Heraklion (Irakleion) is the capital and largest city of Crete, a port city of about 179,000 people beside the Palace of Knossos, with a Venetian harbour, 16th-century walls and the world's finest collection of Minoan art.
Accommodation overview
Heraklion hotels fall into four groups. The old town around Eleftherias Square, Lions Square and the Venetian harbour holds most city hotels, from hostels on Vyronos and Moni Kardiotissis streets to the five-star GDM Megaron and Lato Boutique Hotel, all walkable to the Archaeological Museum, the Koules fortress and the ferry port. The western Ammoudara strip along Andreas Papandreou Avenue has sandy-beach resorts such as Candia Maris and Agapi Beach, about 5-8 km from the centre by bus or taxi. Agia Pelagia, roughly 20 km west, offers secluded luxury resorts, while Kokkini Hani and Gouves to the east are all-inclusive beach resorts near Knossos and the airport. Heraklion is hottest and busiest from June to September; April-May and October give lower rates and mild weather. Business travel and ferry arrivals keep city hotels busy year round.
- Budget
- EUR 12-95/night, hostel dorm bed to one- to three-star double (~$14-109 USD)
- Mid-range
- EUR 55-190/night, three- and four-star city and Ammoudara hotels (~$63-219 USD)
- Luxury
- EUR 150-450/night, five-star city and beach resorts in high season (~$173-518 USD)
- Where to stay
- Eleftherias Square and the Venetian harbour for first-time visitors and ferry arrivals; Ammoudara for a beach base; Agia Pelagia for secluded resorts; Kokkini Hani and Gouves for all-inclusive stays near the airport
Hotels by budget
Find accommodation that fits your travel budget.
Budget-friendly
Rea Hotel
Budget hotel in the old town, a few minutes from the museum.
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Three-star budget hotel on Theotokopoulou Street, close to the central squares.
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Small central hotel near the Archaeological Museum.
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Two-star budget hotel in the old town, near the main shopping streets.
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Two-star budget hotel one street from the old harbour.
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Budget hotel on Moni Kardiotissis Street, in the quieter west of the old town.
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Hostel with dorm beds and private rooms in the old town.
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Hostel with dormitory beds a few minutes from the old harbour.
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Boutique hostel near the old walls in the west of the centre.
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Aquila Atlantis Hotel
Large city hotel a short walk from the old port and the Archaeological Museum, popular with business and leisure guests.
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Boutique hotel overlooking the Venetian harbour, a few minutes from the ferry port.
Check rates on Booking.comCapsis Astoria Heraklion
City hotel on Eleftherias Square, the central hub for the old town, the museum and the Venetian walls.
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Four-star hotel with gardens on Dimokratias Avenue at the southern edge of the centre, on the road toward Knossos.
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Four-star hotel close to the Venetian harbour and Lions Square.
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Boutique hotel in the old town, near Agia Aikaterini Square.
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Boutique city hotel a short walk from the Venetian harbour.
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Suite-style boutique accommodation near Lions Square.
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Urban hotel on Agia Aikaterini Square beside the cathedral.
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Apartment-style suites on Agiou Titou Street, steps from Lions Square.
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Chain hotel in the centre of Heraklion close to the old port.
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Three-star hotel one street back from the old harbour, within walking distance of the ferry port.
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City hotel in the west of the centre on 62 Martyron Street.
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Suites on Lahana Street in the restaurant quarter near Lions Square.
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Three-star hotel a short walk from the Archaeological Museum.
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Central hotel close to the Lions (Morosini) Fountain.
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Hotel on Kornarou Square, a lively square in the old centre.
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Four-star all-inclusive beachfront resort on the Ammoudara coast.
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Beachside hotel with bungalows on the Ammoudara strip.
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Smaller hotel on the Ammoudara road, a short walk to the sea.
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Three-star hotel on Papandreou Avenue near Ammoudara beach.
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Lifestyle beach hotel on the Ammoudara coast.
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Hotel and suites on the western end of the Ammoudara strip.
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Four-star seafront hotel at the western end of Ammoudara.
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Four-star hotel in Agia Pelagia, a short walk from the bay.
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Adults-only hotel and suites at Psaromoura beach in Agia Pelagia.
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Beachfront bungalow resort with a spa at Kokkini Hani, east of Heraklion near Knossos.
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GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel
Five-star hotel in a restored historic building overlooking the Venetian harbour and the Koules fortress.
Check rates on Booking.comDimargio Luxury Hotel and Spa
Five-star hotel with a spa in the central area west of Eleftherias Square.
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Large beach resort on the Ammoudara strip west of Heraklion, widely known as Candia Maris.
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Five-star beach resort and spa at the western end of Ammoudara.
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Five-star seaside resort and spa in Agia Pelagia, about 20 km west of Heraklion.
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Five-star resort on a peninsula in Agia Pelagia, about 20 km west of Heraklion.
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All-inclusive beach resort between Kokkini Hani and Gouves, east of Heraklion.
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Choose your base based on your interests and travel style.
Eleftherias Square and the old town centre
Capsis Astoria, Atrion, Kastro, Lena, Kronos and Rea sit within a few minutes' walk of the Archaeological Museum, Lions Square and the Venetian walls.
Best for: First-time visitors, museum and Knossos day trips by bus
Venetian harbour and old port
GDM Megaron, Lato Boutique Hotel, Marin Dream and Irini overlook or sit just behind the harbour, the Koules fortress and the ferry terminal.
Best for: Ferry arrivals, harbour views, evening walks
West old town (Moni Kardiotissis and Agia Aikaterini)
Intra Muros Boutique Hostel, Artion and Metropole Urban lie near the old walls and the cathedral, with quieter streets than the harbour area.
Best for: Budget travellers, quieter nights
Ammoudara beach strip
Candia Maris, Agapi Beach, Creta Beach, Paralos and Apollonia line Andreas Papandreou Avenue west of the city, with long sandy beaches and frequent city buses.
Best for: Beach holidays within reach of the city
Agia Pelagia
Sea Side Resort and Spa, Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort, Blue Bay and Eva Mare are in a bay about 20 km west of Heraklion with a small village and beaches.
Best for: Luxury and adults-only resort stays
Kokkini Hani, Gouves and Amnisos (east)
Knossos Beach Bungalows and Mitsis Rinela Beach are beachfront resorts east of the city, close to Knossos and the airport.
Best for: All-inclusive family stays, short airport transfers
Our top picks
Handpicked recommendations for every type of traveler.
GDM Megaron Historical Monument Hotel
Five-star hotel in a restored historic building overlooking the Venetian harbour and the Koules fortress.
Check rates on Booking.comAquila Atlantis Hotel
Large city hotel a short walk from the old port and the Archaeological Museum, popular with business and leisure guests.
Check rates on Booking.comLato Boutique Hotel
Boutique hotel overlooking the Venetian harbour, a few minutes from the ferry port.
Check rates on Booking.comCapsis Astoria Heraklion
City hotel on Eleftherias Square, the central hub for the old town, the museum and the Venetian walls.
Check rates on Booking.comGalaxy Hotel Heraklion
Four-star hotel with gardens on Dimokratias Avenue at the southern edge of the centre, on the road toward Knossos.
Check rates on Booking.comDimargio Luxury Hotel and Spa
Five-star hotel with a spa in the central area west of Eleftherias Square.
Check rates on Booking.comBooking tips
Get the best deals and avoid common mistakes.
Book 2-3 months ahead for July and August and for Orthodox Easter week, when beach resorts and central hotels fill; compare Booking.com or Hotels.com free-cancellation rates against each hotel's own site for direct deals.
Choose the area by trip type: the old town or harbour if relying on buses, ferries and walking; Ammoudara or Agia Pelagia for a beach, since the city's own beaches are limited.
Greek hotels add a per-night climate resilience fee paid on arrival; it is often not in the listed rate, so confirm the amount before booking.
Heraklion airport (HER) is about 5 km from the centre; city bus line 78 and taxis serve the centre, and hotels on Papandreou Avenue are 15-30 minutes by taxi, so check whether the hotel offers transfers.
Light sleepers should ask for an upper-floor room away from the street near Eleftherias Square, Lions Square and the harbour, where bars and traffic run late.
For overnight ferries from Piraeus or Santorini, hotels near the old port such as Lato, Kronos and Marin Dream are a 5-10 minute walk from the terminal; ask about early check-in.
In July and August confirm that air conditioning is included, and for apartment-style suites check whether cleaning and kitchen items are provided.
Hostel dorm beds at Heraklion Youth Hostel and Intra Muros typically cost under EUR 35; book through Hostelworld or the hostel's own site and confirm late check-in hours if landing on a night flight.
Alternative accommodations
Beyond traditional hotels, consider these options.
Guesthouses
Family-run guesthouses offer authentic local experiences and often include home-cooked meals. Great for cultural immersion.
Serviced apartments
Ideal for longer stays or families. Kitchen facilities help save money and provide flexibility.
Hostels
Budget-friendly option for solo travelers. Dorms and private rooms available with social common areas.