Crete is the biggest of the Greek islands, with the largest population, and some of the most popular beaches and resorts for a vacation. Located in between the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea, Crete has miles of stunning coastline and a gorgeously sunny climate, perfect for a vacation filled with sun, sea, and sand. No wonder Crete is such a popular destination for families, either, with its many family-friendly hotels and resorts.
Crete is the obvious choice for a family vacation if you want to spend time in Greece because of its balance of a booming tourist industry and authentic identity. Here, you will find no shortage of ways to keep the whole family entertained, from its cosmopolitan towns to its expanses of sandy beaches. There is also no shortage of family-friendly hotels and resorts.
With so many hotels and resorts, the choice of where to stay for families in Crete can be overwhelming. Luckily, we have found our favorite nine hotels in Crete for families to choose from. Before you book your family vacation to Crete, read through our curated list of the best hotels in Crete and let us take care of all the hard work and research for you.
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1. GDM Megaron, Historical Monument Hotel
The GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel is situated in the very heart of Crete’s biggest city of Heraklion. This is just one reason that makes it the perfect base for families who want to explore the rich history of Crete more than they want to lie on the beach. Built in 1925, the hotel gets its name because it is technically classed as an historic monument. Comprised of 58 rooms, the GDM Megaron also boasts facilities such as on-site bars and cafés that overlook the stunning views of Heraklion’s Venetian port, as well as an exclusive gym and wellness facility.
A stone’s throw away from some of Heraklion’s most bustling shopping district, sites of historical interest and cultural importance are within walking distance of this centrally-located hotel too. Families with a thirst for knowledge and culture will love this hotel thanks to its convenient location. However, when you want to simply take it easy on your vacation, there is also a wonderful rooftop pool and lounge area where you can unwind under the Grecian sun and take a dip to cool off from its heat.
Address: Doukos Mpofor 9, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
Best For: Families with older kids who want to experience a jam-pack vacation in Crete
Rating: 9.4/10
2. Ibis Styles Heraklion Central
Ibis Styles Heraklion Central gives you exactly what you would hope from a city center hotel from the Ibis brand. Smart, comfortable, and with all the amenities you need to make your family vacation enjoyable and hassle-free, this hotel is perfect for families who want to be in the heart of the action of Crete. As well as being a cosmopolitan hotel, the Ibis Styles Heraklion Central also gives you wonderful views from your room’s balcony, including sea views for those whose hearts still yearn for the ocean.
The Ibis also has an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy delicious food and drink for any meal, taking a lot of pressure off the family on-the-go. However, being so centrally located, you will find a plethora of enticing, authentic tavernas and restaurants within walking distance of this hotel. In fact, many guests prize the location of this hotel among some of its best qualities thanks to its proximity to some of Heraklion’s most notable historical sites and best eateries.
Address: 26 Koroneou &, Agiou Titou Street, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
Best For: Families in search of an easy and unpretentious hotel base for their vacation in Crete
Rating: 9.3/10
3. Alena Apartments
By choosing the Alena Apartments for your family vacation in Crete, you are guaranteeing yourself total and utter freedom in one of Crete’s most beautiful coastal towns. These apartments are completely self-catering, making this the ideal accommodation for families who like to march to the beat of their own drum – if you have any passionate chefs among your group that’s a bonus! Not only are there barbeque facilities for you to take advantage of, but it is also a pet-friendly accommodation if you believe that it cannot be a true family vacation without its furriest member.
The best part about staying self-catering in Chania is the fact that you can then make full use of its seafront restaurants, and totally under your own steam. Chania is home to a bounty of exquisite eateries and cozy tavernas where you can discover your new favorite food and drink during your vacation in Crete. Chania also boasts a beach, a gorgeous old port, plenty of quaint little streets to explore, and lots of history to soak up.
Address: Koroneou 13, Chania 731 36, Greece
Best For: Families who like to dine freely and do their vacation completely independently
Rating: 9.3/10
4. SanSal Boutique Hotel
If you have your heart set on having your family vacation in Chania Town but want to stay somewhere with a more luxurious air, then you need to consider the SanSal Boutique Hotel. This stylish boutique hotel offers an unparalleled sense of modernity and luxury, without feeling pretentious. Its elegant rooms and sleek rooftop pool makes this hotel feel like something really special for your family vacation in Crete, without breaking the bank.
Continental and buffet breakfasts are available on-site, as well as a snack-bar, so you can enjoy some delicious refreshments without leaving the comfort of your hotel. However, when you do want to leave to explore your surroundings, you will find that the SanSal Boutique Hotel is in one of the best locations in Chania Town, close to its most popular tourist attractions, as well as its shops, tavernas, restaurants, and gorgeous port. Spend the day exploring the town’s rich history before retiring into contemporary peace at night.
Address: Ακτή Κανάρη, Meletiou Metaxaki &, Chania 731 31, Greece
Best For: Families with older children who want to indulge in some luxurious peace on vacation
Rating: 9.3/10
5. DOM Boutique Hotel
The DOM Boutique Hotel is the perfect choice for families in search of luxury, but who want to live it up in Crete’s capital city of Heraklion. Each room is beautifully designed with great attention to detail, pleasing even the most refined of tastes. However, it is as welcoming and comfortable as it is sophisticated, making the DOM Boutique Hotel a real hub of both beauty and relaxation. When you’re not luxuriating in your meticulously decorated hotel room, you can dine on their breakfast options in their spacious eating area, sip a spritz around the hot tub, or sunbathe on your private balcony.
This hotel is close enough to all of Heraklion’s main attractions so that the adventure seekers and culture vultures in your family are satisfied, but just secluded enough to allow you to escape the rest of the world in your own bubble of tranquility and elegance. The hotel’s friendly staff are always available to sort any vacation queries you might encounter, but you will find that a stay at the DOM Boutique Hotel allows for a peaceful and hassle-free vacation in Crete.
Address: Almirou 14, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
Best For: Families who like to have a choice between relaxation and activity
Rating: 9.2/10
6. Royal Sun
Royal Sun in Chania Town is the perfect hotel for families who want their vacation in Crete to be as easy as it is entertaining, without having to worry about a thing. The hotel’s huge pool and sun terrace options mean that sun worshippers and keen swimmers are completely covered at Royal Sun. Plus, being nestled amidst some gorgeously verdant gardens and forests means that you can utterly lose yourself in the tranquility and natural beauty of the island of Crete.
The hotel’s on-site bars and restaurants mean that your every whim is taken care of. You never need to leave the sun-soaked paradise of the hotel if you don’t want to: this is a hotel that guarantees nothing but relaxation and enjoyment for the whole family. Its sports courts and fitness center also allow you to try your hand at some new activities or pursue some favorite hobbies with your downtime. Being a bit removed from the city center, you don’t have to worry about unnecessary noise, but can still find yourself in the heart of Chania Town in an instant with a rental car.
Address: 731 34, Ioannou Paizi 36, Chania 731 33, Greece
Best For: Families who prize relaxation above all else
Rating: 9.2/10
7. Raise The Heraklion Project
Raise The Heraklion Project is an ideal hotel for families who don’t care for all-inclusive perks or on-site pools but merely want a clean, comfortable, and stylish hotel where they can lay their head after each day of city center living and exploring. This hotel offers sleek rooms that create a hub of relaxation and calm in the heart of Crete’s most cosmopolitan city. Here, you can benefit from all the amenities of a city center hotel, privacy, free WiFi, and a convenient location, without any unnecessary frills.
And, lovers of the sea fear not. Despite this hotel’s pared-back ethos, you are only a stone’s throw away from the coast thanks to the excellent location of Raise The Heraklion Project. In fact, you’ll find yourself in the heart of some of Heraklion’s greatest attractions when you opt for this hotel, the perfect base for a family city break in Crete.
Address: Agiou Mina 18, Iraklio 712 01, Greece
Best For: Families on a city break rather than a long vacation
Rating: 9.2/10
8. Kastro Hotel
Kastro Hotel is perfectly situated for those families that are utterly committed to uncovering every secret of the Ancient World that Crete has to offer the curious tourist. Despite its fantastic location in the heart of Heraklion’s historic underbelly, the Kastro Hotel itself is sumptuously modern and comfortable for the weary traveler. Each room is air-conditioned, perfect for cooling off out of the Grecian heat, and breakfast is included in the daily rate, meaning you can fuel up on some delicious food before setting about your itinerary.
There is also a 24-hour bar on-site that offers drinks and lighter bites if you want to have a lie-in, or maybe a night in after days already spent pounding the pavements of Heraklion. However, if you prize your gastronomy equally as high as your history when on vacation, the Kastro Hotel is less than a mile away from the city’s port too, which means the best restaurants with the best views are well within your grasp from here.
Address: Theotokopoulou 22, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
Best For: Families who want a clean and comfortable hotel with no-frills
Rating: 9.1/10
9. Marvel Deluxe Rooms
Marvel Deluxe Rooms in the capital city of Heraklion is a great option for families who don’t want to feel beholden to a hotel but would rather pretend that they have found their very own pied-à-terre to live in for their time in Crete. These fantastic apartments allow you to realize your fantasy of living somewhere chic and modern on a gorgeous Mediterranean island. However, you also have the option of using the shared lounge area, in order to meet your fellow dreamers, and enjoy a continental or à la carte breakfast if you don’t want to have to fend for yourself the entire time.
Each apartment also has its own balcony where you can enjoy your morning coffee overlooking the beating heart of the city. The location of this aparthotel means that you can always feel like you are an integral part of Crete’s bustling capital city, with some of Heraklion’s most popular tourist attractions within easy reach of your private nest. Here, you can enjoy the essential amenities of any hotel in sleek surroundings, while feeling utterly in control of your own vacation.
Address: Agiou Fanouriou 15, Nea Alikarnassos 716 01, Greece
Best For: Families who crave their independence on vacation
Rating: 9.0/10
Is Crete a good family holiday destination?
Crete is Greece’s most popular destination for a vacation, especially a family vacation. Thanks to its share of exciting nightlife, delicious gastronomy, expansive history, and natural beauty, the tourist industry has positively flourished in Crete. There is something for every member of the family, from cuisine to watersports, if you choose Crete as your family vacation destination.
Where is the best area to stay in Crete for families?
Heraklion, being the capital city of Crete, is undoubtedly the most popular place to stay for families. Chania Town is also fairly large and coastal, making it an ideal area to stay in Crete if you are a family in search of sun, sea, sand, and history. These two being the island’s largest towns make them safe bets for families looking for the perfect resort in Crete.