Crete
Vast, ancient, generous
Get to know Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece and almost a world of its own: high mountains, deep gorges, beaches of white sand and lagoon-coloured water, and a cuisine counted among the country's best.
Minoan civilisation grew here, and the palace of Knossos near Heraklion still shows it. The Venetian towns of Chania and Rethymno keep their old harbours and narrow lanes, and in the east, around Elounda, are some of the finest hotels in Greece.
It is an island worth giving time to: choose one region and set out from it to the beaches, the mountain villages and the tavernas where the oil, cheese and wine come from next door.
The villas and hotels we chose in Crete
Of every stay in Crete, these are the ones we would book for ourselves.
Where to stay in Crete?
First, choose the region that suits you
Where you stay in Crete shapes the whole holiday. The west combines well-known beaches, towns and mountain scenery; central areas offer coastal resorts, history and inland villages; the east introduces other bays and coastal towns.
The four regions are Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. Each includes contrasting coastal and inland settings. Choose the part of the island that suits your plans first, then compare the specific towns below.
Chania Region
Western beaches, mountain scenery and a harbour city for evenings among old-town lanes.
Read more
Chania Region covers western Crete, combining Balos and Elafonisi beaches, the White Mountains, villages and Chania’s Venetian harbour. Restaurants and waterfront walks offer an evening plan alongside outings into the region.
Compare the northern coastal resorts with southern villages and beaches, which can involve longer journeys or boat access. Choose the accommodation around the places you intend to visit rather than assuming every landmark is nearby.
Rethymno Region
An old harbour town, a long coastline and inland villages between western and central Crete.
Read more
Rethymno Region lies between Chania and Heraklion. Rethymno town combines old streets, a Venetian harbour, restaurants and a long beach, while the wider region includes traditional villages, mountains and southern beaches such as Plakias and Preveli.
The northern and southern coasts offer different holiday settings. Compare a town base for evening walks with a coastal village or inland villa, allowing for actual journeys between intended stops rather than expecting one address to serve all of Crete.
Heraklion Region
Coastal resorts, city visits and historical sites, with inland villages and a different southern coast.
Read more
Heraklion Region occupies central Crete around the island’s largest city and one of its main airports. Heraklion and Knossos suggest cultural outings, while northern coastal resorts, inland villages and southern beaches offer different places to stay.
Hersonissos and Malia provide active resort settings; surrounding villages create other routines. Choose the exact town and address according to beaches, meals and outings. The region’s access and variety do not mean every resort has the same atmosphere.
Lasithi Region
Eastern bays, coastal towns and villages for a holiday focused on this part of Crete.
Read more
Lasithi Region covers eastern Crete. Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Mirabello Bay offer coastal towns, restaurants and accommodation overlooking the water. Further east, towards Sitia, distances between settlements grow and the landscape changes.
Vai, smaller villages and the southeastern coast suggest other outings or bases. Choose Lasithi when eastern Crete is the focus. If most of your intended visits lie around Chania and western beaches, compare a western base instead of planning repeated cross-island journeys.
Found the region that suits you?
Now choose the town or village for your stay
Choosing a region is only the first step in deciding where to stay in Crete. Towns within the same region can offer different evenings: restaurants and a harbour on foot, a villa overlooking the sea, or a base for planned outings.
Compare the places below within Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. Then check the individual address, beach route and transport plans that suit your holiday.
Chania
Couples and families who enjoy restaurants, city walks and lively evenings.
Western Crete’s harbour city combines old-town lanes, a Venetian waterfront, restaurants and cafés. Compare it for beach outings followed by evenings in town.
Our tip
For evening walks to restaurants and the harbour, compare old-town addresses. For a larger villa with a pool, look at surrounding settlements too.
Agia Marina
Families and couples wanting a beach base with restaurants and access to Chania.
A coastal resort west of Chania, with a sandy shoreline, restaurants and accommodation near the sea. Compare it for beach days alongside city outings.
Our tip
Check the exact address: hillside accommodation can have sea views while involving a steep walk to the beach and restaurants.
Platanias
Families and friends looking for beaches, restaurants, bars and an active resort atmosphere.
An active resort west of Chania with a long beach, restaurants, shops and places to go out after sunset.
Our tip
For a quieter villa, compare the hills above the resort and check the distance from the busiest entertainment streets.
Kissamos
Families and couples exploring western Crete who prefer a local town to a busy resort.
A coastal town in western Crete with a local atmosphere, useful for planning outings towards Falasarna and Balos.
Our tip
If Balos and Falasarna lead your plans, compare Kissamos as a base. Check the chosen access to Balos and expect a quieter evening than in Chania.
Kolymvari
Families and couples seeking quieter seaside days and outings in western Crete.
A coastal town west of Chania with a small harbour and tavernas, offering a quieter setting than nearby busy resorts.
Our tip
Consider a car for this base. Some local beach sections are pebbly, so identify your preferred shoreline before choosing accommodation.
Almyrida
Families and couples wanting a small coastal village with meals near the water.
A coastal village in Apokoronas east of Chania, with a bay, sandy beach and waterfront tavernas. Compare it for village time and nearby outings.
Our tip
For a villa on the surrounding hills, establish the actual walking route to the beach and restaurants.
.jpg&w=2560&q=75)
Rethymno
Couples and families combining a beach holiday with old-town walks, restaurants and regional outings.
A coastal city with an old town, Venetian harbour and long town beach. A choice for combining time by the sea with evenings among lanes and restaurants.
Our tip
Compare old-town access for evenings on foot. For a villa with more outdoor space and privacy, consider the villages around Rethymno.
Adelianos Kampos
Families and couples wanting a beach resort with restaurants and daily services nearby.
A developed coastal resort east of Rethymno, with a long beach, restaurants and accommodation, allowing beach days alongside outings into town.
Our tip
Check the actual beach route and water entry. Parts of the shore include pebbles and can be exposed to waves with northerly winds.
Panormos
Families and couples who prefer a small coastal village and meals beside the sea.
A small village east of Rethymno, with a harbour, coves and waterfront restaurants, offering a quieter base than a large resort.
Our tip
Identify the particular cove near your accommodation rather than relying on its general distance from the sea.
Bali
Couples and families who enjoy small bays, sea views and beach or pool days.
A coastal resort spread around several small bays between Rethymno and Heraklion, with restaurants and hillside accommodation.
Our tip
Bali has slopes. Check the walk from a hillside villa to the actual beach, especially when travelling with small children.
Plakias
Couples, families and travellers who prefer southern beaches, nature and regional outings.
A coastal town in southern Rethymno with a broad bay and mountain setting, useful for comparing outings towards Damnoni and Preveli.
Our tip
Plan Plakias around southern Rethymno. Frequent trips to the northern coast involve mountain roads and need their own journey checks.
.jpg&w=2560&q=75)
Heraklion
Travellers and couples who enjoy cities, restaurants, history and cultural visits.
Crete’s largest city has a Venetian harbour, museums, markets and restaurants, with Knossos nearby for a separate historical outing.
Our tip
Compare Heraklion for a city visit. If your main plan is a seaside villa and pool, look at the coastal settlements outside the city.
Agia Pelagia
Couples and families seeking a bay setting and a quieter coastal base near Heraklion.
A small coastal town around a bay west of Heraklion, with restaurants along the water and houses on the surrounding slopes.
Our tip
Sea views from a hillside villa do not establish an easy walk to the beach. Check the gradient and actual route before booking.
Gouves
Families seeking a coastal base with restaurants, activities and access towards Heraklion airport.
A resort area east of Heraklion with beaches, restaurants and a range of accommodation for seaside days and occasional outings.
Our tip
Distinguish coastal Kato Gouves from inland Gouves village. Check that the property is in the part that suits your beach and dinner plans.
Hersonissos
Families, couples and friends wanting an active resort with beaches, restaurants and entertainment.
A busy northern-coast resort east of Heraklion with beaches, shops, restaurants and bars, plus family activities in the surrounding area.
Our tip
For a quieter setting above the waterfront, compare Koutouloufari and Piskopiano, checking the route back to the coast.
Malia
Younger travellers and friends seeking beaches, restaurants and active summer nightlife.
A northern-coast resort east of Hersonissos, known for sandy beaches and summer nightlife, with a separate older quarter and nearby Minoan palace site.
Our tip
Check the property’s distance from entertainment streets. Families seeking quiet should also compare neighbouring towns.
Matala
Couples and travellers interested in coastal villages and outings in southern Crete.
A small village in southern Heraklion, recognised for the caves in the cliffs above its bay and its bohemian associations.
Our tip
Consider Matala for a southern itinerary or day visit. In summer the small village can be busy with daytime visitors.
Agios Nikolaos
Couples and families wanting a coastal town with restaurants, shops and evening walks.
A town in eastern Crete with a harbour, Lake Voulismeni, restaurants and nearby bays, combining coastal days with an urban evening.
Our tip
Compare central addresses for walks to dinner and the harbour. For a larger villa and outdoor space, look at surrounding hills and settlements.
Elounda
Couples and families seeking a villa setting, sea views, privacy and quieter days.
An eastern Crete accommodation area beside Mirabello Bay, with coastal settlements, sea views and both hotels and private villas.
Our tip
Some villas stand on slopes above the water. Confirm whether beach access is direct or requires a drive.
Plaka
Couples and families who prefer a small coastal village, views and a villa-based holiday.
A small coastal village north of Elounda facing Spinalonga, with waterfront tavernas and villas above the bay.
Our tip
Local beaches are largely pebbly and the range of services is smaller than in nearby towns. Plan transport for Elounda and Agios Nikolaos.
Istro
Families and couples who prefer beach and pool days with outings in eastern Crete.
A coastal area east of Agios Nikolaos, associated with bays including sandy Voulisma, offering an alternative to a large resort town.
Our tip
Voulisma can be busy in summer. Compare surrounding coves and check the actual journey from the accommodation to your chosen beach.
Sitia
Couples and travellers exploring eastern Crete who enjoy local towns and planned drives.
A harbour town in eastern Crete with a waterfront, restaurants and a local atmosphere, providing a base for outings towards the island’s eastern end.
Our tip
Plan Sitia for eastern Crete rather than frequent trips to Chania or Balos. A car helps with beaches and sites outside town.
Makry Gialos
Families and couples seeking a small coastal town and a quieter southeastern stay.
A coastal town east of Ierapetra in southeastern Crete, with a sandy bay and tavernas beside the sea.
Our tip
Allow for the journey from the main airports. Compare the location with your actual itinerary before choosing a southeastern base.
Crete on the map
OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap
All stays in Crete
All our villas and hotels in Crete, in one place.
Acro Suites - A Wellbeing resort
Crete · Agia Pelagia
Up to 8 guestsA private pool in every suite and villa
Good to know before you go to Crete
Getting around: Crete is long, about 260 km from west to east. Rent a car and choose a base by the region you want to know, rather than trying to see it all.
Getting there: there are two international airports, Heraklion in the centre and Chania in the west.
When to come: the season is long, from May to October. June and September are especially pleasant; July and August are hot and busy.
What to taste: dakos, local cheeses, Cretan olive oil and raki (tsikoudia) at the end of the meal.
The Good Life
All articles about CreteThe places, flavours and moments we collect along the way.
One week in Crete: Chania to Heraklion
Seven days with two bases: Chania, a beach day, villages, Rethymno and Knossos, with options for families and travel without a car.
Samaria Gorge: the hike, transport and return journey
From Xyloskalo to the Iron Gates and Agia Roumeli: plan the Samaria hike, assess the terrain and arrange the ferry and bus back.
Things to do in Chania: old-town lanes, markets and local food
Harbour walks, neighbourhood lanes, a street market and local food: explore Chania with maps, practical tips and current museum and market details.
Crete with kids
Beaches, an aquarium, water parks and seaside towns: how to explore Crete with children, region by region.
Questions about Crete
It depends on the holiday you want. The west, around Chania, has beaches such as Balos and Elafonisi, the White Mountains and a harbour town for the evenings. The centre, around Rethymno and Heraklion, has beach towns, historic sites such as Knossos and an easy base for day trips. The east, around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, has sheltered bays and a quieter feel in places. Crete is about 260 km from west to east, so pick one region and explore from there.
Chania if you want an old town for the evenings and the beaches of the west; Heraklion if you want a base in the centre of the island, near Knossos. Both have an international airport. Chania has a Venetian harbour, narrow lanes, restaurants and cafés, and you can spend the day on the beaches and in the villages of western Crete. The Heraklion region pairs the island's biggest city with resort towns along the north coast and villages inland. Chania is a city rather than a quiet resort: for a villa with a pool and privacy, look at the villages around it.
Elounda for quiet by the sea, Chania for evenings out on foot. Elounda sits on Mirabello Bay in the east, with sheltered bays, open sea views and high-end villas and hotels. In Chania, stay in the Old Town or within walking distance of it, so the harbour and the restaurants are a walk away. The villas and hotels we chose in each region are on this page.
No region needs ruling out; what to avoid is a base far from what you want to see. Crete is long, so a stay in the east makes a day at Balos or Elafonisi in the west a long drive. If you want quiet, look beyond the main resort strips of Hersonissos and Malia, which suit those who want restaurants and activities close by. If you want a villa with privacy and a pool, look in the villages around Chania rather than in the city itself.
June or September. The season runs from May to October, and July and August are hot and busy.