If it’s your first time in Crete, then Chania is a great place to start. The city’s atmospheric old town wraps itself around a beautiful Venetian harbour, with narrow lanes, colourful buildings, little shops and plenty of places to stop for a long lunch or evening drink.

Chania also makes a particularly good base for exploring western Crete. Some of the island’s most spectacular scenery is within reach, including Balos Lagoon, Elafonisi and Falassarna, while the dramatic Samaria Gorge is another popular excursion.

Another reason why Chania is a good choice for where to stay in Crete is that you can mix sightseeing with beach time. Spend the morning wandering around the old town, head to the coast in the afternoon and return to the harbour for dinner.

If you want to be close to the action, stay around the old town and Venetian harbour. For more of a beach holiday, look towards areas such as Nea Chora or the resorts west of Chania.

Rethymno is a particularly good choice for where to stay in Crete if you want to combine the character of a historic Cretan town with a proper beach holiday.

The old town is full of Venetian and Ottoman architecture, with winding streets, traditional tavernas and the impressive Fortezza overlooking the harbour. Then, just east of the old town, a long sandy beach stretches along the coast, making it so easy to go from sightseeing to swimming without getting in the car.

Rethymno’s position is another advantage. Sitting between Chania and Heraklion, it’s a useful base if you want to explore different parts of the island without changing hotels.

Evenings here are relaxed rather than overly resort-like. You can spend the day on the beach, wander through the old town as the temperature drops, and find a charming local taverna for dinner.

Heraklion has a very different feel to Chania or Rethymno. It’s Crete’s main city and a busy working port, so it’s less about traditional island-resort atmosphere and more about history, culture, restaurants and getting out to explore.

The big draw is the Palace of Knossos, one of Crete’s most important archaeological sites. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is another highlight and makes a visit here particularly worthwhile for anyone interested in the island’s Minoan history.

Heraklion is also a practical choice for where to stay in Crete at the beginning or end of your holiday. With the main airport and port nearby, it can work particularly well for a couple of nights before continuing elsewhere on the island.

While Heraklion isn’t the place to choose if your idea of a Cretan holiday is spending your days lounging on a sandy beach, it’s a useful base for exploring central Crete. The surrounding wine villages and countryside are also worth discovering if you have a car.

On the eastern side of Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque waterfront town built around Lake Voulismeni. The town has a relaxed atmosphere, with cafés, restaurants and a marina making it particularly enjoyable in the evening.

There are small beaches around the town, while the wider area offers plenty of opportunities for swimming and exploring the coast. It’s also a good base for discovering eastern Crete, including the Lasithi region and the nearby resort of Elounda.

Agios Nikolaos feels a bit more like a traditional Cretan town rather than a large purpose-built resort, so it works well if you’re looking for somewhere with plenty of choice of restaurants and places to go in the evenings.

It’s also worth considering if you’re planning on visiting Spinalonga. Boat trips to the historic island are available from the surrounding coast and are one of the area’s most popular attractions.

Just north of Agios Nikolaos, Elounda is one of the best-known resort areas on the island and is a great choice for where to stay in Crete if you’re looking for luxury. The setting is a big part of the appeal, with calm waters, beautiful coastal scenery and views across Mirabello Bay.

Accommodation here ranges from smaller hotels in and around the village to high-end resorts where you can quite happily spend most of your holiday without going anywhere. It’s particularly popular with couples and families looking for a more luxurious, relaxing break.

Elounda is also well placed for visiting Spinalonga, which sits just offshore. A daytrip to the island makes an easy change of pace from a day by the pool or on the beach.

The main difference between Elounda and Agios Nikolaos is the atmosphere. Agios Nikolaos has more of a lively town feel, while Elounda is more suited to a traditional beach holiday where relaxing is the main event!

Chania is ideal for a first visit, combining a beautiful old town with beaches and some of western Crete’s most impressive scenery.

Rethymno is a great middle ground, particularly if you want a historic town and a sandy beach within easy reach of each other.

Heraklion suits history lovers and travellers who want to explore central Crete, particularly around Knossos.

Agios Nikolaos is a good choice for a relaxed eastern Crete holiday with a proper town atmosphere.

Elounda is the place to stay if you’re looking for a luxurious and relaxing resort holiday.

And if you have a little longer, don’t feel like you have to choose just one! Crete is large enough to make a two-centre holiday worthwhile. For example, combining Chania with Elounda on our Contrasts of Crete itinerary. That way you get to experience two very different sides to the island without spending your entire trip driving from one end to the other.