Area guides · · 6 min read
Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion or Lasithi: choosing your corner of Crete
Crete is big enough that where you buy shapes how you'll live. A short guide to the character of each of the island's four regions.
Crete stretches around 260 kilometres from west to east, and the drive from one end to the other takes most of a day. Choosing a region is the first, and most important, decision in any search.
Chania: the west
Chania's Venetian harbour and old town make it the island's most sought-after base for many buyers. The Apokoronas villages to the east offer year-round community and a strong international presence, while Akrotiri keeps you close to town and the airport.
Rethymno: the centre
Rethymno balances a lively university old town with quiet mountain villages and the south-coast beaches of Plakias and Preveli. Its central position puts both main airports within about an hour.
Heraklion: the capital
Heraklion has the island's largest airport, hospitals and schools. Buyers who want city services close by look at the coast from Agia Pelagia to Hersonissos, or at the wine villages around Archanes.
Lasithi: the east
The quietest region is also home to some of the island's most exclusive addresses around Elounda and Mirabello Bay. Further east, Sitia and Ierapetra offer space, calm and mild winters.
The best way to decide is to spend time in two or three areas in different seasons. We're happy to put together a viewing trip that does exactly that.
