Chora Sfakion is a hidden gem in Crete. It’s a small fishing village, that you can completely discover on foot, with a charming vibe, and a beautiful mix of whitewashed architecture alongside more colorful buildings that Crete is well known for. There are many beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion and the great thing is – they are all quite affordable especially if you consider the beachfront view you get in return.
This guide will go through the most beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion and compare the options that you can consider when planning your trip to this offbeat destination.
Chora Sfakion - Hora Sfakion - Sfakia, Crete
Where is Chora Sfakion in Crete?
Chora Sfakion (Hora Sfakion) is the capital of Sfakia in the South Western side of Crete, about 75 kilometres away from the main town of Chania or about a 1 and a half hour drive.
This charming fishing village is located along the coast of the Libyan sea. As such, it is the gateway to many incredible outdoor activities and a rare example of a place far away from mass tourism in Greece.
Upon visiting the village, you will be taken aback by the stunning views of nature, mountains, and blue seas as far as the eye can see. It’s the perfect offbeat destination for those who are looking for a unique place to relax, unwind, and hike through the wonders of mother nature such as Sweetwater Beach or Loutro.
You’ll also be surprised that the village of Chora Sfakion is also a white-washed village, but blended with colors often seen in Cretan architecture. There’s something about the white houses with its orange and blue doors paired with the deep brown tones of the Sfakia mountains in the backdrop that make this village a sight to behold.
How to Get to Chora Sfakion in Crete
Before figuring out the places to stay in Chora Sfakion, it may be difficult to figure out how to get to the main town itself. With all the unorganized information online, we found it challenging to understand our options on how to get to Chora Sfakion due to the lack of solid resources on this subject.
To summarize, there are basically three types of travel methods you can take to get to Chora Sfakion. These are the bus, taxi and finally, the fastest and most convenient way, by renting a car.
We discuss the pros and cons of each type of transportation method in the guide below.
Chora Sfakion Hotels: Most Beautiful Places to Stay
Hotel Alkyon
If you’re looking for a piece of Cyclades in Crete, then Hotel Alkyon is a great choice. Here are the reasons why we recommend it as one of the most beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion:
- The cost per night starts at 30 to 35 euros.
- This price is good for 2 people and entails a beachfront view, where you can watch the boats come in and out of the port.
- It’s also located at the main commercial area of Chora Sfakion with a beachfront restaurant offering affordable and delicious food.
- There is parking upon request (more suitable for small cars).
- The best part is really the interiors of the hotel, it features blue doors and whitewashed walls, all completely to yourself for an unbeatable rate.
Hotel Stavris
Right above Hotel Alkyon is Hotel Stavris, the most budget friendly hotel in all of Chora Sfakion. It’s a much bigger complex and thus, there are more rooms in this hotel than in Alkyon. Here are the reasons why we recommend it as one of the most beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion:
- The cost per night starts at 35 euros.
- This price is good for 2 people and entails a beachfront view. You can get a cheaper rate if you choose to take the city view. In that case, the price goes down to 30 euros per night.
- It’s also located at the main commercial area of Chora Sfakion but the restaurant is a small cove and not beachfront.
- There is parking upon request.
- The rooms are much bigger than in Hotel Alkyon for the price.
Sfakian Horizon
Further up the town of Chora Sfakion is Sfakian Horizon. This hotel is a bit more remote but promises the most incredible views of the town and the coast. It’s also a newer hotel with more recent renovations and facilities such as fast wifi, which makes it a perfect spot for digital nomads working on the go.
Here are the reasons why we recommend it as one of best places to stay in Chora Sfakion:
- The cost per night starts at 50 euros.
- This price is good for 2 people and entails a sea view.
- It’s located further up the town, on a hill, which entails a beautiful view of Chora Sfakion and the entire coastline.
- The rooms feel newer and more refreshed and with more space than the hotels near the beach or in the main town center.
- There are no restaurants in the hotel, but there is parking, a swimming pool (which you won’t find in other hotels), a terrace, and a bar.
- It’s within walking distance from the main town if you want to go to a restaurant and crosses through charming alleyways down the hill.
Samaria by the Sea
Along the town center is Samaria by the Sea. This is one of the most luxurious options in Chora Sfakion, perfect for families or couples on their honeymoon. Here are the reasons why we recommend it as one of the top places to stay in Chora Sfakion:
- The cost per night starts at 60 euros.
- This price is good for 2 people and entails a beachfront view.
- It’s also located at the main commercial area of Chora Sfakion which has a restaurant directly by the beach.
- The rooms feel more luxurious and have that “Cyclades” feel to them with white and blue accents.
Mesohori Studios
If you are looking to stay in an ApartHotel, where there is a possibility to cook your own food – then Mesohori Studios is a great choice. For a whole studio apartment, it is very affordable but the location, like Sfakian Horizon, is further up the town center.
Here are the reasons why we recommend it as one of the most beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion:
- The cost per night starts at 50 euros.
- This price is good for 2 people and entails a sea view.
- It’s located further up the town, on a hill, which entails a beautiful view of the mountains of Chora Sfakion (not so much of a sea-view).
- The rooms are studio apartments so this means there is a lot of space. You can also cook your own food and buy groceries from the local market to save on costs. Each room has a fridge, stove and oven.
- There is a restaurant in the hotel and dedicated parking spots, which makes it convenient to leave your car.
- It’s within walking distance from the main town if you want to go to other restaurants and crosses through charming alleyways down the hill.
Is it Worth Staying a Few Days in Chora Sfakion
It is absolutely worth it to stay a few days and even stay 2 weeks in Chora Sfakion. As Chora Sfakion is the capital of the Sfakia Region, it is the gateway to a variety of hiking trails and unbelievable sights in Crete.
You can base yourself in one the beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion and then, hike (or take the boat) from the main town all the way to the historical city of Anopolis. This crosses through a variety of beaches like Sweetwater Beach and the secret whitewashed village of Loutro.
There are also two gorges nearby – one accessible by boat and the other on the way to Sfakia with a car. If you have a car, it would be worth discovering Samaria Gorge and Agia Eirini Gorge nearby.
By boat or by hiking for 8 hours, one can also check out the less-visited Aradena Gorge, just off the coast of Marmara Beach.
We have a list of incredible things to do near Loutro which include these suggestions in the link below:
Conclusion: Most Beautiful Places to Stay in Chora Sfakion
So there you have it! We hope this helps you in your trip to Chora Sfakion and its surrounding areas. This part of Crete and Greece is still highly untouched by mass tourism and what your offbeat travel dreams are made of.
If you’ve ever been to Crete, have you visited Chora Sfakion? Where were the most beautiful places to stay in Chora Sfakion for you? Did you end up staying for a longer time than you initially expected? We’d love to hear your travel stories and recommendations in the comments below!
Hello Marielle,
I totally agree with you !!!!
Hello Marielle
It is just a paradise on earth!!
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drove here many years ago. the most beautiful place weve ever been to. booked a room for the night.£10. fresh linen sheets. best sleep weve ever had. had dinner in a seafront restaurant. fresh prawns home made bread. visited a bar. the man running it was an ex pat. 60s music and posters on the wall. all lovely and quaint. tackled the gorge next day. far to hot, so came back down and sipped ice cold fruit drinks. im in my 80s now but will never forget our little adventure.