Chania vs Rethymno: Which is Better for a Crete Villa Holiday?

When planning a Crete villa holiday, two cities stand out above the rest: Chania and Rethymno. Both sit beside the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea, both are steeped in centuries of history, and both offer the kind of privacy and freedom that a hotel simply can't match. For a full overview, see our guide to villa holidays in Crete.

Bnbstay offers a carefully chosen selection of luxury Crete villas with pools — whether you're travelling as a couple, a family, or a large group — in both Chania and Rethymno — but which region should you choose? It really comes down to what you're looking for. Here's how they compare.

How to Get to Chania and Rethymno

Chania has the edge when it comes to accessibility. Its international airport sits just 20 minutes from the city centre, making it one of the easier arrivals in Crete. Rethymno, by contrast, is around an hour's drive from Heraklion, the island's main international airport.

During the summer season, direct flights operate to both airports from cities across Europe. Outside of peak season, connections through Athens are the norm — a short hop of just under an hour from the capital.

Chania also benefits from daily ferry services connecting Souda Bay with Piraeus, near Athens. Depending on which ferry you take, the crossing takes between 7 and 11 hours. Rethymno's ferry links are more limited, with routes running to Santorini and a handful of other Cycladic islands.

How to Get Around

For those renting villas in Crete outside of the city centres, a hire car is strongly recommended — many of the best properties are tucked away on quiet hillsides or coastal roads, well off the main routes. Cars are available at both airports.

If you're based in the city centre, buses from both airports are regular and reasonably priced. Taxis are another option and are generally affordable — just agree on a price before you set off. For bus timetables and routes, the KTEL website is a useful resource.

The Old Town

Both Chania and Rethymno have beautiful Old Towns, though Chania's is widely considered the more impressive of the two. Its narrow alleyways, Venetian architecture, and maze-like character make it one of the most visited spots on the island — and for good reason. The Venetian harbour, the Egyptian lighthouse, the Firkas Fortress, and the excellent jewellery and artisan shops all add to the appeal.

Rethymno's Old Town is smaller and more compact, but it has its own quiet charm. Venetian and Ottoman influences sit side by side, and the independent shops — many selling handmade jewellery — are well worth exploring.

If you're staying in a villa in Crete near either city, an evening in the Old Town is worth building into your trip. Pull up a chair, order a moussaka or a plate of spanakopita, and raise a glass of ouzo to a good decision.

The Harbour

Chania's harbour is the grander of the two. Originally enclosed by Venetian walls — sections of which you can still climb for sweeping views — it's anchored by the famous lighthouse begun by the Venetians and completed by the Egyptians during their brief rule of the city in the 1830s and 40s. The arsenals that once housed warships still partially stand, though today the waterfront is lined with tavernas and cafes that hum with energy from morning to late evening.

Rethymno's harbour is more intimate. Its 17th-century lighthouse may be less imposing, but there's something genuinely atmospheric about sitting beside it at dusk — it's the kind of spot that takes you quietly back through the centuries.

Restaurants in Chania vs Rethymno

One of the great pleasures of a Crete villa holiday is having complete freedom over how and where you eat. Cook in the villa one evening, book a private chef the next, then head into town for a long taverna dinner on the third. Both Chania and Rethymno have a strong restaurant scene — traditional Cretan tavernas sit alongside more contemporary options, and the quality of local produce means the food is rarely disappointing. Rethymno is arguably the more commercial of the two, and you'll sometimes find waiters outside trying to draw you in, but good meals are easy to find in both cities if you wander away from the main squares.

Beaches in Chania and Rethymno

Even when you're renting a Crete villa with a private pool, there are days when you want sand underfoot and salt water. This is where Rethymno has a clear advantage.

Rethymno's city beach stretches for over 6 miles (10 km) eastward from the Old Town — a long, sandy sweep lined with hotels and tavernas, and easily walkable from the centre. Chania's nearest beach, Nea Chora, requires a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Old Town, and while it's perfectly pleasant, it doesn't quite match the convenience of Rethymno's stretch. If being close to the sea is a priority, our beachfront villas in Crete are worth a look.

Day Trips from Chania and Rethymno Villas

There's no shortage of things to see from either base, and this is where choosing between a Chania villa and a Rethymno villa really comes into its own.

From a Chania villa, the day trip options are some of the best on the island. Take a boat to Balos Bay, whose shallow lagoon water is almost luminously clear, or drive south to Elafonisi Beach and its unusual pink-tinged sand. For those who want something more active, the 10-mile (16 km) Samaria Gorge is one of Europe's great hikes — dramatic, well-marked, and genuinely memorable.

From a Rethymno villa, the day trips tend to be quieter and less well-trodden. River-trek the Kourtaliothiko Gorge, head to the south coast for Preveli Beach — palm-fringed and unexpectedly tropical in feel — or visit the Arkadi Monastery, the oldest on the island and a deeply significant site in Cretan history. Both regions also have wineries and olive oil presses open to visitors — our guide to the Archanes wine region is worth a read before you go.

Best Time to Visit

Both cities share a similar climate, and the best times to visit are May to June and September to October — for a full breakdown, see our guide on the best time to visit Crete. The weather is warm without being oppressive, the crowds are thinner than in peak summer, and sightseeing is genuinely enjoyable. July and August are busy and can tip into the mid-30s — fine if you're spending most of your time by the villa pool, but less ideal for exploring on foot.

Unlike many of Crete's resort towns, which go quiet in winter, both Chania and Rethymno stay open year-round. The weather turns mild and occasionally wet, but the cities have a different, more local character out of season.

Chania or Rethymno — Which Should You Choose?

On balance, Chania edges ahead as the more complete destination. It's easier to reach, its Old Town is among the finest in the Mediterranean, and the harbour is genuinely spectacular. That said, Rethymno holds its own — a better city beach, a more intimate atmosphere, and day trips that take you well off the tourist trail.

The honest answer is that both are excellent bases for a Crete villa holiday, and you won't go wrong with either.

Can't decide between a Chania villa and a Rethymno villa? That's exactly what we're here for. Our team knows both cities well — the best areas, the quietest roads, and which properties suit which kind of trip. Browse villas in Crete and get in touch. We'll help you choose.