hotel & Spa
Central Hersonissos Hotel
Elychryson
Dorian Boutique Hotel-Apartments
2. Heraklion – Best Area to Stay in Crete for the First Time 🔥
🏛️ Historic capital: Heraklion is the capital and largest city of Crete. Like the rest of Crete, Heraklion has a turbulent history: it has been captured many times by the Arabs, the Venetians and the Turks. You can still feel the history in Heraklion, so I recommend visiting this place when traveling to Crete.
But not right away if you go to Crete in the summer – because it can get hot, and walking around a big city in 35-degree heat can be tough.
⌛ Off-season stay: This town deserves a separate place on the list of places to stay in Crete, as it makes sense to stay here if you are traveling to Crete outside of high season.
🏛️ Proximity to Knossos:At the same time, you’ll be very close to Knossos, which for many is the main reason to travel to Crete outside of the high season. The main advantage of Heraklion is that it is in close proximity to the ancient city of Knossos, perhaps Crete’s most famous attraction.
🌅 Coastal charm: After Knossos, you can’t miss the magnificent beaches just outside Heraklion and enjoy a glass of wine at sunset.
Best hotels in Heraklion
GDM Megaron, Historical Monument Hotel
Galaxy Iraklio Hotel
Lato Boutique Hotel
Mirabello Hotel
Sofia Hotel
Kronos Hotel
3. Rethymnon – Best Place in Crete for Local Vibe 🔮
Rethymnon, like Chania, is a port city that is the “capital” of its province in Crete, so it is one of the largest cities on the island.
🌇 Lively evenings: Like Chania, Rethymnon has a charming Old Town where you can wander the cobbled streets and visit traditional tavernas for authentic Greek cuisine. The area gets quite lively in the evening, and there are great nightlife spots for those who want to have a few cocktails or even dance the night away.
🏖️ Beach bliss: There is also a more modern part of the city, reminiscent of Heraklion. The town is also located on a beautiful sandy beach, which is perfect for relaxing and swimming, although it can get crowded, especially in high season.
🚗 Strategic location: Rethymnon is also well located for visiting distant attractions such as the beautiful Knossos or the Sania Gorge. Furthermore, thanks to its convenient location, you can easily visit Heraklion and Crete and enjoy the many delights of Rethymnon.
Best hotels in Rethymnon
Vista Del Porto Luxury Suites
Made of Blue luxury suites collection
Casa Maistra Residence
Petalo Suites
Omma Suites
Philikon Luxury Suites
Rethymno Blue Apartments
Casa Dei Delfini
4. Chania – Where to Stay in Crete for History 🗿
Crete has two main airports, one of which is located near the large city of Chania in western Crete.
🌇 Old-world charm: There is a stunningly beautiful Old Town, where wandering through the lanes will take you back in time. Here you will find many excellent restaurants, bars and stores.
⚓ Venetian gem: The 14th century Venetian harbor is particularly beautiful, and just wandering the streets, noting the influence of peoples such as the Ottomans and Egyptians, is a history buff’s dream. Add to this the many museums and archaeological sites, and it is probably the best choice for those who want to learn more about Greek history.
🏖️ Beach bliss: If you want to stay close to a great beach, I wouldn’t immediately recommend staying in Chania, that way you’ll miss out on the fantastic beaches that Crete is famous for.
However, let me recommend some good hotels in Chania for those who prefer city life to beaches.
Best hotels in Chania
The Tanneries Hotel & Spa
The Chania Hotel
Centro Storico
Notus Chania Crete
Kriti Hotel
Spring Apartments
Agave Suites
5. Agios Nikolaos – Where to Stay in Crete for Families 👪
Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque beach town offering a unique blend of traditional Greek charm and modern amenities.
💙 Charming harbor: The town is known for its beautiful harbor and Lake Voulismeni, which is narrowly connected to the sea. Agios Nikolaos is surrounded by crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches, making it ideal for a relaxing beach vacation. And along the lake there are many local restaurants serving authentic Cretan dishes, as well as cozy cafes and stores in the winding streets.
🏖️ Beach paradise: There are also several beautiful beaches as well as a marina. If you love water views, you will be spoiled for choice in beautiful Agios Nikolaos! Ammos and Kitroplatia are two of the most famous beaches, and both are worth a visit.
🎶 Lively atmosphere: The town also has a beautiful square that comes alive in the afternoon with the sounds of traditional music. Overall, the town has a lively yet relaxed atmosphere, with many craft stores that are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Best hotels in Agios Nikolaos
Daios Cove
Miramare Resort & Spa
Ikaros Art Hotel
Du Lac
Polydoros Appartments
The Holiday Studio
6. Malia – Best Parties on a Greek Island 💃
Here, the famous main street is filled with bars and discos, where young people who like to party all night long gather.
So if you want to go to Crete for a party trip, Malia is the most suitable area to stay.
Best hotels in Malia
Ikaros Beach, Luxury Resort & Spa
Drossia Palms Hotel and Nisos Beach Suites
Theo Star Beach Hotel
Socrates Hotel Malia Beach
Mirage Studios
Villa Mare Monte ApartHotel
7. Agia Marina – Where to Stay in Crete with Children 👶
Agia Marina is an ideal place for a vacation in Crete with children as there are plenty of good hotels, beaches and activities.
It is a classic summer vacation resort with plenty of restaurants, gift stores and sightseeing opportunities.
Best hotels in Agia Marina
Thalassa Beach Resort & Spa
Giannoulis - Santa Marina Plaza
Orion Star
8. Platanias – Best Town for Beach Vacation 🏖
The beach in Platanias is very similar to the beach in Agia Marina. It also overlooks a beautiful rocky island in the sea.
🌇 Beachside bliss: Platanias, a great place to stay on the beach in Crete. The main street is full of restaurants, bars and souvenir shops. Many restaurants allow you to sit overlooking the sea and enjoy dinner at sunset.
🗻 Hilltop haven: Right by the “central square” of Platanias, there is a very steep hill that you can quickly climb and thus get a phenomenal view of the whole neighborhood.
Best hotels in Platanias
Kallitsakis Beach
Anna Katerina Apartments
Amaryllis
9. Ierapetra – Where to Stay Away from the Crowds 🕊
🌞 Southernmost warmth: Ierapetra has two other features: firstly, it is the southernmost city in the whole of Europe, and secondly, it is the warmest city in Crete. The climate here is just perfect for enjoying the beautiful beaches that surround the town.
🚌 Excellent connectivity: If you don’t have your own car but want to explore the southern part of Crete, Ierapetra is an excellent choice. It is connected to the north of the island (particularly Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos) by intercity bus services. Once you arrive in Ierapetra, there is plenty to see and do here, although you may have to take a cab to more distant attractions.
🏝️ Quieter traditional: Although it is the busiest place in the south of Crete, it is much quieter than the larger towns in the north, and there is the opportunity to enjoy the quieter and more traditional part of Crete.
Best hotels in Ierapetra
Petra Mare
Galaxy Hotel
Coral Hotel
10. Elounda – Best City in Crete for Luxury 💎
🌴 Luxurious oasis: Elounda is an exclusive and luxurious oasis on the northeastern coast of Crete, offering picturesque scenery and first-class facilities. Particularly known for its expensive hotels, exquisite restaurants and the crystal clear waters of Mirabello Bay.
🏔️ Natural beauty: Elounda is surrounded by magnificent mountains and beautiful beaches, making it an ideal place for relaxation and adventure.
Best hotels in Elounda
Domes Aulus Elounda All-Inclusive Resort
Elounda Sea Suites
Elounda Akti Olous (Adults Only)
Best Areas & Hotels in Crete on a Map 🗺
FAQs about Trip to Crete ❔
What is the most beautiful part of the island of Crete?
The island of Crete is renowned for its stunning landscapes, but one particularly beautiful area is the southern coast near the town of Chania. Here, you’ll find picturesque villages nestled among rugged mountains, with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Where to avoid in Crete?
While Crete is generally safe for travelers, one area to exercise caution is around the city of Heraklion, especially in crowded tourist areas where pickpocketing can occur. Stay alert and keep your belongings secure to avoid any unpleasant incidents.
Where to stay in Crete for nightlife?
If you’re looking for vibrant nightlife in Crete, consider staying in the coastal town of Malia. This bustling resort town is famous for its lively bars, clubs, and beach parties, making it the perfect destination for those seeking round-the-clock entertainment.
Which area in Crete has the best beaches?
Crete is blessed with numerous stunning beaches, but one area that stands out is the region of Elafonissi in the southwest. Known for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and pink-tinged sands, Elafonissi Beach is a paradise for beach lovers seeking natural beauty and tranquility.
How long to stay in Crete?
The ideal duration of your stay in Crete depends on your interests and itinerary. To fully explore the island’s highlights, including its historical sites, scenic landscapes, and charming villages, consider spending at least one week. However, if you’re short on time, a minimum of three to four days will allow you to experience some of Crete’s must-see attractions.
