Beach Accommodation Crete

...just walking distance to the beach...

Most of the selections are located right on the beach or within easy walking distance, and are family-run by local Cretans.

We have chosen stunning, simple, small guest houses; for the real experience of Crete.

See the interactive map below to choose by location within Crete.

Enjoy your time at the Mediterranean seaside by the beach in Crete; a time for contemplation and simplicity.

Let the clear waters calm and refresh your soul.

Below we present Beach Accommodation Crete in the four prefectures from east to west; Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Lasithi.

Beach Accommodation Crete - Chania Prefecture

Paleohora is a vibrant village on the south west of Crete’s glorious beaches. With plenty of history, local activity as well as a busy tourist season in summer, Paleohora town is a fascinating Cretan town in Chania prefecture, 75 kms from Chania town.



Close by are the White Mountains, and Elafonisi Beach , and Paleohora has a ferry connecting the unspoilt southern beaches of Chania and Rethymnon such as Sougia, Loutro and Prevelli.

See our dedicated page about Paleohora Beaches.

The small Aris Hotel, run by the Liatakis family, is set back a little from the town and beaches of Paleohora, yet within a comfortable walking distance from there. Days on the various beaches, or windsurfing, swimming, boating and dolphin watching are relaxed and easy from this town full of Cretan character.

This is a simple friendly hotel, ideal as a base to explore Paleohora Beaches and western Crete.

More information and bookings at Aris Hotel, Paleohora

Maleme is a small historical seaside village 20 kms from Chania on the north coast of Crete. With a lovely long sand and pebble beach, it is a quiet relaxing beach destination close to more upbeat coastal resorts and the large city centre of Chania. This is a less crowded and organised beach than others on the north coast.

Summer Lodge is a great choice for budget travellers, just 400 metres from the beach close to Platanias village and Chania town, this is a tranquil, small, simple hotel run by a lovely family who really attend well to their guests.

With a shady, leafy garden and pool, this is the perfect place for relaxing on those hot summer days, and the white washed walls inside and out lend to the very Greek feeling of the place.

Most rooms have private balconies or terraces, and breezes from the flower gardens. Vassili is ever helpful and can advise plenty of excursions, from simple groceries or shopping to exploring historic sites and further afield to the inland gorges.

More information and bookings at Summer Lodge, Maleme

15 kms from Chania town on the north coast of Crete lies the village of Kalives on a picturesque bay, with two rivers running into the Aegean. Remains of a Venetian castle look over the town from the hill named ‘Kastelli’ and 5 kms close by are the ruins of Aptera, a once powerful city from the 7th century BC. With a choice of tavernas and cafés ringing the plateia with its lovely plane tree, which is over 400 years old, visitors can experience the real taste of a Greek seaside village.

The surrounding region of Apokoronas holds many delights for travellers, ancient history, natural beauty and modern indulgences. Options for day trips in this region include a visit to Samaria Gorge, Agia Irini Gorge or the beautiful Lake Kournas, as well as many other beautiful beaches and seaside villages.

At Kalives, just 20 metres from the sea is the Apokoros Family Hotel. The self catering apartments are ideally practical for the family on a budget, with lovely views from the balcony, the water so close and a short stroll into Kalives village. This is a family-run hotel, with owner Amalia giving her personal attention and true Cretan hospitality. The hotel is small and friendly with 8 rooms; 4 studios and 4 apartments.

More information and to book at the Apokoros Hotel, Kalives

Beach Accommodation Crete - Rethymnon Prefecture

Beach Accommodation Crete – Plakias

Walking and nature attract many visitors to the area. The sweeping deep bay is flanked to the west by Akrotiri Stavros and to the south is Kakomouri headland. Inland from Plakias runs the Kotsifos Gorge. Close by are Kourtaliotis Gorge and Fratianos Gorge. Looking south one can just see the Island of Gavdos.

Near Plakias are Preveli Beach and Preveli Monastery, both well worth a visit. Scuba diving is also popular in these clear, abundant waters, and the untouched beaches welcome their share of nude bathers.

Plakias was the unsuspecting scene for a tragicomedy in true Cretan style, narrated by internationally acclaimed chef Byron Ayanoglu with charm and self-depreciating humour in Crete on the Half Shell also published as The Taste of Honey. It seems the town has recovered well, and the many tavernas continue to delight guests, not send them to hospital.

Below we have chosen a few of the many places to stay in Plakias, whist getting away from it all and soaking up the wide open spaces.

Beach Accommodation Crete
Thalassa House Apartments
Plakias, Rethymnon

Beach Accommodation Crete
Captains House Traditional Apartments
Panormo, Rethymnon

The Captain’s House is only 50 metres from its own little beach, and its own taverna overlooking the bay, serves fresh fish and seafood, best enjoyed with a little wine or retsina, chased down by a tsikoudia.

More information and bookings for Captains House Traditional Apartments

Panormo is an authentic Cretan village, with narrow streets and bright flowers in the windows. A wonderful place for those who want enjoy the peace and quiet of Cretan life. In the village are cafés, traditional tavernas, a butcher, a baker and shops, all with reasonable prices. The local beaches are ideal for children, with sand and pebbles and shallow waters.

Beach Accommodation Crete
Villa Kynthia
Panormos, Rethymnon

Also in Panormo is the Villa Kynthia, lovingly restored by the Millarakis family, this mansion dating from 1898 still holds all its historic charm. With all the touches of a luxury boutique hotel, this is a haven just 200 metres from the beach.

The inner courtyard, where breakfast is served in the dappled light next to the pool, provides that secluded feeling in this small hotel that will only ever have 17 guests at one time.

The five rooms of various sizes and offerings are comfortable and stylish. The location just minutes from major capitals and Knossos historical site ensures this villa is practically as well as aesthetically pleasing. A rich and elegant home away from home in Crete…just footsteps from the sea.

The Millarakis family produce olive oil and wine ‘Kynthia’… these fresh local products served proudly at the villa.

More information and bookings for Villa Kynthia, Panormo

Beach Accommodation in Heraklion Prefecture

Not only the vibrant town of Iraklion attracts us to this prefecture, but some of the most important archeological sites in Europe. Knossos is a window to the first European civilisation. The Palace of Knossos is the most visited attraction on the island of Crete, and deservedly so.

In the centre of Iraklion is the Archeological Museum, gathering artefacts from many years of work into one extravagant exhibition of all ages of Minoan history, Ancient history, Roman and Greek history and the priceless archeological finds from all over the island.

Other sites in Heraklion prefecture include the Minoan palaces of Festos and Malia and the roman ruins of Gortys. Combine all these layers of history with our relaxing beaches and you have the perfect Greek island holiday.

Beach Accommodation Crete
Yannis Apartments
Ammoudara, Heraklion

Ammoudara Beach is located to the west of our capital town Iraklion, and is a long wide busy city beach. The great thing about this location is that you have such a central point for the whole island, you have the beach, the city and you are very close to the historic site of Knossos, not to mention close to the national roads that can take you to many other sites in Crete.



Yannis Apartments are simple, clean and excellent value, surrounded by lovely gardens and close to shops,tavernas and bus stops. Of course they are within walking distance to Ammoudara Beach. These rooms are perfect for families looking to self-cater, as they have all equipment and are close to the large Carrefour supermarket.

More information and bookings at Yannis Apartments, Ammoudara

Located on the south coast of Crete in a little fishing village, Kokkinos Pirgos, this is a lovely surpise hotel just 50 metres from the beach.

The long sand and pebble beach is close to the towns of Timbaki, Matala and Agia Galini.

Only 10 kms from historical sites of Festos and Gortys, close to Agia Triada Minoan ruins and 70 from Heraklion town, this is a little unknown village with beautiful views over the Libyan Sea and sunsets in the evening. Looking back inland are great views of the Psiloritis mountain range.

Visit the market town of Mires or the mountain village of Zaros for day trips inland, or discover beautiful Matala Beach with its unusual caves.

The Little Inn has grown up! Having been recently renovated, with new touches of sophistication, it still keeps its charm as a family-run small hotel.

The big old bouganvillea still shades the courtyard, the poolside is still a haven, and it is still close a delicious fish taverna right on the beach.

The Tsagarakis family will make sure you are looked after at the Little Inn.

More information and bookings at the Little Inn, Kokkinos Pirgos

Beach Accommodation Crete – Matala

Matala Beach on the south coast of Heraklion prefecture, is 75 kms from Heraklion town. Its clear waters, laid back feel and history attract visitors and beachgoers.

More about Matala Beach and Matala Village here.

Beach Accommodation Crete
Pension Iliaki
Matala, Iraklion

In Matala, we have selected Pension Iliaki.

With only 15 rooms located less than 100 metres from the sea, the small family-run Pension Iliaki is an ideal base for those on a budget or a long stay in Matala.

Nikos and his family enjoy welcoming guests into their charming guest house, located centrally on the beach.

They are crazy about Matala and the things to do around here, so help each guest get the most out of their stay.

Pension Iliaki is one of those places you look forward to seeing after a long day’s touring or site seeing. Its spotless rooms and simplicity just the ideal beachside accommodation. See an example of the rooms pictured below. Beach Accommodation Crete is proud to bring you this authentic pension.

More information and bookings for Pension Iliaki in Matala, Crete

Beach Accommodation in Lasithi Prefecture

Lasithi, in the east of Crete, is full of surprises. In Lasithi is the Minoan palace of Zakros, the ancient cities in Itanos, Praisos and Driros and the Minoan settlements of Myrtos, Hamezi, Palekastro, Pachia Ammos, Makrygialos and Gournia.

The exquisite archeological finds are housed in the archaeological museums in Agios Nikolaos , Sitia and Ierapetra.

For a taste of genuine Cretan life and history, one can visit the folklore museums in Agios Nikolaos, Sitia and Ierapetra.

Other interesting sites are the Toplou Monastery in Sitia, the Venetian Fortress "Kazarma" in Sitia and the Kales Fortress in Ierapetra.

Nature abounds relatively untouched in Lasithi, including the spellbinding Palm Forest at Vai, the stunning Milatos Cave and the beautiful Zakros Gorge.

No trip to Lassithi is complete without a visit to the charming town of Agios Nikolaos to admire its lake, port and lively taverna nightlife, and of course, a visit to Elounda.

Beach Accommodation Crete
Elounda

Elounda is one of our favourite places in Kriti…

Elounda is simply beautifully located; the bay surrounded by steep hills and peninsulas, overlooking Spinalonga island, nestled amongst ruins and surrounded by luxurious spas and resorts on some of the most beautiful beaches in Crete, indeed in Greece.

Just 11 kms from the vibrant capital town of Agios Nikolaos and 70 kms from Heraklion airport, Elounda is a beautiful gateway to Lasithi; the eastern province of Crete.

The stunning physical beauty is matched by facilities of world class standards; Elounda hosts some of the most luxurious accommodations in Greece. This leads to a blend of the natural and sophisticated in the village of Elounda. See more about Elounda Village here.

Elounda Beach is a play ground for mermaids, with underwater ruins, crystal clear waters and plenty to explore every day. See more about Elounda Beach here.

Beach Accommodation Crete
Elounda Palm Boutique Hotel
Elounda, Lasithi

Set a little back from the beach, with easy access to both Elounda Beach and Plaka Beach, the location offers lovely views over Elounda Bay to the surrounding mountains and peninsulas.

The elegant, simple architectural and decorative features of the hotel create a minimalist, stylish atmosphere. Elounda Palm is truly a distinctly unique hospitality experience, in one of the finest cosmopolitan villages of Crete.

Local highlights include daily guided tours to the Island of Spinaloga to see the Venetian ruins and hear the eerie stories of the island some say is haunted, and historic guided tours to the under water ruins of Ancient Olos, dated from 3000 BC.

More information and bookings at Elounda Palm Boutique Hotel, Elounda

Mirtos is a small beachside village 15 kms from Ierapetra on the south coast of Lasithi on the island of Crete in Greece.

A typical Cretan village with a sandy pebble beach, fish tavernas and good music, Mirtos is about 50 kms from the capital Agios Nikolaos.

The Mertiza studios are located right on the beach, with the taverna on a deck overlooking the beach. Sit with you ouzo gazing over the beach, sip your coffee there, write your next novel or letters you meant to write all year, and enjoy the quiet beach and small village.

This is a small family-run hotel offering two bedroom apartments and studios with a lovely garden courtyard and garden restaurant. A simple homely place with modern amenities and good service.

Inland, walkers can explore the Sarakina Gorge, or head into Ierapetra to the museum and many tavernas. Or visit Chrissi Island by boat, with her pristine white beaches and crystal clear waters.

Local Vaggelis Fragiadakis has created a poetic and heart-felt historical and cultural website about Mirtos, its families, music, history and philosophy. If it is true that every Greek is a philosopher, Fragiadakis certainly is, with a poet’s expression in English, which is no mean feat. He brings to life the Greek experience and invites us to discover ourselves on the quiet shores of remote Lasithi. www.myrtos.org

More information and availability for Villa Mertiza, Mirtos

Owners Stella and Elias are crazy trekkers and climbers who fell in love with this region of Crete after visiting from their home in Thessaloniki. They are passionate about sharing all the natural beauty of eastern Crete with their visitors, and offering great hospitality at Stella Apartments.



To quote from their website: "The area's peace and quite is disturbed only by nature's sounds: birds, cicadas, the wind or the rustling of leaves.

One can reach the apartments via a dirty road passing by the Archaeological Site first, and then by the exit of the "Dead's Gorge" (Faragi ton Nekron). The apartments are only 150 meters away from the Dead's Gorge exit. This road used to connect Ano Zakros with Kato Zakros and a visitor "must" either drive or walk along it because the view to the Gorge from it, as she/he moves along its edge, is truly grandiose."

This tiny little hamlet of Kato Zakros at the very eastern edge of Crete is so small it is not everyone's taste, yet if you are not afraid of silence, of sitting quietly watching the sun set or the moon rise, then this is the little corner of the earth for you.

We congratulate Stella and Elias on their wonderful place.

More information and bookings at Stella Apartments, Kato Zakros

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