# Where to Stay in Crete: Best Areas Compared > Where to stay in Crete: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and the south coast compared by style, budget and driving times. URL: https://theauthenticgreece.com/where-to-stay-in-crete/ Last updated: 2026-10-24 --- The best place to stay in Crete depends on which part of the island you want to see, because Crete is about 260 km long and you cannot comfortably cover it from one base. For a first trip, Chania is the most rounded choice for the west, Rethymno is the best middle ground, and the Agios Nikolaos and Elounda area suits a slower, more polished stay in the east. Heraklion works for a night or two around Knossos and the airport, while the south coast villages are for travellers who want quiet over convenience. ## Quick facts - **Best first base:** Chania town or the coast just west of it. - **Best for one central base:** Rethymno, roughly halfway between Chania and Heraklion. - **Best for families:** the beach strips of Platanias, Rethymno, Stalida and Analipsi. - **Best for quiet:** Apokoronas villages, Plakias, Paleochora and Makrigialos. - **Car needed:** yes, for almost every area except the old towns. - **Split stays:** for a week or more, two bases (west plus centre or east) save hours of driving. ## How to choose: one base or two? The New National Road along the north coast links Kissamos, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, and most of the island’s accommodation sits on or near it. Driving from Chania to Heraklion takes around two hours, and from Chania to Agios Nikolaos well over three. That is why the most common mistake is booking one hotel for a week and spending half of it in the car. For four or five days, pick one region and explore it properly. For a week, split your stay between the west (Chania or Rethymno) and the centre or east (Heraklion area, Agios Nikolaos or Elounda). For ten days or more, add a few nights on the south coast, which feels like a different island. Our guide to [driving in Crete](https://theauthenticgreece.com/driving-in-crete/) explains road conditions and realistic journey times. ## Chania and the west ### Chania Old Town The Venetian harbour, the lighthouse, the narrow lanes of Splantzia and Topanas, and some of the best eating on the island make Chania Old Town the most atmospheric base in Crete. Rooms are mostly in restored mansions and small guesthouses rather than large hotels. The drawbacks are noise on summer nights near the harbour, steps and cobbles with luggage, and limited parking: you will usually leave the car in a paid car park outside the walls. Read our [Chania travel guide](https://theauthenticgreece.com/chania-travel-guide/) for the town itself. **Good for:** couples, food lovers, first-time visitors without small children. **Less good for:** anyone who wants a pool and a beach outside the door. ### Agia Marina, Platanias and the west coast strip West of Chania, a near-continuous line of resorts runs along a long sandy beach through Kato Daratso, Agioi Apostoloi, Kalamaki, Agia Marina, Platanias and Gerani. This is the easiest base in the west for families: shallow water, sunbeds, supermarkets and a bus along the main road into Chania. Platanias has the busiest nightlife in the area; Agioi Apostoloi and Kalamaki are calmer and closer to town. ### Apokoronas: Kalyves, Almyrida and the villages East of Chania, Apokoronas mixes small beach resorts (Kalyves and Almyrida) with inland villages such as Vamos, Gavalochori and Fres, where many stays are in stone houses and villas with pools. It is greener and quieter than the Platanias side, and it sits close to the highway for trips both to Chania and Rethymno. ### Kissamos Kissamos, at the far west end of the highway, is a plain working town with a long pebble and sand beach. It is the most practical base for Balos, Falasarna and Elafonisi, and prices are usually lower than around Chania. It is less polished, and evenings are quiet. ## Rethymno and central Crete ### Rethymno Old Town Rethymno has a compact Venetian and Ottoman old town below the Fortezza, with minarets, wooden balconies and a small harbour. It is smaller and less crowded than Chania, and the town beach starts right at the edge of the old quarter. From here you can reach both Chania and Heraklion in roughly an hour, which makes it the best single base for travellers who want to see the whole north coast. See our [Rethymno travel guide](https://theauthenticgreece.com/rethymno-travel-guide/) for the town, nearby villages and the Arkadi Monastery. ### The Rethymno beach strip East of town, a long sandy beach is lined with hotels through Platanes, Adelianos Kampos and Skaleta to Panormo. These areas are convenient for families and for anyone who wants a big hotel with a pool. The beach is exposed to the summer north wind, and on some days the sea is rough. ### Plakias and the south of Rethymno Plakias, on the south coast about 40 minutes from Rethymno, is a low-key village with a long bay, good walking and beaches such as Damnoni and Souda nearby. Further east, Agia Galini is a terraced former fishing village with tavernas over a small harbour. Both suit couples and walkers who want a slower pace and do not mind longer drives to the big sights. ## Heraklion and around ### Heraklion city Heraklion is a busy modern city, not a resort, but it has a lively centre, an excellent archaeological museum and the best restaurants in central Crete. One or two nights here make sense at the start or end of a trip, especially if your flight arrives late or leaves early, and for visiting Knossos. Our [Heraklion travel guide](https://theauthenticgreece.com/heraklion-travel-guide/) covers what to see in the city. ### Hersonissos, Malia and Stalida East of the airport, Hersonissos and Malia are the island’s package resort centres, with large all-inclusive hotels and a strong nightlife scene in parts of both towns. Stalida, between the two, and Analipsi, west of Hersonissos, are calmer with long sandy beaches. These areas are practical for families who want facilities and short transfers, but they are the least Cretan in feel. ### Archanes and the wine villages Inland, Archanes is a carefully restored village 15 km south of Heraklion, surrounded by vineyards. It is a quiet alternative to the coast for travellers who care more about food, wine and village life than beaches. ## Lasithi and the east ### Agios Nikolaos Agios Nikolaos is a small harbour town built around the Voulismeni lake, with cafes, a seafront promenade and boat trips to Spinalonga. It has a good range of mid-range accommodation, town beaches and an easy drive to the Lasithi Plateau. Our [Lasithi travel guide](https://theauthenticgreece.com/lasithi-travel-guide/) covers the whole region. ### Elounda and Plaka Elounda, 10 km north of Agios Nikolaos, is where Crete’s most expensive resort hotels are concentrated, along with villas on the hillsides above. The village itself is pleasant, with a small harbour and views of Spinalonga, and Plaka opposite the island is quieter still. Expect high prices in July and August. ### Sitia, Makrigialos and Ierapetra The far east is the least developed part of the north coast. Sitia is an authentic small town and a good base for Vai, Kato Zakros and the Toplou Monastery. On the south coast, Makrigialos and Analipsi (Lasithi) have shallow sandy beaches, and Ierapetra is the departure point for boat trips to Chrissi. ## The south coast: Sfakia, Loutro and Paleochora The south-west coast is dramatic and far less built up. Paleochora is a relaxed small town with beaches on both sides of its peninsula. Chora Sfakion is the end point for many Samaria Gorge hikers and has a handful of simple hotels. Loutro can only be reached on foot or by boat, which is its entire appeal. Frangokastello has a long shallow beach below a Venetian castle. Distances from here to the north coast are short on the map but slow in reality, because every route crosses the mountains. ## Areas compared | Area | Best for | Character | Car needed? | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Chania Old Town | Couples, food | Historic, lively, compact | Not in town; yes for day trips | | Platanias and Agia Marina | Families, beach | Resort strip, busy | Useful | | Apokoronas | Villas, quiet | Green, village life | Yes | | Rethymno | One central base | Old town plus long beach | Yes for day trips | | Heraklion city | Short stays, museums | Urban | No | | Hersonissos and Malia | Nightlife, all-inclusive | Package resorts | Useful | | Agios Nikolaos and Elounda | Couples, upmarket stays | Polished, scenic bay | Yes | | South coast villages | Walkers, quiet | Remote, slow | Yes (or boat) | ## Where to stay in Crete with children Look for long sandy beaches with gentle entry: the strip from Agia Marina to Platanias, the Rethymno hotel strip, Stalida, Analipsi near Hersonissos, and Almyrida in Apokoronas. Chania and Rethymno make good half-day outings, and both are within reach of water parks and the aquarium near Gournes. Our guide to [Crete with kids](https://theauthenticgreece.com/crete-with-kids/) goes into beaches and activities in more detail. ## Practical tips - **Book early for July and August.** Old town rooms in Chania and Rethymno and the better villas in Apokoronas and Elounda fill months ahead. - **Check parking.** In both old towns, ask where to leave the car and whether it costs extra. - **Ask about the access road.** Villas in hill villages can be reached by steep, narrow lanes; this matters with a large rental car. - **Consider the wind.** North coast beaches can be rough in July and August when the north wind blows; south coast bays are often calmer then. - **Off-season.** Many resort hotels close from November to March, but Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos stay open all year. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the best area to stay in Crete for the first time? Chania is the most popular first base thanks to its Venetian harbour, food scene and access to the west coast beaches. If you want to see both the west and Knossos without moving hotel, Rethymno is more central. For a week, consider splitting your stay between two areas. ### Is it better to stay in Chania or Heraklion? For a holiday, Chania is usually the better choice: it has a prettier old town and is close to the best beaches of western Crete. Heraklion is a large working city that suits one or two nights for the archaeological museum, Knossos and flights. ### Should I stay in one place in Crete or move around? Crete is around 260 km long, so one base means long daily drives if you want to see the whole island. For five days or fewer, choose one region. For a week or more, two bases (for example Chania and Agios Nikolaos or Rethymno and Elounda) save a lot of time. ### Where to stay in Crete without a car? Chania Old Town, Rethymno and Heraklion are the best choices, because buses link them to each other and to nearby beaches. The resort strip west of Chania and Hersonissos also have regular bus services. Most villages and the south coast are hard to enjoy without a car. ### Which part of Crete is quietest? The south coast (Plakias, Paleochora, Loutro, Makrigialos), the Apokoronas villages east of Chania and the far east around Sitia are the quietest areas. They suit travellers who prefer walks, tavernas and empty bays over nightlife. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best area to stay in Crete for the first time? Chania is the most popular first base thanks to its Venetian harbour, food scene and access to the west coast beaches. If you want to see both the west and Knossos without moving hotel, Rethymno is more central. For a week, consider splitting your stay between two areas. ### Is it better to stay in Chania or Heraklion? For a holiday, Chania is usually the better choice: it has a prettier old town and is close to the best beaches of western Crete. Heraklion is a large working city that suits one or two nights for the archaeological museum, Knossos and flights. ### Should I stay in one place in Crete or move around? Crete is around 260 km long, so one base means long daily drives if you want to see the whole island. For five days or fewer, choose one region. For a week or more, two bases (for example Chania and Agios Nikolaos or Rethymno and Elounda) save a lot of time. ### Where to stay in Crete without a car? Chania Old Town, Rethymno and Heraklion are the best choices, because buses link them to each other and to nearby beaches. The resort strip west of Chania and Hersonissos also have regular bus services. Most villages and the south coast are hard to enjoy without a car. ### Which part of Crete is quietest? The south coast (Plakias, Paleochora, Loutro, Makrigialos), the Apokoronas villages east of Chania and the far east around Sitia are the quietest areas. They suit travellers who prefer walks, tavernas and empty bays over nightlife.