Heraklion Hotels: Where to Stay in Crete’s Capital

Stay in the Old Town to walk to the harbor, the museums and the cafés. Choose Ammoudara Beach for days on the sand with the city a short ride away. Heraklion is compact and fairly walkable, yet where you sleep matters more than most visitors expect. Even a short walk between two hotels can shape how your first days on Crete feel.

Which area of Heraklion is best to stay in?

Three areas are worth a look: the Old Town for culture, Ammoudara Beach for the sea and the southern side towards Knossos for more budget friendly stays. Nea Alikarnassos, by the airport, suits late arrivals. Heraklion is Crete's capital and biggest city, and its architecture, street layout and everyday pace still show the influence of Venetian, Ottoman and Greek rule.

Old Town and the Venetian Harbor

This is the best base for culture lovers. The Old Town sits by the coast inside the Venetian Walls, which withstood Ottoman sieges for 21 years, and you can walk along stretches of them today. Its heart is the Morosini Fountain, and the pedestrian streets around it are lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. The Archaeological Museum is a short stroll away. It holds a unique Minoan collection and ranks among the most important museums in Europe. The old harbor and its Venetian fortress are just as close, and from the harbor to Lion Square takes roughly 5 to 10 minutes on foot.

Summer is the trade-off. The area gets hot and crowded, with more traffic than the outer districts.

GDM Megaron, built in 1925, sits behind a listed facade overlooking the old Venetian port, with a rooftop pool and most of the main sights an easy walk away. Veneziano Boutique Hotel fills a renovated mansion that once belonged to Heraklion's first Agha, with a leafy courtyard and big rooms. Lato Boutique Hotel is a small, 53-room hotel between the port and the center. Ask for a harbor-view room and you wake up to fishing boats and the fortress. Capsis Astoria overlooks Eleftherias Square, a stone's throw from the Archaeological Museum.

Just outside the walls

Rocca a Mare is a new seaside hotel with sea-view rooms and the promenade at the door for evening walks. From here, it takes around 20 minutes on foot to reach Lion Square in the heart of the Old Town. Artion City Boutique Hotel sits a few meters outside the walls, about 10 minutes on foot from the Archaeological Museum. It is small and family-run, with spacious rooms, a good breakfast and plenty of reasonably priced tavernas nearby.

Ammoudara Beach

Heraklion's city beach lies just west of the Old Town. It is a wide sandy stretch of about 4 miles (7 km), lined with hotels, restaurants and cafés, with sunbeds and water sports on offer. The strip can feel busy and touristy. Still, the beach is long and sandy, so even in summer there is usually room to spread out. It is clean, and the water is a clear blue.

The Old Town is about a 10 minute drive away. A city bus covers the trip, while walking takes a bit more than an hour, so plan on the bus or a taxi.

Agapi Beach Resort is all-inclusive and sits right on the sand, with three big pools. Civitel Creta Beach, next door, has a pool and a spa. Alsus Boutique Hotel sits about 328 feet (100 m) (110 yards) from the beach and offers private heated pools. Nuovo Crete by the Sea is a small, quiet, good-value hotel close to the water.

New Town

The New Town wraps around the Old Town outside the walls, on its eastern and southern sides. Most of it went up during the last century. It is residential and local, you won't see many tourists, and the tavernas are excellent. The area has a few of the better-priced hotels in the city. The center is a short walk, and buses and inexpensive taxis cover the rest. Pavo Art Hotel, between the Old Town and the beach, has kitchenettes and coffee makers in its units, which suits friends and families. 3 Pines Design Living is a contemporary tower with a pool, a gym and a rooftop terrace, and its rooms and apartments come with kitchenettes.

Knossos side

South of the center, toward the palace of Knossos, about 3 miles (5 km) from the city, you find cheaper rooms and a quieter, more rural feel. This side suits drivers who want to stay away from the bustle of the historic center.

Nea Alikarnassos, near the airport

Nea Alikarnassos is a safe, local neighborhood next to the airport with good-value hotels and restaurants. It suits travelers who land very late at night, since you can walk to your hotel in no time. The center is about half an hour on foot, and public buses run there too. Midway Point Apts has fully equipped apartments with balconies. The Sofia Hotel has refurbished rooms and a pool. Both offer free parking.

Where should first-timers stay in Heraklion?

The Old Town. A first visit centers on the harbor, the fortress, the fountain and the Archaeological Museum, and all of it is on foot from here. Heraklion is also lovely after dark, when the squares come alive, the churches are lit up and tables fill the alleys. Save an evening for a wander.

Where should couples stay in Heraklion?

Book a sea-view room at GDM Megaron, which overlooks the old Venetian port. With just 28 rooms, it has an intimate atmosphere.

Where should families stay in Heraklion?

Ammoudara Beach is the easy answer. The long sand leaves room to spread out, the water is good for swimming, and water sports keep kids busy. Eat at the seaside restaurants and you can skip paying extra for loungers and umbrellas. In the center, Capsis Astoria is among the hotels listed for family-friendly services.

Where should budget travelers stay in Heraklion?

Staying in Heraklion generally costs more than expected, so the Knossos side and Nea Alikarnassos are good places to look for better value. In the center, So Young Hostel has bunk rooms with shared bathrooms, rooms with private bathrooms and a rooftop bar. Intra Muros Hostel, close to town, has a roof terrace and a guest kitchen. Lena Hotel has friendly staff and good wifi, and it sits in a central spot close to cafes, bars and the bus stop for Knossos.

The shoulder months (April, May, September and October) usually bring lower rates and thinner crowds.

Where should you stay in Heraklion without a car?

The Old Town, where many of the sights are within walking distance. The bus station is about 131 feet (40 m) from the port, and a taxi stand is 66 feet (20 m) away. From the airport or the ferry port, a taxi into town takes under 10 minutes, and buses 1 and 78 also link the airport and the port. From Heraklion you can catch a bus over to Knossos, and another bus brings you back into town.

Crete is easy to explore by KTEL bus, so a car is optional. Agios Nikolaos and Rethymno are each about 1.5 hours away by bus, and Matala about 2 hours.

How long should you stay, and when should you book?

Two to three days cover the Old Town, the harbor, the fortress and Knossos. Four to five days leave room for the beaches. Book early, especially for July and August, since prices climb as the date gets closer.

Many bus routes run on seasonal dates, so check the timetable before planning day trips. For routes and tickets, call +30 2810 24 65 30.