Hotels

In recent years, mass tourism on Crete has led to a demand for beach hotels outside of the cities, but Iraklion still offers a range of hotels. Reservations are a must in high season.

Inside the City -- Our search for a good hotel here tries hard to feature the criterion of quiet. Iraklion lies under the flight patterns of many commercial planes and the occasional Greek Air Force jet fighter. The noise factor probably adds up to less than 40 minutes every 24 hours, so the sounds of scooters and motorcycles outside your hotel at night will probably be more annoying. The city plans to add a runway out into the sea or build an airport far inland, but it will take some years for this to happen. Meanwhile, closed windows and air-conditioning promise the best defenses.

Outside the City -- Assuming you want to be fairly close to Iraklion, stay on the coast if you want to avoid city noise. If you just want to stay near a remote beach on Crete, such accommodations are described later in this chapter. Although the hotels below can be reached by public bus, a car or taxi will save you valuable time.