Hotels in Crete, Greece: where to stay

Choosing an area

• Chania. A Venetian harbour and old town in the west, with its own airport.
• Rethymno. An old town and a long town beach on the north coast.
• Heraklion. The island's largest city and main airport, close to the Knossos site. More a base for sightseeing than for the beach.
• Agios Nikolaos and Elounda. Calm bays and resort hotels in the east.
• Hersonissos and Malia. A livelier resort strip with bars, restaurants and family hotels.

Getting around

Crete is big. Chania and Heraklion are roughly two to two and a half hours apart by road, so choose an area close to what you want to see. A hire car makes day trips easier, and many visitors use one. Check what the hotel offers if you do not plan to drive.

When to go

May to October is the main season. July and August are the hottest and busiest, with the highest prices. Spring and autumn are often good for walking and sightseeing, and the sea stays warm into the autumn.

Getting there

Flights from the UK take about four hours to Heraklion or Chania. Ask about the transfer to your hotel, and we can quote flights alongside your stay.

Costs to check

• Greece charges a per-night fee on accommodation, usually paid at the hotel and varying by property type and season. Check how your quote shows it.
• the meal plan: many hotels sell breakfast or half board, and some resorts offer all-inclusive
• transfer time and cost from the airport
• car hire, if you plan to explore

Things to do nearby

Crete has plenty to see. Knossos, near Heraklion, is the best known archaeological site. The Samaria Gorge is a long walk that is generally open from around May to October. Beaches such as Elafonissi and Balos are popular, but they take time to reach, so factor in the drive. Chania's old harbour is a good evening stroll, and boat trips run to Spinalonga from the Elounda area.

A quick way to choose

• Old towns and harbours: Chania or Rethymno.
• Calm bays and resorts: Agios Nikolaos or Elounda.
• Lively resorts and family hotels: Hersonissos or Malia.
• Sightseeing and a city base: Heraklion.

These are starting points, not rules. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and we will narrow it down.

Get a quote

Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you want from the stay. An agent will come back with options and what each price includes. Call Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm or use the form on this page. No payment is taken on the form.