Crete - Chania Villa Rental - East or West - Best location

Posted by tracystouse on 10/01/24 08:48 PM

Hello, we will be traveling with our daughters to Crete and Athens in May and want to stay in the Chania area for six nights. We are looking to rent a villa with easy village and beach access that is close to Chania. Should be looking on the east or west side of Chania town? I see Stalos, Agia Marina and Platania to the West. Or we could stay between Chania and Reythmno. Any thoughts on this topic or nearby villages we should consider. Planning to visit the Chania town, some of the beautiful beaches, Reythmno, Samaria Gorge and Palace of Knossos as a basic itinerary. Any thoughts on the particular area for villa rental are greatly appreciated. Just at the beginning of my planning!

Thank you.

Posted by Lesley

Sidney, BC, Canada

10/01/24 10:12 PM

979 posts

Friends living in Crete rented a home in the delightful small town of Almyrida to the east of Chania. It was easy driving to get into Chania itself and to get to the main coastal road to Reythmno and Knossos as well as to the west. Almyrida has a nice beach and the shallow, sandy bay makes it great for swimming. There are some excellent tavernas overlooking the beach. Kalives, nearer to Chania is a slightly larger town, with banks, a grocery store etc. Coming into Almyrida the road travels high along the stunning Souda Bay - great place for sunsets! Or take a drive up to the archaeological site of Aptera for wonder views of the Bay.

I have only driven a short distance west from Chania and didn’t like the area it as much as the east side of Chania, it’s more a strip of holiday towns along the coast to Maleme and lacks that Cretan charm.

Posted by tracystouse OP

10/21/24 08:19 PM

3 posts

Thank you Lesley. This was a great suggestion. I found a lovely villa in Almyrida and it is centrally located to east and west. Appreciate your response! --Tracy

Posted by stanbr

Nanaimo, BC, Canada

10/22/24 04:41 PM

1438 posts

You might want to look at NeoChora. It has lots of accommodation option and is actually within walking distance to Chania old town, probably about 30 minutes.
It is also on a great beach.

Posted by Suki

10/22/24 10:46 PM

11569 posts

We prefer the west side of Chania.