Crete is far bigger than most visitors expect. Driving from Chania in the west to Agios Nikolaos in the east takes around three hours. Rather than trying to see everything from one hotel, pick a base in the region you most want to explore, or split your stay between two.
Crete bases at a glance
| Base | Best for | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|
| Chania Old Town | Atmosphere, food, couples | Chania (CHQ) |
| Platanias and Agia Marina | Beach hotels west of Chania, families | Chania (CHQ) |
| Rethymno | Old town plus a long sandy beach, central location | Either |
| Heraklion city | Knossos, museums, short stays | Heraklion (HER) |
| Hersonissos and Malia | Resort hotels, nightlife | Heraklion (HER) |
| Agios Nikolaos and Elounda | Upscale resorts, calmer bays | Heraklion (HER) |
| South coast (e.g. Plakias, Paleochora) | Slow travel, hiking, quiet | Chania or Heraklion, plus a long drive |
Chania
Chania’s Venetian harbor, lighthouse and old-town lanes make it many visitors’ favorite base. Stay in or near the Old Town for evenings on foot. Day trips to Balos, Falassarna, Elafonisi and the Samaria Gorge (open seasonally) are popular from here. In peak summer, old-town streets are busy and parking is difficult.
Platanias and Agia Marina
West of Chania along the north coast, this strip of beach resorts has hotels on long sandy beaches, with Chania town a short drive or bus ride away. It’s a good balance for families.
Rethymno
Rethymno combines a compact Venetian old town and fortress with a long town beach. Its central position makes it a good base for exploring both halves of the island.
Heraklion
Crete’s capital is a working city rather than a resort, but it’s the base for the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. It’s handy for a night or two at the start or end of a trip.
Hersonissos and Malia
East of Heraklion, these resort towns have large hotels, waterparks nearby and, especially in Malia, a strong nightlife scene. Check exactly where a hotel is if you want quiet.
Agios Nikolaos and Elounda
On the Gulf of Mirabello in the east, Agios Nikolaos is a pretty harbor town, and Elounda is known for upscale resorts. Boat trips run to Spinalonga island.
The south coast
The Libyan Sea coast is wilder and quieter, with villages such as Plakias and Paleochora. Expect mountain roads and slower travel. It’s lovely for a second week.
Getting around
KTEL intercity buses connect the main north-coast towns. For beaches, villages and the south coast, a rental car gives you far more freedom.
Visiting Knossos
The Palace of Knossos is about 5 km from Heraklion. In summer, arrive at opening time to beat the heat and the tour groups. You can buy official tickets at the site or on the Hellenic Heritage e-ticket site (hhticket.gr), or browse Knossos tickets and guided tours on Tiqets (affiliate link).
Getting there
Read flights to Crete from the UK: Heraklion or Chania, or search London–Chania and London–Heraklion.
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Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay in Santorini: Fira, Oia, Imerovigli or the beaches?
- Flights to Athens from the UK: airlines, airports and year-round options
How we research: this guide is based on official sources and published airline and transport schedules, not on a sponsored visit. Information was checked on October 8, 2026. Schedules, routes and prices change, so confirm with the airline, operator or venue before you travel.
Sources
- Greek National Tourism Organisation: visitgreece.gr
- Region of Crete tourism portal: incrediblecrete.gr
- KTEL Chania-Rethymno buses: e-ktel.com
- Hellenic Ministry of Culture (Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Spinalonga): odysseus.culture.gr
- Samaria National Park: samaria.gr
Featured image: Aerial view of the Old Venetian Harbour in Chania. Photo: dronepicr, July 31, 2020, via Wikimedia Commons (Aerial view of the Old Venetian Harbour in Chania, Greece.jpg), CC BY 2.0. Resized and compressed.
We research Cyprus and Greece trips for travelers from the UK and Europe, using official tourism, airport and transport sources and published airline schedules. No sponsored rankings. How we research · How we earn