Being from Romania vacationing in Greece is a must and a dream. Everyone waits for summer to come in order to escape to beautiful Greece. Because of its proximity, but also because of its beauty and delicious food, we chose to spend our honeymoon in Crete. However, we did not choose to stay in the popular areas but went for the less explored Eastern Crete.
After we decided on the region, we had to decide on the exact location. We knew we wanted a nice place with charming hotels, restaurants by the sea, but also nice beaches. And so the quest for the perfect place to stay in Eastern Crete began.
With lots of options on display, and after plenty of research, we ended up with 4 destinations to choose from. Because maybe you want something different than us, here is our shortlist for where to stay in Eastern Crete, along with some great accommodation options.
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Where to Stay in Eastern Crete: 4 great Locations
Elounda
This small town on the northeastern coast of Crete was our choice, mainly because of its stunning hotels, but also because it is not a popular destination. At least with Romanian tourists.
From Elounda you can take a boat to Spinalonga Island, but the small town has also plenty of traditional tavernas lined up on the seafront, and also luxury restaurant options. If you want to spend time at the beach, there are a few sandy beaches around, but most hotels have beautiful pools where you can relax.
We found it easy to explore Eastern Crete from Elounda, and the distance to Heraklion Airport wasn’t so big – only one hour by car. We rented a car and drove around the Lasithi Plateau, made our way to the south to Ierapetra, and explored everything in between.
Here are a few great accommodation options for Elounda:
This is where we stayed during our week in Crete and we absolutely loved it.
Perched on a hill with direct access to the main road leading to the center of the village, the hotel boasts a great rooftop swimming pool and rooms with views for days.
What I loved most was having breakfast and dinner in their rooftop restaurant, with never-ending blues under your eyes.
The rooms were very comfortable, with a nice modern Greek design, and the food was great. Certain rooms have a sea view, and all have balconies and air conditioning.
The hotel is located between Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, high on the hills overlooking Spinalonga and Elounda Bay, thus offering incredible views.
It is a family-run hotel highly rated by couples staying here, mainly for the romantic vibe, but also for the beautiful swimming pool and the friendliness of the staff.
Rooms are equipped with a kitchenette with a mini oven and fridge, making it the perfect location for a longer stay, or for someone who wants to eat inside as well.
Blue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa
An incredibly luxurious hotel with lots of rooms overlooking the sea and Spinalonga Island, some boasting small private infinity pools.
Come here to be blown away by the award-winning cuisine and a state-of-the-art spa – a 2,000-m² area that features indoor pools, 24 treatment rooms, 2 hammams, saunas, and hot tubs.
Previous guests loved the huge choices available for breakfast, the incredible view, but also how spacious and well-maintained the rooms were.
An option for someone traveling with the family or someone who simply prefers staying in an apartment. As someone said, here you get the traditional feel but with modern design and appliances.
The apartment is not big but it offers everything you might need: a private kitchen, a balcony with a sea view, air conditioning, and privacy. Parking is available for guests, and within a 10 minutes walk you will find plenty of restaurants and shops.
Agios Nikolaos
Choose to stay in Agios Nikolaos if you want a mix of city and beach vacations. While you will be in the city, you will have access to plenty of beaches, and you can even choose to stay at hotels with private beaches.
However, in the city, you have access to more apartment-type accommodation options. The city is very charming, offers plenty of things to do, and is the starting point for many excursions from this part of the island.
Here are a few accommodation options for Agios Nikolaos.
Minos Palace Hotel & Suites – Adults Only
A stunning 5* resort loved by guests, boasting infinity pools and a private beach. Only 2 kilometers away from the city center, here you will perfectly mix the city with the vacation vibes.
After a long day of exploration, for the ultimate relaxation, book a massage at the hotel’s SPA.
Book a bungalow if you want to be in a quiet place, away from the main hotel’s building. It is also worth knowing that from the city center, you will need to go on an easy hike to get to the hotel or take a taxi.
Hotel Port 7- Boutique Collection
A charming small boutique hotel, perfectly located in the port.
Guest loved the view they got from their room, but also the hotel’s breakfast, location, and attentiveness of the staff.
A beautiful new aparthotel, perfectly located within a one-minute walk to the beach. Here you will be 2.5 kilometers away from the city center, and you will have access to parking and swimming pools.
All rooms come with a furnished kitchenette, air conditioning, a dining area, and some rooms have a terrace and jacuzzi. The hotel also has a restaurant, and guests can rent bikes to explore the area.
This is the perfect option for someone traveling with the family.
Sitia
Sitia is a small town located east of Agios Nikolaos. The village is not very lively or touristic, thus it is worth staying here when you want to skip the crowds or go for the authentic local vibe.
The most famous attraction in Sitia it’s its palm forest at Vai, and the many sandy beaches around. The Kazarma Fortress dating to the Middle Ages, or the remnants of a colony built by the Phoenicians would make any history lover happy.
The city is 2 hours away from Heraklion airport, thus keep that in mind when choosing to stay here.
Thus, if you want something different, stay in Sitia.
Here are a few accommodation options in Sitia:
A great 5* hotel located minutes from Sitia’s city center, offering access to 3 pools, a tennis court, and a SPA – what more could you wish for?
By the garden pool, you will find a bar for drinks and light meals, and the hotel has a buffet-style restaurant. Close to the hotel, there is a bus station with good connections to Agios Nikolaos.
Guests consider this hotel to be the perfect place for relaxation and have really enjoyed the breakfast options.
Great apartments, well equipped with everything that you would need for your stay in Crete. A beach is only 100 meters from the property, and even though it is a public beach it feels like it is the hotel’s private one.
By staying here you will also be 5 minutes away from the city, and you will be able to enjoy the property’s beautiful and peaceful gardens.
Moreover, if you choose to rent a car and drive around Crete you can take advantage of the free parking.
Areti InCreteble Cretan Residences Collection
An apartment that can host up to 3 people and offers everything one might need for a comfortable stay – a fully equipped kitchen, a terrace, free parking, and a dining area.
The beach is not so close, you will need to travel for around 2.5 kilometers, but the famous Vai forest is 25 kilometers away.
Another great accommodation option, with modern interiors, a big window overlooking the sea, and a small balcony where you can relax and take in the views. The kitchen is fully equipped for you to have a perfect vacation.
Ierapetra
Even though it is located in the southeastern part of Crete, Ierapetra is 1 hour and 20 minutes away from the airport. To me, it felt like a small and chill seaside resort city, with a long beach lined up with terraces and tavernas.
The water is much clearer and bluer than in the northeastern part, and from the small port in Ierapetra, you can take the boat to visit Chrissi Island. Let’s not forget about the Venetian Fortress or some of the old churches in town.
Here are a few great accommodation options in Ierapetra:
A 4* hotel with big and luxurious rooms. Guests have really enjoyed the food at the hotel, but also how friendly and helpful the staff was.
You can choose for buffet-style breakfast, continental or American. The closest popular public beach is 1 kilometer away, but you can spend your time relaxing at one of the hotel’s swimming pools or on their private beach.
Previous guests recommend renting a car in order to get around easily.
If you would rather stay in an apartment with a sea view and everything you need for a vacation with your family, or a longer stay, this is the place for you.
The interior is very modern and new, and the balcony has a perfect sea view. Previous guests have appreciated waking up with the sea under their eyes.
The internet connection is great, making it a perfect place for those who want to spend more time and work from here.
A stunning authentic 3-bedroom house with stone interiors and a great terrace with a sea view. You will have access to a kitchen, a lovely garden, and you can use the parking without any charge.
This is a pet-friendly accommodation option, where you can spend your holiday with your family and dog.
Read also
The complete guide for where to stay in Santorini: the best towns & hotels
Cheap hotels in Santorini: where to stay on a budget
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