Crete is the second largest island in Greece and there are countless places where you can enjoy a wonderful holiday. I understand that many people wonder where to stay in Crete before booking a holiday. That is why I have listed my favorite places to stay in Crete for you. I hope this makes the choice a bit easier for you.
Where to stay in Crete – the most beautiful places on the map
The map below shows all my tips for where to stay in Crete.
Go on holiday to Crete: stay in the north or south?
Before booking a holiday, many people wonder whether they should choose North or South Crete. I can’t make this choice for you, but I can tell you what the biggest difference is. The north of Crete is a lot more touristy than the south. In addition to the very busy Hersonissos, the largest cities of Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion are also located on the north coast.
Because both airports of Crete are located in the north, many people choose to stay in the north. The south is still at least 1.5 hours away from the airport. At the same time, this is an advantage, since the south is much quieter and more authentic. So it just depends on what you are looking for: if you want a lot of facilities, activities and liveliness, then the north is the destination for you. If you prefer more peace and quiet and discover the lesser-known Crete, then choose the south.
South Crete
Plakias
During my last holiday in Crete I stayed in the southern coastal town of Plakias. If you are looking for a not too busy, but cozy place with plenty of taverns and shops, Plakias is the ideal place to stay in Crete. Plakias is very centrally located on the south coast, making it the ideal base for exploring the south of Crete in my opinion. In addition, you can drive from here in about 45 minutes to the beautiful city of Retyhmno on the north coast.
Plakias has a beach, although I would advise you to visit one of the many beaches in the area as they are a lot nicer. All in all, Plakias is a very pleasant village to stay in Crete if you want to have all facilities close by, but also want to enjoy your holiday in peace. We stayed in Plakias in Anemos, a very nice, small-scale apartment complex in the hills of Plakias. This accommodation can be booked as a package holiday.
Paleochora
A similar small-scale village on the southwest coast of Crete is Paleochora. It is located on a headland, which means that the town has a beach on both sides. The beach to the west, Pachia Ammos, is the most beautiful. This is a wide sandy beach with sunbeds and various catering establishments. Because of these beaches, I think Paleochora is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on Crete. In addition, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Crete is relatively close to Paleochora: you can drive to the breathtakingly beautiful Elafonissi Beach in an hour. It is also possible to sail from the port of Paleochora by boat to Elafonissi, just as much fun!
Matala
One of the most striking places to stay in Crete is without a doubt the town of Matala. Matala was a very popular village among hippies in the 1970s and those influences are still clearly visible today. Paintings on the floor, colorful souvenir shops and relaxed bars determine the street scene here. Matala has a beautiful, wide sandy beach with a limestone rock behind it. In this rock you can see several caves. These were once chiseled out by the Romans and were used as tombs. In the 1970s, the hippies often used them to stay in. Today the caves are no longer in use, but you can walk to them from the beach.
Spili
If you don’t necessarily have to sit by the sea, the southern Spili is a very nice option to stay. Spili is small but cozy and especially the nice terraces under the plane tree are a relief in the always warm Crete. As far as I am concerned, Spili is one of the most beautiful villages on Crete. The location in the mountains is beautiful and the village is easily accessible from Plakias and Rethymno. I do advise you to book a rental car if you are in Spili. You are here in Central Crete, making it the ideal base to discover the rest of the island.
Agia Galini
Agia Galini is an attractive village exactly in the middle of the south coast. There is one long shopping street full of restaurants and souvenir shops. The picturesque harbor and the white houses provide a perfect Greek picture. It is not for nothing that Agia Galini is, according to many, one of the most beautiful villages on Crete. In addition, the location, in Central Crete, is of course ideal. Agia Galini also has its own beach where you can relax.
Northern Crete
Chania
One of the nicest places in West Crete is the city of Chania. This city was once under Venetian rule and in the harbor you can still see several buildings in this style. There are also numerous buildings in Venetian style to admire in the city center. Many of the houses in Chania are painted in cheerful colors, which makes it look very different from the rest of Crete. Chania is the ideal place to stay in Crete if you like bustle and fun around you. The city is bursting with terraces, shops and cafes and there is always something to do. An additional advantage of staying in Chania is that you can reach your holiday address from the airport in no time.
Rethymnon
Rethymno, or Rethymnon, is also a relatively large city on Crete, but you will not notice that during your stay. The center consists of a maze of small streets full of nice taverns and shops. With a length of no less than 12 kilometers, Rethymno’s beach is the longest on the island. In addition to sunbathing, you can also practice various water sports here. This makes it without a doubt one of the most beautiful seaside resorts on Crete. Are you looking for a place where you can also do some cultural activities? Even then Rethymno is a good destination. Due to the Venetian influences, there are many beautiful buildings to admire. In addition, in this city you will find the Archaeological Museum, the Museum for Contemporary Arts and the Paleontological Museum of Rethymno.
Do you want to go on holiday on the north coast of Greece and are you looking for a pleasantly busy place? Then, as far as I’m concerned, Rethymno is the best choice for your stay in Crete.
Sissi
Sissi has long been a popular seaside resort in eastern Crete. The village is an excellent base to the most beautiful places in eastern Crete. From here you can easily go to Elounda with a scooter or rental car to take the boat to the island of Spinalonga from there. In addition, the special Lassithi plateau is also nearby. Do you like to look up the party atmosphere? Hersonissos and Malia, two party destinations, are 20 kilometers from Sissi. There is also plenty to do in Sissi itself. There are no less than four beaches, an attractive harbor and there are more than enough cozy taverns and cafes.
Agios Nikolaos
One of the most beautiful places in East Crete is without a doubt Agios Nikolaos. The town is built around an inland lake surrounded by rocks. This creates a very nice image that also looks a bit Italian in my opinion. In Agios Nikolaos there is an Archaeological Museum with finds from the Minoan period and an Ethnological Museum. If you want to know more about this region, these are definitely recommended. Agios Nikolaos has a number of small but nice beaches that you can easily walk to from the center.
Elounda
The seaside resort of Elounda is located about 10 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos. This place is particularly popular among tourists because from here the boat goes to the legendary Spinalonga island. Until well into the 1950s, inhabitants of Crete were exiled to this island if they were found to have leprosy. If you stay in Elounda it is really a must to visit Spinalonga. It is so impressive to see how people tried to make the best of this small island. The harbor of Elounda is very cozy with numerous taverns and cafes. Be sure to admire the dam with the three traditional windmills when you are here. Do you fancy a day trip? Then drive to Vai Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in eastern Crete.
Crete is one of the most versatile islands in Greece and in terms of places to stay there really is something for everyone. Looking for more tips? Here you can read all our articles about Crete.
