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
How to Make Petimezi
How to make Petimezi, the sweet Cretan syrup made from wine must, is explained to Greece Travel Secrets.
Diktean Cave, the Birthplace of Zeus near Psychro on Crete
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.
Gortina ancient archaeological site in southern Crete
Ancient Gortina is an archaeological site in southern Crete famous for the church of Ayios Titos and for the Law Code inscribed here, the first in Europe.
Western Crete in Five Days
Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.
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.
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.
Kritsá, Lato, and Panagía Kerá
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.
Western Crete Beaches and Villages
Western Crete has some wonderful golden sand beaches as well as mountain villages, monasteries, caves, and archaeological sites to discover.
West Coast of Crete Drive
This drive along the west coast of Crete and inland from there will take a whole day and starts and ends in Kastélli Kissámou, west of Chania.
Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.
Irakleio
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.
Central Crete in Three Days
Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.
Paleohora and the South-West Coast
The area east from Paleohora along the south-west coast of Crete includes resorts like Agia Galini, gorges like the Imbros Gorge and quieter towns like Sfakia.
Crete
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
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.
Crete’s Wildlife and Landscape
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.
Our Hire Car in Crete
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.
Where to Eat in Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.
Goules Taverna Crete
The Goules Taverna in Goulediana, south of Rethymnon, has been called one of the best tavernas on Crete and Greece Travel Secrets recently visited them.
Where to Stay in Irakleio
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Irakleio, the capital of Crete, including nearby beach resort hotels and accommodation in the city centre.
Amari Valley Drive
This Amari Valley drive in southern Crete starts and ends in Ayia Galini, takes four to five hours and cover 100 kilometres or 62 miles.
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.
Hiking the Samaria Gorge
Hiking the Samaria Gorge on Crete, one of the best things to do on Crete, by Greece Travel Secrets.
Rouvas Gorge Walk
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.
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