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Accommodation in Crete for long-term stays as a digital nomad
Find the best accommodation in Crete for long-term stays and discover the top areas to live and enjoy island life.
Of all the Greek islands, Crete is perhaps the best known. As the country’s largest island, it offers everything you need for an unforgettable stay: charming villages, crystal-clear beaches, vibrant cities, amazing food, and a quality of life that attracts digital nomads, international students, and long-term travellers. However, since it’s such a large and diverse island, finding the right accommodation in Crete for long-term stays is key to enjoying a comfortable and fulfilling experience.
We’ve already explored long-stay accommodation options in Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu. Now, it’s time to do the same for Crete. Overall, you’ll have enough information if you intend a Greek-island tour and wish to stop at places suited for long stays.
Crete is much more than postcard beaches: it’s also a place where life slows, coffee is savoured unhurriedly and days feel fuller when shared. If you arrived on the island with your laptop in your backpack and a desire to connect with travellers on your wavelength, this long-stay accommodation guide will help you find your ideal spot in this little piece of Greece.
Where to stay in Crete? The best long-stay accommodation alternatives
Crete is a wide and diverse island, filled with coastal cities, peaceful villages and rural mountain areas. So, if you plan to stay for a while, you must choose accommodation that matches your needs and lifestyle. The good news is that there are plenty of long-stay options in cities like Heraklion, Chania or Rethymno, as well as smaller towns with good public transport links.
Below, we show you the most recommended accommodation types if you’re looking for where to stay in Crete for a month or longer.
1- Furnished apartments
If you like feeling “at home” even when far away, renting a furnished apartment is your best choice. In Crete, there are seafront studios, terrace flats in stone lanes and modern apartments only steps from the port. All include essentials to settle quickly: a fully equipped kitchen, decent Wi-Fi, air conditioning and often, that Greek touch you didn’t know you needed (like a bougainvillea balcony or a patio shaded by vines).
Cities like Chania, Heraklion and Rethymno are the most popular. But if you prefer a quieter life, look towards Agios Nikolaos or Elounda. Either way, you can search on HousingAnywhere, Spitogatos, XE.gr and Facebook groups like “Crete Long Term Rentals”.
As for prices, they depend on apartment type, services and location. However, you can use these reference values:
- Studios: Between €400 ($435) and €600 ($650)
- One-bedroom apartments: Between €550 ($600) and €850 ($925)
- Two-bedroom or larger flats (ideal for sharing or groups): From €800 ($870) upwards
2- Seasonal Airbnb
Airbnb operates almost everywhere, but in Crete, it feels special. Many homes are old family houses transformed with love, where every stone tells a story. Outside the high season (from November to March), hosts often offer discounts for guests staying a month or longer. Therefore, it’s a convenient choice if you want to arrive, drop your keys on the table and feel at home from day one.
The best areas to explore include Palaiochora, Rethymno and Chania, though there are also coastal villages where you can sense the authentic Greek-island spirit. Like apartments, Airbnb costs in Crete vary depending on property type and location. Here are some reference prices:
- Studios or small houses: From €450 ($490) to €700 ($760) per month
- One-bedroom apartments: Between €700 ($760) and €1,000 ($1,090) per month
- Sea-view or countryside houses: From €1,100 ($1,200) per month
Tip: Don’t limit yourself to Airbnb. You can find the same type of accommodation on platforms like Flatio and Spotahome.
3- Coliving in Crete
Coliving spaces on the island are still few, but those available are true gems: Homes among olive trees, eco retreats and villas with coworking areas and a community vibe. So, while the offer is smaller compared with Athens, for example, several places are designed for digital nomads seeking community, stability and connection with nature. Generally, they offer private rooms, shared kitchens, common areas, social activities and coworking access.
Recommended areas to find coliving spaces in Crete include the outskirts of Chania, Rethymno and several rural villages with good connections. Prices range between €500 ($545) and €900 ($980) per month for a private room with services included.
4- Hotels with long-stay rates: another option for where to stay in Crete
What if we told you some hotels in Crete slow down once tourists leave the island? Yes, many apart-hotels and boutique hotels open their doors to seasonal travellers with lower prices, cleaning included and the benefit of not worrying about anything. Therefore, they’re a great option if you need comfort, included services and peace while looking for something more permanent. Areas like Chania, Heraklion, Elounda and Plakias are perfect for finding this kind of temporary home.
And what about prices? The good news is they aren’t too low but not too high either. Compared with Mykonos, for instance, they’re very competitive. Let’s see:
- Apart-hotels with kitchen: From €600 ($650) to €900 ($980) per month
- Boutique hotels: Between €900 ($980) and €1,300 ($1,410) per month
- Low-season resorts: From €1,400 ($1,520) per month
5- Residences: A place to stay in Crete designed for students
Crete also buzzes with student life. Here, you’ll find institutions like the University of Crete (with campuses in Heraklion and Rethymno) and the Technical University of Crete (in Chania), which offer long-stay residences with included services and affordable prices. Although mainly aimed at students, some also welcome researchers or digital nomads under 35 years old.
Student residences usually offer single rooms (between €250 ($270) and €400 ($435) per month) or shared ones (from €180 ($195) per month), Wi-Fi, a shared kitchen, laundry and study areas. They’re often within or near the campus, so they’re ideal if you don’t have your own transport and want to save on accommodation.
How to get a good internet connection in Crete during your stay
On the island, Wi-Fi in accommodation is usually fine… but not always perfect. If you’re working remotely, moving between cities or need to stay connected the moment you land, it’s best to arrive with your internet plan sorted. There’s nothing more frustrating than depending on a café’s signal when you’ve got an important video call.
That’s where Holafly’s monthly plans come in. With the same eSIM, you’ll get limited or unlimited data in over 160 countries. You don’t need to change your SIM or sign a contract: activate it on your phone before travelling and that’s it — you’ll have connection from the first minute in Crete… or wherever the wind takes you next. Plus, you can share data with your laptop, tablet or other devices.
You can also install the Holafly eSIM for Greece, which gives you unlimited data with no roaming costs, no SIM swapping and for only the days you need.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Where to stay in Crete for a season: the best areas
Crete is an island shaped by coastal cities blending modern life and tradition, villages seemingly frozen in time and corners where life flows more slowly. So, if you’re thinking of staying for a season, it’s not enough to find a beautiful home: you must choose wisely where to live. Waking up to a Venetian harbour view isn’t the same as doing so among mountains or beside a quiet, tourist-free beach.
The island is divided into four main regions: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi, each with its own character, rhythm and lifestyle. Within them, there are neighbourhoods especially suitable for visitors staying a month (or more) to work, study or simply enjoy a change of pace.
Let’s start with one of the island’s real gems.
Chania
Chania is the kind of place where you plan to stay for one month… and end up staying three. It’s a city of the right size, not too big nor too small, with the perfect balance of history, local life, sea, gastronomy and a nomad atmosphere. Students, nomads, artists and long-term travellers fill its streets, especially outside the high season, creating an international vibe that encourages meeting people from everywhere. You’ll find several coworkings, cafés with good Wi-Fi and an active nomad community that organises meetups, hikes and even retreats in nearby villages.
The old town (with its Venetian harbour, cobbled lanes and flowered balconies) is charming, but for a longer stay, it can feel a bit noisy and pricey. So, move slightly away to neighbourhoods like Nea Chora, Kounoupidiana or Halepa, which are quieter and offer better value for money.
From Chania, you can travel by bus to other parts of the island or walk and cycle within the city itself.
Accommodation in Chania:
- Outpost Coliving (near Nea Chora): A house with a sea-view terrace, internal coworking and creative community. From €750 ($1,640)/month.
- Vista Marina Apartment (Nea Chora): One-bedroom flat with kitchen, balcony and fast Wi-Fi. Steps from the beach and centre. From €700 ($1,640)/month.
- Cocoon Crete (Milia, one hour from Chania): Eco-coliving in the mountains, ideal if you want focus and nature. From €650 ($1,640)/month.
- Casa Delfino Long Stay: Boutique hotel in Halepa with monthly discounts, cleaning included and spacious rooms. From €1,200 ($1,640)/month.
- University of Crete Residence (Kounoupidiana): Single rooms, shared areas and international environment. From €300 ($1,640)/month.
Rethymno
We keep exploring the best areas to stay in Crete, and now it’s Rethymno’s turn. This city offers the sea, a university, Venetian architecture, taverns serving homemade dishes and a pace that invites you to slow down. If you’re a traveller who avoids crowds, you’ll love knowing that Rethymno is less touristy than Chania, smaller than Heraklion and has a youthful energy thanks to its student community present almost all year.
The city stretches between its historic centre, seafront promenade and residential neighbourhoods like Koumbes, Perivolia and Tria Monastiria, where daily life is simple, prices are lower and the atmosphere is perfect for studying or working without distractions.
Moving around Rethymno is easy: you can walk, cycle or use public transport. And although there aren’t many formal coworkings, there are quiet cafés where you’ll see laptops open everywhere and sockets near every table.
Accommodation in Rethymno:
- Lemon Tree Apartment (Perivolia): One-bedroom flat with kitchen, washing machine, balcony and Wi-Fi. Ten minutes from the beach and well connected to the centre. From €600 ($1,640)/month.
- Outpost Coliving (15 minutes from the centre): Community house with a sea-view terrace, coworking space and weekly activities. From €750 ($1,640)/month.
- Melrose Hotel (coastal area): Apart-hotel with monthly discounts, pool, kitchenette and 24-hour reception. Ideal to settle without worries. From €900 ($1,640)/month.
- University of Crete Residence (Tria Monastiria): Private rooms, study areas, Wi-Fi, shared kitchen and university transport. From €280 ($1,640)/month.
Where to stay in Crete: Heraklion, the island’s capital
Heraklion is Crete’s urban heart. It doesn’t have Chania’s romantic charm or Rethymno’s calm, but it has something unique: rhythm. It’s the island’s administrative capital, the commercial hub, the transport centre and the gateway for visitors arriving by air or sea. If you enjoy practicality, services nearby and a genuine mix of modern and traditional life, Heraklion might be your perfect base.
Its old town is lively, with open-air markets, bars with live music, early-morning bakeries and museums sharing ancient stories. The best neighbourhoods for long stays lie a few minutes from the centre, in areas like Kipoupoli, Therissos or Mesampelies, where prices drop and life feels more local.
Heraklion also hosts several universities and research centres, so it has a student atmosphere, affordable residences and cafés with Wi-Fi that work as improvised coworking spaces.
Accommodation in Heraklion:
- Kalypso Apartment (Kipoupoli): Modern, with full kitchen, desk, air conditioning and balcony. Ten minutes by bus from the centre. From €600 ($1,640)/month.
- Cozy Urban Flat (Mesampelies): Two-bedroom flat, ideal for sharing, with washing machine, high-speed Wi-Fi and nearby supermarket. From €700 ($1,640)/month.
- Infinity City Boutique Hotel: Hotel with long-stay discounts, rooms with kitchenette, weekly cleaning and central location. From €950 ($1,640)/month.
- University of Crete Residence (Voutes Campus): With transport to the centre, Wi-Fi, shared kitchen, study areas and laundry. From €250 ($1,640)/month.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is one of those places that captivates you instantly. It’s a coastal town in eastern Crete with a village soul, relaxed pace and postcard-perfect views. It doesn’t have Heraklion’s buzz or Chania’s creative energy — but it doesn’t need them. The presence of Lake Voulismeni, waterside cafés, fresh-produce markets and jasmine-scented streets gives it a special charm.
Here, everything is within walking distance: the beach, port, restaurants and shops. It’s ideal if you’re seeking peace, nature and an intimate base to write, study, paint or simply live slowly. While there aren’t many coworking spaces, plenty of cafés offer good Wi-Fi and are used to seeing laptops between frappés and toast.
Accommodation in Agios Nikolaos
- Marilena Apartment (historic centre): Studio with balcony, full kitchen and lake views. Perfect for a long stay with a holiday feel. From €550 ($1,640)/month.
- Hotel Du Lac Long Stay: Facing the lake, with monthly discounts, rooms with kitchenette and services included. From €800 ($1,640)/month.
- Student studios at TEI of Crete (Sitia, around one hour away): Affordable option if you study or research nearby. Rooms with private bathroom, shared kitchen and library access. From €200 ($1,640)/month.
Where to stay in Crete: Frequently asked questions
Traditional coworking spaces aren’t common in Crete, but there are plenty of cafés where you can work comfortably. For instance, in Chania, Koukouvaya and Monogram cafés are favourites among digital nomads. In Heraklion, you’ll find quiet spots like Think Tank and Fabrica Coffee Works. Many colivings also include work areas with fast Wi-Fi, sockets and guaranteed silence.
Overall, Crete is very safe. For long stays, the quietest and most recommended neighbourhoods are Nea Chora (Chania), Perivolia (Rethymno), Mesampelies (Heraklion) and practically all of Agios Nikolaos. These are residential areas, close to the sea, well connected and with a local feel.
Yes, though it’s more spread out than in other European cities. Chania and Rethymno host most digital-nomad gatherings, especially during autumn and spring. There are active Facebook groups like “Digital Nomads Crete” and informal meetups in colivings, cafés or even on beaches. It’s not unusual to start the week alone and end it at a barbecue with people from five different countries.
Very easy. Locals are friendly, the food’s excellent, prices are reasonable and the pace of life is relaxed. Most people speak basic English (especially in tourist areas), and there’s a warm, welcoming mindset towards those who decide to stay. Within days, you’ll have your trusted baker, your favourite café table and maybe even your own Greek word for ordering coffee.
It depends on where you stay. If you’re in cities like Heraklion, Rethymno or Chania, you can walk, cycle or take the bus easily. But if you plan to stay in a village, take weekend trips or explore hidden beaches, having a car gives you far more freedom. Monthly rentals are cheaper than daily ones, and local companies often offer better deals than large international agencies.
