Crete town preference

Elouda is very much a resort town..lots of large resort hotels situated around a stunning bay. It is convenient to the interesting town of Ayios Nikolais, the site of Spinalonga, and a number of Minoan palace sites. My preference would be Chania (alternate spelling Hania). An old city, lots of small Minoan/Mycenian sites throughout the old town, Venetian harbour and city walls, mosques, churches, museums WWII history, lots of restaurants buses will take you to beaches that are still relatively unspoiled. I recommend Rough Guides Crete for all round information on what’s best around Crete. There are some nice small towns outside both Chania and Elouda but transport into the bigger cities could be a problem. My overall feeling is that Chania will suit you better but have to admit I am biased as I love the region round the city.

Elounda while lovely is more of a "resort" development --- lovely of course but more Brit than Greek. Chania -- while (in addition to being the most beautiful Old Town in Crete, and the #2 most beautiful Old Town in all of Greece) is toally immersed in history ... Viennese architecture from 1200 AD onwards, ancient greece archeology sites right in midst of town (exposed via Nazi bombs) ... an outstanding small museum well-curated, with artifacts from 1500 BC onwards... a stunning harbor with glorious sunsets. No beach right in town... but if you walk West from the Ancient Town wall about 15 minutes, you come across Neo Chora town beach, https://www.west-crete.com/chania-nea-chora.htm -- which is endearing for a number of reasons.... mainly, it's the local beach, so almost no tourists... you'll mainly hear greek spoken, no fancy-schmancy places... great tavernas with good seafood (the town fishing fleet docks nearby). We found it by accident, meant just to take a dip but enjoyed the ambience so much we got a pizza from a cafe & hung out with Greek famiilies.

Chania itself is stunning, deserves at least a whole day to explore... here are a few pix from another friend who's been Chania-ized -- and who takes stunning pix -- https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157632117917828 If you are a fan of ancient lore, the Naval museum also has an exact model of an ancient Greek "trireme" (3-oared vessel) ... and also fascinating stuff about the Western Crete resistance to the Nazi WW II invasion, & enabling the heroic rescue of British & Aust. troops fleeing down thur the gorges to the Libyan sea. If you have a couple of days, bus down to Libyan sea town of Sougia to spend the n ight. There you will really experience Crete. When I first went to Greece, I appreciated Ancient Greece culture.. but not until I spent time in Crete did I appreciate the 'modern' Greeks (i.e. from renaissance to today),

OMG, 2 of us posted same time with same viewpoint!

I would stay in Chania as it's one of Greece's loveliest towns.

Beautiful waterfront and back streets filled with history, shops, markets and tavernas.

While no beach it's just a short drive to several for a dip.

If you want Greek culture then it's Chania plus throw in Venetian and Ottoman culture to boot.

Chania, historic gem, a real look at Greek life and culture. One of Greece’s most beautiful towns.

Just adding my voice to the chorus. While Elounda is nice, Chania is way better as already described. The bonus is there is an airport there so you will have an easy time getting to your flight home.
There are some intersting sites near Chania. Ancient Aptera just 18 km east of Chania has 5,000 years oh history on a mountian top. Most of it is from the Roman period.
You can take an excursion to Gramvousa and Balos. You get a boat excursion with 2 great beaches, remains of a ship wreck and a 14 century fortress to hike up to.

I have some additional images of Chania in these albums.
Return to Chania 2022 https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72177720299646015

Ancient Aptera near Chania and Meladoni Cave in Rethymnon area.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157672118379637

Gramvousa,Balos and Elafonissi https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr54/albums/72157698932695812

If u want the perfect "have one's cake and eat it too" place to enjoy wonderful Chania, and ALSO be on a dreamy small beach, yet only 15 minutes or so away from Old Town via local bus that stops at the door ... try to get one of the 30 rooms at https://www.ammoshotel.com ... a perfect place for a honeymoon (but not with the cutesy approach!) ... Wonderful Cretan cuisine, superb personal service.

Thank you everyone for the information we are so appreciative of it! Happy New Year!

PS - If I were honeymooning in Chania Old Town, I would try to book the best front room in Hotel PALAZZO ... which has the ideal position on the seaward end of picturesque no-cars flagstone Lane Theotokopoulu Street, just up from west side of Old Harbour .. ask for top floor balcony room in this luxe old Venetian mansion (only 13 rooms or so, lovely personal service).