14 Quiet Resorts To Stay In Crete For Travel Snobs
1. Elounda
Elounda surprised me – less old-school Greek village, more chic Mediterranean hideaway, with upscale resorts, classy hotels and a discreet A-list following (Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Rihanna have all holidayed here), set against sparkling blue water and a rugged mountain backdrop, and kept more low-key by its secluded location and more refined crowd.
I reached Elounda after a scenic 1.5 hour drive from Heraklion and slipped into resort mode – harbour strolls, exclusive spa sessions, beach days and snorkeling over the ruins of Olous, choosing between the lively main beach with its shallow water and the calmer, finer-sand Kolokithia Beach nearby.
Location: Northeastern coast | Size: small coastal resort town | Vibe: refined, relaxed, and upscale
My personal highlights…
- Staying at the chic 4-star boutique Elounda Orama – I loved sipping on a cooling watermelon mojito rooftop bar while watching the horizon turned orange and pink at sunset!
2. Agios Nikolaos
This was my kind of resort town – stylish but low-key, with a protected historic waterfront around the marina and lake, golden sand, calm blue water, and lush hills keeping everything feeling scenic rather than overdeveloped!
An easy hour’s drive from Heraklion brought me here for a week of mythical lakes (hello, mysterious Lake Voulismeni!), boat trips to eerie Spinalonga (a former island leper colony!), golden laid-back days on Vayu, Almiros and Voulisma beaches, and atmospheric evenings eating in tradtional tavenas by the marina. Just note the town is built on steep hills, so expect a lot of steps and uphill walks!
Location: Northeastern Crete | Size: small harbor town | Vibe: relaxed, pretty, and lightly cosmopolitan
My personal highlights…
3. Sissi
Sissi felt like a rare find on Crete – raw, unspoilt and genuinely local, tucked quietly on the north coast about 41 km east of Heraklion, with fishing boats bobbing in the harbour, whitewashed houses, a sweet little port, and olive groves and rugged hills instead of mass tourism and mega-resorts.
A scenic 45-minute drive from Heraklion brought me here for a slow week of traditional tavernas (the pillowy kalitsounia pastries at Liofito Taverna were heavenly!), turquoise-water swims and easy conversations with friendly locals, with Boufos Beach as my daily kick-back base – sandy, relaxed, and backed by low-key hotels and cute guesthouses.
Location: North coast | Size: small seaside village | Vibe: a slow, authentic Cretan feel
My favourite highlights…
- Staying at the dreamy 4-star Grecotel Meli Palace – I loved the chic decor, the poolside cabanas, the private beach access and how the pool had a gradual sloping entrance which made it easy to wade in with a cocktail in hand!
4. Panormos
Despite drawing visitors, this place has kept its soul – a laid-back fishing village spread across two calm bays with small sandy beaches, narrow streets, classic whitewashed buildings, colourful boats in the harbour and just a sprinkling of low-rise places to stay.
Just 50 minutes west of Heraklion along the northern coastal highway, I found myself in a place where five days slipped extremely easily—lounging on Timeaki and Limanaki beaches, tasting delicately floral Pink Blackbird (Kotsifali) dry rose wine in the rustic Klados Winery, exploring the post‑Byzantine church, and browsing tiny craft shops before people-watching in the fishing harbour. It was a beautifully calm antidote to the island’s brasher resorts.
Location: North coast | Size: small seaside village | Vibe: relaxed, pretty, and quietly stylish
My favourite highlights…
- Staying at stunning and romantic The Royal Senses Resort – I was really impressed with the warm, personalised service, the several pools which included a small water park, the hilltop views and the spa where I experienced a deeply relaxing warm beeswax candle therapy!
5. Falassarna Beach
Often called one of Crete’s most beautiful beaches, this huge sweep of pale sand (with a blush-pink tint in places) and turquoise water somehow still felt wild and uncrowded, framed by rugged mountains and green hills, with just enough amenities – sunbeds, parasols, toilets and a few laid-back beach bars – to stay comfortable without spoiling the view.
An hour’s drive west from Chania through sleepy villages and farmland brought me to the coast, where I stayed in the nearby charming 4-star Aphrodite Beach Hotel which was a 15-minute drive away. For four dreamy days I mostly lived on the beach, swapping between windsurfing and kitesurfing as it a place that gets very windy in the afternoons (which won’t suit everyone).
Location: West coast | Size: long, wide beach | Vibe: remote and untamed feel
My favourite highlights…
- Taking a boat trip to stunning Balos Lagoon, then on to Gramvousa to climb the Venetian castle ruins – from the top, I could see spooky shipwreck remnants near the shore!
6. Plakias
Hidden on Crete’s quieter southern shore, this place felt wonderfully untouched: a small village of simple low-rise buildings overlooking a curved sand-and-pebble beach, bright blue water, rugged mountain scenery and countryside hills carpeted with olive trees and wildflowers.
After an hour and 20 minutes on the road south from Rethymno, I arrived for a magical short break. I split my time between lazy beach days, hiking the rugged Kourtaliotiko Gorge, and wandering to spectacular Preveli Beach. Add in plates of incredible local food (the spinach ravioli at Taverna Manousos was a stand-out!) and visits to the Monastery of Preveli made it feel all very special!
Location: South coast | Size: small, low-rise seaside village | Vibe: very laid-back, remote, and unspoiled feel
My favourite highlights…
- Staying at the gorgeous NERĒA Boutique Hotel – I loved the boho style decor (especially the terracotta pots with wild grasses), the intimate, romantic vibe and my incredible Swim-Up Double room which had direct pool access!
7. Kalamaki 
This was the perfect mix of sleepy village and easygoing beach resort – a quiet south-coast escape with a long, wide beach with fine golden sand and calm waters, just a handful of few traditional tavernas, small shops and low-rise hotels along the sand, far removed from the island’s party hubs despite its relatively modern, purpose-built roots. Loggerhead sea turtles even nested here during breeding season (May to August).
I drove an hour south from Heraklion through the island’s interior and spent four easygoing days here – strolling the coast, exploring the fascinating ruins of Phaistos Palace, and wandering the famous Matala Caves, a former hippy haven that once even hosted Joni Mitchell.
Location: South coast | Size: small beach village | Vibe: relaxed, friendly, and low-key
My favourite highlights…
- Staying at the Insta‑worthy 4‑star Golden Sun Resort, I loved my private pool and jacuzzi, the spa with its Hammam, and thoughtful touches like local olive‑oil toiletries and Nef‑Nef robes..
8. Palaiochora
Despite attracting visitors, this town kept its cool – quiet promenades, compact streets, classic architecture and a choice between a buzzy sandy beach or a calmer pebble bay, as well as a handful of laid-back bars that I saw locals actually used.
An two-hour drive southwest from Chania over twisting mountain roads brought me to this gorgeous spot, where I spent a week staying at the modern 4-star boutique the Libyan Princess Hotel and mixing lazy beach days with epic outings – trekking through Samaria Gorge, wandering crumbling Venetian castle ruins, and sailing out to Gavdos Island and Elafonissi’s pink‑tinged sands.
Location: Southwest coast | Size: small coastal town | Vibe: bohemian and an easygoing, end-of-the-road feel
My favourite highlights…
- Hiking an hour through thyme‑scented hills and rocky paths to the ruins of Lissos was fascinating – I found a trickling natural spring, fragments of faded mosaic floors, and the remains of a sanctuary once dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine!
9. Triopetra Beach
This south-coast hideaway was pure boho bliss – I discovered a remote, low-key and refreshingly uncommercial, dotted with zen yoga retreats and eco-minded spots, with two gorgeous sandy beaches (the main stretch and little sheltered “Triopetra”) backed by Siderotas Mountain, rocky hills and silvery olive groves.
I headed an hour out of Rethymno along quiet rural lanes and spent five dreamy days at the chic 4-star beachfront Villa Thalassa – there were lazy hours on the sand, snorkelling in clear waters, a soul‑soothing session at Triopetra Yoga Retreat, and evenings spent in traditional tavernas. Just note there’s very little public transport so a hire car is a must here!
Location: South coast | Size: long beach | Vibe: remote, rugged, with a back-to-nature feel
My favourite highlights…
- Climbing the thyme‑scented hill and old stone steps to the whitewashed Chapel of the Prophet Elias and being rewarded at the top with sweeping views of the Libyan Sea and distant fishing boats.
10. Plaka
This quiet little fishing village felt wonderfully untouched to me – spared from mass tourism thanks to its remote setting and proud local spirit, with a pebbly beach washed by clear blue water, views across to historic Spinalonga, and winding lanes lined with traditional houses, tavernas and a handful of tiny shops.
Just 10 minutes north of Elounda along a peaceful coastal road, I settled in for an idyllic week at the Insta-worthy D3 Milos, took a boat over to historic Spinalonga, browsed handcrafted jewellery and ceramics, and spent time on the soft sands of Elounda Beach.
Location: Northeast coast | Size: small seaside village | Vibe: traditional with a calm, slow-paced local feel
My favourite highlights…
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Wandering the village backstreets to browse its little craft and gift shops, I especially loved “The Loom,” where intricately woven handcrafted rugs in rich Cretan patterns caught my eye!
11. Sougia
I thought this was proper escape material – a tiny, hard-to-reach village with a sheltered mixed-sand beach, rugged scenery, and nothing but small guesthouses, boutique hotels and ultra-chilled tavernas dotted along the shore.
I wound my way 1 hour 30 minutes south from Chania along a narrow mountain road with hairpin bends and epic Libyan Sea views, spent five blissful days here hiking Samaria and Agia Irini Gorges by day, dining in cosy tavernas by night, and even squeezed in a visit to Agios Panteleimon Church (it was a quirky experience having to collect the door key from a kiosk on Sougia Beach!) and the Ancient City of Elyros which was just 7.5 miles away.
Location: Southwest coast | Size: small beach village | Vibe: quiet, bohemian, and beautifully low-key
My favourite highlights…
- Staying the characterful Monastery Estate Retreat – the superb modern decor, my private guest room swimming pool and the holistic spa – especially the diktamos infused herbal bath – made my stay seriously dreamy!
12. Myrtos Village
This quaint village near Ierapetra completely won me over – low-key, traditional and wonderfully slow-paced, with a clear sand-and-pebble beach, whitewashed houses wrapped in bougainvillea, narrow lanes, cute craft shops and friendly tavernas, all kept blissfully crowd-free by its off-the-radar location.
After a 75‑minute drive southeast from Heraklion through calm inland routes, I unwound on this peaceful stretch of coast at the chic and modern 4-star Myrtos Mare Suites and explored a historic Minoan settlement, a tiny museum packed with artefacts, and the atmospheric remains of a former Minoan Palace.
Location: South coast | Size: small seaside village | Vibe: gently traditional with an easygoing local feel
My highlights…
13. Loutro Village
This was one of those rare places where crowds simply don’t reach – a road-free village between Chora Sfakion and Agia Roumeli, all whitewashed cottages, bobbing fishing boats, old-school tavernas and a handful of low-rise guesthouses by the sea.
Ringed by steep mountains and wandering goats (their little bells chiming constantly), this tiny place won me over with its unreal aquamarine water, even more than its small pebbly beach, after a 1 hr 20 min drive to Chora Sfakion and a quick 20-minute boat taxi, where I spent a couple of unique days catching up on reading books, coastal wandering and eating far too much for my own good!
Location: South coast | Size: tiny, car-free seaside village | Vibe: tranquil, castaway with a slow-life feel
My personal highlights…
- Staying at the Hotel Porto Loutro – it was more rustic-chic than flashy (like all the places to stay here) but I really liked its location right on beach, the welcoming, intimate vibe and sipping on my morning Loumidis coffee while watching fishing boats glide in from my tiny balcony!
14. Kato Zakros
This was such a special find – a remote little fishing village on Crete’s east coast that’s stayed beautifully untouched, with whitewashed houses, a calm pebble bay, rugged mountains all around, a handful of boho-leaning guesthouses complete with fragrant herb gardens that had embraced their own eco‑friendly style, laid-back tavernas and just enough cute little shops to feel charming but not commercial in the slightest!
After nearly two hours on twisting backroads from Agios Nikolaos, passing stark, beautiful landscapes, I arrived at this secluded spot and spent four very special days kicking back on the beach, uncovering the Minoan Palace of Zakros and trekking the Gorge of the Dead with its haunting cave tombs. The long drive and isolation meant my evenings were very quiet here, with only a few tavernas open.
Location: Far east coast | Size: tiny coastal village | Vibe: unspoilt with a quiet, end-of-the-world feel
My favourite highlights…
- Staying at the impressive 4-star Terra Minoika Boutique resort – I adored the eco-friendly, stone-built villas and how the owners had thoughtfully stocked it with local olive oil, handmade lavender and carob soaps, and jars of thyme honey!
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