Crete all inclusive: 5 resorts, 5 hotels and when to swim

Planning a vacation on Crete is easier if you settle three questions right away: which resort to choose, which hotel to book, and when to go swimming. The island is huge, and its north and south live by different weather. Crete's coastline alone stretches for 1,046 km, and its area reaches 8,340 km² (according to the official Greek tourism office).

Hotels on the same strip can sit among nightclubs or in a quiet village with a single port. We looked at five resorts and five all-inclusive hotels, plus the swimming season by month.

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What all-inclusive includes on Crete

💡 In short:

• All Inclusive usually includes the room, three meals, and locally produced drinks.
• Higher-class hotels offer a wider menu: they add pool snacks, ice cream, and complimentary wine.

The all-inclusive system is found in almost every large beachfront hotel. In the basic version, you get the room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus a selection of drinks throughout the day. Children usually have a separate buffet and soft drinks.

Higher-category hotels offer an expanded package. The three meals are joined by a fourth or fifth, pool snacks, local wine, and ice cream. Some properties operate on half-board or ultra all-inclusive plans. The difference is not only in food: ultra plans more often include sports, a water park, and evening shows.

For a family, this format is convenient because the budget is known in advance. You don't need to find a cafe for every meal and count cash. The quality of the cuisine depends on the hotel category, so check the menu and recent reviews before booking. A children's menu is available almost everywhere, but it's best to confirm the details at the front desk.

Which Crete resort to choose

Crete's resorts are scattered along the entire coast: in the north they are washed by the Aegean Sea, in the south, beyond the mountain range, by the Libyan Sea. The five villages below suit family and quiet vacations. Bali, Panormo, Skaleta, and Agia Pelagia sit on the northern coast. Kalamaki lies in the south, beyond the mountain range, and the drive there takes longer.

Bali

Bali spreads across mountain slopes, and there is no busy promenade here. The atmosphere is set by silence, a calm sea, and cozy little bays. In the morning people come here for sunrises, and during the day they rent canoes or sign up for diving. The beaches are mixed, sandy and pebbly, with easy water entry. The village has many cafes, tavernas, and shops, and around it lie villages with crafts and their own way of life.

© Pjotr Mahhonin · CC BY-SAPhoto: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

• How to get there: along the road on the northern coast, by bus or car.
• Who it's for: families with children and those looking for quiet.

Panormo

Panormo is a small fishing village with narrow streets covered in grapevines and bougainvillea. It works well for both adults and children. Besides large hotels, people book apartments and small guesthouses here, and cafes and tavernas cook Cretan cuisine, with fish spots as well. The 5th-6th century Church of St. Sophia is a reminder of the area's church history.

© Ttzavaras · CC BY-SAPhoto: Ttzavaras, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

In summer, the village streets fill with tables, and dinner in Mediterranean tradition stretches late into the night. Panormo has its own port and bus connections, the sea is calm, and the beaches are uncrowded.

• How to get there: northern coast, by bus or rental car.
• Who it's for: a quiet family vacation without clubs.

Skaleta

© Roma Neus · CC BYPhoto: Roma Neus, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Skaleta suits a secluded vacation with children away from large towns. It has an excellent, spacious sandy beach with a lifeguard service. The coast is not protected by a bay, so with northern winds the sea gets rough and you should enter the water carefully.

The village has several hotels and cafes, and bus service is available. There are no loud entertainment options, nightlife venues, or shopping here. If you want all that, you'll find it in neighboring villages, 4-6 km away.

• How to get there: by bus along the northern coast or by car.
• Who it's for: families with children and couples who need peace.
• The catch: with a northern wind, the sea near the shore is rough.

Agia Pelagia

© alljengi from Edinburgh · CC BY-SAPhoto: alljengi from Edinburgh, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Agia Pelagia sits in a beautiful bay next to the new national road. From the highway above, the village looks especially striking: light-colored houses around the bay, the curve of the shore, and yachts on the water. People often come here for photos. The resort got its name in memory of the Monastery of St. Pelagia, which has not survived from the medieval era.

The beach here is sandy and well-equipped. There are no problems with accommodation: you can choose a hotel for any taste.

• How to get there: along the road between Heraklion and Chania, by bus or car.
• Who it's for: families and couples who value views and a calm bay.
• The catch: a steep drop into the water near the shore, watch your step with children.

Kalamaki

Kalamaki is located in the center of the southern coast, which makes trips to the island's sights and scenic spots easier. It has a good beach, hotels and apartments, and restaurants for different budgets. The area is considered ecologically clean.

© Schuppi · CC BY-SAPhoto: Schuppi, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

There is no noisy nightlife at the resort; it buzzes next door in Matala. Kalamaki has a measured rhythm: swimming, views of the Libyan Sea, the hills of Messara Bay, and long sunsets. You should come here if you want a quiet evening and a warm sea.

• How to get there: southern coast, by car or bus with a transfer in Heraklion.
• Who it's for: couples and families looking for quiet by the sea.

Hotels in Crete on Trip.com

Which all-inclusive hotel to choose

The five resort hotels below operate on an all-inclusive basis themselves. All of them are on the north coast, where the sea is usually calmer than on the south coast. The range of services varies: from a water park and a zoo to panoramic rooms and a private beach.

Capsis Elite Resort

Capsis Elite Resort occupies a private peninsula in Agia Pelagia. The rooms are spacious, with views of the bay and the garden. The cuisine is designed for a wide range of tastes, and some of the produce for the restaurants is grown right here, in the hotel's greenhouses. The grounds include a botanical garden and the Euphoria Spa center with therapeutic treatments.

For children, there is the Capsis Minoan amusement park and a small zoo, and by the sea there is a private beach with the Blue Diva wooden platform. Those who love the underwater world will enjoy snorkeling right off the shore.

• Location: Agia Pelagia, private peninsula.
• Who it's for: couples and families who want a full range of services in one place.
• Capsis Elite prices on Trip.com

Sensimar Elounda Village Resort

Sensimar Elounda Village Resort sits near Agios Nikolaos, above Mirabello Bay. There is an age restriction here: guests under 16 are not accepted. So you won't run into noisy, fussy children, and the atmosphere lends itself to calm and romance.

The service here is thought through to the smallest detail. Couples receive a welcome amenity in their room on arrival: fruit and wine. The award-winning restaurant serves breakfast, a full lunch with dessert, and an elegant dinner, and you can have a candlelit dinner for two on the beach or in your room. The spa center has its own pool, as well as color therapy and Ayurveda programs.

• Location: near Agios Nikolaos and Elounda.
• Who it's for: couples who value a quiet getaway.
• Not for: travelers with children.
• Elounda Village prices on Trip.com

Creta Maris Resort

Creta Maris Resort follows an eco-friendly concept and cares for nature, for which it has received the Green Key certification. The hotel is in the lively area of Hersonissos, where young people spend time in clubs and discos until late at night. The hotel is 24 km from Heraklion Airport (according to the hotel's official website).

The rooms are spacious and stylish, and the grounds feature several pools and courts, restaurants, bars, and well-kept flowering gardens. In addition to the usual entertainment, guests can learn Greek, cooking, and dancing, and there is karaoke, aerobics, and archery. At the Hammam spa salon you can get a massage and beauty treatments, and there is a sauna and jacuzzi. Clubs for teens and children operate daily, and the Blue Flag sandy beach is a few minutes' walk away.

• Location: Hersonissos, 24 km from Heraklion Airport.
• Who it's for: young people and active families.
• The catch: lively club district, it can be noisy at night.
• Creta Maris prices on Trip.com

Grecotel Club Marine Palace

Grecotel Club Marine Palace is located in Panormo among flowering gardens, on the shore of the bay. The hotel focuses on nature conservation and operates as a family resort. The interiors are elegant in style, and the cuisine emphasizes natural farm products.

You can choose a family room, a studio, or a bungalow. The main restaurant serves three meals a day, and there are three pools on the grounds plus a heated therapeutic Thalassa pool. In the evenings, there is an entertainment program for the whole family, dance performances, and games. For children, there is a water park, and the beach has a Blue Flag designation.

• Location: Panormo, north coast.
• Who it's for: families with children who want a water park and a kids' program.
• Grecotel Marine Palace prices on Trip.com

Stella Palace Resort

Stella Palace Resort is in Hersonissos among palm trees and fragrant gardens. The hotel has its own sandy beach, two scenic pools, and tennis courts, and for children there are games and water activities. Rooms with balconies face the garden or the sea, and some units come with a private pool and terrace.

The main restaurant serves appetizers, salads, and hot dishes, and in the mornings there is always fresh juice made from vegetables and fruits. The bar features live piano music and serves signature drinks and cocktails. At the spa center you can get a relaxing massage session. The beach is protected from storms by a sea breakwater, and nearby there is a park with entertainment and sports games.

• Location: Hersonissos.
• Who it's for: families with children and couples who like greenery and quiet.
• Stella Palace prices on Trip.com

It's easier to compare all five hotels in a single search. Enter your dates and number of guests to see current prices and available rooms.

When to go swimming

The swimming season on Crete runs from May through October (according to the official Crete tourism office). You'll be most comfortable in June and September: the sea is already or still warm, and the beaches are less crowded than in July and August.

The weather depends on the part of the island. Northern Crete has a moderate Mediterranean climate, while the south, beyond the mountain range, is closer to North African conditions: hotter and drier. The mountains are always cooler than the coast, so a light jacket comes in handy even in summer.

In summer, a wind carrying sand and dust often comes from the south. In July and August the midday sun burns relentlessly, so head to the beach in the morning or closer to evening. During these months the north, by the Aegean Sea, is calmer.

September on Crete is considered the velvet season. The water stays warm, the resorts empty out, and the weather is perfect for long walks. In October it's almost as warm during the day, but the nights become noticeably cooler. The tourist season winds down in the second half of October.

Winter on Crete is mild and warm. This season isn't suitable for the beach, but it attracts those interested in the island's history, culture, and architecture. In spring the island wakes up: the first tourists start arriving in mid-April.

Vacationing with children on Crete

Crete is a great choice for a vacation with a child, especially if they're over five. It has sandy beaches, shallow water near the shore, amusement parks, and a wide selection of hotels with kids' clubs. Hotel restaurants almost always have something on the menu for a child.

For toddlers, choose sheltered bays: Bali with its sandy strip and shallow water, or Agii Apostoli in the west, where the sea is warm even in June. You'll see many Greek families with children here. Hotels offer babysitting, entertainment programs, playrooms, and sports facilities.

Rethymno attracts visitors with its mixed beaches, sand and pebbles, and a gentle entry into the sea. East of the city lies a spacious, well-equipped stretch of shore where active kids have plenty of room to run around. Georgioupolis has no bays, but it's known for its beaches and scenic mountains.

In Hersonissos, Star Beach offers a wide range of children's activities. The east is also convenient for little ones: Malia, Elounda, and Sitia. The hot south of Crete is less suitable for small children, but it still has good resorts, such as Matala or Sfakia.

Crete resorts on the map

Below is a map with the five resorts from this selection. Open it to estimate how long you'll be driving between towns and to plan your route around the island.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When does the swimming season start in Crete?

The swimming season runs from May to October. The warmest sea is in July and August, but that's the peak of heat and tourists.

Should I choose the north or south of Crete for an all-inclusive vacation?

For swimming with kids, people usually pick the north: the sea is calmer there and there are more large all-inclusive hotels. The south is hotter and drier, and people go there for secluded coves.

How does "ultra all-inclusive" differ from regular all-inclusive?

The upgraded package usually includes pool snacks, sports, a water park, and evening shows. Check the exact list of services in the hotel description before booking.

Where should I stay in Crete with kids?

Bali, Agii Apostoli, Malia, and Elounda are convenient with little ones, and Star Beach operates in Hersonissos. The hot south of Crete is less suitable for small children.

Which Crete hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis?

We reviewed five such hotels: Capsis Elite Resort, Sensimar Elounda Village, Creta Maris Resort, Grecotel Club Marine Palace, and Stella Palace Resort. Their service packages differ.

In short: what's worth booking

If you're traveling with kids: go for Grecotel Club Marine Palace in Panormo or Stella Palace Resort in Hersonissos. You want complete relaxation as a couple: look at Sensimar Elounda Village, they don't accommodate guests under 16. You want luxury and your own beach: choose Capsis Elite Resort. You like being in the middle of the action: Creta Maris Resort is located in lively Hersonissos.

Compare prices and dates in advance, because good all-inclusive hotels get booked up months ahead in high season. Find a hotel on Trip.com