Find the BEST Place to Stay in Crete for Couples (most romantic areas)

Where to Stay in Crete for YOU

Keep reading to get more details about each of these best places to stay in Crete for couples, with pros & cons and hotel recommendations. 👇

Chania

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Crete – Pros & Cons

Crete is one of my overall favorite places in the entire Mediterranean. Situated southwards of mainland Greece, the island is renowned for its dreamy beaches, beautiful landscapes, old architecture, and ideal weather.

But the island is huge and the regions are very diverse, all offering different atmospheres. So to help you make the most of your romantic trip and give you a full picture, I’ve gathered and reviewed the best places in Crete for couples right below. 

Prefer checking hotels over areas? Then check out my ultimate list of the top 12 best hotels for couples in Crete, all regions combined.

THE BEST Place to Stay in Crete for Couples: Chania

Chania is one of the most iconic towns in all of Crete. It is small, pretty, and picturesque, and is situated on the western coastline of the island.

The city is particularly interesting and is definitely worth a visit because of the successive civilizations which ruled it, of which you can still see remains to this day: actually, the town mostly kept its original architecture and features plenty of old but well-preserved buildings!

After arriving in Crete, you will most likely end up in Chania anyway, so why not stay there?

You and your loved one will have everything you need in the vicinity, there are wonderful beaches and the old town is particularly lovely and romantic. Also, the city is renowned for its local crafts shops, so you could even buy great, unique souvenirs.

Overall, I think Chania is definitely the best place in Crete for couples. 

Where to Stay in Chania

If you have ever tried to look up hotels in Chania, you must have already realized that there are tons of them, and you most likely don’t know exactly which one to pick for your next trip.

Good news though! Depending on your budget, here are 3 options you should consider:

✅ Best Hotel: Ciel Collection Suites

This hotel is absolutely breathtaking! The rooms are spacious and the beds are particularly comfortable. Besides, it is ideally situated, right in the middle of the town, and you will have everything you need readily available in the close vicinity.

✨ Luxury Choice: Mirabile Luxury Suites

The Mirabile Luxury Suites are another incredible choice, and they are situated in one of the most picturesque areas of Chania. This very luxurious hotel is spacious and clean, and its staff is helpful and kind, so you 2 can be well-treated and spend a relaxing time in the Cyclades.

💰 Budget Pick: Rooms 47

If you want the cheapest possible accommodation (that still remains decent and ideally located), your go-to should be Rooms 47. This accommodation offers incredibly low prices for such advantages, as you will be situated next to one of the best beaches. The host is very nice and the room is quite spacious. 

If you want to discover the different neighborhoods in Chania before booking your place, check out this post.

Best Area to Stay in Crete for Young Couples: Rethymno

Rethymno is another best area in Crete for couples, but especially for younger ones. Why specifically for them?

Because it is one of the best areas for nightlife and is buzzing with activity!

There are of course other reasons for me to believe this. First of all, Rethymno is situated right between Chania and Heraklion, arguably the 2 main points of interest of Crete, so you could have fun day trips in either of these cities (but it is also in the center of the island, so you could really go anywhere!).

Then, there are tons of amenities and activities, as it is the 3rd-largest city on the island, so you won’t be bored. Finally, it is located in a quaint and peaceful region, so you can enjoy intimacy and relaxation.

Oh, I nearly forgot, Rethymno is even more beautiful and lovely at night, so you should for sure consider it for a trip with your loved one!

Where to Stay in Rethymno

I have no doubt that you and your loved one will spend a memorable stay in Rethymno, but I think picking a great hotel is even more important when traveling as a couple, as it plays a huge role in how you enjoy your trip.

Because of this, here are my 3 favorite picks in the town:

✅ Best Hotel: Menta City Boutique Hotel

This hotel is simply amazing, not only because of its perfect location but also thanks to its high-standard equipment. Besides, this pick is the best compromise according to me because it offers great value for money.

✨ Luxury Choice: Dyo Suites

This hotel is at the very least otherworldly, trust me. Not only are the rooms incredibly spacious, but the beds are also wide and comfy. Also, the breakfast is fantastic, as there are tens of options for you to pick from… and they are all cooked by the on-site chef!

💰 Budget Pick: Olympic Palladium

Located right in the middle of Rethymno, this hotel has a great staff, and will definitely make your spending completely worth it. And by the way, breakfasts there are even free!

Not satisfied with these hotel picks? Find more hotel options in Rethymno here.

Best Place to Stay in Crete for Older Couples: Zaros

Thanasis Papathanasiou / CC BY-NC-ND

If you are headed to Crete as an older couple, I am betting on the fact that the main perks you are looking for are intimacy, peacefulness, isolation, and great, sunny beaches; and if I guessed right, then you need to go to Zaros.

Not only is Zaros particularly romantic, so it would fit any kind of couple, but it is also renowned across the entire island for its scenery and greenery: if you love hikes as much as I do, you are in for a treat!

Plus, there is a lake filled with ducks and fish there, as well as old monuments from the Byzantine era, such as churches and monasteries.

I highly advise you to try Greek cuisine if you can afford to, because it is absolutely wonderful, and you can taste it anywhere around Zaros.

Where to Stay in Zaros

While you will be, I bet, focused on finding the comfiest spot near the lake or tasting Greek gastronomy, you still need to find suitable accommodation. Trust me, any of these 3 will be a great choice:

✅ Best Hotel: Kamihis Farm House Experience

This place is simply amazing for several reasons. First, it is away from everything and lit up by candles: it can’t get more romantic and peaceful than that. Then, the owners are particularly nice and helpful. Finally, the area is extremely quiet, silent, and relaxing.

✨ Luxury Choice: Cretan Nature Villa Alexandra

Do you want the most comfortable and classy accommodation in all of Zaros? Then this place is the way to go. You cannot be more isolated and cannot enjoy more quiet times than if you rent an entire villa, and that’s exactly what you’ll get there!

💰 Budget Pick: Keramos

This hotel is run by a local family, which has been living there for several generations: they are very nice and will give you great recommendations. Also, the architecture of the building is typical of Greece, the beds are very comfortable and the garden view is spot-on.

Best Place to Stay in Crete for Honeymoon: Lasithi

Despite being much less popular than the main cities of Crete such as the beautiful Chania or the capital city Heraklion, Lasithi is definitely the best area to stay for a honeymoon. There is one main reason for it: the beaches are just marvelous!

Also, Lasithi is very, very peaceful and particularly relaxing thanks to its remote location, so you and your loved one will enjoy a lot of privacy and quiet time.

I think that, during your honeymoon, you will want a place with pristine sand beaches, turquoise waters, and little fewer tourists, and that is exactly what this place has to offer.

You won’t have to worry about possibly being bored because, aside from the beaches, there are also several unique archeological sites that you should visit, as well as picturesque villages all around the area! Also, the landscapes are awesome. 

Where to Stay in Lasithi

Just because Lasithi is quite isolated, doesn’t mean that there aren’t tons of accommodations for you to pick from. If you want my advice, you should pick one of these 3 hotels:

✅ Best Hotel: Hotel Port 7- Boutique Collection

This hotel has very nice and helpful hosts, who can even help you with recommendations for food options and day trips. Besides, the interior was recently renovated, and it is pretty stylish and modern.

✨ Luxury Choice: Minos Palace Hotel & Suites – Adults Only

Dedicated to adults only, you won’t be bothered by anyone and will be 100% focused on spending the best vacation of your life in a remote, rocky headland, overlooking Agios Nikolaos Bay. If you want to try some activities, you could also head to the city center, which is only 2 km / 1.2 mi away, but there are more than enough activities on-site for you to never leave!

💰 Budget Pick: Victoria Hotel

Not only is it very affordable, but it is also located right next to the beach, so what more could you ask for? A room with a jaw-dropping sea view and a supermarket in the close surroundings, should you need anything? Alright, you can have that too!

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So, these were my pick for the best areas to stay in Crete for couples. If you would like to go deeper or discover other areas, check out my Crete posts below.

Spoiler alert: there are a lot of them! 😅

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 Families
• 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 go! These were my personal best areas in Crete for couples. I hope you found your romantic hotel, and that you will spend a marvelous trip to the Cyclades!

In case you are still wondering where to stay in Crete for couples, simply choose Chania, one of the main cities on the island: it is the overall best compromise, thanks to its cute old town and lovely beaches.

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