Where to Stay in Crete Without a Car [the most convenient areas]

Where to Stay in Crete for YOU

Keep scrolling to learn everything about these Cretan cities, pros & cons included! 👇

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Crete – Pros & Cons

Crete is a truly remarkable island that lies south of mainland Greece, renowned for its breathtaking beaches and captivating beauty. However, exploring the island without a car can present some challenges.

To help you make the most of your visit, I’ve handpicked the best places to stay in Crete without a car, those that offer convenient accessibility and that allow you to enjoy a full experience, completely free of constraints and frustrations.

THE BEST Place to Stay in Crete Without a Car: Chania

Chania, sometimes spelled as Hania, is a small, picturesque town situated on the western side of Crete.

There, you will discover the succession of eras from different civilizations across the centuries and can visit some well-preserved historical monuments such as churches, fountains, and Venetian mansions.

It is actually one of the most likely places you will arrive, if you are headed to the Greek island, and the town is renowned for its local craft shops and overall old buildings. Although more and more tourists are traveling to Chania, and despite several disasters, the city stayed the same throughout history and preserved its original architecture until today.

I believe it is the best place to stay in Crete without a car, because it isn’t too crowded unlike Heraklion, and still has plenty of connections to the rest of the island; also, it is simply beautiful!

Where to Stay in Chania

Sure, Chania is the best place in Crete without a car, but you will still need a hotel in any case. So, here are my 3 favorite picks for the city, adapted to your budget:

✅ Best Hotel: Ciel Collection Suites

This magnificent accommodation will offer spacious rooms with particularly comfortable beds, and has some unique equipment such as a Bluetooth speaker for some fun nights! Also, it is ideally located in the city, and you will have everything you need available in the near vicinity.

✨ Luxury Choice: Chania Flair Deluxe Boutique Hotel – Adults Only

Although it is only meant for adults, this is the place to go if you want a luxurious stay in Chania. This 5-star boutique hotel is absolutely exceptional: you will be warmly welcomed by kind staff, the rooms there are modern and comfortable and the view of the swimming pool is simply gorgeous.

💰 Budget Pick: Cocoon City Hostel

While flying to such a buzzing island as Crete can be a nightmare for budget travelers, you could rent a very cozy and friendly stay in Cocoon City Hostel. With its shared rooms of 8 beds, you will be ideally located right in the heart of Chania, and the prices are exceptionally low!

Not satisfied with these options? Discover more great hotels located in Chania in this dedicated post.

Runner-up Area to Stay in Crete Without a Car: Heraklion

Heraklion, historically known as Candia, is the main harbor, capital, and largest city of the island of Crete. It is located on the northern coast of the island, alongside the Sea of Crete, and its name comes from the ancient Roman port of Heracleum.

This town is particularly cosmopolitan and dynamic, especially during the summer when thousands of tourists come to enjoy the Greek summer. You will find plenty of facilities, no matter your needs, and there are lots of events throughout the year.

It is yet another perfect place to stay in Crete if you don’t have access to a car, because of all of the connections.

Also, you won’t need to leave the city for the fullest of experiences, since there are so many activities you have to try there. Finally, the airport and the harbor are both close to the city center, so you won’t have to move much when traveling around!

Where to Stay in Heraklion

Since it is so active and coveted, Heraklion definitely has a ton of hotel options. Therefore, it can be pretty difficult to find the accommodation that suits your needs, but here are 3 of them that you simply cannot go wrong with:

✅ Best Hotel: City Lion by Semavi

I am 100% convinced that no accommodation in all of Heraklion can rival this one. This hotel is perfectly located in the center of the city, will offer incredible value for money, has air-conditioning units, and is overall spotlessly clean and tidy. Don’t think too much, pick the City Lion!

✨ Luxury Choice: Porta Suites

For the fanciest of trips to Heraklion, Crete, my recommendation is the Porta Suites. The rooms are fully-equipped, there is a jacuzzi in the clean outdoor area and the interior is overall of very high standard. Plus, the transportation from the airport will be taken care of by the reception, and the staff will answer your every demand, so don’t hesitate!

💰 Budget Pick: Cozy apartment near the city centre

This lovely, cozy accommodation is indeed located right next to the center of Heraklion, and just for that it is already completely worth your money. However, trust me, compared to other hotels, it is very affordable, and will still provide you with anything you need, even an air-conditioning unit!

Couldn’t choose an hotel among these 3? Check out this post to find more top hotels in Herakaklion.

Alternative Choice: Agios Nikolaos

Last but definitely not least is Agios Nikolaos, my 3rd favorite choice for a place to stay in Crete without a car.

Agios Nikolaos is the 5th-largest city in Crete, and it is thus already a good option for less crowded areas. It is situated less than an hour away from the Heraklion Airport, and it is one of the main areas you should definitely visit in Crete.

Located on the eastern part of the island, Agios Nikolaos will give you access to all of the main points of interest of Crete and has lots of transportation options for you to do so.

All in all, it’s another great option for your next stay in Crete if you don’t have access to a car!

Where to Stay in Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos is small and picturesque, that’s for sure, and it is still pretty coveted, so you could have a hard time finding a fitting accommodation. Here are the 3 I personally recommend:

✅ Best Hotel: Celine Luxury Apartments & Suites

Don’t be afraid of its name, it is actually very affordable. However, the accommodation itself is pretty luxurious, so I believe this is exactly what defines the best hotel you could find in the area! The building was recently refurbished, the room is very spacious and comfortable and the staff is top-notch. An easy 10 out of 10!

✨ Luxury Choice: Emerald Lake Studios

You might be thinking I’m joking at this point, adding studios as the best luxury hotel and having a luxury apartment being the best option, but trust me these ones are exceptionally fancy and worth a try. This magnificent hotel is located right in the heart of Agios Nikolaos, but still in a peaceful area, only about 500 m / 1,600 ft away from the beach!

💰 Budget Pick: Artemis House

Last but not least is a house for a budget option… Agios Nikolaos is full of surprises, isn’t it?  The Artemis House will offer amazing value for money, and its interior is uniquely decorated. It is spacious, tidy, and clean, and it is situated right next to wonderful beaches!

If you couldn’t choose an accommodation, check this post of the best Agios Nikolaos hotels to get more choices. 

Knossos temple in Crete

How to get around Crete without a car?

While you could always rent a car, book a taxi or use one of the many ferries in Crete, the easiest way is by far to simply use the public bus: this way, you will have access to all of the island.

The only remaining challenge then is to find the main intercity bus station in all of Crete’s main cities, but you can easily do that as they are usually centrally located.

Also, you can use your credit or debit card and find schedules, although they usually run approximately once an hour.

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 for Couples
• 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

So there you go, these were my best areas to stay in Crete if you don’t have access to a car!

If you are still not sure where to stay, then just go to Chania, you just cannot go wrong there. While it is a large city with tons of activities, it is less crowded than other areas, and will definitely offer you a traditional Greek experience with easy access to the rest of the island.

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