In a nutshell
- Looking for a small hotel in Crete right on the beach? We’ve personally reviewed every option and hand-picked the 9 best beachfront hotels in Crete — from sandy shores to secluded bays.
- Every pick on this list has no road between the hotel and the sea. When we say right on the beach, we mean truly right on the beach — direct access only.
- Our top pick for value: the small hotel Pyrgos Blue — seriously great prices even in peak season.
Vergina Beach Hotel
- Best overall package on the sandy beach
- In the northwest, in Agia Marina near Chania
- Right on the private sandy beach
- With restaurant
- Breakfast available as an add-on
- With pool
The small Hotel Vergina Beach truly sits right on a long sandy beach — no road to cross, no shared access, just sand at your doorstep. With just 29 rooms it’s genuinely intimate, and the rooms are super modern with a clean, minimalist design. For us, it’s one of Crete’s best hotels.
The location in Agia Marina in northwestern Crete is really great. It’s one of the spots we’d definitely recommend for basing yourself on Crete. It’s incredibly peaceful here, yet you’re still just 20 minutes from the popular harbor city of Chania.
That makes this little hotel the perfect base for sightseeing in the west. There are also some lovely apartments, by the way — ideal if you’re searching for a small hotel on Crete with kids.
That said, it isn’t the cheapest, especially during peak season. On the flip side, you can score a real bargain in the off-season. You need to stay at least four nights, and breakfast can be added on for a small fee.
Pyrgos Blue
- Best value for money
- In the northeast, in Malia
- With pool
- With restaurant
- No sandy beach, but right on a rocky beach
- Without breakfast
If you want an affordable little hotel on Crete right on the beach even during peak season, but a sandy beach isn’t a dealbreaker, then Pyrgos Blue is perfect for you. It’s located in Malia, one of the most beautiful towns on Crete.
It’s our absolute top pick for value. Even in the height of summer, you can get a suite with a side sea view for around 150 euros — an unbeatable price! The beach right out front is pretty rocky, though. But the pool area is a real dream and genuinely spacious.
Breakfast isn’t included either, but you definitely won’t go hungry. The hotel has a restaurant that’s run by the same Greek family who own this little place.
There are only 15 rooms in this small beach hotel on Crete. They’re modern, bright, and done in the popular boho style. Malia’s old town is a 20-minute walk away, and the hotel is a great base for all the highlights in the east.
Riviera Boutique Hotel
- Minimalist style right in the middle of the action
- In the northeast, near Malia
- Right on the private sandy beach
- With restaurant
- With breakfast
- With pool
Love the location near Malia, but still need a hotel on Crete with a sandy beach? Then we’d point you straight to the family-run Riviera Boutique Hotel. A truly lovely boutique hotel on Crete with just 11 rooms.
The private sandy beach right at the hotel’s doorstep is an absolute standout. It slopes only gently, and the water is crystal clear and incredibly calm — hardly any waves at all. A hotel in northern Crete with a beach like this is genuinely rare.
If you feel like a break from the sea, there are also two lovely pools at this small beach hotel. We really love the room design too — simple, modern, and seriously stylish. And the best part: every room has a sea view.
The Riviera Boutique sits a little farther from Malia’s historic center, but in return it’s wonderfully peaceful. It’s a touch pricier than the others, but prices drop significantly in the off-season — and breakfast is already included.
Ilingas Mare
- On a secluded bay in the south
- In the quiet south, near Sfakia
- With restaurant
- No sandy beach, but right on a pebble beach
- Without breakfast
- Without pool
Have you always dreamed of spending the night in a secluded bay and waking up to the sound of the ocean? Then definitely check out the small beach hotel Ilingas Mare.
For us, it’s the best small hotel in the south of Crete right on the water. It’s located near Sfakia, with not much else around it. So if you don’t need restaurants and nightlife within walking distance in the evening, this place is perfect.
You won’t run into many people here — the hotel has only 6 rooms and apartments. They’re quite minimalist and simply furnished without any particular design flair, but lovely nonetheless. There’s no pool, unfortunately.
On the upside, you can stay here relatively affordably even during peak season, with access to a usually quiet, public pebble beach. Breakfast isn’t included, but the hotel does have a restaurant — great for dinner too.
Eleven Boutique Suites
- Very small boutique hotel
- In the northwest, in Stavromenos near Rethymnon
- With pool
- With restaurant
- Breakfast available as an add-on
- No sandy beach, but right on a private rocky beach
Want a really small hotel in northern Crete that sits right on the water? The Eleven Boutique Suites is one of the best beach hotels near Rethymnon. A truly great location.
The rest of this small beach hotel impresses us just as much. The 7 rooms are super cozy and tastefully furnished — every detail is just right. The pool is on the smaller side but lovely, and it’s a great spot to unwind.
The beach unfortunately has no sand and is on the rocky side. But there is a private beach section with free sun loungers and umbrellas. With a bit of care, you can still have a great swim despite the rocks.
This small beach hotel on Crete also earns extra points for its really excellent breakfast. You can choose from a variety of local and international products, all freshly prepared each morning — delicious!
Book Eleven Boutique Suites
Iperion Beach Hotel
- You can’t get any closer to the beach
- In the northwest, in Rethymnon
- Right on the private sandy beach
- With pool
- With restaurant
- Without breakfast, but with a small kitchenette
Near Rethymnon you’ll also find hotels with truly beautiful long sandy beaches. One of them stretches right in front of the Iperion Beach Hotel. The setting of this small hotel on Crete with direct beach access is an absolute dream.
Right on the long sandy beach, incredibly peaceful, and still just 10 minutes by car to Rethymnon’s historic center. And as a base for exploring Crete’s top attractions, it’s also a fantastic choice. A genuine recommendation!
Admittedly, with 41 rooms it’s no longer the tiniest hotel around, but it’s far from a massive resort. For families, there are also really cool maisonette rooms spread over two levels — perfect if you’re after a small hotel on Crete with kids.
At the Iperion Beach Hotel, you also get a direct view of the sea from the pool. The only downsides are the higher price and the lack of breakfast. To make up for it, every room comes with a small kitchenette. Note that you need to stay a minimum of four nights.
Enorme Teatro Beach
- With à la carte breakfast
- Right on the sandy beach
- With pool
- With restaurant
- In the north, in Ammoudara near Heraklion
If a seriously good breakfast is a priority when choosing your hotel, you’re going to love the Enorme Teatro Beach near Heraklion. The absolute standout here is the à la carte breakfast.
You don’t just get really fresh food — you can also work your way through the entire menu from top to bottom every single day. And you’ll enjoy it all in the lovely dining area with a direct view of the sea.
The Enorme Teatro Beach has the feel of a small luxury resort. The 38 rooms are spacious, bright, and modern in design. Some even have a private pool. Simply a really beautiful hotel on Crete.
Of course, it sits right on a sandy beach, with free sun loungers for relaxing. The location near Heraklion isn’t our personal favorite, but since it’s centrally placed on the island, you can reach many highlights quickly by car.
Solimar White Pearl
- Adults-only hotel with all inclusive
- In the northwest, in Kolimvárion near Chania
- With pool
- With full board
- No sandy beach, but right on a pebble beach
Want to switch your brain off completely on vacation? Just kick back, relax, enjoy the peace and quiet, and soak up the sun? At Solimar White Pearl in northwestern Crete, that’s exactly what you get.
The Solimar White Pearl is an adults-only hotel on Crete, with all inclusive right on the beach. You can truly treat yourself here — sipping cocktails by the pool or on the shore without a care in the world.
The beach is more of a pebble beach, but the water here is crystal clear. No surprise — the northwest is famous for having the most beautiful beaches on Crete. We also really love the stylishly decorated rooms.
With 73 rooms the Solimar White Pearl isn’t exactly tiny, but the hotel is laid out in small residential units, which creates a real sense of intimacy. Especially in the off-season, you can snag a great deal here.
Marinos Beach Hotel
- Perfect for families
- In the northwest, in Platanes near Rethymnon
- Right on the private sandy beach
- With pool
- With breakfast
- With restaurant
- Dinner available as an add-on
If you’re looking for a wonderful small hotel on Crete with kids right on the beach, the Marinos Beach Hotel is ideal. It’s one of the most beautiful family hotels on Crete and, with 48 rooms, a fantastic small beachfront hotel on Crete.
The little ones will absolutely love it here. The hotel has a large, green garden, a great playground right on the beach, a small kids’ pool, and a private sandy beach — perfect for building sandcastles.
The rooms work really well for families too. Alongside double rooms, there are spacious suites with comfortable sofa beds. There’s no particular design flair, but the furnishings are modern and classically appealing.
You do need to stay a minimum of four nights, but in return you can get a family room for two children for under 170 euros per night in the off-season. A delicious breakfast buffet is included, and dinner options are available as an add-on.
