Where to Stay in Western Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in western Crete, including both luxury and inexpensive hotels in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
Casa Delfino
One of the absolute best places to stay in Chania is the Casa Delfino, a 17th century former palace, built around a fabulous, big Venetian-style courtyard. It has studio rooms, ordinary rooms and suites, all of which are bright and cheerful and superbly fitted-out with old photos on the walls. All 20 have air-conditioning, mini-bar, satellite TVs, and marble Jacuzzi baths. There's a large bar, breakfast room, roof terrace, and a guest lounge.
Hotel Doma
Though about a 20-minute walk east of Chania’s Venetian Harbour and town centre, the inexpensive Hotel Doma provides a memorable stay, in a converted century-old mansion. The historical feel is kept in the general décor, including the rooms, although all rooms are ensuite with air-conditioning and TV. The 3rd-floor dining room has great views towards the town, and front rooms have views out to sea.
Hotel El Greco
Perfectly situated on an almost traffic-free street in the old town of Chania, just a minute’s walk from the harbour, the El Greco is a family-run hotel with just 23 rooms. They are all a good size and well-appointed, some being suites with extra living space. There’s a relaxing bar downstairs and a terrific roof garden with wonderful views over the roofs of the old town to the sea.
Elia Palazzo
This delightful small hotel is on a quiet street in the old town of Chania. The Elia Palazzo was once a mansion and the 11 rooms, named after Greek Gods and heroes, are full of wood-panelling and old-fashioned touches, though with modern bathrooms, TVs, fridges, and phones. The generous breakfast is one reason to stay here, others being the friendly service and ideal location: use the public car park west of the harbour if driving.
Hotel Fortezza
The Hotel Fortezza has been built in traditional style, echoing the Venetian feel of the old town around. It is in one of the quieter areas of Rethymnon, mostly pedestrianised, and close to the Venetian fort that gives it its name. The best rooms overlook the small swimming pool, so try to book one of these, and booking is recommended even in low season as it is justifiably popular.
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Galaxy Rooms
The Galaxy Rooms is one of the most pleasant of the many 'rooms to rent' options in Paleochora, above the Galaxy Fish Restaurant. Front rooms have large balconies overlooking the town's pebble beach and the sea. The ensuite rooms are a good size and surprisingly well-equipped with TV, fridge, phone and washing lines. They are also clean and well-maintained, and though no breakfast is served, there are several nearby options. The owner also has more rooms across town near the sandy beach.
Grecotel Creta Palace
Although a deluxe standard hotel, prices are reasonable given the quality and the location, right by the beach. The Grecotel Creta Palace is about 3 km (1.9 miles) east of Rethymnon centre, beyond the wonderful town beach. The rooms are simple but bright and clean, and the hotel has all the facilities you might expect including three swimming pools (one indoors), restaurants, bars, gym, tennis courts and watersports.
Hotel Ideon
The Hotel Ideon is in a wonderful location overlooking the harbour, but set back from the main road and with a public car park (vital in Rethymnon) directly opposite. The Ideon has 100 rooms, all with balconies, overlooking either the sea or the private swimming pool. The rooms are modern and simple, with phone, radio, safe, air-conditioning, and bathroom. The slightly pricier suites have fridge and TV too.
Ifigenia Rooms and Studios
Ifigenia Rooms and Studios isn’t one hotel but several places close together near Chania’s Venetian harbour. All are owned by the same enterprising young man and all have the same flair when it comes to the decoration. Some of the rooms are stunningly designed with stone arches, four-poster beds, galleried areas and with open-plan baths adding to the striking look. As well as the Ifigenia I, II and III there is the Ifigenia Studios, Pension Orio, and Hotel Captain Vassilis.
Other Crete Pages
The Cretan Diet
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.
Shopping Tips for Crete
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
Sir Arthur Evans, archaeologist at Knossos on Crete
Sir Arthur Evans is the archaeologist famous for the excavations he made at the royal palace of Knossos on Crete.
Where to Stay in Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets suggests where to stay in Eastern Crete with our favourite hotels in Zakros, Elounds, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Istron Bay, Myrtos, Neapolis.
Keramos Studios in Zaros
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.
Zacharioudakis Winery
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.
Zaros
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Eastern Crete in Five Days
How to see eastern Crete in five days, with its beaches, Minoan palaces, timeless villages, unique churches and mountain and coastal scenery.
The Herb Man of Kouses
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Cretan Writers and Artists
The most famous Cretan writers and artists include the painter El Greco and the author of Zorba the Greek, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Stilianou Winery near Knossos
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
Crete's UNESCO Sites
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.
Malia and its Minoan Palace on Crete
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.
Driving on Crete
Driving on Crete is the best way to see Greece’s biggest island and here is our driving advice and some information about Greek driving regulations.
Olive Grove Walk
This olive grove walk from Limnes to Vrises on Crete also takes you through orchards and gives close-up views of some of the island’s windmills.
Best Beaches on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
Crete Festivals and Events
Crete festivals and events include Carnival Easter, Whitsun, Christmas, many other religious feast days and public holidays.
Ancient Gournia Minoan Site in Eastern Crete
Ancient Gournia is a Minoan archaeological site between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia in Eastern Crete where the visitor can see evidence of a maze of back streets.
Greek or Cretan?
Is someone from Crete a Greek or a Cretan? They are both, of course, but most will tell you that they are Cretan first and Greek second.
Elounda and Spinalonga, setting for The Island by Victoria Hislop
Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.
Agios Nikolaos
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.
Manousakis Wine Tasting
We visit and tour the Manousakis Winery on Crete with a wine-tasting and a chance to buy their tsikoudia, sea salt, olive oil and other goodies.
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Art Courses 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.
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