The largest island in Greece, Crete is stuffed full of world-famous archaeological sites and museums, wildlife-rich ecosystems and a staggering range of villa rentals.
‘Crete Dreams’ holiday home via Plum Guide (Photo: Plum Guide)
Floating 99 miles off the south coast of the Greek mainland, Crete is the home of epic Greek legends, blockbuster beaches and Mama Mia! worthy villages. While certain areas have historically drawn a rowdier clientele, much of the island has retained its character and charm. Most people come here to beach but beyond the sun-drenched coastal stretches , there are rugged canyons, snow-capped mountains and layers of vineyards to explore. You could book into a hotel, but a villa rental will give you more flexibility. With dozens of companies to choose from, we’ve selected three of the best places to rent a villa in Crete for a range of budgets and tastes.
Plumguide
For those looking for a luxurious retreat, Plum Guide is the best place to find villa rentals in Crete. Unlike most booking platforms, properties need to undergo a meticulous multi-stage vetting process to be listed on the website and undergo further reviews to keep their spot. The website currently offers more than 300 homes sprinkled across the entire island, many in some of Crete’s most sought-after locations. Properties range from tiny two-person cottages to palatial 18-person villas. The website is easy to navigate, with handy filters for the number of guests, amenities, facilities and location. Cancellation policies are generous too.
Find out more at Plumguide.com
Booking.com
Booking.com offers some of the best value vacation rentals in Crete. If you have an existing account with Booking.com, you may be able to score extra Genius discounts too. With more than 1750 villas to choose from, the platform offers the most comprehensive selection of properties too. You can sort your search by price, rating, guest reviews and discount or narrow down your search using the helpful filters. The platform has also introduced a filter that whittles down properties appropriate for your holiday too, so if you’re headed here to hike, you can find the best villas close to hiking trails. Each property is reviewed by customers based on staff, facilities, comfort, cleanliness, value for money and location.
Find out more at Booking.com
Crete Escapes
Crete Escapes is an excellent option for those who prefer a more personalised service with a human point of contact. The Crete-based business offers a wide range of 2,3 and 4-bedroom villas in North West Crete that have been personally vetted by the team. They are in regular contact with the owners of the properties to ensure that villas remain furnished and equipped to a higher standard than most. Villas with a spectacular location, view or additional facilities are marked as ‘premier villas’. The website is easy to navigate and villas can be booked straight away with a 10% deposit. All villas must provide an emergency point of contact too.
Find out more at Crete-escapes.com