Where to stay in Crete?
 

Hi I'm planning to visit Mykonos-Santorini-Crete in August this year. I've been to both Mykonos and Santorini and absolutely loved them but this is my first time to Crete. Since it is such a large island I am having some problems deciding where to stay. Chania? or Iraklio (sp?) or Agios Nikolaos? Could anyone suggest some nice hotels that are not overly expensive? Like under 200 Euro a night for a double?

The western part is definitely the more "pure Crete". Chania is a wonderful area, as are all places from Rethymnon and west. Iraklion is not worth a stay, IMO, unless you're there for the night before a flight, etc. Agios Nikolaos is pretty, but very touristy. I have not been east of AN, so really can't speak about that part of the island.

We rented an apartment in Megala Horafia, a small village a few miles from Chania, overlooking Souda Bay. The hotels we stayed at in Ag. Nik. and Iraklion were not memorable to the extent that I cannot remember their names!

You will love Crete; it's very different from the Cyclades islands, which are lovely, also. I think the view of the caldera in Santorini is the most beautiful vista I've ever seen.

In the south there is Agia Galini and Matala, both worth investigating as possible destinations.

I could add ditto marks to everything Grandmere said. But we did get to the very east end, pretty, but not much there. The south west corner is also nice. But I don't think you could been Chania if you had to pick one place. Avoid Iraklion if you can. Agios Nikalaos is going to cost you way over your budget for anything decent. We paid a lot for an average hotel.
We loved the Casa Delfino in Chania, but that may be over your budget -- maybe not. We spent a full week driving, staying in Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Iraklion (just the night before the hydrofoil to Santorini) and Sitia.

Many thanks guys. I asked for the help from a travel agent and they suggested I stay one night at hotel LATO in Heraklio and 2 nights at the hotel PORTO VENEZIANO in Chania town. Is that fair or shall I just stay all 3 nights in Chania? Also the Casa Delfino looks beautiful! Is it well situated? Anything night-time activities nearby? Would that be a better hotel to stay at than the PORTO VENEZIANO?

Another vote for Chania and the Casa Delfino. We too loved this hotel but it probably is over 200E/night in August. Excellent location right near the harbor. Nice staff. Good breakfast although the egg cooker takes getting used to. Stayed a week and used Chania as a base to explore Crete. Have no idea about your other choices of hotels. Would also avoid Iraklion if you can.

The only reason I can think of to stay in Iraklion would be to visit Knossos, which is well worth doing. It depends what time you arrive and what you are interested in seeing. Otherwise I'd agree with the others and go to Chania, eating your meal watching the sun setting over the harbour is magical.

Thanks guys for all ur input. I've checked the rates for the Casa Delfino and its 194euro for august 04. Since all of you voted for Chania I'm probably going to stay there for 2 nights and 1 in Iraklion since I want to see the Knossos. Can I just ask how come some of you suggested me to avoid this place? Anyone can suggest a decent hotel in Iraklion? Many thanks!!

Just to visit Knossos you don´t have to stay in Iraklion, you can take a bus from Hania, and then back. It is not that far.

Why people have said to avoid Iraklion? It is a big industrial town, nothing idyllic or pretty.

Regarding Iraklion, we spent our one night there at the Lato Hotel, which was right in the center, pleasant, and nice. I remember we had a bit of a problem checking out because they wanted to charge us more than our agreed upon price. We had booked months and months before and they had since raised their prices. After some arguing they finally agreed to only charge us what was clearly printed on our email acknowledgement.

Iraklion is primarily a large ugly city -- not horrible -- just the worst of Crete, mostly which is so pretty and nice everywhere else. If you must stay there then do. You'll survive.

By the way, we were not thrilled with Knossos. It is mostly a concrete reconstruction of what a few people thought might have once been there. It was interesting, but so "unreal" for ruins. Having spent over a month visiting other ruins in Turkey in Greece before that, it just sort of turned us off. The archeological museum in Iraklion wasn't anything special either -- or maybe we were just reaching overkill by that time.

I'd agree to go to Knossos as a day trip from Chania if the other travel arrangements work out. I can't believe it's over about 2 hours drive, and a pleasant stop would be Rethymnon.

I'm with the do Knossos from Chania brigade. If you prefer not to do it on a bus- and you can take either the public bus or an excursion us- booked in Chanis for a day that suits you- you can hire a car for a single day.

Really staying in Iraklion is a dead loss. BUT when you go to Knossos, make apoint of going into the town centre to see the museum as well. If you can do it on a Sunday there is no charge for entry either at Knossos or the museum.

Paige (of this parish) stayed at the Porto Venezia the last time we were in Chania, and liked it-we had a flat. The Casa Delfino is quite swish.

If you want any more input into what to do in the west of the islannd, just ask

Wow many useful info here, many thanks to all of you guys! Here's my tentative itinerary, please comment:

Aug 14 Arrive in Athens airport.
Aug 14-15 1 night at hotel ELECTRA PALACE in Plaka area of Athens
Aug 15 highspeed boat Athens-Mykonos(dep.07:30am-arr.11:30am)
Aug 15-18 3 nights at the 3 stars hotel K' GROUP HTLS in Mykonoss
Aug 18 highspeed boat tickets Mykonos-Santorini(dep.14:30pm-arr.17:20pm)
Aug 18-21 3 nights at the 3 stars hotel LOUCAS in Santorini(sea/caldera view room)
Aug 21 highspeed boat tickets Santorini-Heraklio town in
Crete (dep.17:30pm-arr.19:15pm), collect rented car upon arrival at the port
Aug 21-23 2 nights at the 5 stars hotel PORTO ELOUNDA in Crete
Aug 23-25 2 nights at the 4 stars hotel Casa Delfino in Chania town, Crete
Aug 25 flight Chania -Athens
Aug 25-26 1 night at hotel ELECTRA PALACE in Athens

Also I would appreciate if anyone could provide info on how I can spend my time in Crete, both the 2 days in Elounda area and 2 days in Chania. Is it fair to visit the Agia Nikaloas and Knossos while in Elounda and then the Samaria Gorge while in Chania? What else should I do around the Chania area? Many thanks for your advise in advance! =)

We spent our tenth anniversary in Crete and Santorini. It was magical. I would highly reccomend the Samaria Gorge trip. You can arrange through a tour or on your own. Great adventure. We stayed outside Hania in a beach area, lots of Europeans on holiday. We toured Knossos, it was fine, not fantastic just okay. We loved Paleohora, very small beach town, we would have lilked to stay there for a few days. I am not familiar with the east side of the island. If you want to know more I will be happy to oblige.

Sounds great, chelsea. We stayed at the Elektra Palace, the Delfino, and the Loucas, and I highly recommend all of them (although realize the Loucas is much more "rustic" than any of the others.

Casa Delfino arranged our trip to the Samaria Gorge. We went by bus, did the hike, had sack lunches enroute, ended at the black sand beach, took a boat to a bus and back to Chania. Quite a wonderful day.

Another day in Chania we drove down to the town of Paleohora for lunch.
Or you could drive down to the town of Spili and see the famous fountain wall in the center of town.

It's been four years now, but our favorite restaurant in Chania was ELA, sort of in ruins of an old building lit by candles and serving great food. It was magical.

Another vote for Spili. There is also another village nearby that is known for its yogurt. Krizia, or something like that, maybe? Patrick?

Not a clue.

Another vote for ELA. In downtown Chania. An old builing with no roof!

Thanks guys! Some idea of what to do now.
Alex8 - does one have to be really physically fit to do the Samaria Gorge tour? I heard the hike would be 6-7 hours!!! And where is Paleohora? Can we drive there from Chania town? How long would it take?
Patrick - where is Spili and how far from Chania town?
Ok. I'd make sure I go to ELA. Does it serve Greek cuisine?

Patrick - sorry, forgot to ask, what do you mean by Loucas being "rustic"??

The Samaria Gorge hike is about 11 miles - all downhill. As you only use one set of muscles, your legs will ache the next day! It's not technically difficult but it is a rough stone path, so make sure you have good walking shoes that won't give you blisters. We walked it from the bus tour. They take you up to the top of the gorge (about 5000 feet) to start at 7am, while the sun is low. You should get down to the sea at Agia Roumeli for a cooling dip in the sea and a drink at one of the tavernas by lunchtime. Then a boat takes you out (there is no road to the bottom of the gorge) and back to your bus at Hora Sfakion. There are some trips that offer "Samaria the easy way". These just take you by boat to the bottom of the gorge, where you walk up for a couple of miles, then retrace your steps - usually in full midday sun. I'd recommend doing the full trip if you possibly can, it really is spectacular. See:

http://www.agiaroumeli.com/samaria.htm

Paleohora is on the south coast, in the far west of the island (see the map on the site above) and reached by a winding road over the mountains from the northern coast road, west out of Chania. Allow more time than the miles would suggest when driving in Greece. The roads can be steep and winding, watch out for goats and unexpected road works and of course you'll keep wanting to stop to admire the views!

From Elounda, don't miss the short boat trip to the little island of Spinalonga with it's ruined fort and the eerie remains of what was once a leper colony.

With that itinerary I would do Ag Nik from Elounda- they're quite close- and the day you flit from east to west, start earlyish, stop at Knossos, do the museum and then move on to Chania.

You can do Samaria with an organised tour or you can just do it yourself. The service bus leaves from the main square above the market in Chania about 5 in the morning (In August it will be BLAZING hot and you really must get this done early). The trip is somewhere between 2 and 3 hours to get to Omolos at the top of the gorge. I'm being slightly imprecise because we did it from Palechora. The walk shouldn't take more than 3-4 hours. You are well to remember it's not a race..BUT when you get to the bottom and the last 2 kms or thereby, there is no shade, so you do want through before the heat of the day. Take your dookers and have a late lunch and swim at Agia Roumeli whilst waiting for the boat to either Souyia or ...the other place.. and get the service bus back.

I have 3 trip reports on western Crete (one on Eatern Crete but further east than Elounda). If you want them email me- they're all on here anyway- and I'll send them to you. You could pass two days without ever leaving Chania.

"does one have to be really physically fit to do the Samaria Gorge tour?" I walked it with my son when he was about seven years old. So if he managed without difficulty so will you. There were also two little French girls about 4 or 5 years old, and a Greek couple approaching 80. The man walked with a cane. It is never the distance, it is the pace.

We just took before 6 am bus from Hania and at the other end first the boat to Hora Sfakion, then the bus back to Hania. There is absolutely zero reasons to take some organized tour.

With only two days in Hania you will have time only for Samaria and Hania itself. Samaria takes a whole day.

I'd suggest that you don't plan anything too strenuous the day after you walk the Samaria gorge! On our trip, one woman had taken the suggestion of "comfortable shoes" to mean some slip-ons that looked fine for the shopping centre. I think she had blisters on her blisters when she got to the bottom! Don't forget your camera, a bottle for fresh water - there are springs at various points along the route and do take a hat to protect you from the sun. The southern coast of Crete is particularly hot and offers little shade.

Many thanks people! All the useful info much appreciated! = )

By the way, when I mentioned that Casa Delfino "organized" the trip for us to the Samarian Gorge, it was simply selling us tickets than included the bus there, the boat ticket, and the bus back for a combo price of less than buying them individually. It wasn't a tour at all.

An excellent site I have been using to plan my Crete part of my upcoming Greece trip is http://interkriti.gr

Click on the FORUM at the top, and then on TOURISM. They have a user help forum just like this there, except populated by lots of Crete locals and travelers to Crete. Very helpful.

Here is a link to a great site -- http://viamichelin.com and generate a detailed map of Crete.

I am arriving late (10pm) staying one night at Hotel Olympic (Iraklion) 50 euros.

Knossos site
Gortys archaeological site
Faistos archaeological site
Matala beach overnight (Hotel Zafiria 28 euros)

Rethymnos
back to Iraklion
Tour of the Iraklio Archaeological Museum

Overnight at Hotel Olympic
Morning Flying Dolphin to Santorini/Thira

Have fun.

Rick in Maryland

FWIW, I love the explorecrete.com site for Cretan information. I've been a member on its message board almost as long as I've been here.