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.