Where to stay in Eastern Crete: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Accommodation
Alex - A former corporate business executive, I am a historical fiction writer. For almost ten years, Greece was one of my second homes due to my business responsibilities.
Baby Iris joined our travels since she was able to sit up.
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Greece is one of our favorite holiday destinations due to its proximity to my city of birth and our former residence, Bucharest. We even spent the second half of our honeymoon in Greece. However, we looked beyond the more popular destinations and eventually settled for Eastern Crete. Naturally, the next question was: where to stay in Eastern Crete?
We aimed for a charming hotel, restaurants by the sea, and lovely beaches nearby. Moreover, the target region should have plenty of attractions. We can’t just lounge on the beach, sipping cocktails all day long. Not even during our honeymoon:)
Eventually, we found what we were looking for and more. You can read our Eastern Crete Itinerary for more details. Today’s post will focus on where to stay in Eastern Crete.
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Where to Stay in Eastern Crete: 4 Great Locations
Elounda
We chose this town on the northeastern coast of Crete due to its selection of stunning hotels and because it is not a hot spot for mass tourism.
From Elounda, you can take a boat to Spinalonga Island, but the small town also has plenty of traditional tavernas lined up on the seafront and luxury restaurant options. If you want to spend time at the beach, there are a few sandy beaches, but most hotels have beautiful pools where you can relax.
Exploring Eastern Crete from Elounda was easy, and the distance to Heraklion Airport wasn’t so big—only one hour by car. We rented a car, drove around the Lasithi Plateau, made our way to the south to Ierapetra, and explored everything in between.
Here are a few great accommodation options for Elounda:
Elounda Orama
This is where we stayed during our week in Crete, and we loved it.
Perched on a hill with direct access to the main road leading to the village center, the hotel boasts a lovely rooftop swimming pool and rooms with a sea view.
What I loved most was having breakfast and dinner at their rooftop restaurant, with the sparkling blue sea in the background.
The room was comfortable and had a modern Greek design.
Adrakos Apartments
The hotel is located between Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, high on the hills overlooking Spinalonga and Elounda Bay, thus offering incredible views.
It is a family-run hotel highly rated by couples who stay there, mainly for the romantic vibe, the beautiful swimming pool, and the friendliness of the staff.
The rooms have a kitchenette with a mini oven and fridge, making them perfect for longer stays or for those who prefer eating at home.
Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa
It is a luxurious hotel with many rooms overlooking the sea and Spinalonga Island. Some rooms have small private infinity pools on their balcony.
Come here to be blown away by the award-winning cuisine and a state-of-the-art spa – a 2,000-m² area with indoor pools, 24 treatment rooms, 2 steam rooms, saunas, and hot tubs.
Previous guests loved the huge selection of breakfast choices, the incredible view, and the spacious and well-maintained rooms.
Elounda George Studios
It is an option for those traveling with the family or simply preferring to stay in an apartment.
The apartment is not large, but it offers everything you might need: a private kitchen, a balcony with a sea view, air conditioning, and privacy. Parking is available for guests, and plenty of restaurants and shops are within walking distance.
Agios Nikolaos
Choose to stay in Agios Nikolaos if you want a mix of city and beach vacations. While in the city, you will have access to plenty of beaches and can even choose to stay at hotels with private beaches.
However, you can access more apartment-type accommodation options in the city. The city is charming, offers plenty of things to do, and is the starting point for many excursions from this island.
Here are a few accommodation options for Agios Nikolaos.
Minos Palace Hotel & Suites – Adults Only
A stunning 5* resort loved by guests, boasting infinity pools and a private beach. Only 2 kilometers away from the city center, you will perfectly mix the city with the vacation vibes here.
After a long day of exploration, book a massage at the hotel’s SPA for the ultimate relaxation.
Book a bungalow if you want to be quiet away from the main hotel building. It is also worth knowing that from the city center, you will need to take an easy hike or take a taxi to get to the hotel.
Hotel Port 7- Boutique Collection
A charming small boutique hotel ideally located in the port.
The guests loved the view from their room, as well as the hotel’s breakfast, location, and attentive staff.
Beach Walk Luxury Suites
This beautiful new aparthotel is perfectly located within a one-minute walk of the beach. It is 2.5 kilometers from the city center and has access to parking and swimming pools.
All rooms have a furnished kitchenette, air conditioning, and a dining area, and some have a terrace and jacuzzi. The hotel also has a restaurant; guests can rent bikes to explore the area.
This is the perfect option for someone traveling with the family.
Sitia
Sitia is a small town located east of Agios Nikolaos. The village is not very lively or touristy. Thus, it is worth staying here to avoid the crowds and enjoy the authentic local vibe.
The most famous attraction in Sitia is its palm forest at Vai and its many sandy beaches. The Kazarma Fortress, dating to the Middle Ages, or the remnants of a colony built by the Phoenicians would make any history lover happy.
The city is 2 hours away from Heraklion Airport, so keep that in mind when choosing to stay here.
Here are a few accommodation options in Sitia:
Sitia Beach City Resort & Spa
A great 5* hotel located minutes from Sitia’s city center, offering access to 3 pools, a tennis court, and a spa – what more could you wish for?
There is a bar by the garden pool for drinks and light meals, and the hotel has a buffet-style restaurant. A bus station with good connections to Agios Nikolaos is close to the hotel.
Guests consider this hotel the perfect place for relaxation and have enjoyed the breakfast options.
Nereids Apartments
Great apartments are well-equipped with everything you need to stay in Crete. A beach is only 100 meters from the property, and even though it is a public beach, it feels like it is the hotel’s private one.
Staying here will also put you 5 minutes away from the city, and you can enjoy the property’s beautiful and peaceful gardens.
Moreover, if you rent a car and drive around Crete, you can take advantage of the free parking.
Areti InCreteble Cretan Residences Collection
An apartment that can host up to 3 people and offers everything one might need for a comfortable stay – a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace, free parking, and a dining area.
The beach is not very close; you will need to travel around 2.5 kilometers, but the famous Vai forest is 25 kilometers away.
Mira Sitia Luxury Apartment
Another great accommodation option has modern interiors, a big window overlooking the sea, and a small balcony where you can relax and take in the views. The kitchen is fully equipped for a perfect vacation.
Ierapetra
Even though it is located in the southeastern part of Crete, Ierapetra is 1 hour and 20 minutes away from the airport. It felt like a small and chill seaside resort city, with a long beach lined up with terraces and tavernas.
The water is much clearer and bluer than in the northeastern part, and from the small port in Ierapetra, you can take the boat to visit Chrissi Island. Let’s not forget about the Venetian Fortress or some old churches in town.
Here are a few great accommodation options in Ierapetra:
Enorme Santanna Beach
A 4* hotel with big and luxurious rooms. Guests enjoyed the hotel’s food and the friendly and helpful staff.
You can choose from buffet-style breakfast, continental, or American. The closest popular public beach is 1 kilometer away, but you can relax at one of the hotel’s swimming pools or on their private beach.
Previous guests recommend renting a car to get around quickly.
Kales Sea View Suites
If you would rather stay in an apartment with a sea view and everything you need for a vacation with your family or a longer stay, this is the place for you.
The interior is modern and new, and the balcony has a perfect sea view. Previous guests have appreciated waking up with the sea under their eyes.
The internet connection is excellent, making it a perfect place for those who want to spend more time and work from here.
Persephone Art Country House
A stunning authentic 3-bedroom house with stone interiors and a great terrace with a sea view. You will have access to a kitchen and a lovely garden and can use the parking without any charge.
This is a pet-friendly accommodation option where you can spend your holiday with your family and dog.
Now that you know where to stay in Eastern Crete, nothing can stop you from planning the perfect vacation.
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