11 Best Towns and Villages in Crete Island

Heraklion, which has a marina and international airport, is usually the first stop for most travelers to the island. The capital city of Crete Island is very modern, though you can also get a feel for everyday island life by strolling along its waterfront and miles of sandy beaches.

If ancient Knossos is on your bucket list (as it should be), staying in the Old Town makes it easy to get there ahead of the crowds. Most of Heraklion's museums and major monuments are easily accessible on foot, as many streets around the city center are pedestrianized and free from traffic. One of Heraklion's most important landmarks is the Koules Fortress at the Venetian harbor.

Rethymno lies on the northern coast of Crete, offering a mix of modern amenities and historic landmarks. You can find a wide choice of boutique hotels occupying buildings in the Old Town, while sea-facing hotels dot a long sandy crescent stretching from the east end of Rethymno.

The city has a rather traditional style, where you can explore Venetian fortifications and mansions, orthodox and catholic churches, and mosques. Rethymno's Venetian harbor hosts a lively scene of docked fishing boats, along with tavernas, cafés and bars with excellent sea views. Plan a day trip to the outskirts of Rethymno to explore the spectacular Mili Gorge, Arkadi Monastery, and the mountains of Psiloritis and Lefka Ori.

Malia has a long main road that divides the town into 2 areas – the Old Town and the 2-km-long Malia Beach. Most travelers are naturally drawn to the wide but busy beach, which has sunbeds, umbrellas and water sports, as well as a lively nightlife scene.

For something a little more laidback, the Old Town of Malia has narrow streets and courtyards lined with old houses and beautiful gardens. Must-sees include the central church of St. Nektarios, the church of Panagia Galatiani, and Agios Ioannis, which dates from the Venetian period. Malia is around 33 km east of Heraklion – you can get there by taking a bus that departs from the Heraklion Port Passenger Station.

Chania is the 2nd-largest city on Crete, with plenty of attractions that are within walking distance of each other. There's a decent beach with café/bars that’s within a 10-minute bus ride from the town center. During the summer, it’s often packed with travelers looking to swim, sunbathe, and enjoy water sports during their vacation. You can also find several beaches west of town, around Agia Marina, and east to Kalami and Kalives, on Souda Bay.

Shopping in old-fashioned market streets, relaxing in a harborside café and after-dinner bar-hopping are some of the most popular things to do in Chania. You can also check out the Archeological Museum of Chania, which occupies the former Venetian Monastery of Saint Francis. Nature lovers can plan a trip to the White Mountains, which looms on Chania’s southern horizon.

Elounda is a seaside vacation destination with excellent views over the Gulf of Mirabello. Located on the northern coast of Crete, it has many hotels offering suites with private pools or whirlpools, spas and wellness centres. Some of Elounda’s most important sites include Olous – an ancient sunken city of ancient Crete – and the Venetian Fortress on the nearby island of Spinalonga.

In this small town, you’ll find miles of private beaches and semi-tropical gardens that look like they belong in the Caribbean instead of Greece. Elounda is also an excellent base for exploring eastern Crete – ideally, of course, in a chauffeured car or aboard a private yacht. The town is within an hour-long drive from Heraklion Airport and Port.

Spili is a picturesque village that stands at 450 meters above sea level, between 2 cliff faces at the foot of Mount Kedro. It enjoys a rather mild climate, even during summer, resulting in a very green and cozy atmosphere. You can stroll along cobblestoned streets to find tiny shops selling regional goods and herbs, as well as local cafés offering excellent coffee and snacks.

There’s very little sightseeing in Spili besides the Holy Metropolis of Lámbi, Sívritos and Sfakià and the Folk Museum of Spili. It’s often a layover for those heading to Rethymno, which is around 31 km to the north.

Agios Nikolaos is a sleepy coastal town that was a prominent resort of Crete in the 1970s. It’s still rather popular among travelers looking to escape summertime crowds of busier towns like Heraklion. There are plenty of mid-sized, affordable hotels around the Voulismeni lagoon and along Akti Koundourou, the waterfront boulevard north of the harbor.

You'll find some more expensive resort hotels with pools, gardens, and beach access on the northern outskirts of Agios Nikolaos, but still within walking distance of the town center. The town has many archeological sites – the Ancient City of Lato is one of Greece’s best-preserved cities of the classical Hellenistic period, while the late-Minoan ruins of Vrokastro can be found on a steep slope near Kalo Chorio.

Loutro is a remote seaside village in west Crete, close to Samaria Gorge. The town is car-free since no roads lead to it – the only way to get there is by boat. Thanks to its rather traditional style, you get a glimpse into true Cretan life that’s hardly visible in other towns on the island.

Surrounded by gorges and mountains, Loutro enjoys a mild climate. Hikers often explore Samaria and Imbros Gorge during the summer, but there are several beaches – Sweetwater and Marmara – offering sunbeds and umbrellas for rental. Loutro is around 24 km east of Hora Sfakion, which also makes for a nice stop if you’re in the area.

Hora Sfakion is on the southern coast of Crete, towards the 11-km-long Imbros Gorge. Located around 74 km south of Chania, you can get there via a scenic route that passes the White Mountains of Crete. This small fishing village has beautiful beaches like Sweetwater, Marmara and Vrisi Beach. Especially in the summer, Sfakia Port often receives many boats ferrying hikers looking to explore Imbros and the nearby Samaria Gorge. You can also take a boat to neighboring towns like Loutro and the island of Gavdos.

Hora Sfakion’s main harbourfront is one of its busiest areas, where you can find many tavernas, restaurants, cafés and bars serving local specialties. A must-try is Sfakian pie, which is made with fresh cheese and honey.

The hilltop Anogia village lies at an altitude of around 700 meters, on the northern side of Mount Psiloritis. Parts of the municipality are often mentioned in Greek mythology – Ideon Andron is a cave where Zeus was raised, while Nida Plateau was where the goddess Demeter fell in love with a mortal named Iasion.

During the summer months, Saint George Square in central Anogia hosts many musical and theatrical performances. Iakinthia (or Yakinthia) is an annual cultural festival that takes place in July at a temple dedicated to Saint Hyacinth. Don’t miss out on roast lamb when you’re in Anogia – this region is also known for its quality breeding and authentic recipes.

Palaiochora occupies a beautiful peninsula on Crete’s southwestern coast. Spanning an 11-km-long coastline that borders the Libyan Sea, this laidback town attracts those looking to enjoy water sports and relax on pristine beaches. Some of its most popular beaches include Pachia Ammos, Chalikia and Pahia Ammos.

The town is on the European E4 hiking trail, which results in a wide range of accommodations, dining options and artisan shops. A stroll through its pedestrian-friendly streets will take you to whitewashed buildings and beautiful courtyards. From Palaiochora’s port, ferries can take you to nearby Crete towns such as Hora Sfakion, Sougia and Loutro, as well as the islands of Elafonisi and Gavdos.