Where to Stay in Central Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.
The Armonia Hotel in Matala
Armonia Hotel
The delightful Armonia Hotel is a real find, off the main
road to the left as you approach Mátala. Look for the pool and the white
building with plenty of bougainvillaea around. Most of the 27 rooms are in
small blocks behind the hotel, with views of the unspoilt hill scenery behind.
It is in a quiet spot well outside the town, so a car would be needed, but it
is the perfect getaway for nature lovers and walkers.
Palazzo Greco Boutique Hotel in Ayia Galini
Palazzo Greco Boutique Hotel
The Palazzo Greco is an excellent and inexpensive hotel on the right of the main road as you first enter Ayía Galíni, and with its own parking lot opposite. The bright blue and white frontage is matched by the bright rooms, the ones at the back being slightly more expensive because of their balconies with great sea views. The buffet breakfast varies each day, and can be taken on the terrace at the back with more sea views. Ideally placed halfway between the town centre and the town beach.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Fevro Hotel
The small Fevro Hotel is on your right after the road into Ayía Galíni has descended almost to sea level, and where there is a sharp turn left towards the harbour – that's if you can see the hotel name as the entire building is almost obscured by the most wonderful bougainvillea plant. Some rooms have views of the town, and lower rooms have 'no views but not so many stairs!' The rooms are a reasonable size, clean and simple, with white walls and dark wood furniture.
The Idi Hotel in Zaros on Crete
Idi Hotel
On the edge of the mountain town of Zaros and popular with walkers, the Idi Hotel is an unexpected treat. With its swimming pool, tennis court, bar and adjoining restaurant, it represents excellent value for money. Some rooms are in the original small hotel block, while others are in separate buildings in the beautiful gardens. The smell of jasmine at night and the sight of roses and other flowers during the day is a bonus. Rooms are pine-panelled with telephones, air-conditioning and, unusual for Greece, are comfortably carpeted.
Keramos Studios
See our full review of this lovely place in Zaros here.
Hotel Zafiria in Matala
Hotel Zafiria
The main hotel in Mátala is the Zafiria, easily found on your left as the main road enters the town centre. The rooms are simple and clean in typical mid-range fashion, and all have shower, radio and balcony. Some look out towards the sea, others to the hills behind. The hotel has its own bar and restaurant, and also owns the mini-market across the street. It is nothing fancy but a good, reasonably-priced base.
Other Crete pages
Greece Travel Secrets goes hiking in southwest Crete with Ramblers Walking Holidays based in Paleohora and hiking the E4 footpath and to Anidri and Azogires.
Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.
Visiting the Arkadi Monastery near Rethymnon is one of the best things to do on Crete.
Studies have shown the Cretan Diet as one of the healthiest in the world, involving lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and moderate amounts of wine.
Crete’s wildlife and landscape are two of the island’s attractions, including gorges for hiking, rare raptors like the lammergeier, wildcats and ancient trees.
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.
This Rouvas Gorge walk starts and ends in Zaros in southern Crete and should take three to four hours with a distance of eight kilometres or five miles.
The Dalabelos Estate offers luxury eco-tourism accommodation on Crete in the hills near Rethymnon with its own farm, vineyard and olive groves.
The travel tale Our Hire Car in Crete describes what it’s like when you go driving in Greece and get off the beaten track, resulting in kindnesses.
The Byzantine Church of Panagía Kerá near Kritsa and not far from Ayios Nikolaos is one of the most famous in Crete, and close by is the site of Ancient Lato.
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
Malia on the north coast of Crete is renowned for its nightlife and beaches but also has the Minoan Palace of Malia, one of Crete's many archaeological sites.
The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in western Crete, including both luxury and inexpensive hotels in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
Agios Nikolaos is a pretty and popular town on the north coast of Crete and this page on Greece Travel Secrets covers its history, museums and beaches.
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
Crete's capital and largest city is Irakleio, also called Iraklion or Heraklion, a large and busy place with good restaurants, museums and historical buildings.
Greece Travel Secrets page on Phaistos or Faistos, the site of one of the finest Minoan palaces on Crete and is where the mysterious Phaistos Disc was found.
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
Sir Arthur Evans is the archaeologist famous for the excavations he made at the royal palace of Knossos on Crete.
Greece Travel Secrets visits Visual Arts Crete who offer accommodation and run art courses at their home and studio in the village of Kastellos near Rethymnon.
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
Visiting Knossos near Iraklion is one of the best things to do on Crete, and this page has a history of the site with visitor information.
Western Crete has some wonderful golden sand beaches as well as mountain villages, monasteries, caves, and archaeological sites to discover.
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