Now that you have narrowed down your Mediterranean destination to the Greek island of Crete, you still have to decide which town in Crete to stay. How you choose where to stay in Crete Greece will depend on your travel tastes, goals for the trip and your travel budget. Not to worry, though, there is something for everyone on Greece’s largest island.

From the spa resorts at Elounda to the Minoan ruins at Kato Zakros, Crete has the best of Greece all on one island. Using our guide on the best places to stay in Crete, you can choose the best city or resort town and then choose the best Crete hotel for your needs.

We will cover off all types of Crete accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Crete hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Crete 2023, the best Crete hotels, best places in Crete to visit, the best places to stay in Crete, hotels near Crete attractions, Crete neighborhood guide and many more.

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Chania – Where to stay in Crete for tourists

Crete’s second-largest city, Chania, has 160,000 residents, so it’s quite large compared to other towns on this list. This is the best area for tourists who want a nice mix of culture and outdoor activity because Chania has a little bit of everything to offer. Chania Old Town is best known for the old Venetian Harbour, as well as the narrow streets, shops, and restaurants.

Several museums including the archaeological museum, tell the story of Greek history and local customs, while Chania also has several swimming beaches in or near town. If you plan to hike the famous Samaria Gorge, Chania is the nearest town to stay in for the hike. If you only have a short time to spend in Crete, then Chania is a great choice as many flights and ferries arrive here daily, making it an easy choice and a good home base for exploring western Crete.

Where to stay in Chania Crete

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Chania
Pension Eva
Cocoon City Hostel
Chania Hostel

Budget Hotels in Chania
Pia Rooms
El Greco Hotel
Vranas Studios
Pia Rooms

Mid range Hotels in Chania
Elia Bettolo
Bozzali
Hotel Belmondo
Hotel Nostos

Family Friendly Hotels in Chania
Hotel Splanzia
Porto Veneziano Hotel
Samaria Hotel
Ionas Boutique Hotel

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Chania
Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
Casa Cook Chania
Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection
Minoa Palace Resort

Rethymno – Where to stay in Crete for for first timers

Halfway between Chania and the capital city of Heraklion lies the university town of Rethymno. Originally a fortress town, Rethymno has a Venetian harbor and old town area that is fun to explore. If you stay in the old town area, most hotels and restaurants will be within walking distance of the major sites. Tourist attractions include a hop-on-hop-off bus, daytime and evening cruises from the port and a few museums. If you have a car, you will have plenty of day trip destinations along the North Coast of Crete.

Best places to stay in Rethymno

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Rethymno
Rethymno Youth Hostel

Budget Hotels in Rethymno
Creta Seafront Suites
Brascos Hotel
Eltina Hotel
Lefkoniko Bay

Mid range Hotels in Rethymno
Aquila Porto Rethymno
Steris Elegant Beach Hotel Apartment
Swell Boutique Hotel
Kriti Beach Hotel

Family Friendly Hotels in Rethymno
Astali Hotel
Ionia Suites
Theartemis Palace Hotel
Achillion Palace

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Rethymno
Dyo Suites
Rimondi Boutique Hotels
Aquila Rithymna Beach Hotel
Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel

Heraklion – Where to stay in Crete with Family

The capital of Crete is usually a point of entry for travelers to Crete, but most continue on to smaller towns when choosing where to stay in Crete. However, Heraklion makes a good family-friendly destination, especially if you would like a lot of activities outside of enjoying a sandy beach for days on end.

The Crete Aquarium is not far away, and Knossos Palace is a great place to discover some of the archeology of Greece. The fishing port is still very active and at the other end of the spectrum, Heraklion offers high-end shopping and designer goods. Being in the center of the North Coast, Heraklion is a prime location for day trips and the size of the city means that it’s also possible to find budget-friendly accommodations.

Where to stay in Heraklion

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Heraklion
Heraklion Youth Hostel
Intra Muros Boutique Hostel

Budget Hotels in Heraklion
Hotel Irini
Hotel Lena
Kronos Hotel
Heraklion Old Port Apartments

Mid range Hotels in Heraklion
Ibis Styles Heraklion Central
Olive Green Hotel
Lato Boutique Hotel
Capsis Astoria Heraklion Hotel

Family Friendly Hotels in Heraklion
GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel
Hotel Akti Corali
Atrion Hotel
Galaxy Hotel Iraklio

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Heraklion
DOM Boutique Hotel
Metropole Urban Hotel
Agrotikon Cottage
Knossos Beach Bungalows & Suites

Elounda – Where to stay in Crete for honeymooners

At the eastern end of Crete lies the Gulf of Elounda. Luxury travelers flock to Elounda for the posh resorts and villas. This former fishing village is the premier Crete destination for the rich and famous, with the yachts proudly perched in the harbor. Wondering where to stay in Crete for couples? Elounda is perfectly romantic, it’s the best places to stay in Crete for young couples too!!

Scuba divers also choose Elounda, or nearby Plaka, for the offshore dive sites. Several Elounda resorts claim to be the best resort to stay in Crete, with many boasting access to a private beach for guests only. For a smaller, more “authentic” Greek town, the fishing village of Plaka is just ten minutes away.

Best places to stay in Elounda

Budget Hotels in Elounda
Elounda Sunrise Apartments
Selena Village
Mirabella Apartments
Manos Apartments

Mid range Hotels in Elounda
Akti Olous Hotel
Elounda Heights (Adults only)
Elounda Krini Hotel
Elounda Garden Suites

Family Friendly Hotels in Elounda
Elounda Water Park Residence Hotel
Elounda Ilion Hotel
Candia Park Village
Tui Sensimar Elounda Village Resort & Spa by Aquila

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Elounda
Elounda Bay Palace
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
Elounda Mare Relais & Chateaux hotel
Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort
Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel
Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Crete

Agios Nikolaos – Where to stay in Crete for relaxation

The East Coast town of Agios Nikolaos is at the same time a port town and a lake town. Backed by mountains and built on hills, it’s a highly picturesque town that is popular for all kinds of travelers. The lake is a saltwater lake connected to the sea by a small river, and the city also has a port and a marina, offering several waterfront districts for visitors to explore.

Kitroplatia is a beach right in town, offering cafes and tavernas along the beach. Many nearby areas offer sandy beaches and a few pebble beaches. Agios Nikolaos is also a great spot to shop for authentic souvenirs and crafts.

Best places to stay in Agios Nikolaos

Budget Hotels in Agios Nikolaos
Sunbeam Studios & Apartments
Hotel Angelos
Hotel Atlantis

Mid range Hotels in Agios Nikolaos
Alantha Apartments Hotel
Coral Hotel – AVRA Hotels Collection
Lato Hotel
Hermes Hotel

Family Friendly Hotels in Agios Nikolaos
Minos Beach Art hotel
Santa Marina Hotel Crete
Hotel Palazzo Arhontiko Apartments
Ikaros Art Hotel

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Agios Nikolaos
Minos Beach Art hotel
St. Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas
Tui Sensimar Elounda Village Resort & Spa by Aquila
Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas

Malia & Hersonissos – Where to stay in Crete for nightlife

If you are looking for the best place to stay in Crete for nightlife, then Malia & Hersonissos is your spot. These two towns along the North Coast draw a young crowd due to the nightlife scene in each town. With a plethora of Irish and English pubs, budget-friendly accommodation, this is the spot for backpackers passing through Crete. As with the other towns of Crete, there are beaches, restaurants, and outdoor activities in addition to the well-renowned party scene happening here.

Best places to stay in Malia & Hersonissos

Budget Hotels in Malia & Hersonissos
Villa Medusa
Mika Villas Apartments& Studios
Stelva Villas
Stelios Gardens
Vergina Studios & Apartments

Mid range Hotels in Malia & Hersonissos
Balsamico Traditional Suites
Casa Di Veneto
Village Heights Golf Resort
High Beach Resort
Philoxenia Hotel Malia

Family Friendly Hotels in Malia & Hersonissos
Elgoni Apartments
The Golf Hotel
Dia Apartments
Sirens Hotels Beach & Village
Mira Mare High Beach Annex

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Malia & Hersonissos
Creta Blue Suites
Creta Maris Beach Resort
Aldemar Knossos Villas
High Beach White
Ikaros Beach Resort & Spa

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