Best Beach Hotels in Crete, Greece (From Elafonisi to Elounda)

Crete is the largest Greek island and arguably the most rewarding. The beaches here range from the pink-tinged lagoon at Elafonisi to the Caribbean-blue waters of Balos, from the long sandy stretch at Rethymno to the sheltered coves of Elounda. The food is the best in Greece, the history goes back four thousand years, and the locals have a fierce pride in their island that makes every visit feel personal. Here are seven beach hotels that let you experience the best of Crete's coastline.

1.Elafonisi Resort by Kalomirakis FamilyView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Elafonisi, western Crete

Price: From around 80 EUR per night

Elafonisi Beach has been voted one of the best beaches in the world, and this family-run resort is the closest hotel to it — just a seven-minute walk through olive groves to reach the pink-tinged sand and shallow turquoise lagoon. The resort is simple rather than luxurious, with 30 rooms spread across a 20-acre garden of olive trees and wildflowers, but that simplicity is part of the charm. Rooms have balconies with sea or countryside views, and the on-site restaurant serves excellent Cretan cuisine at honest prices. The Kalomirakis family have been running this place for decades and treat every guest like an old friend. Kedrodasos Beach, a wilder and quieter alternative to Elafonisi, is a one-kilometer walk south. At 80 EUR per night, you get access to a world-class beach without a world-class price tag.

2.Casa Delfino Hotel & SpaView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Old Town Chania, western Crete

Price: From around 200 EUR per night

Chania's Old Town is one of the most beautiful urban areas in the Mediterranean — a maze of Venetian and Ottoman architecture, narrow lanes, and a stunning harbor. Casa Delfino is a 17th-century Venetian mansion converted into a 24-suite boutique hotel, and it is the most refined place to stay in the area. The rooftop terrace has views across the harbor to the lighthouse, and the in-house spa features a marble steam room and Jacuzzi. While there is no private beach, the town beach at Nea Chora is a ten-minute walk, and the hotel can arrange boat trips to Balos Lagoon and the beaches of the Akrotiri peninsula. Chania also serves as the ideal base for day trips to Elafonisi, Falassarna, and the Samaria Gorge.

3.Domes Noruz ChaniaView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Agioi Apostoloi, Chania, western Crete

Price: From around 250 EUR per night

For couples who want a beach hotel near Chania without the crowds of the Old Town, Domes Noruz is a sophisticated adults-only resort on the sandy beach of Agioi Apostoloi. The design is modern Greek — clean lines, natural stone, and interiors that reference the island's Minoan heritage without being kitschy. The pool area is elegant and rarely overcrowded, and the beach is sandy with calm, clear water. The restaurant serves contemporary Cretan cuisine with ingredients sourced from local farms. Chania's harbor and restaurants are a fifteen-minute drive, and the resort can arrange excursions to Balos, Elafonisi, and the wine regions of western Crete.

4.Nautilux RethymnoView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Rethymno, central-north Crete

Price: From around 200 EUR per night

Nautilux is one of the newest five-star hotels on Crete's north coast, and it delivers the kind of polished beach resort experience that the island has long needed in the Rethymno area. The hotel has direct beach access — one of only two properties in Rethymno that can claim this — with a private beach club and two outdoor pools. The 118 rooms are modern and well-designed, many with sea views and some with private hot tubs or heated pools. Rethymno's Venetian Old Town, with its fortress, harbor, and excellent restaurants, is a short walk along the seafront promenade. The hotel is also well-positioned for day trips to the Arkadi Monastery and the south coast beaches of Plakias and Preveli.

5.Grecotel Creta PalaceView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Rethymno, central-north Crete

Price: From around 170 EUR per night

Grecotel Creta Palace sits on a long, sandy beach west of Rethymno and has the relaxed, unpretentious feel of a Greek resort that has been doing this well for a long time. The pool complex is excellent, the gardens are lush, and the beach shelves gently into warm, calm water — ideal for swimming. What sets this hotel apart is the Agreco Farm experience, where guests visit a working traditional Cretan farm to see olive oil production, cheese making, and organic agriculture up close. The restaurants serve genuinely good food — Cretan cuisine is arguably the best in Greece — and the nightly entertainment has a warmth and authenticity that the bigger international chains cannot match.

6.Minos Beach Art HotelView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Agios Nikolaos, eastern Crete

Price: From around 250 EUR per night

Minos Beach Art Hotel merges contemporary art with Cretan hospitality in a setting that is quietly spectacular. The property stretches along a small peninsula near Agios Nikolaos, with bungalows and villas scattered among gardens filled with sculptures and installations by Greek and international artists. Several rooms have private pools, and the private beach is intimate and beautifully maintained. The restaurant, Bacchus, serves refined Cretan cuisine with views across the Mirabello Bay. The nearby town of Agios Nikolaos has an authentic Cretan character that many of the more tourist-heavy areas have lost, and the archaeological site of Spinalonga — the former leper colony island — is a boat ride away.

7.Ostria Resort & SpaView on Booking.com ↗

Location: Ierapetra, southern Crete

Price: From around 130 EUR per night

If you want to escape the crowds entirely, head to Crete's south coast. Ierapetra is the southernmost city in Europe, and Ostria Resort sits just outside it with six outdoor pools, a private stretch of dark sand beach, and views across the Libyan Sea toward Africa. The south coast gets less tourism than the north, which means emptier beaches, lower prices, and a more authentic Cretan atmosphere. The resort is well-run with a spa, good restaurants, and modern rooms at remarkably fair prices. From here you can visit the uninhabited island of Chrysi — often called the "Maldives of Greece" for its white sand and cedar forests — by daily boat, and the Sarakina Gorge is a spectacular half-day hike. At 130 EUR per night for a resort of this quality, the south coast is Crete's best-kept secret.

Not sure which one to pick? Try our AI chatbot on the homepage — tell it your dates and budget and it will find the best deal for you in seconds.

We have written guides to many Greek islands — check out our articles on the best hotels in Paros, Naxos, Milos, Corfu, and Zakynthos. For a mainland option, see our Thessaloniki hotel guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best beach in Crete? A: Elafonisi and Balos Lagoon are consistently ranked among the best beaches in Europe. Elafonisi has pink-white sand and a shallow lagoon perfect for wading, while Balos has dramatic scenery where three seas meet. Falassarna on the west coast has the best sunset and the widest stretch of sand. On the south coast, Preveli Beach at the mouth of a palm-lined gorge is unforgettable.

Q: When is the best time to visit Crete? A: Late May through June and September through mid-October offer the best balance of warm weather, swimmable seas, and manageable crowds. July and August are hot — often above 35 degrees — and the popular beaches can be crowded. The sea is warmest in September and early October. Spring is ideal for hiking and exploring, though the water may be cool for swimming before late May.

Q: How do I get to Crete? A: Crete has two international airports — Heraklion in the east and Chania in the west. Both have direct flights from most European capitals and many regional airports. Budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air serve both airports. There are also overnight ferries from Athens to Heraklion and Chania, which take around nine hours and are a scenic way to arrive.

Q: Should I rent a car in Crete? A: Yes, a rental car is highly recommended. Crete is a large island — 260 kilometers from east to west — and the best beaches, villages, and gorges are often not served by public transport. Roads have improved dramatically and driving is straightforward. Expect to pay around 25 to 40 EUR per day for a small car in summer. Book early for peak season as availability can be limited.

Q: Is Crete expensive compared to other Greek islands? A: Crete is generally more affordable than Santorini, Mykonos, and even Paros. The island has a strong local economy beyond tourism, which keeps prices grounded. A meal at a traditional taverna costs 10 to 15 EUR per person, and beach hotels start from around 80 EUR per night. Luxury properties are available but at lower price points than the Cycladic islands.

Planning a trip to Crete? Let us know which beach is at the top of your list.