Where to Stay in Crete – Best Towns, Hotels, & Areas

Our Crete, Greece guide to Where To Stay, including the best towns, hotels, resorts, & beaches for sightseeing, relaxing, and partying https://santorinidave.com/crete. Includes our guide to Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, and Ierapetra hotels, plus getting to Balos Beach, Elafonisi Beach, Vai Palm Beach, Spinalonga Island, and much more.

Crete trip planning resources:
Best Beaches in Crete, Greece https://youtu.be/mGNgdtYYxk4
Elafonisi Beach https://youtu.be/qWMFGoR3PDk
Balos Beach https://youtu.be/m9bFbFm3H6g
Where To Stay in Chania, Crete https://youtu.be/alaB3Izh3cs
Chania, Crete Best Hotels https://youtu.be/HvfjufjMDU4
Where To Stay in Rethymnon, Crete https://youtu.be/7rCRjIdEW-c
Where To Stay in Heraklion https://youtu.be/hBQ1n9zNGRU
Heraklion, Crete Best Hotels https://youtu.be/0aijD5vYCIM

Crete Travel Guide https://santorinidave.com/crete
Where to Stay in Crete https://santorinidave.com/best-places-crete
Crete Best Hotels & Resorts https://santorinidave.com/best-hotels-crete
Crete Family Hotels https://santorinidave.com/crete-family-hotels
Crete Best Tours & Things To Do https://santorinidave.com/best-crete-tours
Athens to Crete https://santorinidave.com/athens-to-crete
Getting Between Crete & Santorini https://santorinidave.com/crete-to-santorini
Crete Ferry Guide https://santorinidave.com/heraklion-port-crete

00:00 Introduction
01:45 Arriving to Crete by Ferry or Plane
02:11 Chania Orientation, Where to Stay, Hotels
04:06 Chania Day Trips and Things To Do, Samia Gorge, Balos Beach, Elafonisi Beach
05:09 Rethymnon Orientation, Where to Stay, Hotels
06:41 Rethymnon Day Trips and Things To Do, Agreco Farms, Margarites Ceramics Village, Arkadi Monastery
07:29 Heraklion Orientation, Where to Stay, Hotels
08:58 Heraklion Day Trips, Archaelogical Museum, Knossos Palace Ruins, Wine Country
09:12 Elounda Orientation, Where to Stay, Hotels
10:14 Agios Nikolaos Orientation, Where to Stay, Hotels
11:08 Ierapetra Orientation, Where to Stay, Hotels
11:33 Spinalonga Island, Vai Palm Beach, Touplou Monastery
12:40 Southern Crete Villages, Sfakia, Loutro, Sweetwater Beach, Marmara Beach, Paleochora

Santorini:
Best Towns/Where to Stay in Santorini https://youtu.be/pQreZ4SBDe0
Best Hotels in Santorini https://youtu.be/UuvTI8KvHdo
Sample Itineraries in Santorini https://youtu.be/wohQPSkHYL8
Best Restaurants in Santorini https://youtu.be/XEF8BzXLEzU
Best Wineries in Santorini https://youtu.be/BmkTS-aVhIY
Fira Village Guide https://youtu.be/jAVAJ2vLC8Q
Oia Village Guide https://youtu.be/dOBLmlrXCeE
Imerovigli Village Guide https://youtu.be/RGnH9ogLZPo
Pyrgos Village Guide https://youtu.be/lwYlnSLEHaw
Best Things To Do in Santorini https://youtu.be/Mm-v-zyhlgo
Fira-Oia Caldera Hike in Santorini https://youtu.be/9aYVyf_a-FI
Boat Tours in Santorini https://youtu.be/JUaM70A_Bkw
Best Wineries in Santorini https://youtu.be/BmkTS-aVhIY
Best Beaches in Santorini https://youtu.be/7esce5i56PE

Mykonos:
Where To Stay in Mykonos https://youtu.be/sgZonmr_io0
Best Hotels in Mykonos https://youtu.be/UuvTI8KvHdo
Guide To Mykonos Town https://youtu.be/1jPGyAj1f6A
Best Restaurants in Mykonos https://youtu.be/bDqGbjcMPbg
Best Beaches in Mykonos https://youtu.be/JbxXoAwRBtg
Best Beach Clubs in Mykonos https://youtu.be/7VRmlvLT25s
How To Get Around Mykonos https://youtu.be/SDJuHJS8QBQ
Arriving To Mykonos By Ferry https://youtu.be/j3BOmtkFKOQ
Water Taxi https://youtu.be/DearDTn6_GM
Visiting Delos Island https://youtu.be/iyvBzzr-BEc
Biking The Countryside in Mykonos https://youtu.be/QUCFb5qvADM
Cheese Making & Tasting in Mykonos https://youtu.be/_rFSlvi9e8g
Mosaic Studio & Workshop in Mykonos https://youtu.be/_rFSlvi9e8g
Exploring The Back Alleys of Mykonos Town https://youtu.be/KJhYpmtme1o
Mykonos Town Walking Tour https://youtu.be/wOHlZTfa8RY
Alternatives to Beaches & Shopping in Mykonos https://youtu.be/1FMUikCyPcM

Athens:
Where To Stay in Athens https://youtu.be/MgnmWylp1HA
Best Hotels in Athens https://youtu.be/tb0eONW89r4
Things To Do in Athens https://youtu.be/WxERdXIZagg
Piraeus Port in Athens https://youtu.be/jaxRBAMjgMI

Naxos:
Where To Stay https://youtu.be/xoXFbkM7e1U
Best Hotels https://youtu.be/cVhRLVmHzp4
Things To Do https://youtu.be/_uLA6zGrkc8

Paros:
Where To Stay https://youtu.be/QwUF4Fzz8rk
Best Hotels https://youtu.be/6UqkHCsyyAc
Things To Do https://youtu.be/tZHX2nIb0V0
#crete #travelgreece #chania #rethymnon

Hi everyone. This is the Santorini Dave guide to  Where To Stay in Crete. Let’s get right into it. In this video we offer a broad  overview of the most popular   and frequently-traveled areas of the island  including Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Elounda,   and Agios Nikolaos, plus the most  famous beaches, and south coast towns.

Crete is Greece’s largest island, and a fabulous  destination with so much to offer. There’s over   1,000 kilometers of coastline, and a rugged  interior consisting of mountains sliced by   rivers and gorges, fertile plateaus, and small  towns. The rich history, geographic diversity,  

And sheer size mean that most travelers will  want at least a week to visit the highlights,   though one could easily fill two weeks to  get a good feel for the island as a whole.   Renting a car or scooter is a great  way to explore Crete’s fabulous beaches  

And beautiful countryside, where you’ll find quiet  farming villages with rows of bee hive boxes,   vineyards and groves upon groves of olive  trees. You can expect frequent roadside   stands selling handmade crafts, local herb  infused honey, oils, and food products. The island is divided into 4 regions,  Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Lasithi,  

With the most populous cities along the northern  coast, and sharing the name of their province. Now everything featured in this video is  explored in our Crete Travel Guide, and,   along with all the other top destinations across  Greece are explained in far greater depth across  

The pages of our website at SantoriniDave.com.  And make sure to subscribe to this channel   as we’re constantly adding new content  that’ll help you plan your visit to Greece. Most visitors to Crete arrive via the  airport or ferry port in Heraklion,  

Crete’s capital and largest city, though there is  an international airport and ferry port in Chania   as well. There are a variety of transportation  options to get between these cities,   including private van service, public  buses, and car rental. It’s a roughly 2   hour drive between Chania and Heraklion,  with Rethymnon right in the middle. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these areas. Chania is the most romantic and charming,   with a 600 year old Venetian era Old Town which is  pedestrian only, and where most visitors choose to  

Stay. The port in the center of town is the heart  of Chania, with a 400 year old light house at the   entrance to the harbor attached to the marina  by a long causeway where people sit and enjoy   the sunset. The waterfront is lined with old  buildings including the landmark Yali Mosque,  

An Ottoman-era domed structure, which is the  most prominent landmark on Chania’s harbor.   There are a myriad of restaurants and cafes  that are great to people watch from while   enjoying a drink or meal at any time of day. The  Old Town is a maze of narrow, winding alleyways,  

That are packed with great restaurants, tavernas,  cafes, and boutiques, and a handful of museums.   At night, the waterfront promenade really  comes to life with street performers,   and couples and families out strolling. Chania is full of great places to stay, mostly  smaller boutique hotels with a limited number  

Of rooms. For cheaper accommodation, you’ll  want to look outside of the historic Old Town.   Some of our favorite hotels in Chania include  Casa Delfino, a 17th-century Venetian mansion   that’s been in the family for 6 generations.  There’s a gorgeous courtyard, a terrific spa,  

And a fantastic rooftop terrace overlooking the  town and harbor. Domus Renier is another small   yet impressive luxury boutique hotel. Guests can  enter through the waterfront level restaurant,   or directly into the elegant lobby from within the  maze of alleys. The 2 bedroom master suite here  

Has a uniquely stunning patio and view overlooking  the water. And Serenissima, a romantic 5   star boutique hotel located in a 15th century  Venetian home in the heart of old town Chania. Popular day trips from Chania include hiking  the Samaria Gorge, a UNESCO world heritage site,  

And to the gorgeous Balos and Elafonisi Beaches.  Most visitors to Balos book a boat trip out of   Kissamos, which is about a half hour drive west  of Chania. A little bit further from there is the   also very popular Falasarna Beach. It is possible  to make one long day trip to Elafonisi Beach  

In the SW corner of the island and back, however  if you have the time, we recommend booking a   night or 2 in that area. This enables you to  experience sunrise and/or sunset at Elafonisi   when it is largely deserted and magical, and  you have the area almost completely to yourself.  

During the day, thousands of day tripping tourists  cover the beach here. If you are driving a rental   vehicle, we suggest making the trip between  Chania and Elafonisi in a loop, coming down   the canyon on the way in, and up the coast on  the way back. Both are gorgeous driving roads,  

Lined with stunning views and roadside stands  selling crafts and local food products. Rethymnon is very similar to Chania, and  definitely worth a visit, though less touristy   and polished. It has a smaller, yet equally  beautiful Venetian harbor, with a prominent  

Lighthouse positioned at its mouth. The Old Town  is completely closed off to vehicular traffic   and is where most international visitors choose  to stay. Greek tourists tend to stay in the newer   part of town, where there is an extensive night  life and party scene along the beachfront. In the  

Old Town, you’ll find a warren of narrow alleyways  filled with landmarks from various historical   eras, including minarets, domes, fountains, and  grand archways around every corner.  The interior   walkways are filled with great sidewalk cafes  and boutique shopping, and from the waterfront  

Walkway heading into the many alleyways, there  is a vibrant restaurant scene with terrific food. There’s also the Venetian Fortezza Castle,  a large fortress with a high plateau,   offering commanding views out  over the harbor, a giant mosque,   and frequent live concerts and  theatrical events during summer.

Some of our favorite hotels in Rethymnon include  Avli Lounge Apartments, charmingly centered around   a 16th century Venetian Villa and spread across  multiple unique buildings in the heart of town,   with 10 beautifully appointed  suites, and a rooftop jacuzzi. And   Veneto, an exquisite boutique hotel set in a  restored 14th-century Benedictine monastery,  

With 12 luxury suites, and a restaurant  set in a stunning 600-year-old courtyard. There are a number of great day trips outside  of Rethymnon. On hot days, escape the heat   and enjoy hiking the shady Mily Gorge, just a  short ride out of town. Agreco Farms produces  

Their own wine and olive oil, has a variety of  farm animals, and an excellent restaurant with   views out over the vineyard to the sea. The small  village of Margarites is the home of a centuries   old Cretan ceramics tradition, and you’ll find  dozens of shops selling pottery of all kinds.  

Above the village is a gorgeous monastery, also  worth a quick visit. And the Arkadi Monastery,   built on the edge of a high plateau, is one  of the most important monuments in Crete,   and still active today. The complex includes  beautiful gardens, an art gallery and museum.

While Rethymnon and Chania are less known  for their beaches, there are a variety of   upscale beach resorts just outside of  town in both directions of both cities. Heraklion is Crete’s capital and largest city.  While not as pretty as Chania and Rethymnon,  

Heraklion, a modern, working-class town does  have it’s own charm and extensive history, plus   a lovely waterfront that’s great for strolling,  with a decent beach at the west end of town.   There’s an active nightlife scene,  tons of great restaurants, and many  

Historic sites and museums. Many travelers find  themselves enjoying a night or two in Heraklion   after a late arrival or early departure by  ferry or plane to other parts of Greece. The best hotels in Heraklion are  all located a brief walk from the  

Port or a short taxi ride away. These  include the elegant 5 star GDM Megaron,   a century old hotel located in the heart of the  city, overlooking the old Venetian port and within   walking distance of all the major sites. There’s  a great rooftop restaurant, bar and pool here.  

Aquila Atlantis is another, large, 5-star Hotel  with a fabulous rooftop restaurant bar and pool   with unobstructed views over the port  and harbor, and extensive health club,   spa and event facilities. And just around  the corner from Megaron and Aquila Atlantis,   you’ll find Lato Boutique Hotel, a modern,  artsy hotel with a pleasant rooftop restaurant.

All 3 of these hotels are a short walk  to the world-class Archaeological museum,   the downtown shopping and nightlife district,  and many great  restaurants to choose from.   A short ride out of town is the UNESCO  World Heritage site and fantastic ruins  

Of the Knossos Palace, and due south of the  city is the heart of Cretan wine country,   with wineries offering tours and tastings. Elounda, a small city on Crete’s eastern side   is packed with luxury beachfront resorts, popular   with wealthy Greeks and international jet setters,  offering a relaxing, pampered beach vacation.  

The town itself is a small former fishing village,  with a quaint harbor lined with small shops and   good restaurants. In town you can find reasonably  priced rooms, studios, and small hotels, while the   most popular resorts line the surrounding beaches  and hillsides along the coast in both directions. 

Some of the best hotels here include Elounda  Beach Hotel, an extensive modern waterfront resort   with a variety of athletic and spa facilities,  gardens, and multiple dining options.  The luxurious Elounda Mare Hotel, with  spectacular views out over Mirabello Bay,  

A large outdoor pool and private sandy beach,  and the 5 star Porto Elounda Golf and Spa Resort,   with tennis and a 9 hole golf course, tons of  water sports and a scuba diving center on site. Just to the south of Elounda  is Agios Nikolaos, a small  

City with a compact central core overlooking  the beautiful Mirabello Bay. Different from   the package holiday tourists of nearby beach  resorts, Agios Nikolaos features a great mix of   open-air cafés clustered around the  picturesque and small Voulismeni Lake,  

Connected to the sea by canal on one end and  fronted by steep rocky cliffs on the other.   There are a variety of accommodations in the  central part of town, with the higher end hotels   and resorts along a peninsula just to the north,  and other options along the coast heading north. 

Two of our favorite hotels in Agios  Nikolaos include Minos Beach Art Hotel,   a beautifully landscaped waterfront  resort with suites and villas,   located 10 mins from town, and  St. Nicolas Bay Resort,   also with a private beachfront, extensive  spa, and 5 restaurants to choose from. In south east Crete, Ierapetra  is another popular destination,  

With a handful of new luxury resorts that  have opened within the last few years.   Here, we love Ostria, a very large family friendly  resort on a gorgeous beachfront, with multiple   restaurants to choose from, many large pools,  and endless activities at all times of day.

There are plenty of great options for day  trips and activities in Eastern Crete.   Just off the coast here is the  impressive island of Spinalonga,   initially a Venetian fortress that became a former  leper colony. Spinalonga is a fascinating visit   just a short boat ride away, with frequent  departures from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda,  

And the lovely seaside town of Plaka just up the  coast. The site is very well preserved and signed,   and visitors can learn about the unique history  while walking around the small island. A short   hike leads to the top of the hill, with  wonderful panoramic views of the area.  

Vai Palm Beach is another popular destination.  It’s a unique oasis of palm trees on a stunning   beach, with water sports rentals, a large  excellent restaurant overlooking the bay,   a small market with beach essentials, and a shady  space with a handful of less formal food options.  

Close to Vai, Touplou Monastery is a gorgeous  site, and one of the most significant monasteries   on Crete. A fortified structure with a long  and tortured history, there’s an impressive   art collection here, and it’s also famous for  its award winning wine and olive oil production.

And last but not least, a few great choices for  quieter small towns on the southern coast include   Sfakia, Loutro, and Paleochora. These towns and  a handful of great beaches in between including   SweetWater with its fresh water springs right on  the beach  and Marmara with its beautiful caves,  

Are connected by boat. The larger towns by a  coastal ferry system that is easy to navigate,   and the beaches by water taxi or private boat  rental out of Sfakia. You’d begin a visit to   this coastal area by driving to Sfakia, and  by boat from there makes the most sense.

As always, you can find lots more detailed  information about Crete and the rest of   Greece’s most popular destinations across  the pages of our website SantoriniDave.com.   If you enjoyed this video, make sure to like it  with a thumbs up, and to subscribe to our channel  

As we are constantly adding new content that  will help you in planning your visit to Greece. Thanks for watching.