Best Hotels in the City of Heraklion, Crete
It’s common for travelers to Crete to spend at least a few days in Heraklion. People are curious about discovering the island’s capital and its attractions. A short stay in Heraklion is excellent for visiting the Archaeological Museum, the Palace of Knossos, and the wine region. With this guide, I want to help you choose one of the best hotels in the city of Heraklion to visit the region’s top landmarks.
📍 Must-do: Balos Cruise 📍 Knossos Palace 📍 Check rental car rates for Crete 🚗
If you plan to stay in Heraklion for one or two nights, the best thing you can do is forget about going to the beach. Instead, visit the city and the archaeological sites.
The beaches near the city center could be more appealing in Heraklion. Besides, the best places for a beach vacation in Heraklion are near villages like Matala or Agiofarago on the southern coast. However, many people stay a few days in town to visit the most renowned archaeological sites, the museums, and the lively city center. In this guide, we focus on the best hotels in the center of Heraklion.
💡 >> Check this post if you’re looking for hotels in other towns within the Heraklion region
Best Places to Stay in Heraklion
Heraklion is Crete’s main region and home to the capital. It’s also the most populated area in Crete.
Most flights arriving in Crete land in Heraklion, so there’s a chance you’ll pass through the city during your trip. Heraklion hosts Crete’s most important archaeological site, Knossos, attracting visitors all year round. Everyone makes a point to visit Knossos, and you probably will.
Hersonissos and Malia are important vacation resorts on the northern coast. They feature all-inclusive resorts, often chosen by those who enjoy package holidays.
HIGHLIGHTS IN OR NEAR THE CITY OF HERAKLION
- Knossos Palace
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
- Other Museums in town
- Rocca a Mare Fortress
- Heraklion Walls
- Archaeological Site of Malia
- Heraklion Wine Region
- Matala Beach
Accommodation Guide for Heraklion City
All hotels featured in Heraklion town have been divided according to budget and amenities. Take a look!
STAYING IN HERAKLION CITY
There are several city hotels in Heraklion, from very convenient options to more expensive and exclusive accommodations, to spend a few days close to the area’s main attractions. You can also rent an apartment or visit a hostel to save a few bucks.
The choice of city hotels is wide enough for you to find any accommodation, no matter the budget. I’ve divided this guide into budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations to simplify things. Always remember that booking your place in advance is the best tactic for getting good deals and cheaper fees.
Budget Hotels in Heraklion
Crete can be quite a convenient destination for budget holidays. This is as true for Heraklion and small towns as it is for any other region on the island. Let’s begin by checking the best budget places to stay in Heraklion.
So Young Hostel
⭐ ⭐
📍 It’s 10 minutes (on foot) from the Port of Heraklion and about a 10-minute ride from the airport.
Let’s start with this great hostel in the center of town, one of the best areas for a stay in Heraklion. It’s only 4 minutes from the archaeological museum and 5 km from the Minoan Palace of Knossos (you can get the bus to Knossos a few steps from the hotel, making it a convenient choice if you don’t plan to rent a car).
Rooms and dorms have shared or private bathrooms, there’s a communal kitchen with a coffee machine (personally, this is something I cannot do without, no matter where I stay!). And if you’re craving beach time, the hostel offers a free shuttle service to Amoudara Beach, minutes from the center of Heraklion.
Doukas Hostel Room
⭐ ⭐
📍 City center, 400 meters from Morosini Fountain, 6 km from Knossos, and 4 km from Heraklion airport.
This small hostel is ideal for backpackers in the center of town, close to most restaurants, shops, and bars. It features a vintage atmosphere, and most reviews praise the staff’s hospitality.
The hostel features a garden, a restaurant, a bar, and free WiFi. The rooms include a wardrobe and a coffee machine. Continental breakfast is available each morning. This is a simple, affordable, no-frills place to stay in town.
Athinaiko Hotel
⭐ ⭐
📍It’s 600 meters from the archaeological museum and 1.8 km from the airport.
Located near the main attractions in town and just a few minutes from the airport and the port of Heraklion, this hotel offers comfortable en suite rooms with air conditioning and balconies with city views.
Athinaiko Hotel has a breakfast room and a bar, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a drink after a day of sightseeing.
Sofia Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s 2 km from Heraklion Airport.
Sofia Hotel is one of those places you cannot miss in Heraklion. Few hotels in town are affordable and feature a lovely swimming pool. Therefore, I always suggest booking when you find the hotel you want if it has a pool!
Why? Because there are no good beaches close to the capital, it’s always a refreshing idea to know that, after a day exploring under the scorching sun of Crete, you can go to your hotel and swim until dinner time.
The hotel is close to the airport, so your transport or transfer fees will also be contained. According to most reviews, their breakfast is truly delicious!
Candia Suites and Rooms
🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️
📍It’s 200 meters from the city center and 2.4 km from the airport.
The apartment is excellent for two travelers or a couple with two kids, as it can accommodate up to four guests. It has a comfortable kitchen and dining area, a coffee machine, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi. Certain rooms have a balcony, and some have garden views.
If you plan to rent a car to visit the island, the apartment also offers private parking, another feature you shouldn’t miss since parking in the center of Heraklion is quite a hassle.
If you want to spend some hours at the beach, you can choose Amoudara, which is less than 10 minutes from the apartment.
Infinity City Boutique Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s 200 metres from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, 550 meters from the port, and 3 km from Heraklion International Airport
This is an excellent option in the center of town. The hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. All the rooms have minimalist-style decor and a balcony or patio. The property serves daily continental breakfast.
🤓 We were very fond of their family rooms and the fabulous breakfast!
Are you staying in Heraklion just for a night before you catch an early flight or a ferry to the Cyclades? I’ve done this many times. Kronos Hotel is the place I suggest for a good night’s sleep in town. It’s comfortable, affordable, and very close to the port. You can get an early complimentary coffee and check out super fast to be at the port on time!
>> BOOK A ROOM AT KRONOS HOTEL HERE
Mid-Range Accommodation in Heraklion
The offer widens quite a lot for those with a more flexible budget. Some unique places to stay within a budget are between €80 to €150 per night. Let’s look at the most convenient mid-range hotels in the capital of Crete.
Kastro Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍1.5 km from the port and 4 km from the airport.
Within 100 meters of the city center, Kastro Hotel offers spacious, comfortable, spotless, air-conditioned rooms. Breakfast is included in the nightly rate.
Each room features modern decoration and amenities, including an LCD TV and a mini fridge. Some rooms have a balcony or a terrace. There’s also a 24-hour bar that serves drinks and light meals.
Capsis Astoria Heraklion
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s within walking distance of the city center’s important landmarks, and the airport is under 5 km away.
Are you still thinking about that swimming pool in the center of town? Then this is the place to book. The Capsis Astoria is one of the best mid-range hotels in Heraklion, right next to the Archaeological Museum. The hotel also has a magnificent rooftop swimming pool overlooking the old Venetian port.
The hotel has two restaurants serving a fantastic Greek breakfast and very convenient buffet proposals for lunch and dinner. The Aegean View Cocktail & Food Bar serves snacks and cocktails beside the pool.
🤓 Right opposite the hotel, there is frequent bus service to beaches and other places of interest in town. Kids loved their playroom!
Porta Suites
🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️ 🗝️
📍It’s minutes from the Venetian Walls. The Minoan Palace of Knossos is about 5 km away.
If you’re looking for an unbeatable boutique experience in the comfort of an elegant apartment, this is the right spot in Heraklion.
The property features a well-equipped kitchen, including a dishwasher and an oven, a desk, and a seating area with a sofa. All rooms at the condo hotel have a coffee machine and free Wi-Fi.
The place is located in a convenient area of town, and it features a beautiful internal courtyard with a relaxing tub, ideal for an afternoon coffee after a long morning exploring the city.
Olive Green Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍We love Olive Green’s location: opposite a gorgeous square, only steps from the archaeological museum.
There’s not much more to add to what I’ve written about one of my family’s favorite hotels in town. This sustainable hotel in the heart of Heraklion features super-modern rooms with cutting-edge amenities such as an in-room tablet and special plugs for your devices.
Besides, it is one of our first choices in town for family stays because of its comfy beds and convenient connecting rooms. The hotel serves a delicious breakfast and is only a short ride to the port.
🤓 We stayed here more than once, and Olive Green never disappointed us. My kids adore this hotel!
Lato Boutique Hotel is an excellent alternative hotel within the same budget range and in the heart of Heraklion. They serve a superb breakfast and the rooms are very comfortable
>> BOOK A ROOM AT LATO BOUTIQUE HOTEL HERE
Luxury Places to Stay in Heraklion
There are remarkable hotels in Heraklion, just a few minutes from the center. You can choose unique hotels and beautiful houses restored into amazing rental homes with every kind of comfort for a five-star experience. A stay usually starts from €180 per night.
Remember that these prices change according to the season and how close to your travel day you will book. Besides, prices are not as high as those on other Greek islands, so availability can sometimes be scarce. Don’t book at the last minute to secure the best possible accommodation in Heraklion.
GDM Megaron, Historical Monument Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s only 300 meters from the city center.
This magnificent hotel is a classic landmark in the center of Heraklion. It offers the right amenities for a luxury vacation. The hotel is in a 1925 historic building, one of the city’s most important monuments.
Regarding convenience, the hotel enjoys an unbeatable location opposite the old bus station, from where the city buses to Knossos depart every hour. It faces the old city port directly and has panoramic views of the city and the sea.
It features a casual indoor café and a rooftop restaurant featuring Cretan cuisine. The hotel also offers a health club with a steam bath, sauna, massage, and a rooftop plunge pool. Parking is free of charge.
Galaxy Iraklio Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s in a quiet area, about 20 minutes on foot from the city center.
One of the best places to stay in town, this hotel offers a central but quiet position minutes from cafes and restaurants. This is one of my favorite places in Heraklion, and you can read the review of my stay here.
What I loved the most about the Galaxy was its fantastic pool and open courtyard, which had comfortable lounge chairs and many plants. And their Cretan breakfast is truly to die for!
Do check the comfort of their family rooms and the allergy-free hotels… Everything is perfect for family holidays! My days at the Galaxy were among my best stays in Heraklion, and I recommend that you try the venue.
🤓 Featuring connecting rooms, this is a great hotel for families. We adored their wide breakfast buffet!
Ethereal White Resort Hotel & Spa
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s only 3 km from Heraklion International Airport.
Ideally situated in the city center of Heraklion, this new hotel offers a bar, a hot tub, a seasonal outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a terrace.
All rooms include a desk, a coffee machine, an iPad, and a balcony with city or pool views. The property serves buffet, à la carte, and continental breakfasts, while an on-site restaurant offers American, Greek, and Mediterranean cuisine with vegetarian options.
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍It’s only 200 meters from the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
This is another superb place to stay in Heraklion, featuring one of the most beautiful swimming pools in the city. In the hotel, there’s also a semi-covered pool.
Every room has unique views of the city and the harbor. When reading the reviews of previous guests, don’t be surprised if you find that their breakfast is highly praised. Aquila Atlantis serves one of the most delicious breakfasts in Heraklion.
The cocktails in the lounge bar and the Mediterranean dishes served in the hotel’s restaurant are also remarkable.
Dimargio Luxury Hotel & Spa
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
📍Heraklion International Airport is 4 km from the hotel.
This newcomer to Heraklion’s accommodation scene already boasts great reviews! This 5-star hotel features a fitness center, a terrace, and a restaurant.
The air-conditioned rooms offer a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, and a minibar, among other amenities. There is an on-site bar and a business area.
As you can see, there are plenty of excellent accommodation options in Heraklion town, scattered all over the region. However, since Heraklion is quite a popular destination in Crete, most places tend to be booked months before the start of the summer season.
Therefore, booking in advance will always guarantee better fees and more availability. Have you decided where to stay in Heraklion yet?
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Useful Accommodation Guide to the Best City Hotels in Heraklion, Crete!
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.
I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.
