Find the BEST Place in Crete for Families (area + hotel guide)

Where to Stay in Crete for YOU

Keep scrolling to get all the details about each of these best places in Crete for families, with pros & cons and hotel recommendations. 

Heraklion

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Crete – Pros & Cons

Crete is full of paradisiacal beaches, incredible landscapes, and lively towns with beautiful monuments. But as Greece’s biggest island with very diverse areas, choosing the best area to stay in Crete with family can be a tricky decision. 

I’ve done the job for you, so feel free to choose any of the places below as you can’t go wrong with any of them. 

Prefer checking hotels over areas? Then check out my ultimate list of the top 20 best hotels for families in Crete, all regions combined.

THE BEST Place in Crete for Families: Heraklion

Heraklion is the main transportation hub, capital, and largest city on the island of Crete. Situated on the northern coastline of the island, alongside the Sea of Crete, it was named after Heracleum, a former Roman port.

This city is very dynamic and cosmopolitan, even more during the summer when tourists who want to enjoy a little piece of paradise come flooding into its gates.

No matter what you and your family need, you will find it in Heraklion, and there are multitudes of events throughout the year, as the city is always buzzing with activity.

I believe it is simply the best part of Crete for families because you won’t have to worry about being bored, not being able to reach the rest of the island, or living too far from the airport or the harbor, because guess what? Heraklion has tons of activities and is a cultural hub, it is connected with the rest of the island via countless transportation options and it is located next to the harbor and the airport!

Where to Stay in Heraklion

There are multitudes of hotel options in Heraklion considering how coveted and buzzing the town is. Because of this, it can be fairly annoying to find the accommodation that suits your family’s needs, but here are 3 of them that, I believe, will fulfill anyone’s wishes:

✅ Best Hotel: City Lion by Semavi

This family-suited accommodation is ideally located, right in the heart of the city, and it will offer amazing value out of your money. Why? Because it has air-conditioning units, is tidy and spotlessly clean, and is just beautiful, so don’t think too much and pick the City Lion!

✨ Luxury Choice: Porta Suites

The fanciest of trips to Heraklion will be guaranteed by the Porta Suites. You won’t ever lack anything in this fully-equipped accommodation, with a high-standard interior and a lovely outdoor area with a jacuzzi. Also, the airport shuttle is organized by the reception, and the fantastic staff will make sure you are most peaceful. 

💰 Budget Pick: Cozy apartment near the city centre

This small, lovely hotel is situated right next to the heart of Heraklion, and because of this, it is already definitely worth your pennies. Despite this incredible location, it is very affordable compared to other hotels, and you and your family will still be provided with anything you need, even an air-conditioning unit, so go ahead!

Not satisfied with these recommendations? Find more great accommodations in Heraklion in this post. 

Runner up Best Area to Stay in Crete for Families: Rethymno

Up next is Rethymno, another very solid pick for a family stay in Crete. Situated between 2 of the main cities of Crete (Heraklion and Chania), it is located in the center of the island.

The region is all in all pretty peaceful and quaint, and there is even a wonderful medieval castle, which makes it particularly good for families. Also, it is the 3rd-largest town on the island, which ensures there are plenty of amenities and activities, so none of you will ever be bored.

Just like Heraklion, Rethymno is unfortunately pretty popular among tourists (as is the entire island, to be fair), and for good reasons. Over the past few years, more and more travelers have gone to the town, mostly because of the duality of architecture, between Ottoman and Venetian styles, as well as the beaches.

The city of Rethymno, while it is magnificent during the day, is simply dreamy at night, with all of its lights and its picturesque old town. Overall, a great pick for you and your loved ones!

Where to Stay in Rethymno

You and your family will spend a very comfortable stay in Rethymno, trust me on that, but I think it is particularly important to find good accommodation, otherwise, your trip could be ruined.

Here are 3 hotels that I think you will love:

✅ Best Hotel: Menta City Boutique Hotel

This accommodation is just stunning, not only thanks to its perfect location but also due to its high-end, full equipment. Also, the value for money is insane, which makes this pick all the better.

✨ Luxury Choice: Dyo Suites

To describe this hotel as “otherworldly” would be quite an understatement: not only are the beds of utmost comfort, but the rooms are also very, very spacious. Interestingly enough, the breakfast there is unique in the sense that you will have dozens of options to choose from, all of them being cooked by the on-site chef.

💰 Budget Pick: Olympic Palladium

Situated right in the heart of the city, the Olympic Palladium will offer the best value for your money, and it has a wonderful staff. Oh, and breakfasts are free!

Check out this dedicated guide to discover my selection of the top hotels in Rethymno.

Best Place to Stay in Crete for Families with Kids: Elounda

If you are headed to the island of Crete with little ones, then you should for sure consider Elounda.

This town is particularly safe, it has lots of all-inclusive resorts for all your family and offers great perks such as sports activities and kids clubs! What more could they ask for? A beach? You will also find one there!

Elounda is a tiny village located on the eastern coastline of Crete, and it is particularly interesting since it is not the main destination of most tourists. Because of this, you will live in a much more laid-back atmosphere, feeling like a local and enjoying a peaceful stay, which is absolutely critical for you and your kids.

Plus, in case you’re afraid of being bored, you will be located pretty close to Agios Nikolaos, one of the main points of interest of Crete, and you can also fairly easily join the rest of the island, should you need to (spoiler: I don’t think you do!).

Where to Stay in Elounda

While Elounda is overall very peaceful, it doesn’t mean that all of the accommodations will suit you and your family’s needs. And if you’re picky about the best hotel because you want to treat them, you should pick one of these:

✅ Best Hotel: Elounda Vista Villas

This accommodation is perfect in every sense: perfectly located right in front of a magnificent bay and in a quiet area, it also has great hosts who will help you with whatever you may need. And the price is reasonable! 

✨ Luxury Choice: Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa

With a private pool, a welcome drink, a lobster dinner, a jaw-dropping view of Spinalonga, and a shuttle bus, you won’t ever lack anything in this luxurious hotel, so just enjoy your time and remember to relax.

💰 Budget Pick: Naiades Village Elounda

I have to admit that it was no easy feat to find affordable and comfy accommodation in such a fancy town, but this one will perfectly do the trick! It is ideally located, close to both restaurants and bars. Its rooms are clean and tidy, and the towels are regularly cleaned, just like the rest of the room.

Alternative Best Place to Stay in Crete for Families: Chania

Chania is a small, picturesque city located on the western part of the island of Crete, and it is one of my overall personal favorite areas.

I particularly love it because you will unravel the mysteries of multiple civilizations, which successively ruled over the area. The most notable of them are the Venetians, and you can still see well-preserved historical monuments from that era, such as mansions, churches, and fountains.

Actually, when you first arrive in Crete, Chania is one of the likeliest places you will end up in. And well, I believe you and your family won’t have to move that much from it, because you will have anything you need there, from some of the best beaches to renowned local crafts shops, as well as old, historic buildings. Believe it or not, the city kept its original architecture throughout history, which makes it very unique.

You will love your stay in Chania because it is relatively less crowded than other large cities, it is very safe (and thus ideal if you are traveling with kids), and is overall a picturesque area!

Where to Stay in Chania

While Chania is another great place to stay for you and your loved ones, it doesn’t mean that it is easy to find a suitable hotel. For you, here are my 3 favorite picks for the area, sorted by budget range:

✅ Best Hotel: Ciel Collection Suites

.This accommodation is just magnificent, and has spacious rooms with very comfortable beds, as well as a Bluetooth speaker for fun family time! This is exactly what all of you are looking for, I can bet on that. Plus, it is perfectly located in the city, and everything you need will be readily available in the close surroundings.

✨ Luxury Choice: Mirabile Luxury Suites

Located in one of the most picturesque areas of Chania, this place is definitely an incredible choice with an average rating of nearly 10 out of 10. This hotel is luxurious, clean, and spacious, and the staff is particularly respectful and helpful, so your family will for sure be well treated.

💰 Budget Pick: Rooms 47

You won’t find a much lower price than this accommodation, whilst keeping the overall comfort you need. There, you will have one of the best beaches in the city nearby, the room itself will be fairly spacious and the host is very kind!

For more recommendations, check out my list of the best accommodations in Chania.

Is Crete Good for Families?

Yes, Crete is good for families! And there are many good reasons for that.

First off, there are lots of means of transportation and the island as a whole is very safe. Then, the climate is ideal and the beaches are marvelous. Finally, there are great activities such as sea tours or hikes. All in all, there is something for everyone in Crete, which makes it perfect for a family trip!

More Hotels in Crete

Couldn’t find the right area for you? Well, these other posts will certainly be helpful in that case:

Check out our main Crete district guide to find the best location for you: 👉 The Best Areas to Stay in Crete 👈

Or, here are other neighborhood guides for you to find the right location, depending on your travel style or location:

• Where to Stay in Crete for Beaches
• Where to Stay in Crete for Nightlife
• Where to Stay in Crete for Couples
• Where to Stay in Crete Without a Car
• Where to Stay in Chania

If you have already chosen your area to stay in Crete, book the perfect hotel thanks to this overall guide 👉 The 25 Best Hotels in Crete 👈

Or this hotel guides by city:

• Best Hotels in Chania
• Best Hotels in Heraklion
• Best Hotels in Agios Nikolaos
• Best Hotels in Rethymnon

And finally, if you are looking for more specific hotels, here are other awesome pieces:

• Best Hotels on the Beach in Crete
• Best Hotels in Crete for Families
• Best Hotels in Crete for Couples
• Best Adult-Only Hotels in Crete
• Best Luxury Hotels in Crete
• Best Boutique Hotels in Crete
• Best Resorts in Crete
• Best Villas in Crete

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have them, these were my best places to stay in Crete for families.

For those of you who are still not quite sure which area they should pick, I am honestly advising you to simply stay in Heraklion, as you cannot go wrong with the capital of the island, and I’m sure your loved ones will thank you. There, you will find tons of activities, even for kids, and the city is a cultural hub for everyone to discover.

Hope you could’ve found your next home in Crete thanks to this guide. Don’t hesitate to comment below if this is the case, I would be very pleased to read your feedback. 😁