Fortunately, the journey is short on both islands, and taxis are waiting when the flights land. Here you’ll find all the options with prices, journey times and pitfalls, and I go through arrival with registration and the airport fee, how to pay at the airport, and what you need to know about the roads before you hire a car. Finally, you get a quick overview of the airports in Praia and on São Vicente, in case you want to hop between the islands. Prices are given in euros.

Quick overview of Cape Verde airport transfer options

• Sal, taxi to Santa Maria: around 15 to 25 euros (around £13 to £21) for the whole car and around 20 minutes.
• Sal, taxi to Espargos: around 5 to 10 euros (around £4 to £8) and a few minutes.
• Boa Vista, taxi to Sal Rei and the resorts at Praia de Chaves: around 10 to 15 euros (around £8 to £13) and 10 to 15 minutes.
• Boa Vista, taxi to Riu Touareg at Lacacão: around 25 to 30 euros (around £21 to £25) and about half an hour.
• Private transfer: from around 30 euros (around £25) on Sal and from around 13 euros (around £11) on Boa Vista for the whole car, booked in advance.
• Hotel transfer: usually included when you travel with a tour operator, and many resorts offer a transfer for a fee.
• Hire car: rental companies at both airports, but on Boa Vista many of the beaches require a four-wheel drive.
• Before you travel: register on ease.gov.cv no later than five days before departure, and pay the airport fee.

Which airport will you land at?

Cape Verde has four international airports: Sal, Boa Vista, Praia on Santiago and São Vicente. The airports are run by Cabo Verde Airports, part of VINCI Airports, and the airport on Sal is the largest. In the winter season there are direct charter flights from Europe to Sal and Boa Vista, while many other travellers fly via Lisbon.

The islands are far apart and you can’t drive from one to another, so the airport depends on which island you’re staying on. If you’re staying in Santa Maria or at one of the resorts at Ponta Preta and Algodoeiro, you land on Sal. If you’re staying in Sal Rei or at the resorts at Praia de Chaves and Lacacão, you land on Boa Vista. If you’re not yet sure which island to choose, read my guide to where to stay in Cape Verde, where I compare the islands and areas with hotels in several price ranges. What you can experience once you’ve landed is gathered in my guide to things to do in Cape Verde.

Arrival: registration, airport fee and passport

The most important part is done before you leave home. According to the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page on passports and visas for Cape Verde, you must register your trip on ease.gov.cv no later than five days before departure and pay an airport fee, either yourself or through your tour operator. As a Danish citizen you can stay visa-free for up to 90 days, but your passport must be valid for at least six months on entry. Check the entry rules for your own nationality before you travel.

According to the UK government’s travel advice on entry requirements, you’ll pay double the fee at border control if you haven’t registered in advance, and children aged one and under are exempt. Save the receipt on your phone so you can show it at passport control. If you’re travelling with a tour operator, ask whether the fee has been paid for you. The amount and the rest of the practical details before your trip are gathered in my guide to where to stay in Cape Verde.

The airports on Sal and Boa Vista are easy to get around, and you usually walk from the plane to the terminal. If several charter flights land at the same time, there can be queues at passport control and the baggage carousel, and this is where having your registration sorted saves you time.

Euros, escudos and cash machines at the airport

The local currency is the escudo, which is pegged to the euro, so 1 euro is always worth around 110 escudos. On Sal and Boa Vista you can pay in euros in most places, including taxis, but you’ll often get your change in escudos. So have a few small euro notes ready for the taxi, so you don’t have to break a large note with the driver.

According to the airport operator’s overview of financial services, the bank BCA has a presence at the airports on Sal and Boa Vista, and on Sal there’s also the bureau de change Cotacâmbios. There are cash machines in Espargos, Santa Maria and Sal Rei, so you don’t need to change much money at the airport. Don’t change more escudos than you need, as they’re hard to get rid of outside Cape Verde.

1. Taxi from Sal Airport to Santa Maria and Espargos

A taxi is the easiest choice for most people who don’t have a transfer included in their trip. Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall when flights land, and according to the UK government’s travel advice on safety, the licensed taxis on Sal and Boa Vista are blue and yellow. Only take one of these from the taxi rank, and say no thank you to drivers who approach you inside the arrivals hall.

Prices and journey times

Taxis on Sal don’t use meters, and according to the airport operator, prices depend on the island. The prices below are therefore approximate prices for the whole car, and in the evening and at night you should expect the higher end.

• Santa Maria: around 15 to 25 euros (around £13 to £21) and around 20 minutes along the main road south.
• The resorts at Ponta Preta and Algodoeiro: the same as to Santa Maria or slightly more, and 20 to 25 minutes.
• Espargos: around 5 to 10 euros (around £4 to £8) and under 5 minutes, as the town lies right next to the airport.

How to avoid overpaying

Always agree the price before you get in, and make clear whether the price is for the whole car or per person. Also ask whether the price is in euros or escudos, so there’s no doubt when it’s time to pay. If there are four of you, a taxi to Santa Maria costs around 4 to 6 euros (around £3 to £5) per person, and it takes you right to the door.

If you want to stay in Santa Maria with the beach and the pier right outside the door, the four-star Hotel Morabeza sits directly on the beach a couple of hundred metres from the Pontão pier. The taxi drives right up to the entrance, and it’s a good choice if you want to be able to walk to the town’s restaurants in the evening.

2. Aluguer on Sal

Aluguers are the shared minibuses that locals use instead of buses. They usually run from Espargos, and on Sal the most important route is between Espargos and Santa Maria. There’s no timetable: the minibus leaves when it’s full, and the driver picks up and drops off passengers along the road. According to the airport operator’s page on public transport, a journey starts at around 100 escudos (less than £1).

It’s by far the cheapest way to get around, but the minibuses aren’t designed for tourists with big suitcases, and there are no fixed departures from the terminal. After a long flight, a taxi is the practical choice from the airport. Save the aluguers for trips around the island instead, for example from Santa Maria to Espargos or on to the fishing village of Palmeira, and have some small change in escudos ready.

3. Hotel transfer and private Cape Verde airport transfer on Sal

If you’ve booked a package holiday with flights and hotel, the transfer to your hotel is usually included. The tour operator’s rep will be waiting in the arrivals hall, and you’ll be taken by coach to your hotel along with the other guests. The coach often stops at several hotels, so you may have to wait before it sets off, and the journey takes longer than by taxi. If you’re staying at one of the large resorts without a package, ask the hotel whether they can arrange a transfer for a fee.

A private transfer is a pre-booked car with a driver who waits for you with your name on a sign. On GetYourGuide, prices start at around 30 euros (around £25) for up to three people to the hotels in Santa Maria, and the driver keeps an eye on whether your flight is delayed. It’s slightly more expensive than a taxi, but you don’t have to haggle over the fare, and it’s nice if you land late or are travelling with children.

Book a private transfer from Sal Airport to your hotel in Santa Maria here.

4. Car hire from Sal Airport

According to the airport operator, there’s car hire at all four international airports. Check your confirmation to see whether the rental company has a desk at the airport or meets you at the exit, and compare prices on car hire at Booking.com before you travel. Some companies require you to have held your driving licence for at least a year, and some ask for an International Driving Permit, so check the terms when you book.

Do you need a car on Sal?

To be honest, most people don’t need a car for the whole week. Sal is small and flat, and if you’re staying in Santa Maria, you can walk to the beach and the restaurants. The main road from Espargos past the airport to Santa Maria is easy to drive, and in a day or two you can drive yourself to the salt crater at Pedra de Lume, Palmeira and Buracona. So hire the car for a couple of days in the middle of your holiday rather than picking it up at the airport and leaving it parked at the hotel.

Away from the main roads, many roads are cobbled or gravel, and the last stretch to Buracona is a dirt track. Drive slowly, watch out for pedestrians and animals on the road, and avoid the smaller roads after dark. Never leave bags, passports or valuables visible in the car when you park at the beach.

5. Taxi from Boa Vista Airport to Sal Rei and the resorts

Boa Vista Airport is small and easy to find your way around, and taxis wait just outside the arrivals hall when flights land. There are no scheduled buses from the airport, so if your holiday doesn’t include a transfer, it’s a taxi. As on Sal, the licensed taxis are blue and yellow and there’s no meter, so agree the fare before you set off. The prices below are approximate and for the whole car.

• Sal Rei: around 10 to 15 euros (around £8 to £13) and 10 to 15 minutes.
• Riu Palace Boavista and Riu Karamboa at Praia de Chaves: around 10 to 15 euros (around £8 to £13) and about 10 minutes.
• Riu Touareg at Lacacão: around 25 to 30 euros (around £20 to £25) and about half an hour, as the resort is around 23 kilometres from the airport.

Sal Rei is a small town, so the taxi can take you right to the door of most hotels and guesthouses. Around 600 metres from the church square, Ouril Hotel Agueda sits right on Praia de Estoril beach. It’s a simple hotel with a 24-hour reception, which is handy if you land in the evening.

If you’re heading to the resorts at Praia de Chaves, the taxi drives round the south of Sal Rei and gets there in a few minutes. The journey to Riu Touareg on the south coast is longer and passes through a desolate landscape, so agree the exact fare before you set off and have cash ready.

6. Hotel transfer and private transfer on Boa Vista

Most visitors to Boa Vista stay at the large resorts and travel with a tour operator, so the coach transfer is often included in the price. When several charter flights land at the same time, though, it can take a long while before the coach fills up and leaves, and this is where a private transfer can be worth the money. On GetYourGuide, a private transfer starts at around 13 euros (around £11) for up to four people, so it doesn’t cost much more than a taxi, and the driver waits for you in the arrivals hall.

Book a private transfer from Boa Vista Airport to your hotel here.

Enter your flight number when you book so the driver can keep track if your flight is delayed. If you’re staying at Lacacão, far from both town and airport, a pre-booked transfer is the safest option if you land late.

7. Car hire on Boa Vista

There are rental companies at the airport on Boa Vista, but the choice is smaller than on Sal and they’re mostly local firms. Prices typically start at around 45 euros (around £40) a day, and in high season it pays to book well ahead. Compare prices on car hire at Booking.com and read the terms carefully before you book.

Honest advice about the roads

Boa Vista is much wilder than Sal. The roads between the airport, Rabil and Sal Rei are fine to drive on, but many of the most beautiful spots, such as the Viana Desert, the shipwreck at Praia de Atalanta and Praia de Santa Mónica, are reached by gravel roads and sandy tracks. An ordinary hire car soon gets stuck in the sand, and the insurance rarely covers off-road driving, so read the terms before you head out there.

If you want to see the deserted beaches, a 4×4 with a driver or a guided tour is the safest choice. An ordinary car is fine for Sal Rei, Rabil and the resorts, and fill up in Sal Rei before you set off on a trip. If you hire a quad bike, wearing a helmet is a legal requirement according to the UK government’s travel advice.

8. Praia Airport on Santiago

If you’re island-hopping, you may land in Praia on Santiago. Nelson Mandela Airport, which has the code RAI, lies just outside the capital, and a taxi to the historic centre, Plateau, costs around 10 euros (around £8) and takes about 15 minutes. According to the airport operator, the Cotacâmbios bureau de change also has a branch at Praia airport.

Praia is a busy capital, so take a taxi from the rank, agree the fare before the journey, and take a taxi rather than walking in the evening. If you want to go on to the beach at Tarrafal at the northern end of the island, a hire car is easiest, and from Praia there are flights and ferries to the volcanic island of Fogo.

9. São Vicente Airport near Mindelo

Cesária Évora Airport, airport code VXE, is near São Pedro, around 10 kilometres from Mindelo. A taxi into town costs around 10 euros (about £8) and takes roughly a quarter of an hour, and an aluguer costs a couple of euros if you’re travelling light. The airport is small, so you’re usually out quickly.

Most people fly to São Vicente to combine Mindelo with the hiking on Santo Antão. The ferry to Porto Novo on Santo Antão leaves from the harbour in Mindelo, and according to the ferry company CV Interilhas, the crossing takes under an hour. Check the timetable before you plan your day around it, especially if you have a flight to catch afterwards.

Domestic flights are the quickest way between the islands, while ferries between islands that are far apart can take many hours. Leave plenty of margin, as both flights and ferries can be delayed or cancelled, and never schedule the last crossing for the same day as your flight home.

Getting back to the airport

Sal: From Santa Maria and the resorts, the taxi takes around 20 minutes, and your hotel reception can book it for you. If you’re travelling with a tour operator, you’ll be collected by coach, so check the pick-up time in the tour operator’s app or on the noticeboard at your hotel. If you have a very early flight, it can be worth spending the last night in Espargos, close to the airport. Here the guesthouse Lafayette Alojamentos is around 3 kilometres from the airport and offers airport transfers for a fee.

Boa Vista: From Sal Rei and the resorts at Praia de Chaves, the taxi takes 10 to 15 minutes, and from Riu Touareg around half an hour. The airport is small, and when several charter flights depart close together, the queues at check-in and security get long, so arrive in good time.

If you’re returning a hire car, allow extra time to refuel and drop it off, and keep a few euros back for a taxi in case something goes wrong. Spend your last escudos at the airport before you fly home. If you’re spending a night in Lisbon on the way, you can read where to stay in Lisbon, and see the metro, bus and taxi options in my guide to getting from Lisbon Airport to the city centre.

Which Cape Verde airport transfer should you choose?

Here’s my recommendation based on where you’re staying:

Santa Maria and the resorts on Sal: Take a taxi for around 15 to 25 euros (about £13 to £21), and agree the fare before you set off. If you’d rather not haggle at all, book a private transfer.

Espargos: Take a taxi, as the journey only takes a few minutes.

Sal Rei and Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista: Take a taxi for around 10 to 15 euros (about £8 to £13), or book a private transfer, which doesn’t cost much more.

Riu Touareg near Lacacão: Use the hotel’s transfer or a pre-booked transfer, especially if you land late.

Package holiday: Take the included coach, unless you land at the same time as several other flights and would rather pay to get to your hotel quickly.

Getting around the island: Hire a car for a couple of days on Sal, and choose a 4×4 tour rather than an ordinary hire car if you want to see the deserted beaches on Boa Vista.

Island hopping: Take a taxi from the airports in Praia and on São Vicente for around 10 euros (about £8), and avoid planning tight connections between flights and ferries.

The post Sal & Boa Vista Airport to Your Hotel – Cape Verde Transport Guide appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Here are my picks for the 18 best sights in Chania, with prices, opening hours and tips, first in the town itself and then on day trips to Balos, Elafonisi, the Samaria Gorge and Rethymno. Prices are given in euros, with the approximate amount in pounds. Give the town a couple of days before you head off on day trips, as the harbour and Old Town are at their best early in the morning and late in the evening, once the day-trippers have gone home.

1. The Venetian Harbour and the Egyptian Lighthouse

The old harbour is the heart of Chania. The Venetians built it for trade and as protection against pirates, and today the quayside is lined with tavernas, cafés and small hotels in old Venetian and Ottoman houses. In the middle of the waterfront stands the Küçük Hasan Mosque with its low domes. It was built shortly after the Ottomans captured the town in 1645, and today it’s used for exhibitions.

At the end of the long breakwater stands the lighthouse, the town’s landmark. The Venetians built the first lighthouse here, and the tower took on its current form while Egypt ruled Crete in the 1830s, which is why many people call it the Egyptian Lighthouse. The walk out along the breakwater starts at the eastern end of the harbour by the old shipyards. It’s free to walk out there, but the tower itself is usually closed to visitors.

My tip is to walk out along the breakwater half an hour before sunset and look back towards the town as the lights come on along the quay. Don’t just sit down at the first table on the waterfront where the waiters are touting for customers, but check the prices on the menu before you order. The best places to eat are often a couple of streets further in, where you’ll also pay less.

2. The Old Town with Topanas and Evraiki

Behind the western part of the harbour lies Topanas, where the Venetian noble families lived, and where the streets are so narrow that the bougainvillea from the balconies almost meets above your head. The main street, Theotokopoulou, is named after the painter El Greco, whose real name was Domenikos Theotokopoulos and who was born in Crete, and it’s lined with small hotels and cafés in old stone houses. Look out for the Venetian doorways with coats of arms and the enclosed wooden balconies that the Ottomans added to the houses.

Just east of Topanas lies Evraiki, the old Jewish quarter, and further in you’ll find Kastelli hill and the Splantzia district. You can walk the whole lot in a morning, but it’s more fun simply to explore the side streets. The Old Town is largely car-free, and most of it is cobblestones and steps, so wear decent shoes.

If it’s your first visit, I recommend staying in the Old Town so you can walk home after dinner by the harbour. In my guide to where to stay in Chania, I go through the Old Town and six other areas with hotels in every price range, and you can see hotels in the Old Town here.

Book a walking tour with a local guide through the hidden streets of the Old Town here.

3. Firkas and the Maritime Museum of Crete

At the western end of the harbour lies the Firkas fortress, which the Venetians called Revellino del Porto. It was built between 1610 and 1645 to defend the harbour entrance, and it was on its bastion that the Greek flag was raised on 1 December 1913, when Crete officially became part of Greece. The fortress looks modest from the quay, but it’s one of the most important places in the island’s modern history.

At the entrance to the fortress is the Maritime Museum of Crete, with ship models, nautical charts, instruments and finds that tell the story of the island as a seafaring nation from ancient times to the present day. A ticket costs around €3 (around £2.50), and the museum stays open longer in summer than in winter, so check its website before you go. The museum also has an exhibition on shipbuilding in the old Neorio Moro shipyard in the eastern part of the harbour.

My tip is to climb up onto the ramparts at Firkas, where you look straight across the harbour entrance to the lighthouse. It’s one of the best spots for photographing the harbour, and in the morning there’s hardly anyone around. Allow an hour for the museum, ideally on a hot afternoon when the sun is at its fiercest on the quay.

4. Etz Hayyim Synagogue

In a little street in Evraiki lies Etz Hayyim, the only surviving synagogue in Crete. The building was originally a Venetian church dedicated to St Catherine, and after the Ottomans had conquered all of Crete in 1669, the town’s Jewish community took it over and turned it into a synagogue. Inside it’s simple and peaceful, and next to the building there’s a small courtyard.

Its history is harrowing. In June 1944 the German occupying forces deported Chania’s entire Jewish community, and most of them died when the ship Tanais, which was meant to take them off the island, was sunk. The synagogue fell into ruin for decades but was restored and rededicated in 1999, and today it’s both a place of worship and a memorial.

Admission costs €4 (around £3.50), children under 14 and students get in free, and the synagogue is usually open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 4pm and Friday from 10am to 3pm, while it’s closed at weekends and on Greek public holidays. My tip is to sit in the courtyard for a while afterwards, as it’s one of the quietest spots in the whole Old Town, even in the middle of high season.

5. Splantzia and the Church of Agios Nikolaos

Splantzia is the eastern part of the Old Town and was the town’s Turkish quarter under the Ottomans. In the middle of the district is the square officially named 1821 Square after the Greek War of Independence, though everyone calls it Splantzia. An old plane tree shades almost the entire square, and it was from this tree that the Ottomans hanged the Bishop of Kissamos, Melchisedek Despotakis, in 1821 to intimidate the population.

The square’s large Church of Agios Nikolaos was built by Dominican monks in 1320, and after the Ottoman conquest in 1645 it was converted into a mosque and given a minaret. Today it’s a Greek Orthodox church once more, and it’s one of the few churches to have both a bell tower and a minaret. Also stop by the little Church of Agioi Anargyroi, which was the only Orthodox church in town that remained open throughout the Ottoman period.

My tip is to come in the evening, when the restaurants and bars put tables out under the plane tree. Prices are lower than on the waterfront, and you’ll find more locals here. During the day, it’s the small workshops and shops in the streets around the square that are worth popping into.

6. The Agora Market Hall and the Knife Makers’ Street

Chania’s covered market hall, known locally as the Agora, sits just south of the Old Town and is built in the shape of a cross with an entrance at each end. Construction began in 1911 on the site of one of the bastions of the Venetian city wall, and the hall was opened by Eleftherios Venizelos in December 1913, just a few days after Crete became part of Greece. The pale building with its tall arched windows is listed and is one of the town’s landmarks.

The hall has undergone a major restoration, and the stalls selling cheese, honey, olive oil, herbs and knives can change, so check what’s open before you go. Right next door is Skridlof, the leather street with sandals, bags and belts, and a couple of minutes away you’ll find the knife makers’ street, where traditional Cretan knives with verses engraved on the blade are still sold.

My tip is to buy olive oil, honey and dried herbs in the small shops around the hall rather than in the souvenir shops on the harbourfront. If you want to take a Cretan knife home, remember to pack it in your checked luggage.

Book a guided tour of the Old Town with Cretan street food here.

7. Kastelli and the Venetian Shipyards

Kastelli is the low hill above the harbour where Chania has stood since ancient times. This was the site of the Minoan town of Kydonia, and on Kanevaro street you can see excavations of Minoan houses behind a fence. Later, the Byzantines built a wall around the hill, and remains of it still stand between the houses. From the upper streets you get views out over the harbour and the rooftops.

Below Kastelli, in the eastern part of the harbour, are the Venetian shipyards, known as the Neoria. These are long stone halls with arched gables facing the water, where the Venetians built and repaired their warships. There were 17 shipyards in the row, and several of them are still standing. Work on the largest, the Grand Arsenal, began in 1585, and following a restoration it is now the Centre for Mediterranean Architecture, with changing exhibitions and events.

My tip is to walk along the eastern part of the harbour early in the morning, when the fishing boats are moored at the quay and there are far fewer people than by the mosque. From here you can walk straight out along the breakwater to the lighthouse, so it’s easy to combine the two.

8. The Archaeological Museum in Halepa

In 2022, Chania’s archaeological museum moved into a new, modern building in Halepa, east of the Old Town, and it’s one of the best museums on Crete outside Heraklion. The collection covers the area around Chania from the Stone Age to Roman times, with Minoan pottery, clay tablets, jewellery, sarcophagi and Roman floor mosaics, including finds from the excavations on Kastelli. The displays are bright and easy to follow, and the signs are in both Greek and English.

Tickets cost 15 euros (around £13) or 8 euros (around £7) for concessions, and from April to October the museum is open from 8am to 8pm, while in the winter months it’s open from 8.30am to 3.30pm. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, and opening hours can change, so check the website before you go. From the harbour it’s roughly a half-hour walk along the water, or you can take a taxi.

My tip is to save the museum for a hot afternoon or a rainy day, and to visit it before you go to Kastelli and Aptera, so you’ve got the history straight. Allow an hour and a half to two hours, and walk back into town along the water past Koum Kapi.

9. Halepa and the Venizelos Graves

In the 19th century, Halepa was the smart district, with grand mansions, consulates and gardens, and it was home to Eleftherios Venizelos, the Cretan politician who later became Prime Minister of Greece and was behind Crete’s union with Greece. His home is now the Venizelos Residence museum, where the rooms still have their original furniture and his personal belongings.

Venizelos and his son Sofoklis, who also became Prime Minister, are buried on Profitis Ilias hill on the Akrotiri peninsula, just east of town. During the uprising of 1897 the hill came under fire, and when the flagpole carrying the Greek flag snapped, the rebel Spyros Kagiales held the flag up with his own body. There’s a statue of him by the graves. The site is free and always open, and you can get there by taxi, car or city bus from the centre in about 15 minutes.

My tip is to go up at sunset. From the park by the graves you look out over the whole of Chania, the harbour and the mountains behind the town, and there’s a café where you can sit and take in the view. In summer it’s also the best time to come, as there’s not much shade on the hill in the middle of the day.

10. The Beaches in Town

You don’t need to drive far for a swim. Nea Chora is just a 15-minute walk west of the harbour and is the town’s own sandy beach, with shallow water, a small fishing harbour and fish tavernas along the water. East of the city wall is the small beach at Koum Kapi, where locals sit in the cafés along the promenade, but it’s better for a quick dip than a full beach day.

Further west are Chrissi Akti and Agioi Apostoloi, two sandy beaches in small bays three to four kilometres from the centre. Agioi Apostoloi has shallow, calm water and pine trees behind the beach, making it good for families with children, and you can get there by city bus or by bike along the coast road. In summer you can hire sunloungers and parasols on all the beaches.

My tip is to head to Agioi Apostoloi in the morning, have lunch by the beach and be back in the Old Town in the afternoon. If the wind is blowing from the north, the small bays are more sheltered than the long beaches west of town, so it’s worth checking the wind before you pick a beach.

11. Akrotiri with Agia Triada, Gouverneto and Seitan Limania

Akrotiri is the peninsula north-east of Chania where the airport is, and it’s packed with monasteries and small beaches. Agia Triada Tzagarolon Monastery was built in the 17th century by the brothers Ieremias and Lavrentios Tzagarolos, and its columned façade is a fine example of Venetian architecture. The monks still make wine, which you can buy in the monastery shop. Admission costs 2.50 euros (around £2), and in summer it’s open daily from 8am until sunset.

Drive 10 to 15 minutes further north and you reach Gouverneto, one of the oldest monasteries on Crete, which looks like a small fortress. From here a steep path leads down to the Bear Cave and the ruins of Katholiko Monastery, and the walk there and back takes about an hour and a half. Admission to Gouverneto is about 2.50 euros (around £2), and the monastery has shorter opening hours than Agia Triada.

End the day at Seitan Limania, a narrow cove between the cliffs with a small beach, turquoise water and a steep path down, or at Stavros, where the final scene of the film Zorba the Greek was shot. Bring proper shoes and water, and cover your shoulders and knees in the monasteries. The sights are spread out across the peninsula, so it’s easiest by car.

12. Balos and Gramvousa

Balos is the lagoon you’ve seen on all the postcards from Crete, with white and pink sand, shallow turquoise water and a rocky outcrop in the middle of the bay. It sits at the very tip of the Gramvousa peninsula, and out to sea lies the island of Gramvousa with its Venetian fortress.

The easiest way to get there is by boat from the harbour in Kissamos, less than an hour’s drive from Chania. The boats sail first to Gramvousa, where you can walk up to the fortress, and then on to Balos, and a boat trip costs from around 40 euros (around £35). If you drive yourself, the last 8 kilometres or so after the village of Kaliviani are a potholed dirt track, and from the car park it’s a 20 to 30-minute walk down to the lagoon and longer back up again. If you want a car, you can compare car hire prices in Chania here, but many rental agreements don’t cover damage on dirt roads, so read the terms before you drive out there.

My tip is to take the boat in July and August, when the car park fills up early. If you want the lagoon almost to yourself, stay a night in Kissamos and drive out early in the morning. You can see hotels in Kissamos here.

Book a day trip to Balos and Gramvousa with pick-up in Chania and boat ticket here.

13. Falassarna

Falassarna on Crete’s west coast is a long sandy beach with clear water and some of the island’s best sunsets. It’s split into several beaches: the largest has sunloungers, parasols and beach bars, while the smaller coves further north are quieter. Behind the beach are greenhouses and olive groves, and there are no big hotels, so the atmosphere is more laid-back than in the resorts near Chania.

At the northern end lie the ruins of the ancient city of Phalasarna, whose harbour now sits on dry land because the coast was raised by a major earthquake in antiquity. The beach is free, and it’s just over an hour’s drive from Chania. In season, KTEL also runs buses from the bus station in Chania.

My tip is to combine Falassarna and Balos on the same day by car, or to come out in the late afternoon and stay for the sunset. The wind often blows from the west, so check the weather, as with big waves the beach is better for looking at than swimming from.

Book a day trip to Falassarna and Balos with pick-up and boat ticket here.

14. Elafonisi

Elafonisi in the south-western corner of Crete is famous for its pink sand, which gets its colour from tiny crushed shells, and for a shallow lagoon where you can wade across to a small island. The water is so shallow in many places that it’s perfect for children, and in the afternoon the lagoon is as warm as a bath.

The area is a protected nature reserve, so don’t take sand or shells home with you, and keep off the dunes on the island. From Chania the journey takes an hour and a half to two hours each way along winding roads through mountain villages and the gorge at Topolia, and KTEL runs buses there in season. At the beach there are sunloungers, toilets and kiosks, but no shade apart from the parasols.

My tip is to get there before 10am or after 4pm, because in the middle of the day the coaches arrive from all over the island and there’s not much peace. If you’re driving yourself, stop at Chrysoskalitissa Monastery, which overlooks the sea on the way down, and have lunch in one of the mountain villages on the way back.

Book a day trip to Elafonisi with four hours on the beach and a stop in the village of Elos here.

15. Samaria Gorge

The Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains is one of the longest gorges in Europe and Crete’s best-known hike. You start at Xyloskalo on the Omalos Plateau and walk around 16 kilometres down through the gorge to the village of Agia Roumeli on the Libyan Sea. Along the way you pass the abandoned village of Samaria and the Iron Gates, where the rock walls stand so close together that there are only a few metres between them, and with a bit of luck you’ll spot the wild kri-kri goats.

The hike usually takes five to seven hours, and it’s downhill almost the whole way, which is hard on the knees. Tickets must be bought on the national park’s official ticket website, and the park is closed in the winter months, and it can also close in bad weather. Entry is around 10 euros (around £8). There’s no road out of Agia Roumeli, so you take the boat on to Chora Sfakion and catch the bus back to Chania.

The easiest option is an organised tour, where the bus, boat and transport home are all sorted, as the first buses from Chania leave very early in the morning. Bring walking boots, sun cream and at least a litre of water, and have a swim in Agia Roumeli while you wait for the boat.

Book a day trip to the Samaria Gorge with transport from Chania and a guide here.

16. Ancient Aptera

Aptera sits on a plateau above Souda Bay around 15 kilometres east of Chania, and it’s one of the most atmospheric ancient sites in western Crete. The city was founded in the 8th century BC and was a powerful city-state in the Hellenistic period. Today you can wander between a theatre, a double temple to Apollo and Artemis, city walls and huge Roman cisterns with vaulted ceilings.

Tickets cost 10 euros (around £8) or 5 euros (around £4) for concessions, and opening hours change with the seasons, so check the website before you head out. It’s easiest to get there by car or taxi, and the drive from Chania takes around 20 minutes along the main road towards Rethymnon.

My tip is to walk over to the old Turkish fortress on the edge of the plateau, where you have views out over Souda Bay and the White Mountains. Come in the morning or late afternoon, as there’s not much shade among the ruins, and it’s worth combining the trip with an afternoon on the beach at Kalyves a little further east.

17. Lake Kournas

Lake Kournas lies between Chania and Rethymnon, a few kilometres from the coast at Georgioupoli, and it’s the only natural freshwater lake on Crete. It’s up to 22.5 metres deep and sits in a protected nature area, where turtles and fish live in the clear water, while herons and cormorants gather along the shore. The mountains run right down to the water, and the colour shifts from turquoise by the beach to deep blue out in the middle.

At the small beach you can hire pedalos, and there are tavernas where you can have lunch overlooking the lake. Swimming and walking along the lake are free, and from Chania it takes around 45 minutes by car along the main road towards Rethymnon.

My tip is to hire a pedalo and paddle along the shore, where you have the best chance of spotting the turtles. Come in the morning before the tour coaches arrive, and combine the lake with Rethymnon on the same day, so you get both nature and town in one trip.

Book a trip to Lake Kournas and the Argiroupoli springs with pick-up in Chania here.

18. Day trip to Rethymnon

Rethymnon lies around 60 kilometres east of Chania and is Crete’s third-largest town, with its own Venetian harbour, a little lighthouse and an Old Town full of minarets, wooden balconies and narrow streets. The town feels a little less touristy than Chania, and it’s easy to spend a whole day here.

Above the town stands the Fortezza, one of the largest Venetian fortresses on Crete, built from 1573 to 1580 after Ottoman raids had ravaged the town. A ticket costs around €4 (around £3.50). In the Old Town you’ll find the Rimondi Fountain from 1629, where water still flows from the lions’ heads. The bus from Chania takes around an hour and runs many times a day, and by car it’s just as quick along the main road.

Rethymnon is also a good base if you want to see both western and central Crete, and the town features in my guide to where to stay in Crete. You can see hotels in Rethymnon here. If you want to head further east to Knossos and Heraklion, you’ll find them in my guide to things to do in Crete.

Practical travel tips for Chania

You can manage the harbour, the Old Town and Splantzia on foot, and for the beaches and the Venizelos Graves you can use the city buses or a taxi. For day trips, KTEL’s regional buses run from the bus station just south of the Old Town to places including Kissamos, Falassarna, Elafonisi, Omalos by the Samaria Gorge and Rethymnon, and you’ll find the timetables with the bus company KTEL.

If you want to see a lot of western Crete, a hire car is the most flexible option, and it’s easiest to pick one up at Chania Airport on Akrotiri, around 25 minutes from town. Park outside the Old Town, as the streets inside the walls are largely closed to cars, and the spaces near the harbour fill up quickly in summer.

The best time to visit is from May to October, when the sea is warm and the Samaria Gorge is open. July and August are hot and busy, especially at Balos and Elafonisi, so arrive early or late in the day. Remember to cover your shoulders and knees in the monasteries and churches, and always check the prices on the menu before you order on the waterfront.

Many people combine Chania with a few days in the capital, and here are my picks of things to do in Athens. If you want to see more of the country, start with my overview of where to stay in Greece.

If you need the full selection, you can see all hotels in Chania on Booking.com.

The post Things to Do in Chania: 18 Sights & Experiences in Crete’s Most Beautiful Town appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Which airport and which type of transport suit you best depends on where on the island you’re staying. Here you’ll find all the options from both airports with prices, journey times and where to find them, and I explain when a hire car is the right choice and what you need to know about the roads before you drive.

Quick overview

• Heraklion, city bus to the centre: from €1.30 (around £1.10) with a ticket bought in advance and €1 more from the driver, around 20 minutes to the central bus station.
• Heraklion, regional buses heading east: around €4 to €5 (around £3.50 to £4) to Hersonissos and Malia and around €8 to €9 (around £7 to £7.50) to Agios Nikolaos.
• Chania, airport bus: around €2.50 to €3 (around £2 to £2.50) from the driver and around half an hour to the bus station in Chania.
• Rethymnon: direct bus from Chania Airport on some departures, otherwise a bus with a change in Chania or Heraklion.
• Taxi: around €15 to €20 (around £13 to £17) from Heraklion Airport to the centre and around €25 to €30 (around £20 to £25) from Chania Airport to the Old Town.
• Private transfer: from around €50 (around £40) for a car for up to four people on the short journeys, and it must be booked in advance.
• Hire car: desks or pick-up at both airports, and a car is the easiest choice if you plan to explore the island.

Which airport suits your trip?

Crete is around 260 kilometres long, so the airport you land at makes a big difference. Choose the wrong one and you can easily spend two to three hours in a car or on a bus on the day you arrive. In summer there are usually direct flights from the UK to both airports, so check both before you book.

The west: If you’re staying in Chania, in the beach resorts of Agia Marina and Platanias, in Kalyves and Almyrida or near Balos, Falassarna and Elafonisi, choose Chania Airport. The drive to Chania’s Old Town takes 20 to 25 minutes, and Agia Marina is around 35 to 40 minutes away.

The centre: Rethymnon lies almost halfway between the two airports. From Chania Airport the drive takes around an hour and from Heraklion Airport around an hour and a quarter, so here you can pick whichever airport has the flight that suits you best.

The east: If you’re staying in Heraklion, Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Sitia, choose Heraklion Airport. Hersonissos is around 25 minutes away by car, and Agios Nikolaos takes around an hour.

The south coast: Matala and Agia Galini are easiest to reach from Heraklion, while Paleochora and Sfakia are closest to Chania. To reach the south coast you have to cross the mountains, so allow more time than the distance suggests.

There is also a small airport at Sitia on the east coast, but it has only a few routes, so the vast majority of travellers land in Heraklion or Chania. If you’re unsure which part of the island to choose, read my guide to where to stay in Crete, where I go through the areas from Chania in the west to Sitia in the east.

How to find transport from Heraklion airport to town and from Chania airport

Heraklion: The airport is in the Nea Alikarnassos district right by the sea, so planes land close to the city. When you leave the arrivals hall, the taxi rank is just outside, and the city bus stops are right outside the terminal. The car hire companies have desks in and near the arrivals area, while many local firms instead meet you with a sign and walk you to the car in the car park. If you’ve booked a transfer, the driver usually waits in the arrivals area with your name on a sign.

In summer many charter flights land at the same time, and there can be long queues at the baggage carousels and for taxis. If you have a tight schedule on the day you arrive, a pre-booked transfer or hire car is the safest option.

Chania: The airport is smaller and easy to find your way around. Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall, and according to the airport’s own page about the bus, the bus stops opposite the departures area at the eastern end of the terminal, where you buy your ticket from the driver. The hire companies have desks in the arrivals area or meet you at the car park.

1. The city bus from Heraklion Airport to the centre

Heraklion’s blue city buses are run by Astiko KTEL Heraklion, and several of the routes run between the airport and the city. The journey to the central bus station takes about 20 minutes, and during the day there’s a bus every few minutes. The buses run from early morning until late evening, so if you land late, it’s a taxi or a pre-booked transfer.

Not every route passes the central bus station, which is where the regional buses to the rest of the island leave from. If you’re catching a regional bus onwards, ask the driver before you get on whether the bus stops at the bus station, or KTEL, as it’s known locally.

Fares and tickets

According to Astiko KTEL Heraklion’s fare list, a standard ticket costs 1.30 euros (around £1.10) in zone A and 1.80 euros (around £1.50) in zone B if you buy it before boarding, while it costs 1 euro more from the driver. You can buy tickets in the bus company’s app, among other places, or otherwise pay the driver in cash, so have coins and small notes ready. If you’ll be taking the bus several times on the same day, a day ticket costs 5 euros (around £4).

Where should you get off?

The central bus station is on Leoforos Ikarou, close to the harbour. From here it’s a 5 to 10-minute walk to Eleftherias Square and around 10 minutes to the Venetian harbour with Koules Fortress, so you can walk to most hotels in the centre. If you’re staying further into the city, ask the driver for the nearest stop, as the bus stops at several places along the way.

Close to both the bus station and Eleftherias Square is the five-star Aquila Atlantis Hotel with an outdoor pool, which is handy if you’re catching the bus onwards the next morning. Heraklion is a busy city rather than a beach resort, so most people stay here for a night or two and then head off along the coast.

2. Buses from Heraklion Airport to Hersonissos, Malia and Agios Nikolaos

The regional buses in the eastern part of Crete are run by KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi. According to Heraklion Municipality’s transport page, the routes from Heraklion towards Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra and Sitia go via the airport, and the eastbound buses pass Hersonissos and Malia on the way. This means you can get on at the airport without heading into town first.

Not every departure stops at the airport, and the bus stop isn’t always easy to find, so ask at the airport information desk where to wait and check the KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi timetables before you travel. The safe alternative is to take the city bus to the central bus station, where all the departures start and where you have the most buses to choose from.

To Hersonissos and Malia

Buses to Hersonissos and Malia run frequently in the summer season, and a ticket from Heraklion typically costs 4 to 5 euros (around £3.50 to £4). From the airport, allow half an hour to three quarters of an hour to Hersonissos and around an hour to Malia, depending on how many stops the bus makes along the way. Ask the driver for the nearest stop to your hotel when you get on.

If there are three or four of you going to the same hotel, a taxi costs roughly twice as much as the bus tickets, but it takes you right to the door. Malia is known for its nightlife, so if you want some peace and quiet, check how close your hotel is to the bars before you book.

To Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Sitia

A ticket to Agios Nikolaos costs around 8 to 9 euros (around £7 to £7.50), and the journey takes about one to one and a half hours. If you’re going on to Elounda, change to the local bus at the bus station in Agios Nikolaos, or take a taxi for the last stretch of just over 10 kilometres. Fewer buses run to Sitia and Ierapetra, and the journey is long, so a hire car or a transfer is often easier here.

Where to buy your ticket

At the airport, you buy your ticket on board from the driver or conductor, and at the central bus station in Heraklion you can buy it at the ticket office. KTEL Heraklion-Lasithi also sells tickets on its website and in its app. Your suitcase goes in the luggage hold under the bus.

3. The bus from Chania Airport to Chania town

The bus between Chania Airport and the town is run by KTEL Chania-Rethymno. It stops opposite the departures area at the eastern end of the terminal and takes about half an hour to reach the bus station in Chania. You buy your ticket from the driver, and it costs around 2.50 to 3 euros (around £2 to £2.50), so have cash ready.

The bus runs from morning to evening, but it doesn’t wait for delayed flights, and departures are most frequent during the day and in the summer season. If you land late, check the KTEL Chania-Rethymno timetables before you travel, or plan on taking a taxi.

Where should you get off?

The bus terminates at the bus station on Kydonias by 1866 Square, and from here it’s about a 10-minute walk to the Venetian Harbour and the Old Town. The streets in the Old Town are narrow and cobbled, so if you have a heavy suitcase, it’s worth taking a taxi for the last stretch from the bus station.

Right by the bus station is the four-star Samaria Hotel with an outdoor pool, so you’re close to both the bus and the Old Town. If you’d like to see the other neighbourhoods and the beach resorts around Chania, with hotel suggestions in every price range, read my guide to where to stay in Chania.

4. From Chania Airport to Agia Marina, Platanias and Kissamos

To reach the beach resorts west of Chania, you usually have to change at the bus station in Chania. From here, buses head west along the coast through Agia Marina and Platanias, and in the summer season they run many times a day. From Chania, the journey takes about 20 to 30 minutes to Agia Marina and a little longer to Platanias, and a ticket costs a couple of euros.

Buses to Kissamos, also known as Kastelli, follow the same coastal route, and the journey from Chania takes about an hour and costs around 5 euros (around £4). Boats to Gramvousa and Balos leave from the harbour in Kissamos, and KTEL Chania-Rethymno runs buses to the harbour that connect with the boats.

With luggage and two buses, the journey from the airport to Agia Marina is a long detour. A taxi takes about 35 to 40 minutes, but it costs more than the ride to Chania because you have to go all the way through the town, so ask about the fare before you set off. If you’re travelling as a family, a transfer or a hire car is often the easiest option.

5. To Rethymnon and across the island by bus

Rethymnon lies in the middle of the north coast, and you can get there by bus from both airports. According to Chania Airport, buses from the airport run to both Chania and Rethymnon, and some departures include a direct bus to Rethymnon via Souda. The journey takes about an hour, and a ticket costs around 8 euros (around £7). If the direct bus doesn’t fit with your flight, take the airport bus to Chania and change to one of the many buses towards Rethymnon.

From Heraklion Airport, take the city bus to the central bus station and change there to the bus towards Rethymnon and Chania, which typically runs once an hour or more often. The journey to Rethymnon takes about one and a half hours and costs around 8 to 10 euros (around £7 to £8.50), and going all the way to Chania takes 2.5 to 3 hours and costs around 18 euros (around £15).

The bus station in Rethymnon is on the western edge of the centre, and from here it’s a 10 to 15-minute walk to the Old Town. In the Old Town you’ll find the four-star Mansio Boutique Hotel with a pool, about a 10-minute walk from the bus station.

If you’re travelling from one end of the island to the other, for example from Heraklion Airport to Chania, the bus is far cheaper than a taxi, but expect it to take most of an afternoon with changes and waiting time. If there are four of you with lots of luggage, a transfer or a hire car can be worth the money.

6. Taxi from Heraklion and Chania Airport

At both airports, the taxis queue up outside the arrivals hall. The taxis have meters, but on longer trips out of town it’s common to agree the fare before you set off, so ask the driver before you get in. At night, the taxis charge a higher rate, and you can always ask for a receipt. The prices below are approximate fares for the whole car, and they depend on the time of day and exactly where you’re going.

Heraklion

• Heraklion city centre: around €15 to €20 (around £13 to £17) and 10 to 15 minutes without traffic.
• Hersonissos: around €35 to €45 (around £30 to £40) and about 25 minutes.
• Agios Nikolaos: around €80 to €100 (around £65 to £85) and about an hour.
• Elounda: around €95 to €115 (around £80 to £95) and just over an hour.
• Rethymnon: around €100 to €140 (around £85 to £115) and about an hour and a quarter.
• Chania: around €180 to €200 (around £150 to £170) and about two hours.

Chania

A taxi to the Old Town in Chania costs around €25 to €30 (around £20 to £25) and takes 20 to 25 minutes without traffic. To Rethymnon, expect to pay around €90 to €100 (around £75 to £85), and it takes about an hour. A taxi is a good choice if there are several of you, or if you’re staying in the Old Town, where the bus doesn’t go, and if you land late, it’s often the only option unless you’ve booked a transfer.

7. Private transfer

A private transfer is a pre-booked car with a driver who waits for you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel. On GetYourGuide, prices start from around €50 (around £40) for a car for up to four people on the short trips, and the price goes up with the distance. A transfer from Heraklion Airport all the way to Chania typically costs over €200 (around £170).

Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel in Crete here.

A transfer is a good choice if you’re travelling with children, landing late or heading to a hotel with no bus connection, for example in the mountains or on the south coast. Book well in advance and enter your flight number when you book, so the driver can keep track if your flight is delayed.

8. Car Hire from Heraklion and Chania Airport

Crete is a big island, and many of the best beaches, mountain villages and gorges are a long way from the bus routes. If you want to explore the island, a hire car is therefore the easiest option. The big international rental companies have desks at both airports, and there are plenty of local hire firms, which usually meet you with a sign in the arrivals hall or in the car park. Check your confirmation to see where you need to meet them, and compare prices on car hire at Booking.com before you travel. In high season it pays to book well ahead, especially if you want an automatic.

Heraklion

The airport lies east of the city close to the main road along the north coast, so if you are heading east, you drive straight onto the road towards Hersonissos without having to go through Heraklion. Hersonissos takes about 25 minutes, Malia about 35 minutes and Agios Nikolaos about an hour. Heading west, you drive south of the centre and reach Rethymnon in about an hour and a quarter and Chania in about two hours.

Traffic in Heraklion itself is heavy, and parking in the centre is difficult. If you are staying in the city for the first few days, it therefore makes sense to pick up the car when you leave the city.

Chania

From the airport on Akrotiri, you drive into Chania in 20 to 25 minutes, further west to Agia Marina and Platanias in 35 to 40 minutes and to Kissamos in about an hour. To the east, Rethymnon is about an hour away. The Old Town in Chania is mostly pedestrianised, so park in one of the public car parks outside the city walls, and ask your hotel about parking before you book.

What You Need to Know About Driving in Crete

The main road along the north coast connects Kissamos, Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. It is easy to find your way along, but in several places it is narrow with no central reservation, and many locals pull onto the hard shoulder to let faster cars pass. Keep a good distance, only overtake where you can see a long way ahead, and be prepared for others to overtake close to you.

Away from the coast, the roads are often narrow, steep and full of bends, and in the mountains there may be goats on the road. Allow more time than the distance suggests, especially to the south coast, and avoid driving the long mountain roads in the dark on your first evening. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs states in its travel advice for Greece that you should take care in traffic and that hire cars can be broken into, so never leave luggage, passports or valuables in the car.

You can find ideas for trips around the island once you have the car in my guide to things to do in Crete.

The Dirt Road to Balos

Balos Lagoon on the Gramvousa peninsula west of Kissamos is one of the places many people want to visit with their hire car. The tarmac ends in the village of Kaliviani, and the last 8 kilometres or so are a potholed dirt road that takes half an hour or more. From the car park above the lagoon, you walk 20 to 30 minutes down a steep path and longer back up again, so bring good shoes and water.

Many rental agreements don’t cover damage to the underside and tyres or driving on dirt roads, so read the terms before you drive out there. Arrive early in summer, as the car park fills up quickly. If you’d rather not drive the dirt road, you can take a boat to Balos and Gramvousa from the harbour in Kissamos instead.

Getting Back to the Airport

Heraklion: The city buses run from the centre to the airport from early morning, and from the central bus station the journey takes about 20 minutes. A taxi takes 10 to 15 minutes without traffic. Many of the regional buses from Agios Nikolaos, Malia and Hersonissos towards Heraklion also run via the airport, so ask the driver whether the bus stops there. The airport can be very busy in high season, with queues at check-in and security, so arrive in good time.

Chania: The airport bus runs from the bus station in Chania and takes about half an hour, and a taxi from the Old Town takes 20 to 25 minutes. If you have an early flight before the bus starts running, your hotel reception can book a taxi for you.

If you are returning a hire car, allow extra time to fill up and drop off the car, especially if the rental company has its office outside the airport and takes you to the terminal by shuttle bus.

If you are changing planes in Athens and spending a couple of days in the city, you can read about where to stay in Athens, and see the metro, bus and taxi options in my guide to getting from Athens Airport to the city centre. If you want to combine Crete with other islands, such as Santorini, which you can sail to from the port of Heraklion in summer, you’ll find my suggestions in the guide to where to stay in Greece.

Which Option Should You Choose?

Here is my recommendation based on where you are staying:

Heraklion city: Take the city bus to the central bus station from €1.30 (around £1.10), or take a taxi for about €15 to €20 (around £13 to £17).

Hersonissos and Malia: Take the regional bus from the airport or from the central bus station. If there are three or four of you, a taxi is easier and not much more expensive.

Agios Nikolaos and Elounda: The bus to Agios Nikolaos is cheap, but with children or lots of luggage, a transfer or a hire car is far easier.

Chania and the Old Town: Take the airport bus to the bus station for about €2.50 to €3 (around £2 to £2.50), or take a taxi all the way to your hotel for about €25 to €30 (around £20 to £25).

Agia Marina and Platanias: Bus with a change in Chania if you have time, otherwise a taxi or transfer.

Rethymnon: Fly into Chania and take the direct bus if it fits with your flight. Otherwise, take the bus with a change in Chania or Heraklion.

If you land late: A taxi or a pre-booked transfer, as the buses don’t wait for delayed flights.

Around the island, Balos, Elafonisi and the south coast: Pick up a hire car at the airport, and choose the airport closest to the part of the island you’ll be seeing most of.

The post Heraklion & Chania Airport to Town & Your Hotel – Transport Guide appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Here are my picks for the 17 best sights in Cape Verde, grouped island by island with prices, transport and a practical tip for each. Most of them are on Sal and Boa Vista, where most people stay. Prices are given in euros, and 1 euro is roughly £0.84. The local currency is the escudo, and 1 euro is roughly 110 escudos, but on Sal and Boa Vista you can pay in euros in most places.

1. Santa Maria and the Pontão pier (Sal)

Santa Maria sits on the southern tip of Sal and is the island’s resort town, built around a long, pale sandy beach with turquoise water. Halfway along the beach, the old Pontão pier stretches out into the sea. It was originally built to ship out salt from the salt flats north of town, but today it is where the fishermen work. Towards midday the boats come in with tuna and other big fish, which are cleaned and sold right there on the pier.

Walking out on the pier is free, and it is open all day. The beach is sheltered from the prevailing wind, so the water is usually calmer here than elsewhere on the island. In the evening, life moves into the streets behind the beach, where you will find restaurants, bars and often live music.

My tip is to come around midday when the catch comes in, then walk west along the beach for sunset. Santa Maria is the first area in my guide to where to stay in Cape Verde. If you want to stay right in the thick of it, Vista Mar Seafront Holiday Apartments is just a few metres from the beach and a short walk from the pier.

Book a guided snorkelling trip to the reefs off Santa Maria here.

2. The salt crater at Pedra de Lume (Sal)

Pedra de Lume lies on the east coast inside an old volcanic crater, where seawater seeps in through the rocks and evaporates in the sun. It is the salt from here that gave Sal its name, and in the 20th century a cableway carried the salt over the crater rim down to the harbour. You walk in through a tunnel in the crater wall and come out onto white salt flats and pools with water so salty that you bob like a cork.

Entry costs around 6 euros (around £5), payable in cash. It is open every day from morning until late afternoon, and there are changing rooms, toilets and a small café. The showers cost around 1 euro in coins. From Santa Maria the trip takes about half an hour by taxi, or you can take an aluguer, the shared minibuses, to Espargos and a taxi for the last stretch.

My tip is to wear water shoes, because the salt crystals on the bottom are sharp, and not to shave on the same day. Keep your head above the water, as the salt water stings your eyes badly, and come at opening time or late in the afternoon, once the tour coaches have left.

Book a half-day trip to the Pedra de Lume salt crater and Shark Bay here.

3. Buracona and the Blue Eye (Sal)

Buracona lies on the wild north-west coast north of Palmeira, where black lava rocks drop straight into the Atlantic. There is a natural pool in the lava where you can swim when the sea is calm, and a hole in the rocks called Olho Azul, or the Blue Eye. When the sun is high, the light hits an underwater cave and the water in the hole lights up a clear, electric blue.

Entry costs around 3 euros (around £2.50), and there are walkways, a café and toilets. The last part of the road out there is gravel, so most people arrive by taxi or on an island tour. You are not allowed to swim in the Blue Eye itself, and you should only get into the pool when no waves are breaking over the rocks.

My tip is to be there between 11am and 1pm on a clear day, because without sunshine the hole just looks dark. The effect is strongest in summer, when the sun is at its highest. Wear water shoes, as the lava is sharp, and carry on to Palmeira afterwards for lunch.

Book a tour of Sal to the Blue Eye, the salt crater and the lemon sharks here.

4. The lemon sharks in Shark Bay (Sal)

Shark Bay is at Baía da Parda on Sal’s east coast, about half an hour’s drive from Santa Maria. The bay is so shallow that you can wade a long way out in knee-deep water, and this is where young lemon sharks grow up. They are typically half a metre to a metre long and swim in small groups around your legs. The sharks are not interested in people, as long as you leave them alone.

There is no official entry fee, but the local guides on the beach charge around 3 euros (around £2.50) to walk out with you, and you can also hire water shoes here. There are no toilets or café, and no buses run out there. A taxi from Santa Maria costs around 30 to 40 euros (around £25 to £35) return including waiting time, so most people come on a tour.

My tip is to arrive before 10am or late in the afternoon, before and after the big groups, so the water is clear. Stand still, keep your hands up, and never touch or feed the sharks. The bottom is stone and lava, so water shoes are a must.

Book a trip from Santa Maria to the lemon sharks in Shark Bay here.

5. Kitesurfing and surfing at Kite Beach and Ponta Preta (Sal)

Sal is one of the best wind islands in the Atlantic, and the trade winds blow for most of the winter. Kite Beach is on the south-east coast just east of Santa Maria, and this is where the kitesurfers gather, with schools, equipment hire and a long beach with plenty of space to rig up. On the west coast is Ponta Preta, where the waves are so big that the spot is known among surfers and kitesurfers far beyond the island.

The wind is usually strongest from around November to May and lighter in late summer. A two-hour kitesurfing course costs from around 150 euros (around £125), while a surf lesson costs from around 38 euros (around £30). Watching from the beach is free, and Kite Beach is close enough to Santa Maria that you can walk or take a short taxi ride.

Ponta Preta is for experienced riders only, and you shouldn’t swim here, as the waves and currents are powerful. If you are a beginner, book a course over several days rather than a single lesson. If you know the wind from the Canary Islands, the conditions are similar to those you will know from my guide to where to stay in Fuerteventura.

Book a kitesurfing course with an instructor on Sal here.

6. The fishing village of Palmeira (Sal)

Palmeira on the west coast is Sal’s port town, where the cargo ships dock with everything the island needs. At the same time, it’s a small, quiet fishing village with colourful wooden boats in the harbour, a little square and pastel-painted houses. This is where you see everyday life on Sal away from the tourist town, and it’s also where many of the boat trips along the west coast set sail.

It costs nothing to wander around, and down by the harbour there are a few simple restaurants serving the catch of the day. Palmeira is only a short drive from Espargos and the airport, and aluguers run there from Espargos. The road out to Buracona passes the town, so the two places fit well together on the same day. The catamaran trips usually sail south to the bay at Murdeira, where you can swim and snorkel.

My tip is to visit Buracona around midday and then drive down to Palmeira afterwards for grilled fish by the harbour. Come on a weekday when the fishermen are working, and bring cash for the small restaurants.

Book a catamaran trip with snorkelling along the west coast here.

7. The Viana Desert (Boa Vista)

Just east of Sal Rei and the village of Rabil lies Deserto de Viana, a landscape of tall, pale sand dunes that looks like a slice of the Sahara. According to the locals, the sand has blown here from Africa, and when the wind sweeps through the dunes, they change shape from day to day. Behind them the dark mountains rise up, and in the afternoon the sand turns almost golden.

The desert is free and only a short drive from Sal Rei, but there are no facilities and no shade. The best way to get there is by 4×4 or on a tour, as an ordinary hire car quickly gets stuck in the sand, and the insurance rarely covers that kind of driving. On most tours you can try sandboarding down the dunes.

My tip is to head out late in the afternoon, when the sand isn’t scorching hot and the light is softer. Bring plenty of water, and wrap up your phone and camera well, because the fine sand gets everywhere.

Book a jeep tour to the Viana Desert and the shipwreck here.

8. The Cabo Santa Maria shipwreck (Boa Vista)

On Praia de Atalanta beach on Boa Vista’s north coast, about 6 kilometres north-east of Sal Rei, lies the wreck of the Cabo Santa Maria. It was a Spanish cargo ship that ran aground here on 1 September 1968, and since then the waves have slowly worn down the rusty hull. The wreck stands in the surf on a long, deserted beach, and it’s one of the most photographed sights on Boa Vista.

It’s free to visit, but the road is a sandy dirt track, so most people come by quad bike or 4×4. There are no facilities on the beach. The current along the coast is strong, so don’t swim out to the wreck, and don’t climb on it, as the hull could collapse.

My tip is to go in the afternoon, when the sun lights up the hull, and combine the wreck with the Viana Desert, which is on the way. A two-hour quad tour covering both places costs from around 90 euros (around £75) per quad.

Book a quad tour to the shipwreck and the Viana Desert here.

9. Praia de Santa Mónica and the south coast (Boa Vista)

Praia de Santa Mónica on Boa Vista’s south-west coast is, in my opinion, the island’s most beautiful beach. It stretches for many kilometres with white sand, turquoise water and hardly any buildings, and it borders the Morro de Areia nature reserve with its dunes, birds and turtles. About 5 kilometres to the north lies Povoação Velha, the island’s oldest village, sheltered by the mountains, and along the nearby coast you’ll find the rock caves at Varandinha.

The beach is free, and there are practically no facilities. From Sal Rei the journey takes about 45 minutes, and the last stretch is on a dirt track. The waves and current can be powerful, so only go in when the sea is calm, and stay close to the shore.

My tip is to take a 4×4 tour that combines Povoação Velha, Varandinha and Santa Mónica in one day, so you don’t have to find your own way along the tracks. If you hire a car yourself, never leave anything visible in it while you’re on the beach.

Book a trip to Santa Mónica with sandboarding and local tastings here.

10. Curral Velho and the deserted east coast (Boa Vista)

On Boa Vista’s south-east coast lie the ruins of Curral Velho, a fishing village abandoned many years ago. The stone walls still stand in the sand by a long, empty beach, and out at sea lies the small island of Ilhéu de Curral Velho. The beaches here are among the places where turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, and this is one of the most deserted coastlines you’ll find in Cape Verde.

There’s no entrance fee and no facilities, and you can only get there along sandy tracks in a 4×4. Tours along the east coast usually pass abandoned villages, an old baobab tree and deserted beaches, and often finish with sandboarding in the Viana Desert.

My tip is to join a guided tour rather than drive yourself, as the tracks are hard to find and tough on an ordinary hire car. During turtle season the beaches are protected at night, so only visit in daylight unless you’re with a certified guide.

Book a full-day tour of Boa Vista’s deserted east coast here.

11. Sea turtles and humpback whales (Boa Vista and Sal)

Boa Vista is one of the world’s most important places for the loggerhead turtle, and according to the Turtle Foundation, around two thirds of all nesting in Cape Verde takes place right here. The females come ashore at night from roughly June to October, and the hatchlings crawl down to the sea from roughly August to November. On Sal, Projeto Biodiversidade works to protect the turtles and their nests.

At night you may only visit the beaches with a certified guide. Never use lights or flash, and keep your distance. A tour costs from around 80 euros (around £65). From roughly February to May, humpback whales come to the waters around Boa Vista to mate and give birth, and according to the Loro Parque Fundación, the bay off Sal Rei is one of the most important breeding grounds. Whale-watching trips sail from Sal Rei, and a trip costs from around 80 euros (around £65).

My tip is to travel in August if you want to see turtles, as that’s peak season for the females on the beach. Whale trips can be cancelled when the waves are high, so book them early in your holiday.

Book a turtle tour with a certified guide on Boa Vista here.

Book a whale-watching trip with a biologist from Boa Vista here.

12. Mindelo and its music (São Vicente)

Mindelo is Cape Verde’s cultural capital and the town where the singer Cesária Évora was born in 1941 and died in 2011. The barefoot diva made morna famous around the world, the slow, melancholic song form that was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. On the small square Praceta Dom Luiz by the harbour promenade, the Portuguese artist Vhils has carved a ten-metre-high portrait of her into the wall of a house.

The town wraps around a large natural harbour beneath the mountain Monte Cara, and in the centre you’ll find pastel-coloured colonial houses, a covered market hall and a fish market that’s free to wander around. In the evenings, musicians play morna and coladeira in bars and restaurants, and around Shrovetide the town holds a big carnival.

My tip is to spend a Friday or Saturday evening in Mindelo, when there’s the most live music. If you’re travelling around carnival time, book your hotel well in advance, as the town fills up quickly. From Mindelo it’s a short hop to the ferry to Santo Antão.

Book an evening tour of Mindelo’s live music bars here.

13. From the Cova crater down into the Paul Valley (Santo Antão)

Santo Antão is Cape Verde’s greenest island, and the classic hike starts at Cova, an old volcanic crater more than 1,000 metres up with fields on its flat floor. From the rim, a cobbled path zigzags down into the Paul Valley, the lushest valley on the island, through terraces of sugar cane, bananas, mango and coffee. Along the way you pass small villages where they distil grogue, the island’s sugar cane rum.

The hike is free, and you descend around 1,000 metres in roughly three to four hours until you reach the valley floor and the road down towards the coast at Vila das Pombas. From the ferry port in Porto Novo you take a taxi or aluguer up over the mountains to the crater, and according to the ferry company CV Interilhas, the ferry from Mindelo to Porto Novo takes under an hour.

My tip is to start early, before the clouds settle over the crater rim. The path is steep and slippery after rain, so wear shoes with good grip and ideally bring poles to spare your knees. Go with a local guide if you haven’t hiked in the mountains before.

Book the hike from the Cova crater down into the Paul Valley with lunch here.

14. The coastal path from Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas (Santo Antão)

Ponta do Sol sits at the far end of Santo Antão’s north coast where the road ends, and from here one of Cape Verde’s most beautiful hikes begins. The path is cut into the cliffs high above the sea and winds up to Fontainhas, a village of colourful houses clustered on a narrow ridge above a green valley. If you carry on, the path continues along the coast to the villages of Corvo and Cruzinha.

The hike is free. From Ponta do Sol to Fontainhas takes about an hour each way, while the full route to Cruzinha takes most of a day, after which you catch an aluguer or taxi back. The path is narrow with sheer drops down to the sea, so it’s not for you if you suffer from vertigo.

My tip is to stay a couple of nights in Ponta do Sol so you can set off early in the morning, before the sun hits the cliffs. Casa D’Mar is a guesthouse with a terrace in town where you can order a packed lunch for the hike. If you like the hikes on Madeira, you’ll love Santo Antão too, and you can compare with my guide to where to stay in Madeira.

15. Pico do Fogo and Chã das Caldeiras (Fogo)

Fogo is the volcano island, and in the middle of the vast Chã das Caldeiras caldera, Pico do Fogo rises to 2,829 metres. It’s Cape Verde’s highest point and an active volcano, which last erupted from November 2014 to February 2015. The lava buried most of the villages in the crater, but many of the residents have moved back and rebuilt. In the black volcanic soil they grow wine, which you can taste in the village.

The ascent takes around three to four hours on a steep path of loose stones and ash, and the descent is quicker because you can almost slide down the ash slope. Go with a local guide and start at dawn. You reach Fogo by plane or ferry from Praia to São Filipe, then take an aluguer or taxi up into the crater in about one to one and a half hours.

My tip is to stay overnight in the crater so you can start early. Casa Alcindo in Portela has top reviews, and the hosts can help you find a guide. Bring warm clothes, as the nights are cold at around 1,700 metres.

Book the guided hike to the summit of Pico do Fogo here.

16. Cidade Velha (Santiago)

Cidade Velha lies on the coast about 15 kilometres west of Praia, and under the name Ribeira Grande it was, according to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the first town Europeans built in the tropics. The Portuguese founded it in the 15th century, and the town became a hub of the Atlantic slave trade. On the square by the sea stands the Pelourinho, a 16th-century marble pillory, and behind it lies Rua Banana with its low stone houses and thatched roofs.

Up on the hill above the town sits the Fortaleza Real de São Filipe fortress, which the Portuguese built to defend against pirates, and down in the town stand the ruins of the cathedral and the church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário. The town is free to wander around, while the fortress charges a small entrance fee of a few euros. From Praia the trip takes about 20 to 30 minutes by taxi or aluguer.

My tip is to start at the fortress in the morning, when the view over the town and the sea is at its best, then walk down to the square afterwards and finish with fish at one of the restaurants by the beach.

Book a full-day trip from Praia to Cidade Velha and Tarrafal here.

17. Tarrafal: the beach and the old prison camp (Santiago)

Tarrafal sits at the northern tip of Santiago and is a quiet fishing town with one of the island’s best beaches, a small bay with pale sand, palm trees and usually calm water. In the morning the fishermen haul their colourful wooden boats up onto the beach, and the town has a completely different sense of calm from the capital.

Just outside town is the former prison camp Campo de Concentração do Tarrafal, which the Portuguese dictatorship opened in 1936 for political prisoners. At first it held Portuguese resistance fighters, and later freedom fighters from Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, until the camp closed in 1974. Today it’s a museum with cells and barracks, and the entrance fee is small. From Praia the journey takes a couple of hours through the mountains, and it’s easiest by hire car from Booking.com, so you can stop at the market in Assomada and the viewpoints in Serra Malagueta along the way.

My tip is to stay the night in Tarrafal rather than driving there and back in one day, so you get to fit in both the museum and an afternoon on the beach.

Book a full-day tour from Praia across the island to the beach in Tarrafal here.

Practical travel tips for Cape Verde

Sal and Boa Vista have international airports, and in the winter months there are direct charter flights from the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Many other travellers fly via Lisbon, and if you need a night there on the way, you can read how to get from Lisbon Airport to the city centre. Between the islands, domestic flights are the easiest option, while ferries sail between some of the islands, and to reach Santo Antão you take the ferry from Mindelo. Check the timetables before you plan your route, and choose no more than two or three islands for a week.

Bring cash for the entrance fees at Pedra de Lume, Buracona and Shark Bay, and always agree the fare with the taxi driver before you get in. Aluguer, the shared minibuses, are the cheap way to get around. Before you travel, you need to register at ease.gov.cv no later than five days before departure and pay an airport fee, either yourself or through your tour operator, as stated on the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page on passports and visas for Cape Verde. The UK travel advice warns of strong currents around the islands, so swim where there’s a lifeguard.

The sun shines for most of the year on Sal and Boa Vista, while the wind is strongest in winter, the turtles arrive in summer and autumn, and the whales are around from roughly February to May. If you’re unsure which island to choose, start with my guide to where to stay in Cape Verde, or see all hotels in Cape Verde on Booking.com. If you want winter sun with a shorter flight, have a look at my things to do in Gran Canaria and things to do in Tenerife.

The post Things to Do in Cape Verde: 17 Experiences with Lemon Sharks, Desert Dunes and an Active Volcano appeared first on Destination Well Known.

So where should you stay in Sri Lanka? It depends on whether you’re touring the island or after a beach holiday, and on when you travel, because the monsoon hits the coasts at different times of year. Here are my nine picks, with three hotels in each area, from the most expensive to the cheapest.

Where to Stay in Sri Lanka: The Best Areas

• Colombo & Negombo - best base for arrival, city life and your last night
• Sigiriya & Dambulla - best area for the Cultural Triangle and Lion Rock
• Kandy - best town for the Temple of the Tooth and the start of the train journey
• Ella - best town for tea plantations, hiking and the train journey
• Tissamaharama & Yala - best area for safari and leopards
• Mirissa & Weligama - best area for beaches, surfing and whales
• Galle Fort - best town for colonial houses, cafés and sunsets on the ramparts
• Bentota - best area for resorts and a beach holiday close to the airport
• Trincomalee (Uppuveli) - best area for a summer beach holiday

I go through the areas in the order you’d usually visit them on a classic tour. You land near Colombo, drive up to the Cultural Triangle and Sigiriya, carry on to Kandy and take the train through the hill country to Ella. From there you head down to Yala for a safari and continue along the south and west coasts back towards the airport. Trincomalee on the east coast comes last, because it’s the beach for those travelling in summer. The hotel prices come from a search for a weekend in February for two people (for Trincomalee, a weekend in July), and they vary a lot with the season.

The weather is the most important thing to understand before you choose a beach. The southwest monsoon brings rain to the west and south coasts and the mountains from around May to September, while the northeast monsoon brings rain to the east coast and the north from around December to February. If you’re travelling in the winter months, the south and west coasts, the Cultural Triangle and the hill country are the right choice, and in summer the east coast around Trincomalee is best. In October and November, heavy showers can hit most of the island. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs states in its travel advice for Sri Lanka that monsoon rains can cause flooding and landslides, and that buses and tuk-tuks are often involved in accidents.

Sri Lanka isn’t big, but the roads are narrow and winding, so journeys take longer than the map suggests. Most people touring the island hire a car with a driver for the whole trip, which is both the easiest and the safest option. The train journey between Kandy and Ella is an experience in itself, and I’ll tell you more about it in the Ella section. For short trips you take a tuk-tuk, and in the larger towns you can book one through apps such as PickMe and Uber, so you don’t have to haggle over the price. If you want to drive yourself, Sri Lanka requires a local driving permit in addition to your driving licence, and the traffic is chaotic. I only recommend it for experienced drivers, but you can check prices for car hire from Booking.com.

Two weeks is enough for a tour taking in Sigiriya, Kandy, Ella, Yala and a few nights by the beach, and with three weeks you can do it all at a more relaxed pace. If you only have a week, choose either the Cultural Triangle and Kandy or the south and west coasts. Many people also end their trip with a week in the Maldives, just a short flight from Colombo, and here you can read about where to stay in the Maldives.

Nuwara Eliya, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa, Arugam Bay and Jaffna don’t have their own sections. I mention Nuwara Eliya under Ella, Unawatuna under Galle, Hikkaduwa under Bentota and Arugam Bay under Trincomalee. Jaffna in the Tamil north is far from the classic routes and suits you best if you have plenty of time and have already seen the rest of the island.

1. Colombo & Negombo - best base for arrival, city life and your last night ✈️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Negombo is about 35 kilometres north of Colombo. The hotels in Negombo are on the beach north of the town centre, while the hotel in Colombo is on the Galle Face Green seafront promenade in the heart of the city.
• 🚕 Transport: In both cities you get around by tuk-tuk or book a car through an app. Between the airport, Negombo and Colombo you take a taxi or a car with a driver.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: The airport is at Katunayake. It’s about 20 to 30 minutes by car to Negombo and about an hour to Colombo via the motorway, depending on traffic.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost around £11 to £160 a night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Generally safe, but the traffic is heavy. Take an official taxi or an app car from the airport, and keep an eye on your bag during rush hour in Colombo.

Negombo is a fishing town with a long beach, a large lagoon and an old canal dating from Dutch times. The town has lots of Catholic churches, and the large St. Mary’s Church in the centre is a good place to start a walk. In the morning the day’s catch is sold at the fish market by the lagoon, and most of the hotels, restaurants and bars line the beach north of the centre. It isn’t Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beach, but it’s fine for a stroll and a sunset after a long flight.

Colombo is the country’s largest city and commercial capital. Along the sea runs Galle Face Green, a long lawn and seafront promenade where families gather in the evening and buy street food from the stalls. In the city you can wander the old trading streets of Pettah, see Gangaramaya Temple by Beira Lake and eat well at the restaurants in the neighbourhoods south of the centre. One or two days is enough for most people, and the city works best as the start or end of your trip.

See hotels in Negombo here or see hotels in Colombo here.

I would stay in Negombo on the first and last night. Many flights to Sri Lanka land late in the evening or early in the morning, and from here you’re quickly away from the airport and can have a lie-in before your driver picks you up. It’s also the easiest place to stay before an early flight home. If you want to see the capital, spend one or two nights in Colombo instead, ideally at the southern end of Galle Face Green, where you can walk along the sea.

The downside is that neither city is the reason people travel to Sri Lanka. In Colombo the traffic is heavy for most of the day, so even short journeys take time, and the city can feel hot and noisy. The beach in Negombo is wide, but the sand is coarse and the sea is rougher than on the south coast, so don’t plan a beach holiday here.

Hotels in Colombo and Negombo

Galle Face Hotel - historic colonial hotel by the sea in Colombo

Galle Face Hotel is at the southern end of Galle Face Green in central Colombo and has a saltwater pool facing the Indian Ocean. It scores 8.7 from over 1,700 reviews, and the price was around £160 a night. The buildings are full of atmosphere, but some guests feel the hotel needs maintenance and could be run better.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Super lovely staff, great buffets for breakfast and dinner, the pool was lovely and the location was excellent.”

See photos and book Galle Face Hotel here.

Negombo Boutique Villa - small hotel with a pool near the beach in Negombo

Negombo Boutique Villa is in Palangathura in the northern part of Negombo, about a six-minute walk from the beach. There’s an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a bar, and the hotel can arrange airport transfers for a fee. It scores 8.6 from over 1,500 reviews, and the price was around £30 a night, but some guests find the rooms a little dark.

From one review: “Beautiful villa, spotlessly clean and a really lovely pool.”

See photos and book Negombo Boutique Villa here.

Sun Shine Guest House - budget guesthouse right on the beach

Sun Shine Guest House is on Lewis Place in Negombo with direct access to the beach. It’s a simple, owner-run guesthouse, it scores 8.9 from just under 300 reviews, and the price was only around £11 a night. There’s no pool, and you don’t get the same facilities as at a larger hotel.

One guest highlights: “A lovely local guesthouse. The owners are warm and welcoming to all their guests.”

See photos and book Sun Shine Guest House here.

2. Sigiriya & Dambulla - best area for the Cultural Triangle and Lion Rock 🦁

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Sigiriya is a village at the foot of the rock. The hotels are scattered across the countryside, roughly one to five kilometres from the rock, and the town of Dambulla is about 20 kilometres away.
• 🛺 Transport: You get around by tuk-tuk or with your driver. There are no trains to Sigiriya.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow around four hours by car.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost from around £45 to £330 per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet. Wild elephants cross some of the roads in the area, so don’t drive yourself after dark, and listen to your hotel’s advice.

Sigiriya sits in the middle of what’s known as the Cultural Triangle, the area between the ancient royal cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Kandy. Here, Lion Rock rises almost 200 metres above the jungle, and according to UNESCO, King Kassapa I made the rock his capital in the 5th century. You climb up past the water gardens, the frescoes and the two giant lion paws, and from the top you can see across the whole plain. A ticket costs about 35 dollars (around £25) for foreign tourists, and I’d go up early in the morning, before the heat and the tour groups arrive.

Just north of Sigiriya is Pidurangala, a lower rock with a cheaper ticket and the best view of Lion Rock itself. In Dambulla you can visit the cave temple with its ancient Buddha statues and frescoes, and you can easily spend a day on the ruins of Polonnaruwa and the elephants in Minneriya National Park. You can combine the two on a day trip to Polonnaruwa with an elephant safari in Minneriya with hotel pick-up. If you have more time, the sacred city of Anuradhapura is a couple of hours to the north-west.

See hotels in Sigiriya here.

I’d stay here for two or three nights and use Sigiriya as a base for the whole Cultural Triangle. From here you can reach Sigiriya, Pidurangala, Dambulla, Polonnaruwa and a safari in no time, and the landscape of paddy fields, lakes and jungle makes a nice contrast to the cities. Choose a hotel with a pool, as it gets hot here in the middle of the day, and most people want to relax after a morning on the rock.

The downside is that Sigiriya isn’t a proper town. The hotels are spread out, restaurants are few and far between, and you rely on tuk-tuks or your driver to get around. Dambulla has more shops and restaurants, but it’s a busy junction town without much charm, so I’d only choose it if Sigiriya is fully booked.

Hotels in Sigiriya

Aliya Resort and Spa - five-star resort with views of Lion Rock

Aliya sits in the countryside about five kilometres north-west of Sigiriya and has a large pool looking straight out at Lion Rock. It’s a five-star hotel with a spa, gym and kids’ club, it scores 9.0 from over 800 reviews, and the price was around £330 per night. A few guests do feel the pool could have done with a clean, though.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel, amazing view, the rooms were spacious and it oozed quality.”

See photos and book Aliya Resort and Spa here.

Sigiriya Village - large hotel with gardens and a pool close to the rock

Sigiriya Village is about one kilometre south of the rock and has large gardens, an outdoor pool with views of Lion Rock, a spa and a restaurant. It scores 8.5 from over 750 reviews, and the price was around £140 per night. Several guests mention, however, that the property feels worn and needs some maintenance.

From one review: “The view from the pool area was spectacular.”

See photos and book Sigiriya Village here.

Hotel Samanala Sigiriya - small guesthouse with a pool and good local food

Samanala is on the road into Sigiriya, about ten minutes by car from the rock. It’s a small guesthouse with a garden and pool, it scores 8.3 from over 450 reviews, and the price was around £45 per night. Guests praise the food and the peace and quiet, but some complain about patchy wifi.

One guest highlights: “A lovely little guesthouse. It’s very quiet here, and there’s a lovely pool.”

See photos and book Hotel Samanala Sigiriya here.

3. Kandy - best for the Temple of the Tooth and the start of the train journey 🛕

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Kandy Lake and the Temple of the Tooth are the heart of the city. The hotels below are between about 500 metres and one and a half kilometres from the temple.
• 🚂 Transport: You can get around the centre on foot, and you take a tuk-tuk up the hills. Trains run from Kandy station to both Colombo and Ella.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow about three hours by car, depending on traffic. From Sigiriya it takes about two and a half hours.
• 💰 Price level: Low to mid-range. The three hotels below cost from around £17 to £120 per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but traffic in the centre is heavy and the pavements are narrow. Keep a firm hold of your belongings when it’s crowded at the temple.

Kandy was the capital of the last Sinhalese kings, and the city sits beautifully in a valley around a man-made lake, with green hills on every side. By the lake stands the Temple of the Tooth, Sri Dalada Maligawa, where one of the Buddha’s teeth is kept, and it’s one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world. According to the temple’s own website, a ticket costs 3,000 rupees (around £7) for foreign visitors. You won’t be let in wearing shorts or sleeveless clothing, and you leave your shoes at the entrance. Try to come for one of the morning or evening ceremonies, when the drums play and pilgrims offer flowers.

Take a walk around the lake, and hop in a tuk-tuk out to the botanical gardens in Peradeniya, west of the city, with their palm avenues, orchids and enormous trees. In the evening you can watch traditional Kandyan dancing in several of the city’s cultural halls. In summer Kandy hosts the great Esala Perahera procession with decorated elephants, dancers and drummers, and hotels fill up quickly during that period, so book early if you’re travelling then.

See hotels in Kandy here.

I’d stay here for two nights, especially if you’re continuing by train to Ella. That gives you a full day for the temple, the lake and the botanical gardens, and you can catch the morning train well rested. If you stay centrally near the lake, you can walk to most things, while the hotels up in the hills have the best views and more peace in the evening.

The downside is the traffic. The streets around the lake are often jammed with cars and buses, and the air can feel heavy in the middle of the day. The city is built on hills, so even short distances can be hard going on foot in the heat. Kandy is also a little more expensive than the rest of the hill country, and prices rise sharply around Esala Perahera.

Hotels in Kandy

The Radh Hotel - five-star boutique hotel in the city centre

The Radh is on Colombo Street in the middle of Kandy, about 500 metres from the Temple of the Tooth and the lake. It’s a five-star hotel with a spa, sauna and a small pool, it scores 8.8 from more than 1,300 reviews, and the price was around £120 per night. On the other hand, you can hear the traffic from some of the rooms, and one guest didn’t think much of the breakfast.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Great location with friendly and attentive staff.”

See photos and book The Radh Hotel here.

Kandy Hills - four-star hotel with mountain views

Kandy Hills is on Rajapihilla Mawatha, up on the hill above the city, about one and a half kilometres from the Temple of the Tooth. The rooms are spacious with views over the garden and the mountains, it scores 8.9 from more than 1,600 reviews, and the price was around £60 per night. There’s no pool, and some guests feel the restaurant has a limited menu.

From a review: “The view from our room was amazing, and the room was absolutely top-notch.”

See photos and book Kandy Hills here.

Shani Residence Kandy - budget guesthouse with a balcony and views

Shani Residence is on Reservoir Road, on the hill just above the centre, less than a kilometre from the lake and the temple. It’s a simple guesthouse with no pool, it scores 8.9 from more than 400 reviews, and the price was only around £17 per night. One guest does mention that you can hear the city at night, though.

One guest highlights: “The view from the balcony was excellent, and the host was fantastic.”

See photos and book Shani Residence Kandy here.

4. Ella - best town for tea plantations, hiking and the train journey 🚂

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Ella is a small town with one main street. The hotels below are no more than about five minutes’ walk from the centre and the station.
• 🚂 Transport: You walk around town, and for Nine Arches Bridge, Ravana Falls and the hiking trails you either take a tuk-tuk or walk. The train runs towards Kandy and Badulla.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow six to seven hours by car. Most people arrive by train from Kandy or by car from the south coast.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost from around £27 to £230 per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Don’t step onto the track at Nine Arches Bridge when the train is coming, and stick to the paths when you hike in fog or rain.

Ella sits in the highlands surrounded by tea plantations, mountains and waterfalls, and the evenings here are pleasantly cool after the heat down on the plains. The easiest hike goes up Little Adam’s Peak with views across the valley, while the climb up Ella Rock is longer and steeper. At Nine Arches Bridge the train crosses an old stone bridge with nine arches in the middle of the jungle, and most people stop at Ravana Falls, south of town, on the way down to the coast.

The train journey from Kandy to Ella is one of the most beautiful in Asia and usually takes six to seven hours through tea plantations and misty mountains. Seats in the reserved classes sell out quickly, and you can book from 30 days before departure through Sri Lanka Railways’ official seat reservation. You receive the ticket by email and need to give the passport number of every traveller. Many people break the journey with a night in Nuwara Eliya, a cool town with colonial houses and tea factories, known as Little England. If you’re heading on to the south coast, you can combine the trip with a safari on a transfer from Ella to the coast with a stop in Yala.

See hotels in Ella here.

I’d stay here for two or three nights, so you have time for Little Adam’s Peak, Nine Arches Bridge and a day when it rains. Choose a hotel with a view over Ella Gap or the tea plantations, because the view is what makes the stay. Most guesthouses serve a big Sri Lankan breakfast, and in the evening there are good cafés and restaurants on the main street.

The downside is that Ella has become very popular. The main street is full of cafés and bars, it can be noisy in the evening, and lots of people gather at Nine Arches Bridge when the train comes through. Many guesthouses are up steep steps, and the weather changes quickly, so pack waterproofs and a jumper.

Hotels in Ella

Zion View Ella Green Retreat - infinity pool with views of Ella Rock

Zion View is on Waterfall Road, a few minutes’ walk from the main street and the station. The hotel has an infinity pool overlooking the valley and Ella Rock, it scores 9.1 from over 1,000 reviews, and the price was around £230 per night. That’s expensive for Ella, and some guests find the pool cold.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view is amazing. The hotel sits at treetop level and looks out over Ella Rock.”

See photos and book Zion View here.

Ravana Heights - small hotel with panoramic views over Ella Gap

Ravana Heights is on the road towards Wellawaya just south of the centre, with views over the Ella Gap valley and Ella Rock. It’s a small hotel with a restaurant and terrace, it scores 8.6 from over 250 reviews, and the price was around £165 per night. There’s no pool, and the price is high for a three-star hotel.

From one review: “The staff and the owner were absolutely lovely and took really good care of us during our stay.”

See photos and book Ravana Heights here.

Ella Green Stay - friendly guesthouse with mountain views

Ella Green Stay is in Ambagolla, about five minutes’ walk from the centre and the station. It’s a small guesthouse with a garden and views towards the mountains, it scores 9.1 from over 400 reviews, and the price was around £27 per night. There are a lot of steps up to the guesthouse, though, so pack light.

One guest highlights: “Breakfast was filling and delicious, and our hosts couldn’t have been sweeter or friendlier.”

See photos and book Ella Green Stay here.

5. Tissamaharama & Yala - best area for safaris and leopards 🐆

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Tissamaharama is the nearest town to Yala National Park, and the safari jeeps take around half an hour to three quarters of an hour to reach the park entrance. Jetwing Yala is on the coast close to the park.
• 🚙 Transport: Safaris are done by jeep, arranged by the hotels and guesthouses. In town, you get around by tuk-tuk.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow five to six hours by car. From Ella it’s around two and a half hours, and from Mirissa slightly less.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost from around £10 to £315 per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Safe. Always stay inside the jeep in the park, and don’t drive yourself after dark, when elephants may cross the road.

Yala is Sri Lanka’s best-known national park and one of the best places in the world to see leopards in the wild. The park is made up of dry forest, rocks, lagoons and beach, and it’s also home to elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles, water buffalo and hundreds of bird species. Safaris run early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when the animals are most active, and you can book a half-day or full-day safari in Yala with pick-up. Check what’s included in the price, as the park entrance fee may come on top.

Tissamaharama is a quiet rural town set around Tissa Wewa, an ancient reservoir where you can spot birds and crocodiles from a boat at sunset. By the town stands the large white stupa Tissamaharama Dagoba, and around 20 kilometres to the north lies the pilgrimage town of Kataragama. If you want to see flamingos and wading birds, Bundala National Park to the west is a quieter alternative to Yala. Parts of Yala usually close for a period during the driest season in late summer and early autumn, so if you’re travelling in September or October, ask your hotel whether safaris are running.

See hotels in Tissamaharama and near Yala here.

I’d stay here for one or two nights so you can go on an early-morning safari without a long drive first. The cheap guesthouses in Tissamaharama arrange jeeps and often have the best drivers, while the lodges on the coast near the park suit you if you want a pool, good food and the shortest possible trip to the entrance. A couple of nights here fit nicely between Ella and the south coast.

The downside is that there isn’t much to do in Tissamaharama apart from safaris. The busiest part of the park can be packed with jeeps when someone has spotted a leopard, and you’re never guaranteed to see one. It’s hot and humid, and there are lots of mosquitoes in the evening, so bring insect repellent.

Hotels in Tissamaharama and near Yala

Jetwing Yala - luxury beachfront hotel close to the national park

Jetwing Yala sits right on the coast at Kirinda close to Yala National Park, so you’re at the park quickly in the morning. There’s an outdoor pool, spa and gym, it scores 8.8 from over 450 reviews, and the price was around £315 per night. It’s by far the most expensive option in the area, and it’s some distance from Tissamaharama.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The buffet for dinner and breakfast was incredible, with so much to choose from.”

See photos and book Jetwing Yala here.

Hotel River Front - four-star hotel with a pool in Tissamaharama

Hotel River Front is in Debarawewa, south-west of the lake in Tissamaharama. It’s a four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, gym and restaurant, it scores an impressive 9.4 from over 1,500 reviews, and the price was around £55 per night. The hotel also arranges safaris, but some guests feel the owner repeatedly asks for good reviews.

From a review: “The staff were so lovely, from the moment we arrived until we left.”

See photos and book Hotel River Front here.

Blue Birds Tissa & Yala Safari - budget guesthouse that arranges safaris

Blue Birds is also in Debarawewa and is a small guesthouse with a restaurant and garden that arranges jeeps to Yala. It scores an excellent 9.6 from over 400 reviews, and the price was only around £10 per night. There’s no pool, and it’s a fair drive from the guesthouse to the park entrance.

One guest highlights: “The service at this place is exceptional.”

See photos and book Blue Birds Tissa & Yala Safari here.

6. Mirissa & Weligama - best area for beaches, surfing and whales 🐋

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Mirissa is a small beach town, and Weligama lies about five kilometres to the west. The hotels below range from right on the beach to about a five-minute walk from it.
• 🛺 Transport: Tuk-tuks between the beaches and buses along the coast road. Galle is about an hour away by car.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow about three hours by car via the motorway.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost from around £45 to £380 per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but the waves and currents can be strong. Swim where the locals swim and keep an eye out for red flags.

Mirissa is the south coast’s most popular beach town, with a curved sandy beach, palm trees, beach bars and seafood restaurants where the catch of the day is laid out on ice by the entrance. At the eastern end of the beach is the small rocky islet of Parrot Rock, and on the headland a little further east is Coconut Tree Hill, a palm-covered hill overlooking the sea that is one of the most photographed spots in the country. Boats head out on whale-watching trips from the harbour, and Sri Lanka’s tourist board singles out Mirissa as one of the best places to see blue whales. You can go on a whale-watching trip with snorkelling among sea turtles on the same day.

Weligama sits on a wide bay where the waves are perfect for beginners, and the beach is lined with surf schools and board rental shops. The town feels more local than Mirissa, but it is also home to some of the south coast’s biggest resorts. Between Weligama and Galle are the surf towns of Midigama and Ahangama, with small boutique hotels and cafés, and to the east are Tangalle and Hiriketiya Bay if you want somewhere even quieter.

See hotels in Mirissa and Weligama here.

I would stay here if you want beach life with restaurants and bars within walking distance, plus the chance to surf, snorkel and go whale watching. Mirissa is best for couples and friends who want a bit of nightlife, while Weligama suits surfers and families who want to stay at a larger resort. The south coast is also a great place to end your tour with four or five nights.

The downside is that Mirissa has become heavily built up, and the beach can be crowded in high season. The coast road between Galle and Matara runs right behind the town, so hotels by the road can be noisy. In summer the sea on the south coast is rough, and many restaurants close. The whale-watching trips can also be overcrowded, so choose a boat with plenty of space and respect for the animals.

Hotels in Mirissa and Weligama

Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa - five-star resort right on the beach in Weligama

The Marriott sits right on the beach on Weligama Bay. There are several pools, a children’s pool, a spa and a gym, it scores 9.0 from over 1,100 reviews, and the price was around £380 per night. Some guests feel the buffet could be better for the price, though.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is beautiful, well maintained and has a fantastic location right on the beach.”

See photos and book Weligama Bay Marriott here.

Oltremare Mirissa - popular hotel a few minutes’ walk from the beach

Oltremare is on Sunanda Road in Mirissa, about a four-minute walk from the beach. It is a small three-star hotel without a pool, it scores 9.3 from over 600 reviews, and the price was around £75 per night. A few guests complain about weak shower pressure.

From one review: “The location is excellent, a four-minute walk from Mirissa beach.”

See photos and book Oltremare Mirissa here.

Resort Deepika Mirissa - budget hotel with a pool close to the beach

Resort Deepika is in Bandaramulla at the eastern end of Mirissa, close to the beach. There is a pool and a gym, and the rooms have air conditioning and a fridge. It scores 8.9 from over 750 reviews, and the price was around £45 per night, but some guests mention problems with the water pressure in the shower.

One guest highlights: “The room was comfortable. Air conditioning and a fridge in the room.”

See photos and book Resort Deepika Mirissa here.

7. Galle Fort - best town for colonial houses, cafés and sunset on the ramparts 🏰

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay inside the fort itself, and all three hotels below are in the Old Town within the ramparts.
• 🚶 Getting around: Inside the fort you can walk everywhere. To reach the beaches at Unawatuna and Jungle Beach, take a tuk-tuk, and from Galle station the train runs along the coast towards Colombo.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow around two and a half hours by car via the motorway.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to high. The three hotels below cost around £45 to £110 a night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. Watch out for the traffic outside the gates, and keep away from the edge of the ramparts after dark.

Galle Fort is a fortified town on a peninsula jutting out into the sea, founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century and expanded by the Dutch. According to UNESCO, the Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications is one of the best-preserved examples of a European fortified town in South Asia. Within the ramparts you’ll find narrow streets lined with colonial houses, churches, galleries, design shops and cafés, and the white lighthouse stands by the sea at the south-eastern end. Walk the ramparts in the late afternoon and watch the sunset from the bastions facing west.

The fort has no proper swimming beach, but a few kilometres east lies Unawatuna, with a bay of calm water, and right next to it is little Jungle Beach. Unawatuna is a good alternative if you’d rather stay by the beach and head into the fort in the evening. Further east is Koggala, where you can see the famous stilt fishermen, and to the north is Hikkaduwa, which I mention under Bentota.

See hotels in Galle Fort here.

I’d stay here for two nights if you’re into history, good food and atmospheric streets. In the evening, once the day-trippers have gone, the fort turns quiet, and that’s when you get the most out of staying within the ramparts. It’s also one of the most romantic places on the island, and many of the hotels are in beautifully restored houses with courtyard gardens.

The downside is that Galle Fort is expensive by Sri Lankan standards, and the rooms in the old houses are often small. In the middle of the day the streets are packed with groups on day trips from the coast, and few hotels have a proper pool. If you want the beach every day, you’re better off staying in Unawatuna or Mirissa and visiting Galle on a day trip.

Hotels in Galle Fort

Prince of Galle - five-star boutique hotel in a beautifully renovated house

Prince of Galle is on Sudharmalaya Road inside the fort, close to the Dutch church. It’s a five-star hotel with a spa, restaurant and terrace, it scores 9.4 from over 500 reviews, and the price was around £110 a night. The pool, however, is just a small plunge pool, which some guests hadn’t expected.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The place was full of charm, had a fantastic location and was beautifully renovated.”

See photos and book Prince of Galle here.

Orchard House Galle - guesthouse with a garden and pool on Lighthouse Street

Orchard House is on Lighthouse Street in the middle of the fort, a few minutes’ walk from the lighthouse and the ramparts. There’s a garden, an outdoor pool and a restaurant, it scores 9.2 from over 450 reviews, and the price was around £65 a night. Some guests do find the rooms a little small, though.

From one review: “The location, the staff, the garden, the breakfast and the pool were all fantastic!”

See photos and book Orchard House Galle here.

Seagreen Guesthouse - simple guesthouse by the ramparts on Rampart Street

Seagreen is on Rampart Street in the northern part of the fort, close to the ramparts. It’s a simple guesthouse with a terrace and restaurant, it scores 8.8 from over 500 reviews, and the price was around £45 a night. There’s no pool, and some guests mention noise from a nearby school.

One guest highlights: “Clean, modern room with a fantastic location. The photos don’t do the rooms justice.”

See photos and book Seagreen Guesthouse here.

8. Bentota - best area for resorts and a beach holiday close to the airport 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Bentota is a long stretch of beach and hotels where the Bentota River meets the sea. The hotels below are on the beach or a few minutes’ walk from it.
• 🛺 Transport: Tuk-tuk along the coast. The train between Colombo and Galle stops in Bentota.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow around two hours by car via the motorway.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost from around £40 to £385 per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but the waves can be strong, especially as the monsoon approaches. Swim where your hotel recommends.

Bentota is the west coast’s classic beach resort, with a long, golden sandy beach where the Bentota Ganga river flows into the sea. Many of the resorts used by the package holiday companies are here, and the beach is wide enough for there to be room for everyone. On the river you can take a boat trip through the mangroves and spot monitor lizards, birds and small crocodiles, and on the lagoon behind the beach there are jet skis, waterskiing and other water sports.

Inland you’ll find the gardens of Lunuganga and Brief Garden, created by the brothers Geoffrey and Bevis Bawa, and along the coast south of the town there are several sea turtle hatcheries at Kosgoda. Further south lies Hikkaduwa, with coral reefs, turtles in the water and surfing, and the vibe there is more backpacker than in Bentota. To the north are the beach towns of Beruwala and Kalutara, with several large all-inclusive hotels.

See hotels in Bentota here.

I would stay here if you want a pure beach holiday with a pool, beach and good resorts, or if you want to end your tour with a few days by the sea close to the airport. Bentota is also a good choice for families with children, as it has the most large hotels with children’s pools and kids’ clubs, and the journey to the airport on the day you fly home is short.

The downside is that there isn’t much town life, and many guests stay at their resort all week. The coast road and the railway run right behind many of the hotels, so check the map if you’re a light sleeper. The waves are often big, and in summer the sea is so rough that it’s rarely good for swimming.

Hotels in Bentota

Cinnamon Bentota Beach - five-star resort at the river mouth

Cinnamon Bentota Beach sits right on the beach close to the river mouth. There’s a large pool, spa, kids’ club and water sports, it scores 9.2 from over 900 reviews, and the price was around £385 per night. A few guests do mention shortcomings in the cleaning and upkeep of the rooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic food, the best pool and amazing staff.”

See photos and book Cinnamon Bentota Beach here.

Club Villa - small villa hotel with a pool close to the beach

Club Villa is on Galle Road south of central Bentota, about a minute’s walk from the beach. It’s a small hotel in a large garden with a pool, it scores 9.2 from just over 150 reviews, and the price was around £210 per night. The garden does attract mosquitoes, though, so remember your insect repellent.

From one review: “It is perfection. Beautiful buildings with stylish and interesting interiors.”

See photos and book Club Villa here.

Sisi’s Place - small hotel with personal service a few minutes’ walk from the beach

Sisi’s Place is in Pitaramba near Cinnamon Bentota Beach, about three minutes’ walk from the beach. It’s a small hotel without a pool, it scores an impressive 9.6 from just under 200 reviews, and the price was around £40 per night. A few guests mention minor shortcomings in the cleaning.

One guest highlights: “The owner and his wife are very welcoming, helpful and friendly!”

See photos and book Sisi’s Place here.

9. Trincomalee (Uppuveli) - best area for a summer beach holiday 🐢

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Uppuveli is around five kilometres north of Trincomalee town, and Nilaveli beach is around ten kilometres further north.
• 🛺 Transport: Tuk-tuk between the beaches and the town. The boats to Pigeon Island leave from the beach at Nilaveli.
• ✈️ Time from Bandaranaike Airport: Allow five to six hours by car. From Sigiriya it’s around two and a half hours.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost around £20 to £275 per night when I searched for a weekend in July.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet and safe. The sea is usually calm in summer, but don’t swim far out where there’s nobody else around.

When the southwest monsoon brings rain and big waves to the south and west coasts, it’s high season on the east coast. Uppuveli and Nilaveli, north of Trincomalee, have long, pale beaches with calm water, where the fishermen haul in their nets in the morning. Off Nilaveli lies Pigeon Island National Park, with coral reefs, reef sharks and sea turtles, and it’s one of the best places on the island for snorkelling. In Trincomalee itself, the Hindu Koneswaram Temple sits high on Swami Rock with views out over the sea, and the town has one of the world’s largest natural harbours.

The east coast has two other popular beach spots. Pasikudah, further south, has a long, shallow bay with several large resorts that suit families with children well. Arugam Bay in the southeast is a small surf town with beach bars, surf schools and good waves in summer, but it’s many hours’ drive from Trincomalee, so choose one or the other.

See hotels in Trincomalee and Uppuveli here.

I’d stay here if you’re travelling during the summer holidays and want beaches, snorkelling and calm water. Trincomalee combines well with the Cultural Triangle, as it’s a shorter journey here from Sigiriya than to the south coast. Uppuveli has the most restaurants and guesthouses, while Nilaveli is quieter, with the hotels more spread out.

The downside is that the east coast is a completely different destination in winter. During the winter months it rains a lot here, the sea is rough and many places close. The choice of restaurants is smaller than on the south coast, and the journey from the airport is long, so Trincomalee fits best into a tour of the island.

Hotels in Trincomalee and Uppuveli

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon - resort right on the beach in Uppuveli

Trinco Blu sits right on the beach in Uppuveli and has a pool, spa and playground. It scores 8.6 from over 900 reviews, and the price was around £275 per night. The hotel arranges snorkelling trips to Pigeon Island, but some guests complain about extra charges they hadn’t expected.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The beach and the view are excellent, the food is good, the room service is good and the staff are helpful.”

See photos and book Trinco Blu by Cinnamon here.

Capital Trincomalee - small hotel near the beach in Alles Garden

Capital Trincomalee is in the Alles Garden neighbourhood of Uppuveli, around a two-minute walk from the beach. It’s a small three-star hotel with a restaurant and bar, it scores 9.2 from 130 reviews, and the price was around £85 per night. There’s no pool, and several guests mention that there isn’t always hot water in the shower.

From one review: “The staff in particular were so pleasant, incredibly warm and welcoming.”

See photos and book Capital Trincomalee here.

Lobster Inn - budget guesthouse with a garden close to the beach

Lobster Inn is on Beach Road in Alles Garden, a few steps from the beach in Uppuveli. It’s a simple guesthouse with a lovely garden, it scores 8.9 from over 550 reviews, and the price was only around £20 per night. On the other hand, there’s no air conditioning in the rooms, and it can get very hot.

One guest highlights: “The host was a very friendly person. The location by the beach was good, and the hotel’s garden was beautiful.”

See photos and book Lobster Inn here.

Where not to stay in Sri Lanka?

Don’t book a beach hotel on the wrong coast. The south and west coasts are the right choice in the winter months, while Trincomalee and the rest of the east coast are best in summer, and a cheap out-of-season deal often ends up with rain and red flags. I also wouldn’t stay in Colombo on the first night if you land late, as Negombo is much closer to the airport.

Don’t stay in Kandy and do Sigiriya as a day trip, as the drive takes several hours each way and you’ll arrive in the middle of the day when it’s hottest. Also be careful with hotels right on the coast road between Colombo and Matara, where the traffic is noisy all day. And don’t expect beach weather in Nuwara Eliya, where the evenings can be cool most of the year.

Before you travel, you need to apply for a visa online on the official website eta.gov.lk. This is stated on the official government page on passports and visas for Sri Lanka, where you can also see that your passport must be valid for six months after your date of entry and have at least two blank pages. You may be asked to show a return ticket and enough money for your stay, and the rules can change at short notice, so check them before you book your flights. The forecast from Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology is worth keeping an eye on in the days before your beach nights.

If you’d prefer a pure beach holiday in Asia without the long drives, you can read about where to stay in Thailand, or see the guide to where to stay in Bali. If you want a tour with big cities, nature and beaches, also take a look at my guide to where to stay in Vietnam.

If it’s your first trip to Sri Lanka, do the classic tour with one night in Negombo, two in Sigiriya, two in Kandy, the train to Ella, one night near Yala, and finish with the beach in Mirissa, Galle Fort or Bentota. If you want culture and city life, prioritise Kandy and Galle Fort, and if you want a pure beach holiday, Bentota and Weligama are the easiest choices. If you’re travelling in summer, swap the south coast for Trincomalee.

The post Where to Stay in Sri Lanka? The 9 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

That’s why deciding where to stay in Lofoten mostly comes down to what you want to see and how much driving you’re willing to do. Below are my seven picks from east to west, with three hotels or rorbuer in each area, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in Lofoten: The Best Areas

• Svolvær - best town for first-timers and travellers without a car
• Henningsvær - best fishing village for couples and atmosphere
• Unstad and Eggum - best area for surfing, the midnight sun and the northern lights
• Ballstad and Leknes - best base in the middle of the islands
• Ramberg and Nusfjord - best area for white beaches and a historic fishing village
• Reine, Hamnøy and Sakrisøy - best area for photographers and hiking
• Å and Moskenes - best area if you’re arriving on the ferry from Bodø

I start in Svolvær, where most people arrive, and follow the E10 west to Å. In many places you’ll stay in a rorbu, an old fisherman’s cabin by the water that’s now a holiday home with its own kitchen, and I explain these in more detail under Svolvær. For each area you get a map, transport, price level and three places to stay. The prices come from a search for a weekend at the end of June for two people. Lofoten is expensive in summer, and the best rorbuer get booked up well in advance.

1. Svolvær - best town for first-timers and travellers without a car 🏙️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’ll be staying in or close to the centre around the square and the harbour. From Svinøya you can walk over the bridge to the square in about ten minutes.
• 🚌 Transport: Svolvær is Lofoten’s transport hub. Hurtigruten and the express boat from Bodø dock in the harbour, and buses leave from here heading west and to Evenes.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Svolvær Airport is about six kilometres east of town, with flights from Bodø. From Harstad/Narvik Airport Evenes, allow two and a half to three hours by car.
• 💰 Price level: High. The three places below cost roughly NOK 1,730 to 5,860 (around £140 to £470) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe, including in the evening. In winter the pavements and quays are often slippery, so bring shoes with a good grip.

Svolvær is Lofoten’s largest town and where most people begin. It sits on Austvågøya with a harbour full of little islands and bridges, and above the houses rises the Svolværgeita rock with its two horns. Here you’ll find the widest choice of restaurants, shops and supermarkets on the islands, which matters, because further west the places to eat are few and far between.

Just west of town lies Kabelvåg, where, according to Visit Lofoten, King Øystein built the first rorbuer. A rorbu is a fisherman’s cabin by the water, where fishermen lived during the great winter fishing season. Today most have been converted into holiday homes with kitchens, and the standard ranges from very basic to luxury. If you want to get out on the water, take a boat trip to Trollfjorden on a quiet electric boat for around NOK 1,490 (around £120).

See hotels in Svolvær here.

I’d stay in Svolvær if it’s your first trip to Lofoten and if you’re travelling without a car. You have the airport, the boats and most bus departures here, and many tours start from the square. You’ll find bus and boat routes and departures in the journey planner at Reis Nordland. If you’re flying via Oslo, you can read my guide to getting from Oslo Airport, and if you have a night in the capital, you can see where to stay in Oslo. If you want to drive west yourself, pick up a car at the airport and compare prices on car hire at Booking.com.

The downside is the distance to the most photographed spots. Reine and Hamnøy are more than two hours’ drive each way, so Svolvær isn’t the right base for the whole of Lofoten. It’s also more of a town than a fishing village, with traffic and newer hotel developments by the harbour.

Hotels in Svolvær

Svinøya Rorbuer - five-star rorbuer on a small island by the centre

Svinøya Rorbuer is on the small island of Svinøya, which is linked to Svolvær by a bridge, and it’s the most expensive place in town. The rorbuer have kitchens and range from 35 square metres to over 100, with a private sauna in the largest, and there’s a restaurant on site and free parking. It scores 9.1 from around 1,800 reviews, but the smallest rorbuer have a very small bathroom, and one guest felt the breakfast was fairly average.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything has been thought through to give guests the best experience, and the houses are really cosy.”

See photos and book Svinøya Rorbuer here.

Thon Hotel Svolvær - five-star hotel by the harbour a few steps from the square

Thon Hotel Svolvær is on Avsigata by the harbour, a couple of hundred metres from the square. Like Svinøya it’s five-star, but it came in at just over half the price when I searched. Rooms are 24 to 32 square metres, there’s a restaurant, bar, sauna and gym, and breakfast is included in most rates. It scores 9.0 from just over 1,200 reviews. Parking costs NOK 200 (around £16) per day, and one guest felt the room wasn’t warm enough.

From one review: “The breakfast was excellent, varied, delicious and beautifully presented.”

See photos and book Thon Hotel Svolvær here.

Lofoten Rorbuer - cheap rooms and apartments by the water north of the centre

Lofoten Rorbuer is on Jektveien by the water, just over a kilometre from the square, and it’s the cheapest of my three picks in Svolvær. There’s everything from 12-square-metre double rooms with a shared bathroom to 40-square-metre apartments with sea views, plus a shared kitchen and free parking. It scores 9.0 from almost 1,900 reviews, but several guests find the beds small and soft, and say there can be noise from the corridors in the evening.

One guest highlights: “The shared outdoor area had a lovely view and was really pleasant.”

See photos and book Lofoten Rorbuer here.

2. Henningsvær - best fishing village for couples and atmosphere 🎨

• 📍 Distance to the centre: The fishing village is small, and everything is within walking distance of the harbour. Svolvær is about 25 kilometres away.
• 🚗 Transport: A car is the easiest option. The road out to the village crosses several bridges from the main island of Austvågøya.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Svolvær Airport, allow about half an hour by car.
• 💰 Price level: High. The three places below cost around 2,260 to 3,360 Norwegian kroner (around £180 to £270) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet. In summer there are lots of day-trippers in the middle of the day, and at the football pitch you should remember that people live right next door.

Henningsvær sits on a string of small islands off the south coast of Austvågøya, linked by bridges, and for many people it’s the most beautiful fishing village in Lofoten. The houses huddle along the harbour with fish-drying racks and mountains behind them, and according to Visit Lofoten the village is one of 13 protected cultural heritage sites in Norway.

It’s best known for the football pitch right out on the rocks, which you’ve probably seen in aerial photos. The village is also a meeting point for climbers from all over the world, and Festvågtind rises 541 metres above the houses. There are several galleries, and the Kaviar Factory art space has exhibited work by artists including Ai Weiwei. In winter, the area just past the football pitch is a popular spot for photographing the Northern Lights with Festvågtind in the background.

See hotels in Henningsvær here.

I’d stay in Henningsvær if you’re a couple and want the atmosphere of a real fishing village with restaurants and cafés within walking distance. In the evening, once the day-trippers have left, the harbour goes quiet, and in summer it’s light all night, so you can sit outside until late. Svolvær is only half an hour away, so you can easily head out on trips from there or drive on towards the west.

The downside is that there are few places to stay, and they get booked up early for the summer. Parking is limited, including at the hotels, and the road out there is narrow with lots of cars in high season. There’s no sandy beach in the village itself either, so if you want a swim, you’ll need to drive.

Hotels in Henningsvær

Henningsvær Bryggehotell - five-star hotel by the harbour with a restaurant

Henningsvær Bryggehotell is on Misværveien by the harbour in the middle of the village. It’s a five-star hotel with a restaurant and bar, some rooms have sea views, and breakfast is included. It scores 9.2 from just over 700 reviews. There are only a few free parking spaces, which can’t be reserved, and a couple of guests find the breakfast rather basic.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautifully decorated hotel. Very stylish and comfortable.”

See photos and book Henningsvær Bryggehotell here.

Tobiasbrygga - apartments with kitchens and sea views at the southern end

Tobiasbrygga is on Hellandsgata in the southern part of the village, a couple of hundred metres from the harbour. The apartments range from 27 to 80 square metres with kitchens, several have sea views or a terrace, and parking is free. It scores 9.0 from just over 1,000 reviews. Breakfast isn’t included, the smallest apartments are cramped, and one guest missed blackout curtains during the bright summer night.

From one review: “Fantastic location. Close enough to everything, but far enough away to be quiet and peaceful.”

See photos and book Tobiasbrygga here.

Henningsvær Guesthouse - guesthouse with a highly praised breakfast and free parking

Henningsvær Guesthouse is on Dreyersgate in the middle of the village and was the cheapest of my three suggestions. The rooms are spacious with private bathrooms, breakfast is included, and you can park for free behind the house. It scores 9.3 from just over 1,100 reviews, and the only thing guests really complain about is the curtains, which don’t keep out the midnight sun.

One guest writes: “The breakfast is excellent, and the staff are really lovely!”

See photos and book Henningsvær Guesthouse here.

3. Unstad and Eggum - best area for surfing, the midnight sun and the northern lights 🏄

• 📍 Distance to the centre: There’s no centre here. Unstad and Eggum are two small settlements on the north side of Vestvågøy, and Leknes is about half an hour away by car.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. The roads out to both settlements are narrow and end at the sea.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Leknes Airport, allow about half an hour by car.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to high. The three places below cost around 1,350 to 5,170 Norwegian kroner (around £110 to £415) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The sea is cold and the waves are powerful, so only go in the water where it’s safe, and surf with an instructor if you’re a beginner.

Unstad and Eggum sit on the north side of Vestvågøy, facing the open sea, and this is the side of Lofoten where you’ll see the sun over the sea in the middle of the night. Visit Lofoten specifically mentions Unstad and the fishing village of Eggum among the places to see the midnight sun, which in Lofoten lasts from late May to mid-July.

Unstad is Lofoten’s best-known surf beach, and surfers are in the water both summer and winter, with snow on the mountains. Eggum is a small fishing village at the end of the road, with a pebble beach and open views to the north. In winter there’s almost no light from towns out here, and you can see the northern lights in Lofoten from late August to mid-April when the sky is dark and clear.

See hotels near Unstad here.

I’d stay at Unstad or Eggum if you want to surf, see the midnight sun over the sea or have the northern lights right outside your door, and if you have a car. It’s also a good spot for one or two nights as a break midway through your trip, once you’ve seen the fishing villages. If you want a better chance of seeing the northern lights and more tours to choose from, Tromsø is a better choice in winter, and here you can read about where to stay in Tromsø.

The downside is that there are only a few places to eat and no shops, so you’ll need to stock up in Leknes before you drive out. There are also few places to stay, and they get booked up quickly for summer. The weather changes fast out by the sea, and in winter the roads out here can be icy.

Hotels near Unstad

Unstad Arctic Resort - resort by the surf beach with a restaurant and sauna

Unstad Arctic Resort is right by the beach at Unstad and has both apartments and cabins, some with their own kitchen and others with a shared bathroom. There’s a restaurant, sauna and hot tub, water sports facilities and free parking. It scores 9.0 from around 200 reviews. It’s the most expensive place by the beach, so check what’s included in the price, and one guest complained about a hob that didn’t work.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The sauna was really lovely and easy to use.”

See photos and book Unstad Arctic Resort here.

Unstad Cabin with Seaview - small cabin with sea views and a very high score

The cabin is a few hundred metres from the beach at Unstad and measures 38 square metres, with one bedroom, a kitchen and sea views. There’s free parking, and it scores 9.8 from just over 120 reviews, one of the highest in the whole guide. You cook for yourself, and one guest felt the shower could have been cleaner.

From one review: “Fantastic view. A great place to watch the northern lights from.”

See photos and book the cabin in Unstad here.

Unstad Surfpacker Hostel - cosy hostel with dorms and double rooms

Surfpacker Hostel is a few hundred metres from the beach and has both dorms and private rooms with shared bathrooms and a communal kitchen. There’s free parking, and it scores 9.1 from just over 230 reviews. It’s the cheapest of my three suggestions at Unstad, but one guest mentions that there was nobody there to welcome them on arrival.

One guest highlights: “Hospitality, warmth and a cosy, friendly atmosphere.”

See photos and book Unstad Surfpacker Hostel here.

4. Ballstad and Leknes - the best base in the middle of the islands 🎣

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Ballstad is about a quarter of an hour’s drive south of Leknes, the market town in the middle of Vestvågøy with supermarkets and an airport.
• 🚗 Getting around: A car is the easiest option. There’s a bus between Leknes and Ballstad, and from Leknes the buses carry on both east and west.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: Leknes Airport is about two kilometres north of Leknes, so you’ll be in Ballstad in just over 20 minutes.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to high. The three places below cost around NOK 1,440 to 3,610 (around £115 to £290) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and quiet. Ballstad is a working fishing village, so keep clear of the quays when the boats are unloading.

According to Visit Lofoten, Ballstad is the largest fishing village in Lofoten that is still in operation, and the rorbuer (fishermen’s cabins) line a sheltered harbour protected by small islands. Above the houses rises the mountain Skottind, and from the top you get views all the way round, as long as you don’t mind heights. From the harbour you can join fishing trips or go kayaking or snorkelling.

Leknes is a quarter of an hour away and isn’t pretty, but it’s practical, with an airport, large supermarkets and buses. The Hurtigruten calls at Stamsund about 20 minutes from Leknes, and north of the town is the Lofotr Vikingmuseum in Borg, where you can step inside the world’s longest reconstructed Viking longhouse.

See hotels in Ballstad here.

I’d stay in Ballstad if you want to be in the middle of Lofoten and take day trips in both directions. Reine is about an hour’s drive away and Henningsvær a little more, so you can reach most places without moving base. It’s also a good choice for families, because many of the rorbuer are spacious, and prices were lower than around Reine when I searched. If you’re flying into Leknes, you can check the airport’s facilities and car hire on Avinor.

The downside is that Ballstad is some way from the best-known sights, and there are few restaurants. In Leknes itself the choice is mostly apartments, and the town isn’t somewhere you travel to Lofoten to see. In winter the fish hang to dry on the racks, and you can smell it down by the quays. If you want to eat out many evenings in a row, there’s more choice in Svolvær.

Hotels in Ballstad

Hattvika Lodge - modernised rorbuer with a restaurant and sauna

There isn’t a proper luxury hotel in Ballstad, but Hattvika Lodge is the most stylish place. It’s on Hattvikveien in the southern part of the fishing village, the rorbuer have been modernised, and some have a kitchen and balcony. There’s a restaurant, a sauna and free parking, and breakfast is available at extra cost. It scores 9.1 from just over 500 reviews, but some of the units have steep stairs that won’t suit everyone.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Traditional accommodation, beautifully modernised.”

See photos and book Hattvika Lodge here.

Solsiden Brygge Rorbuer - harbourside rorbuer with a breakfast buffet and sauna

Solsiden Brygge is on Moloveien by the harbour in Ballstad, and the rorbuer range from 20 to 100 square metres with a kitchenette, some with sea views and a balcony. The breakfast buffet is included, which is why the price was a little above Hattvika when I searched. There’s a shared sauna, a restaurant and free parking, and it scores 8.9 from just over 1,000 reviews. A couple of guests felt their rorbu was worn.

From one review: “What a lovely location, and the view from the property is fantastic.”

See photos and book Solsiden Brygge here.

Kræmmervika Rorbuer - simple rorbuer and hostel rooms at a low price

Kræmmervika Rorbuer is on Ballstadlandet in the western part of the fishing village and was the cheapest of my three suggestions. There are simple cabins and hostel rooms, some with a kitchenette and shared bathroom, and there’s free parking. It scores 8.2 from just over 1,000 reviews, but the beds are small, and in some cabins you have to do the washing-up in the bathroom sink.

One of the guests writes: “The cabin is really warm and cosy.”

See photos and book Kræmmervika Rorbuer here.

5. Ramberg and Nusfjord - best area for white beaches and an old fishing village 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Ramberg is a small village on the E10 on Flakstadøya. Nusfjord is on the south side of the island, about 20 minutes away by car.
• 🚗 Transport: You’ll need a car. The buses towards Reine and Å run along the E10 through Ramberg, but departures are few.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Leknes Airport, allow about 40 minutes by car to Ramberg.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to very high. The three places below cost around NOK 1,350 to 8,130 (around £110 to £650) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. The water at the beaches is cold, even in summer, so keep an eye on the children.

Flakstadøya sits between Vestvågøy and Moskenesøya, and this is where you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Lofoten. Rambergstranda is a long beach with white sand and turquoise water right by the E10, with mountains behind it, and there are more beaches along the coast on either side. It looks like the Caribbean, until you dip your toes in the water.

On the south side of the island lies Nusfjord, one of the oldest and best-preserved fishing villages in Norway, with red rorbuer (fishermen’s cabins) around a narrow harbour between steep mountains. Many of the old rorbuer have been restored and turned into a luxury resort, and in summer lots of day-trippers come to see the fishing village.

See hotels near Ramberg here.

I’d stay near Ramberg if you want a central base in the west with a beach right outside the door. Reine is about half an hour away by car and Leknes a little further, so you can take day trips in both directions without moving. Nusfjord is the place if you want to treat yourself to a night or two in a rorbu with hotel service, and it’s one of the few places on the islands where you get that in an old fishing village. If you stay near Ramberg, you can easily see Nusfjord in an afternoon.

The downside is that Ramberg is a small village with few places to eat and few shops. The beaches are exposed to the open sea, so it’s often windy, and in winter the weather can change in a matter of minutes. Nusfjord is expensive, and the fishing village sits at the end of a narrow road, so it’s a detour when you move on.

Hotels near Ramberg and in Nusfjord

Nusfjord Village & Resort - five-star rorbuer in an old fishing village

Nusfjord Village & Resort is in Nusfjord itself, and you stay in restored old rorbuer with a kitchenette, some with views over the harbour. It’s five-star with a restaurant, bar, sauna and spa, breakfast is included and parking is free. It scores 9.4 from just under 600 reviews. It was the most expensive place in the whole guide when I searched, and reception is only open from 9am to 5pm.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The cabins were modern and clean, and the view was completely surreal.”

See photos and book Nusfjord Village & Resort here.

Arctic Apartments Ramberg Beach - self-catering apartments by the beach

Arctic Apartments is on Flakstadveien by Rambergstranda, and the studios are 22 square metres with a kitchenette, some with sea views. There’s a restaurant and bar on site and free parking, but breakfast isn’t included. It scores 9.0 from just over 270 reviews, and one guest notes that the sea view isn’t direct.

From one review: “Fantastic, friendly staff and well-prepared rooms with an equipped kitchen.”

See photos and book Arctic Apartments here.

Lofoten Beach Camp - cheap rooms and cabins by the beach with a sauna

Lofoten Beach Camp is by a beach a couple of kilometres east of Ramberg and was the cheapest of my three suggestions. There are family rooms and cabins with a kitchenette, a sauna with views over the sea and free parking. It scores 8.5 from just over 360 reviews, but the double rooms with a shared bathroom are very small.

One of the guests writes: “The beach and the campsite itself are lovely, and there’s a wonderful sauna with a view over the sea.”

See photos and book Lofoten Beach Camp here.

6. Reine, Hamnøy and Sakrisøy - best area for photographers and hiking ⛰️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Reine is the centre, with a shop and restaurants. Sakrisøy and Hamnøy are a couple of kilometres to the east along the E10, about five minutes by car.
• 🚗 Transport: A car is easiest, but the buses to Å run through Reine, and the ferry terminal in Moskenes is just a few minutes away.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Leknes Airport, allow about an hour by car, and from Svolvær Airport more than two hours.
• 💰 Price level: High to very high. The three places below cost roughly NOK 1,970 to 5,280 (around £160 to £420) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe. Visit Lofoten advises against climbing Reinebringen in winter for safety reasons.

Reine is the image most people have in their heads when they think of Lofoten: red rorbuer (fishermen’s cabins) on islets in the fjord and steep granite peaks right behind the houses. The fishing village sits at the far western end of Moskenesøya, has about 300 inhabitants and is the administrative centre of Moskenes, and according to Visit Lofoten it’s one of the most photographed places in Norway.

Just east of Reine you’ll find Sakrisøy, with its yellow rorbuer, and Hamnøy, where the red rorbuer stand on the rocks by the bridge. From Reine, the path up Reinebringen follows the Sherpa steps, a stone staircase almost the whole way, and the view from the top over Reinefjorden is the one you’ve seen in countless photos. This is where you’ll stay closest to the best-known hikes and photo spots in Lofoten.

See hotels in Reine here.

I’d stay here if you’re coming to take photos, hike or simply wake up to the most famous view in Lofoten. In the mornings and evenings, once the day-trippers have driven off, you’ll have the bridges and fjords almost to yourself, so get up early if you want to photograph from the bridge at Hamnøy without anyone else in the shot. If you arrive on the ferry from Bodø, you’ll be here a few minutes after driving off in Moskenes, and if you have a week, it makes sense to combine a couple of nights here with a couple of nights in Svolvær or Henningsvær.

The downsides are the price and the crowds. Reine and Hamnøy are among the most expensive places to stay in Lofoten, and in summer lots of cars and motorhomes park along the road, so parking can be tricky. The rorbuer are often small, and there are few restaurants, which have shorter opening hours outside the summer.

Hotels in Reine, Hamnøy and Sakrisøy

Rostad Retro Rorbuer - rorbuer with a breakfast buffet on an islet between Reine and Sakrisøy

There’s no proper luxury hotel in the area, so the priciest places are high-standard rorbuer, and Rostad Retro Rorbuer had the highest score of those I found. It’s on the islet of Olenilsøy, about one and a half kilometres from Reine. The cabins are 25 to 35 square metres with a kitchenette and views over the water and mountains, a breakfast buffet is served, and parking is free. It scores 9.6 from just over 1,100 reviews, but space is tight, so choose a bigger cabin if there are several of you.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the windows was breathtaking at every time of day.”

See photos and book Rostad Retro Rorbuer here.

Eliassen Rorbuer - red rorbuer on the rocks in Hamnøy

Eliassen Rorbuer is in Hamnøy, about two and a half kilometres east of Reine, and the rorbuer stand on the rocks facing the fjord with views of the peaks. The cabins are about 38 square metres with their own kitchen, parking is free, and in high season breakfast is served in the restaurant. It scores 8.7 from almost 3,000 reviews, but several guests feel the price is high for the standard and that the bedrooms are small.

From one review: “Like living in a postcard. Great breakfast!”

See photos and book Eliassen Rorbuer here.

Sakrisøy Gjestegård - guesthouse from 1880 with sea views on Sakrisøy

Sakrisøy Gjestegård is on Sakrisøy, about a kilometre from Reine, in the old main building Solbakken from 1880. The rooms are about 20 square metres, most with sea views, and some share a bathroom and kitchen. There’s no breakfast, but parking is free, and it scores 9.3 from just over 1,200 reviews. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions, but the walls are thin, and on the first floor the rooms share a single bathroom.

One of the guests writes: “Fabulous location and wonderfully comfortable.”

See photos and book Sakrisøy Gjestegård here.

7. Å and Moskenes - best area if you’re arriving on the ferry from Bodø ⛴️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Å is a small village at the very end of the E10. Sørvågen and the ferry terminal in Moskenes are a couple of kilometres to the east, and Reine is about a quarter of an hour away by car.
• ⛴️ Transport: The car ferry from Bodø docks in Moskenes, and the buses from Leknes run all the way out to Å.
• ✈️ Time from the airport: From Leknes Airport, allow around an hour and a quarter by car.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to high. The three places below cost around 1,350 to 3,360 Norwegian kroner (around £110 to £270) per night when I searched for a weekend at the end of June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and very quiet. The rocks by the sea are slippery, so take care in wind and rain.

Å is the last stop in Lofoten, because this is where the road ends. The whole village is almost a museum, and the Norsk Fiskeværsmuseum shows life in a fishing village from around 1840 to 1960, with a boathouse, cod liver oil factory, forge and a bakery with a stone oven from 1878, where they still bake in summer.

Moskenes is the ferry terminal where the car ferry from Bodø docks after the crossing over the Vestfjorden. In summer the queues are long, and you can reserve a space for your car on some of the departures with Torghatten, which runs the route. Do it well in advance if you’re crossing in July, otherwise you’ll have to join the ordinary queue and hope for a space.

See hotels in Å here.

I would stay in Å or Sørvågen if you’re arriving on the ferry from Bodø late in the day or catching an early ferry back. It’s also the quietest place to stay at the western end once the day-trippers have driven home, and from here it’s a short hop to Reine and the hikes on Moskenesøya. Many people choose to start or end their trip here and drive the whole length of Lofoten to Svolvær. Take a stroll between the boathouses and drying racks in the evening, when the day-trippers have gone, and you’ll have almost the whole village to yourself.

The downside is that Å is very small, and a lot closes outside summer. There are few restaurants, and even the restaurant at Å Rorbuer is closed out of season. Henningsvær and Svolvær are more than two hours away by car, so it’s not a base for the whole archipelago.

Hotels in Å and Sørvågen

Å Rorbuer - rorbuer with kitchens in the middle of the museum village

Å Rorbuer sits in the middle of Å among the old buildings by the harbour. There’s no luxury hotel in Å, but the rorbuer here were the most expensive of my three suggestions. The cabins are around 30 square metres with a kitchen and private bathroom, there’s free parking and EV charging points, and the score is 8.8 from just over 500 reviews. The restaurant is closed outside summer, and one guest didn’t think their cabin was clean enough.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fantastic and authentic stay in Å! The cabin was cosy, clean and spacious.”

See photos and book Å Rorbuer here.

The Tide Hotel - minimalist hotel by the harbour in Sørvågen

The Tide is by the harbour in Sørvågen, a couple of kilometres from both Å and the ferry terminal in Moskenes. It’s a regular hotel with a restaurant, and the double rooms with harbour views are 18 square metres. There’s free parking, and the score is 8.7 from just over 500 reviews. Several guests feel that both the hotel and the restaurant are on the pricey side, even for Norway.

From one review: “The hotel was minimalist in style, but very clean and comfortable.”

See photos and book The Tide Hotel here.

Lofoten Å Hostel - budget hostel overlooking the harbour

Lofoten Å Hostel is in the middle of the village and was the cheapest of my three suggestions. The rooms are small, some just 9 square metres, and there’s a shared kitchen, shared bathrooms and free parking. The score is 8.6 from just over 900 reviews. There’s no breakfast and no common lounge, and several guests wished for better curtains during the midnight sun.

One guest highlights: “Beautiful views, cosy rooms and clean shared areas.”

See photos and book Lofoten Å Hostel here.

Where not to stay in Lofoten?

I wouldn’t stay in the same place all week if you want to see both Henningsvær and Reine. Svolvær to Reine is more than two hours each way, which adds up to a lot of hours in the car. Split the trip between two bases instead. Also avoid booking in Bodø, Narvik or near Evenes thinking they’re close, because they’re on the mainland several hours away.

If you’re coming in a motorhome, stick to the campsites. Visit Lofoten advises against parking close to other vehicles along the road because of the fire risk. And in winter I wouldn’t choose a place at the end of a narrow road without first checking road conditions, closures and webcams with Statens vegvesen.

If it’s your first trip and you have a week, I would stay three nights in Svolvær or Henningsvær and four nights in Reine, Hamnøy or near Ramberg. If you only have four or five nights, choose Ballstad or Ramberg in the middle of the islands and take day trips in both directions. If you’re travelling without a car, Svolvær is the only realistic choice, and if you want to surf or see the midnight sun over the sea, spend a couple of nights near Unstad.

Summer, from June to August, is high season with light nights, open hiking trails and the highest prices, and both the best rorbuer and the hire cars get booked up well in advance. So book as soon as you know your dates, and sort out your car hire with Booking.com in good time. In winter the days are short and prices lower, but you can see the northern lights, and you can join a northern lights tour from Svolvær for around 1,650 Norwegian kroner (around £130).

Lofoten is easy to combine with the rest of the country. If you want to see the fjords, you can read about where to stay in Bergen, and you’ll find all my suggestions for the rest of the country in the guide to where to stay in Norway. If you dream of the northern lights with snow and husky sledding, also take a look at where to stay in Lapland.

The post Where to Stay in Lofoten? The 7 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

So where should you stay in Cape Verde? First it comes down to which island you choose, and then whether you want to stay at a resort or in a town. Here are my seven suggestions, with three hotels in each area, from the most expensive to the cheapest.

Where to Stay in Cape Verde: The Best Areas

• Santa Maria (Sal) - best town for first-time visitors and beach life
• Ponta Preta & Algodoeiro (Sal) - best area for all-inclusive
• Sal Rei (Boa Vista) - best town for budget travellers and water sports
• Praia de Chaves & Lacacão (Boa Vista) - best area for resorts and deserted beaches
• Mindelo (São Vicente) - best town for music, food and culture
• Santo Antão - best island for hiking and green valleys
• Santiago (Praia & Tarrafal) - best island for history and capital city life

Sal and Boa Vista are the islands most visitors head to, which is why they get two sections each. This is where you’ll find the big all-inclusive resorts and the long sandy beaches. São Vicente, Santo Antão and Santiago are something else entirely, with fewer beaches and more town life, nature and culture, and here you’ll usually stay in small hotels and guesthouses. The prices below come from a search for a weekend in February for two people. The local currency is the escudo, and 1 euro is roughly 110 escudos, but on Sal and Boa Vista euros are accepted in many places, and hotels usually quote their prices in euros.

If you want to see more than one island, pick two or three at most. The islands are far apart, and between most of them domestic flights are the easiest way to travel. There are also ferries between the islands, but on the longer routes the crossing takes many hours, so check the timetable with the ferry company before you plan your route around it. The big exception is the short crossing from Mindelo to Porto Novo on Santo Antão, which according to the ferry company CV Interilhas takes under an hour. Good combinations are Sal and Boa Vista, São Vicente and Santo Antão, or Santiago and the volcanic island of Fogo.

Fogo, Maio, São Nicolau and Brava haven’t been given their own sections. Fogo is the volcanic island, where you can climb Pico do Fogo, the highest mountain in the archipelago, and spend the night in a simple guesthouse in the Chã das Caldeiras crater. Maio has quiet beaches and is a ferry ride of under two hours from Santiago, while São Nicolau and Brava are small, peaceful islands for those with plenty of time who don’t need much in the way of services.

1. Santa Maria (Sal) - best town for first-time visitors and beach life

• Distance to the centre: You stay in the town itself or along the beach, and from most hotels it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Pontão pier, which is the heart of town.
• Transport: In Santa Maria you can walk everywhere. For the rest of the island, take a taxi or an aluguer, the shared minibuses, to Espargos in the middle of the island.
• Time from Amílcar Cabral Airport: The airport is near Espargos, and the drive to Santa Maria takes around 20 minutes by taxi.
• Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost around 68 to 361 euros (around £55 to £300) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Safe for most visitors, but pickpocketing does happen on Sal. Don’t walk alone on deserted beaches in the evening, and leave your valuables at the hotel.

Santa Maria sits on the southern tip of Sal and is the island’s resort town. It’s built around a long, pale sandy beach with turquoise water, and in the middle of the beach the Pontão pier stretches out into the sea. This is where the fishing boats come in with the day’s catch, and it’s one of the best places to watch everyday life. Behind the beach is a small grid of streets with restaurants, bars, souvenir shops and supermarkets, and in the evening there’s often live music in the restaurants.

The beach is on the south coast, sheltered from the prevailing wind, so the water is usually calmer here than elsewhere on the island. North of town lie the old salt pans of Salinas de Santa Maria, and on the east coast is Kite Beach, where the kitesurfers gather when the wind picks up. Sal is a flat desert island, so most people spend a day touring the island to the salt crater at Pedra de Lume, Shark Bay with its lemon sharks and the natural pool at Buracona. A guided full-day tour of Sal costs from around 35 euros (around £30) per person.

See hotels in Santa Maria here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Cape Verde and you want the beach, restaurants and nightlife within walking distance without being tied to a resort. It’s also the best place on Sal if you want to eat out every evening and try the local cuisine, such as cachupa, the national dish made with maize, beans and fish or meat. The hotels along Avenida dos Hotéis west of the pier give you that resort feel with the town just round the corner.

The downside is that Santa Maria is touristy, and vendors on the beach and in the streets are keen to sell you excursions and souvenirs. The town is growing fast, with lots of construction on the outskirts, so check the map before you book a cheap apartment. Sal also doesn’t have much nature or culture beyond the salt pans, so if you’re not into beaches and water sports, it can quickly feel samey.

Hotels in Santa Maria

Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort - five-star resort right on the beach

The Hilton sits right on the beach on Avenida dos Hotéis, just over a kilometre west of the pier, so you can walk into town along the water. There’s an outdoor pool, spa, gym, kids’ club and casino, and it scores 8.4 from over 950 reviews. The price was around 361 euros (around £300) per night, and some guests feel the rooms and bathrooms don’t quite live up to the price.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The staff were super accommodating, and you always felt you had everything you needed.”

See photos and book Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort here.

BIA D’Olaf Apartments - air-conditioned apartments in the middle of town

BIA D’Olaf is on Rua Patrice Lumumba in the middle of Santa Maria, a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the pier, and the apartments have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. It scores 9.2 from over 500 reviews, and the price was around 158 euros (around £130) per night. There’s no pool, and one guest mentions that you could hear every single word from outside.

From one review: “Really good, good value for money and very nicely prepared and presented.”

See photos and book BIA D’Olaf Apartments here.

Pensão Alcinda Bettencourt - simple guesthouse around 50 metres from the beach

Pensão Alcinda Bettencourt is in Zona Tanquinho in the eastern part of town, around 50 metres from the beach. It’s a simple bed and breakfast with no pool, but it scores 8.1 from over 200 reviews, and the price was only around 68 euros (around £55) per night. One guest does complain about rust in the shower and small insects in the room.

One guest highlights: “The accommodation is clean and quiet.”

See photos and book Pensão Alcinda Bettencourt here.

2. Ponta Preta & Algodoeiro (Sal) - best area for all-inclusive

• Distance to the centre: The resorts are roughly 1.5 to 3 kilometres west and north-west of Santa Maria.
• Getting around: From the hotels closest to town, you can walk along the seafront to Santa Maria. From the northernmost resorts, it’s a few minutes by taxi.
• Time from Amílcar Cabral Airport: Allow around 20 to 25 minutes by car or with the resort’s transfer.
• Price level: High. The three resorts below came to roughly €230 to €319 (around £195 to £265) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Safe at the resorts. The waves and currents off Ponta Preta can be strong, so only swim where there’s a lifeguard.

West and north-west of Santa Maria lies the resort strip, where many of the package holidaymakers on Sal stay. Large all-inclusive hotels from the likes of Riu and Meliá line the coast from Ponta Sino past Ponta Preta and up to Algodoeiro. The beaches are long and wide with fine, pale sand, and there’s far more space than on the town beach in Santa Maria.

Ponta Preta is especially popular with surfers and kitesurfers for its big waves, and the beach bars here are great spots for watching the sunset. Further north, the bay at Murdeira has a quiet holiday area with apartments, if you’d rather have peace and quiet and cook for yourself than stay at a resort. From the resorts, you can book the same island tours as from Santa Maria, and many also offer diving and snorkelling.

See hotels in Ponta Preta and Algodoeiro here.

I’d stay here if you want everything in one place, with a pool, food, drinks, a kids’ club and the beach right outside the door. It’s the easiest choice for families with children and for anyone who wants to relax for a week without planning anything. If you’re travelling without children, look for one of the adults-only resorts, of which there are several here.

The downside is that you can easily end up seeing very little of Cape Verde. The food at the big resorts gets mixed reviews, and prices are far higher than at a hotel in town. If you stay right up at Algodoeiro, it’s about 3 kilometres to Santa Maria, so you’ll need a taxi to get into town in the evening, and it’s often windier here than on the town beach.

Hotels in Ponta Preta and Algodoeiro

Meliá Llana Beach Resort & Spa - five-star, adults-only all-inclusive

Meliá Llana sits right on the beach at Ponta Preta, about 3 kilometres from Santa Maria, and is adults only. There’s an outdoor pool, a spa with a sauna and steam room, and a gym, and the price was roughly €319 (around £265) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis. It scores 8.1, but some guests feel the room cleaning lacks attention to detail.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location, wonderful facilities and food, and exceptional staff.”

See photos and book Meliá Llana here.

Hotel Riu Funana - four-star all-inclusive with a water park and kids’ club

Riu Funana is in the hotel zone west of Santa Maria, about 1.5 kilometres from town. There are pools, a water park, a kids’ club, a spa and evening entertainment, and it scores 8.3 from over 350 reviews. The price was roughly €238 (around £200) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis, but several guests mention that the rooms are worn and in need of updating.

From one review: “Good staff. Good variety of food.”

See photos and book Hotel Riu Funana here.

Meliá Dunas Beach Resort & Spa - large family resort with a water park and tennis courts

Meliá Dunas sits right on the beach at Algodoeiro, about 3 kilometres from Santa Maria, and is a large resort with several pools, a water park, a kids’ club, tennis courts and a spa. It was the cheapest of the three at roughly €230 (around £195) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis. On the other hand, it also has the lowest score, 7.6 from over 900 reviews, and you won’t find a true budget hotel in the resort strip.

One guest highlights: “The staff are fantastic, friendly and extremely helpful.”

See photos and book Meliá Dunas here.

3. Sal Rei (Boa Vista) - best town for budget stays and water sports

• Distance to the centre: You stay in town or by the beaches Praia de Estoril and Praia de Cabral, no more than a couple of kilometres from the main square.
• Getting around: In Sal Rei you can walk to most places. For the rest of the island, you take a taxi, a hire car or a 4×4 excursion.
• Time from Aristides Pereira Airport: The airport is near the village of Rabil, and the drive to Sal Rei takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
• Price level: Low to mid-range. The three hotels below cost around 73 to 143 euros (roughly £60 to £120) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Calm, but pickpocketing does happen on Boa Vista. Take a licensed taxi in the evening, and don’t walk alone on deserted beaches.

Sal Rei is the main town on Boa Vista and the only proper town on the island. It’s small and quiet, with a square around the Santa Isabel church, a few streets of restaurants and cafés, and a harbour where the fishing boats are moored. Just south of town is the beach Praia de Estoril, to the north is Praia de Cabral, and out in the bay lies the small island of Ilhéu de Sal Rei with the ruins of an old fort.

The bay off Sal Rei is a well-known spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing, and you’ll find several surf schools at Praia de Estoril. If you know the wind from Fuerteventura, you’ll feel right at home, and you can compare with my guide to where to stay in Fuerteventura. The rest of Boa Vista is desert, dunes and empty beaches. North of town is the shipwreck at Cabo Santa Maria, and inland is the Viana Desert with its tall, pale dunes. The best way to see the island is on a trip with sharks, turtles and sandboarding from around 58 euros (around £50) per person.

See hotels in Sal Rei here.

I would stay here if you want to explore Boa Vista on your own, keep to a lower budget and have restaurants within walking distance. It’s also the obvious choice if you’re coming for the wind and the water sports, or if you want to split your holiday between a few days at a resort and a few days in town.

The downside is that Sal Rei is a small town with limited nightlife, and there are no real luxury hotels. On the outskirts of town many of the roads are dirt tracks, and it’s often quite windy. The most beautiful beaches on Boa Vista are some way out of town, so you’ll need a taxi, a hire car or an excursion to get there.

Hotels in Sal Rei

Oasis White Hotel - four-star hotel with a pool on the edge of town

Oasis White is around 1 kilometre from the centre of Sal Rei and just under 600 metres from Praia de Estoril. It’s a four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, restaurant, gym and lift, it scores 8.4 from more than 500 reviews, and the price was around 143 euros (around £120) per night. It isn’t a luxury hotel, but it’s the closest you’ll get in town, and some guests find the air conditioning noisy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The room was large, the bed was very comfortable, and the bathroom had plenty of space.”

See photos and book Oasis White Hotel here.

Aparthotel Por do Sol - apartment hotel with a pool by Praia de Cabral

Por do Sol is by Praia de Cabral, around 1.3 kilometres north of the centre, and has an outdoor pool with a pool bar and breakfast. It scores 8.5 from just over 200 reviews, and the price was around 112 euros (around £95) per night. Some guests do find the layout spread over three floors impractical, though.

From one review: “The deciding factor in choosing the hotel was that breakfast was included in the price.”

See photos and book Aparthotel Por do Sol here.

Casa Cesaria Guest House - cosy guesthouse in the middle of town

Casa Cesaria is on Rua 4 de Julho in the middle of Sal Rei, around 150 metres from Praia de Estoril. It’s a small bed and breakfast with a terrace and free Wi-Fi, it scores an impressive 9.4 from 130 reviews, and the price was around 73 euros (around £60) per night. There’s no pool, and some guests would like more facilities.

One of the guests highlights: “Cosy, newly renovated guesthouse in the centre of Sal Rei.”

See photos and book Casa Cesaria here.

4. Praia de Chaves & Lacacão (Boa Vista) - best area for resorts and deserted beaches

• Distance to the centre: The resorts at Praia de Chaves are around 7 to 8 kilometres south of Sal Rei, while Lacacão on the south coast is around 25 kilometres from town.
• Transport: There’s no town within walking distance, so you’ll rely on taxis, a hire car or excursions from your resort.
• Time from Aristides Pereira Airport: The resorts at Praia de Chaves are close to the airport. Lacacão is around 23 kilometres away.
• Price level: High. The three resorts below came to around 236 to 344 euros (around £200 to £290) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Safe at the resorts. The currents off the open beaches can be strong, so stick to the spots where your resort recommends swimming.

South of Sal Rei lies Praia de Chaves, a beach stretching for many kilometres with white sand and dunes, and one of the most beautiful in Cape Verde. This is where Boa Vista’s big resorts are, and Riu Palace Boavista and Riu Karamboa are just a short drive from the airport. Further south still are Praia de Lacacão and Riu Touareg, completely on their own, far from both town and airport.

Boa Vista is known for the sea turtles that come ashore on its beaches to lay their eggs. From summer to autumn you can join guided evening tours to see them, and in some places you can also watch the hatchlings crawling down to the sea. If you have a car or are going on an excursion, also visit Praia de Santa Mónica on the southwest coast, which is long, wide and usually almost empty.

See hotels on Boa Vista here.

I’d stay here if you want all inclusive, a big beach and as little travelling around as possible. Riu Karamboa is adults only, so it’s quieter by the pool, while Riu Palace Boavista and Riu Touareg also suit families with children.

The downside is that you’re dependent on your resort. There’s no town within walking distance, and if you want to see anything other than the beach, you’ll have to pay for excursions or taxis. If you stay at Lacacão, it’s a long trip to Sal Rei, and the food at the big resorts gets mixed reviews. There are no real budget hotels here, so if price matters, Sal Rei is a better choice.

Hotels at Praia de Chaves and Lacacão

Hotel Riu Palace Boavista - five-star all inclusive at Praia de Chaves

Riu Palace Boavista sits right on the beach at Praia de Chaves, around 7 kilometres from Sal Rei and close to the airport. There are several pools, a water park, a kids’ club, a spa and evening entertainment, it scores 8.6, and the price was around 344 euros (around £290) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis. Several guests do complain about loud music until late in the evening, though.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “It looks wonderful, exactly like the pictures.”

See photos and book Hotel Riu Palace Boavista here.

Hotel Riu Karamboa - five-star all inclusive for adults only

Riu Karamboa is next door to Riu Palace Boavista, around 8 kilometres from Sal Rei, and is adults only. There are pools with water slides, a spa with a sauna and steam room, and a nightclub, it scores 8.3 from over 150 reviews, and the price was around 257 euros (around £215) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis. Many guests feel the food is below average, though.

From one review: “The staff were all fantastic here.”

See photos and book Hotel Riu Karamboa here.

Hotel Riu Touareg - large resort all on its own at Lacacão

Riu Touareg is on Praia de Lacacão on the south coast, around 25 kilometres from Sal Rei and 23 kilometres from the airport. There’s a saltwater pool, tennis courts, a kids’ club and a spa, and it was the cheapest of the three at around 236 euros (around £200) per night for two on an all-inclusive basis. It scores 7.9, and several guests describe the food as mediocre.

One guest highlights: “A lovely resort with a beautiful, long beach.”

See photos and book Hotel Riu Touareg here.

5. Mindelo (São Vicente) - best town for music, food and culture

• Distance to the centre: You stay in the centre or by the town beach, Praia da Laginha, and the hotels below are no more than about 1.6 kilometres from the centre.
• Transport: In Mindelo you can walk to most places and take a taxi up the hills. The ferry to Santo Antão leaves from the harbour in town.
• Time from Cesária Évora Airport: Allow around 15 to 20 minutes by taxi into town.
• Price level: Low. The three hotels below cost around 38 to 96 euros (roughly £30 to £80) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Take the usual precautions in the evening, and get a taxi home from the bars if you’re staying up in the hills.

Mindelo is the cultural capital of Cape Verde and the hometown of the singer Cesária Évora. The town wraps around a large natural harbour beneath Monte Cara mountain, and the centre is full of pastel-coloured colonial houses, a covered market hall and a fish market. In the evenings, musicians play morna and coladeira in the bars and restaurants, and around Shrovetide the town throws a big carnival.

The town beach, Praia da Laginha, is at the northern end of town, and on the other side of the island you’ll find Baía das Gatas with a natural lagoon where the water is calm. The ferry to Santo Antão sails from Mindelo’s harbour, and if you don’t have time to stay overnight on the island, you can go on a day trip to Santo Antão with a local guide from around 85 euros (about £70) per person.

See hotels in Mindelo here.

I’d stay here if you’re more into town life, music and good food than all-inclusive. Mindelo is also the natural base if you want to hike on Santo Antão but would rather stay in a town with more restaurants. Hotels and guesthouses are cheap, and you can walk to most places.

The downside is that São Vicente isn’t a beach island in the same way as Sal and Boa Vista. Mindelo has no real luxury hotels, and some of the best places are up in the hills, so there’s a bit of a walk. It can also get very windy, and hotels fill up fast around carnival, so book early if you’re travelling then.

Hotels in Mindelo

Hotel Belvedere Mindelo - four-star hotel with a pool and views over the town

Belvedere sits up on the hill in Chã de Alecrim, about 1.6 kilometres from the centre, and has an outdoor pool with a view. It’s a four-star hotel and the most expensive of my suggestions in Mindelo, with a score of 7.8 from just over 160 reviews, and the price was around 96 euros (about £80) per night. There’s no shuttle bus, and one guest mentions that the walk into town goes through a building site.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Comfortable room. Super friendly staff. Great view over Mindelo.”

See photos and book Hotel Belvedere here.

@Georgette - adults-only guesthouse by Laginha beach

Georgette is in a building by Praia da Laginha, a few steps from the beach and about 1.5 kilometres from the centre, and it’s adults only. There’s a sun terrace and a lift, the score is 8.2 from over 240 reviews, and the price was around 71 euros (about £60) per night. In some rooms the bathroom is outside the room itself, so you have to go through the shared area to reach it.

From one review: “Fantastic flat, and the best part was the incredible view over the beach.”

See photos and book Georgette here.

Basic Hotel - cheap, well-reviewed bed and breakfast

Basic Hotel is in the Alto Morabeza neighbourhood, about 800 metres from the centre. It’s simple, with no restaurant or pool, but the score is 8.4 from over 1,000 reviews, and the price was only around 38 euros (about £30) per night. The soundproofing is poor, though, according to one guest.

One guest highlights: “Everything was really good: comfortable beds, a good breakfast and friendly, helpful, English-speaking staff.”

See photos and book Basic Hotel here.

6. Santo Antão - best island for hiking and green valleys

• Distance to the centre: Ponta do Sol and Paul are on the north coast with Ribeira Grande between them, and from the ferry port in Porto Novo the journey takes about an hour by car.
• Transport: You usually reach the island by ferry from Mindelo and then travel by taxi or aluguer over the mountains or along the coast.
• Time from Cesária Évora Airport: Fly to São Vicente, take a taxi to the harbour in Mindelo and the ferry to Porto Novo. Allow half a day in total.
• Price level: Low. The three guesthouses below cost roughly 30 to 59 euros (around £25 to £50) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: Safe. The biggest risk is the terrain, as the paths are steep and rocks can fall after rain.

Santo Antão is the greenest and most mountainous of the islands, and this is where you should head if you want to hike. The north coast is full of deep valleys with terraces of sugar cane, bananas and coffee, and in the villages they distil grogue, the island’s rum made from sugar cane. Most people stay in the small town of Ponta do Sol right on the coast or in the Paul Valley, the lushest valley on the island.

The classic hike runs from Ponta do Sol along the cliffs to the village of Fontainhas and on to Cruzinha, and another popular route goes from the Cova crater down through the Paul Valley. The paths are cobbled but steep, so wear good shoes, and take a local guide on the longer hikes. Ponta do Sol is a charming little town at the end of the road with a fishing harbour and a few restaurants, while Paul is more rural, with guesthouses dotted up through the valley.

See hotels on Santo Antão here.

I would stay here if you’re coming to hike and don’t need a sandy beach. If you like Madeira, I think you’ll love Santo Antão, and you can compare with my guide to where to stay in Madeira. Give the island at least three nights so you have time for both the coast around Ponta do Sol and the Paul Valley.

The downside is that there are no swimming beaches to speak of, as the sea along the north coast is wild. There are no real luxury hotels on the island, the places to stay are small and simple, and getting around takes time with the ferry, aluguers and mountain roads. It’s a good idea to combine the island with a few nights in Mindelo.

Hotels on Santo Antão

Casa D’Mar - guesthouse with a terrace in Ponta do Sol

Casa D’Mar is in Ponta do Sol and is the most expensive of my suggestions on the island. There’s a terrace, a bar and massages, and you can order packed lunches for your hike. It scores 8.3 from over 180 reviews, the price was about 59 euros (around £50) per night, and one guest felt the place was a little worn.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Perfect base for hiking on the island.”

See photos and book Casa D’Mar here.

Pousada do Ceu - guesthouse with a garden in the heart of the Paul Valley

Pousada do Ceu is in Chã Margarida in the Paul Valley, which the hike from the Cova crater passes down through. There’s a garden, a terrace and a shared kitchen, and you can order packed lunches. It scores 9.0 from almost 300 reviews, the price was about 57 euros (around £50) per night, and one guest felt the advice on the hikes could have been better.

From a review: “Good location for hiking. The room is clean and the breakfast is good.”

See photos and book Pousada do Ceu here.

Sissi’s B&B - budget bed and breakfast in Ponta do Sol

Sissi’s is on the main road in Ponta do Sol and has a shared kitchen and a terrace. The price was only about 30 euros (around £25) per night, and it scores 8.6 from over 350 reviews. However, one guest mentions that the water pressure in the shower is weak early in the morning.

One of the guests highlights: “Clean, comfortable and good value for money.”

See photos and book Sissi’s B&B here.

7. Santiago (Praia & Tarrafal) - best island for history and capital city life

• Distance to the centre: In Praia, you stay in the historic centre, Plateau, or by the beaches of Prainha and Quebra Canela a couple of kilometres away. Tarrafal is at the northern end of the island.
• Transport: In Praia, you get around by taxi. Aluguer, the shared minibuses, run to Tarrafal, but a hire car gives you the most freedom.
• Time from Nelson Mandela Airport: The airport is just outside Praia, and the taxi ride into town takes about 15 minutes. To Tarrafal, allow a couple of hours.
• Price level: Low to mid-range. The three hotels below cost around €55 to €177 (around £45 to £150) per night when I searched for a weekend in February.
• Safety: The British travel advice singles out Praia in particular when it comes to pickpocketing and robberies. Take a taxi in the evening and leave your valuables at the hotel.

Santiago is the largest island and home to the capital, Praia. The historic centre, Plateau, sits up on a plateau above the sea with squares, churches, colonial houses and a lively market, while the beaches of Prainha and Quebra Canela lie below. Praia is a proper working city with traffic and everyday life, and this is where you get closest to modern Cape Verde.

About 15 kilometres west of Praia lies Cidade Velha, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first town Europeans built in the tropics. Inland, there are green mountains, and at the northern end of the island is the fishing town of Tarrafal, with one of Santiago’s best beaches, a small bay with pale sand and palm trees. The journey from Praia takes a couple of hours through the mountains, and it’s easiest in a hire car from Booking.com, so you can stop along the way.

See hotels on Santiago here.

I’d stay in Praia if you want to see the capital, Cidade Velha and the mountains inland, or if you’re flying or taking the ferry onwards to Fogo or Maio. If you want beach and peace, spend a couple of nights in Tarrafal, where the atmosphere is far more relaxed than in the capital.

The downside is that Praia isn’t a holiday town, and you need to keep a closer eye on your belongings here than you would at a resort. The beaches in the city are small, and many travellers only use Praia as a stepping stone. Tarrafal is a long way from the airport, so expect a long transfer if you’re heading straight there.

Hotels on Santiago

Barceló Praia Cape Verde - five-star hotel by Prainha beach

Barceló Praia is on Avenida Rotary International by Prainha beach, south of Plateau. It’s a five-star hotel with an outdoor pool, gym and restaurant, it scores 9.0 from more than 850 reviews, and the price was around €177 (around £150) per night. Some guests find it can be hard to get hold of a taxi.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view from the hotel was amazing, the pool was amazing, and the beach was really close by.”

See photos and book Barceló Praia Cape Verde here.

Casa Alegria - highly rated bed and breakfast in Tarrafal

Casa Alegria is on Rua Liceu in Tarrafal, about 500 metres from the beach and close to the town’s restaurants and bars. There’s a terrace, garden and free Wi-Fi, it scores 9.2 from more than 750 reviews, and the price was around €74 (around £60) per night. One guest does mention, though, that dogs barking at night can keep you awake.

From a review: “Friendly staff. Beautiful room. Close to the sea and also to restaurants and bars.”

See photos and book Casa Alegria here.

Aparthotel Praiano - apartments close to Quebra Canela beach

Praiano is in the Palmarejo Baixo neighbourhood, about 50 metres from Quebra Canela beach and around 7 minutes by car from the historic centre. The apartments have air conditioning, it scores 8.3 from more than 500 reviews, and the price was around €55 (around £45) per night. The kitchen is rather sparsely equipped, though, according to one guest.

One guest highlights: “Wonderfully clean apartment in a quiet neighbourhood close to the beach and the historic centre.”

See photos and book Aparthotel Praiano here.

Where not to stay in Cape Verde?

Don’t book a hotel in Espargos on Sal unless you have a very early flight. The town is by the airport in the middle of the island and has no beach. Also be wary of cheap apartments in half-finished developments on the outskirts of Santa Maria and Sal Rei. They can look fine in the photos but are often a long way from the beach along gravel roads.

Don’t choose the most remote resorts such as Lacacão if you want to explore the island on your own, and don’t expect a beach holiday on Santo Antão or São Vicente. Don’t plan a long island-hopping trip by ferry between islands that are far apart either. The crossings can take many hours, and the weather can change your plans, so fly between the larger islands.

Before you travel, you need to register on the official website ease.gov.cv no later than five days before departure and pay an airport fee, either yourself or through your tour operator. This is stated on the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ page on passports and visas for Cape Verde, which also notes that your passport must be valid for at least six months on entry. According to the Swedish foreign service, the fee is 3,400 escudos, but check the amount when you register. The British travel advice warns of strong currents around the islands and recommends swimming where there’s a lifeguard and using licensed taxis.

Many people fly to Cape Verde via Lisbon, and if you need a night in the city on the way, you can read where to stay in Lisbon and how to get from Lisbon Airport to the city centre. If you want winter sun with a shorter flight, the Canary Islands are the alternative, and here you can see where to stay in Tenerife or in Gran Canaria. If it’s wild Atlantic islands and hiking that appeal, also take a look at the guide to where to stay in the Azores.

If it’s your first trip to Cape Verde and you want beaches and restaurants without all-inclusive, I’d stay in Santa Maria on Sal. If you want all-inclusive, choose Ponta Preta and Algodoeiro on Sal or Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista. Sal Rei is the budget-friendly, local choice with water sports, Mindelo and Santo Antão are for those who want music, food and hiking, and Santiago is for history and capital city life.

The post Where to Stay in Cape Verde? The 7 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Where should you stay in Chania when you’re torn between town life and the beach? It depends on whether you want to walk home after dinner by the harbour, swim from a town beach or have a pool and a sandy beach right outside the door. Here are my seven suggestions, with three hotels in each area.

Where to Stay in Chania: The Best Areas

• Old Town by the Venetian harbour - best area for first-time visitors
• Splantzia - best area for atmosphere and local restaurants
• Nea Chora - best area for a beach in town
• Koum Kapi and Halepa - best area for peace and quiet and local town life
• Agia Marina - best area for families with children
• Platanias - best area for the beach and nightlife
• Kalyves and Almyrida - best area for peace and quiet and drivers

The Old Town with Splantzia and the neighbourhoods of Nea Chora, Koum Kapi and Halepa are all in town itself, so you can walk to most things from there, while Agia Marina and Platanias are beach resorts around 10 kilometres to the west, and Kalyves and Almyrida lie around 20 kilometres to the east on the other side of Souda Bay. Below I go through the areas one by one, with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, and in July and August they are quite a bit higher.

Chania Airport is on the Akrotiri peninsula, north-east of town. The airport bus stops opposite the departures hall and runs to the bus station in Chania, and you buy your ticket from the driver, according to the airport’s own page about the bus. The journey takes around half an hour and costs a couple of euros, and you’ll find the timetables for the buses to the airport and the beach resorts with the bus company KTEL. A taxi to the Old Town costs around 25 to 30 euros (roughly £21 to £25).

1. Old Town by the Venetian Harbour - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the Old Town. From the waterfront it’s a five-minute walk to Splantzia and about a quarter of an hour along the water to the beach at Nea Chora.
• Transport: The Old Town is mostly pedestrianised, so you walk everywhere. The bus station is about a 10-minute walk south of the harbour, and from there buses run to the beach towns and the airport.
• Time from Chania Airport: About 25 minutes by taxi, or around half an hour on the airport bus to the bus station followed by a 10-minute walk.
• Price level: € to €€€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly €45 to €374 (around £40 to £315) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe and busy until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds on the waterfront, and always check the prices on the menu before you order by the water.

The Old Town is the historic heart of the city inside the Venetian walls, and at its centre is the semicircular harbour. According to the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s page on Chania, the Venetians built it in the 14th century for trade and as protection against pirates. At the end of the breakwater stands the old lighthouse, on the quayside you’ll find the Küçük Hasan Mosque with its pink dome, and at the western end of the harbour is the Firkas Fortress, home to the Maritime Museum of Crete.

Behind the waterfront lie the Topanas and Evraiki quarters, with narrow streets, Venetian houses and small guesthouses. Evraiki was the city’s Jewish quarter, and here you can visit the Etz Hayyim Synagogue. If you’d like a local to tell you about the city’s history and food culture, you can take a guided Old Town street food tour for around €90 (about £75), and in my guide to things to do in Crete you can read about the harbour and the beaches west of the city.

See hotels in the Old Town here.

I’d stay here if it’s your first trip to Chania and you don’t have a car. You can stroll along the harbour early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive, and in the evening you walk back from dinner through the lit-up streets. The best restaurants are often a couple of streets back from the water, where prices are also lower than on the waterfront itself.

The downsides are noise and parking. The bars and restaurants by the harbour stay open until late into the night, so choose a room away from the waterfront if you’re a light sleeper. The Old Town is largely closed to cars, and you can’t drive up to most of the hotels. The free car park on Talos Square just outside the walls to the west is often full in summer, and otherwise you’ll have to pay for a space in one of the car parks around the Old Town. Many hotels are also in old houses with steep stairs and no lift.

Hotels in the Old Town by the harbour

Domus Renier Boutique Hotel - small boutique hotel right on the waterfront

Domus Renier is on Akti Kountourioti in the middle of the waterfront, a few minutes’ walk from Firkas and the breakwater out to the lighthouse. There’s a lift and a traditional breakfast every day, and it scores 9.7 from more than 230 reviews, but it’s also the most expensive of my three picks in the Old Town. One guest missed an outdoor area to relax in, and the nearest public parking is on Talos Square about 200 metres away, where you’re not guaranteed a space.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was amazing from the moment we stepped into the hotel. Great service, great breakfast and a fantastic room.”

See photos and book Domus Renier Boutique Hotel here.

Casa Leone Hotel - small hotel with a garden and Cretan breakfast in Topanas

Casa Leone is on a side street off Theotokopoulou in Topanas, a couple of minutes’ walk from the harbour. It’s an official three-star hotel with a garden, terrace and traditional Cretan breakfast, and it scores 9.0 from more than 450 reviews. There’s no lift, and one guest writes that parking is a bit of a challenge if you arrive by car, even though there’s a public car park about 80 metres away.

From one review: “So sweet, beautifully decorated, comfortable and clean.”

See photos and book Casa Leone here.

Smaragdi - affordable apartments a stone’s throw from the harbour

Smaragdi is on Theotokopoulou in Topanas, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the Venetian Harbour. These are simple apartments with no breakfast and no lift, and they score 8.1 from more than 550 reviews. It was the cheapest of my three picks in the Old Town when I searched, but one guest found the hot water ran out after a single shower.

One guest says: “Fantastic location, easy to find and perfect communication with the host.”

See photos and book Smaragdi here.

2. Splantzia - best area for atmosphere and local restaurants

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the eastern part of the Old Town. From Splantzia Square it’s about a five-minute walk to the harbour and 10 to 15 minutes to Koum Kapi.
• Getting around: You can walk everywhere. The bus station is about 10 minutes away on foot, but the streets are narrow and cobbled, so take a taxi if you have a heavy suitcase.
• Time from Chania Airport: About 25 minutes by taxi, or about half an hour on the airport bus followed by a 10-minute walk from the bus station.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three places below cost around 62 to 187 euros (roughly £50 to £155) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. In the evening the bars on the square are packed with young people, and the little streets around it are quiet and dark late at night.

Splantzia is the eastern part of the Old Town, and under the Ottomans it was the city’s Turkish quarter. At its heart is Splantzia Square, also known as Plateia 1821, with a huge old plane tree and the church of Agios Nikolaos. The church was converted into a mosque under the Ottomans and later back into a church, which is why it has both a bell tower and a minaret today.

In the evening, restaurants and bars fill the square with tables, and the little streets around it are lined with workshops, cafés and tavernas where more locals eat than down by the harbour. From here it’s just a few minutes up to Kastelli, the hill above the harbour where the city has stood since ancient times, and down to the eastern side of the harbour with the old Venetian shipyards.

See hotels in Splantzia here.

I’d stay here if you want the Old Town right on your doorstep but would rather sleep a little away from the most touristy restaurants on the waterfront. You’re still only five minutes from the water, and in the evening you have some of the city’s cosiest places to eat just round the corner. It’s also a good area for couples and friends who want a bit of nightlife, and you’re a short walk from the eastern city walls and the seafront promenade in Koum Kapi.

The downside is the noise around the square itself, where the bars stay open late, and guests at one of the hotels below mention exactly that: noise from bars and restaurants at night. So choose a room on a side street if you’re a light sleeper. As in the rest of the Old Town, there are few lifts and no parking at the door, and according to one of the hotels, a nearby pay car park costs around 20 euros (about £17) for 24 hours.

Hotels in Splantzia

il Campanile Luxury Living - luxury apartments between the harbour and Splantzia

il Campanile is on Betolo street between the eastern side of the harbour and Splantzia, about a five-minute walk from the square. These are luxury apartments with a score of 9.7 from over 250 reviews, and breakfast can be ordered. There’s no parking, and in some of the apartments the bedroom is on a mezzanine up a flight of stairs, which won’t suit everyone.

One guest writes: “A fantastic stay in the perfect location. Everything about the place was well thought out and wonderful.”

See photos and book il Campanile here.

Centro Storico - modern apartments on Splantzia’s main street

Centro Storico is on Chatzimichali Daliani, a couple of minutes’ walk from Splantzia Square. It’s an aparthotel with soundproofed rooms, a sun terrace and a continental breakfast, and it scores 9.1 from over 700 reviews. There’s no lift, some guests have heard noise from nearby bars and restaurants at night, and others found the black-and-white décor a little cold.

From one review: “Fantastic location and great facilities. The staff helped arrange transport and were quick to reply to messages.”

See photos and book Centro Storico here.

Cretan Berry Sarpaki - small guesthouse on a quiet side street

Cretan Berry Sarpaki is on a side street off Sarpaki in Splantzia, a couple of minutes from the square. It’s a small guesthouse with a score of 9.1 from just under 400 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area when I searched. There’s no lift and no free parking, but public car parks are a two to three-minute walk away, and one guest felt the room was small.

One guest says: “Lovely clean room in a great location, with a host who replied quickly and was very helpful.”

See photos and book Cretan Berry Sarpaki here.

3. Nea Chora - best area for a beach in town

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying just west of the Old Town. From the beach, it’s about a quarter of an hour’s walk along the water to the Venetian harbour.
• Transport: You walk into town along the coast. The bus station is about 15 minutes away on foot, and several hotels say there’s free parking on the streets around them.
• Time from Chania Airport: About 25 to 30 minutes by taxi, or take the airport bus to the bus station and then walk for about 15 minutes.
• Price level: € to €€€€€. The three hotels below cost about 67 to 402 euros (around £55 to £335) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe and quiet. It’s an ordinary residential area with lots of families, and the seafront promenade is full of people in the evening.

Nea Chora means “new town”, and the neighbourhood grew up outside the walls west of the Old Town. Today it’s Chania’s very own beach suburb, with a shallow sandy beach, Nea Chora Beach, and a small fishing harbour lined with fish tavernas. From the Old Town, you walk out here along the coast whenever you want a swim, a coffee or some fish.

The beach sits in a small bay with rocks out in the water, so the waves are often smaller than on the open beaches further west. You can hire sunloungers and parasols on the beach, and there are beach bars and showers. Behind the beach you’ll find bakeries, small supermarkets and cafés, and in the evening the area is quiet, while the Old Town, a quarter of an hour’s walk away, is still buzzing.

See hotels in Nea Chora here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family wanting both the beach and the town without hiring a car. You can swim in the morning, walk to the harbour in the afternoon and be back on the beach for sunset, and prices are generally lower than by the harbour. It’s also a good choice if you have a car, because it’s far easier to find a space on the street than near the Old Town. And if you fancy fish, the tavernas by the little harbour are one of the best places in town for a long lunch.

The downside is that Nea Chora doesn’t have the Old Town’s atmosphere, and the houses in the streets behind the beach are modern and fairly ordinary. The beach gets packed in summer, and the front-row sunloungers cost money. If you stay on the beach road, you may also hear the traffic, as a guest at one of the hotels below mentions.

Hotels in Nea Chora

Chania Flair Boutique Hotel - adults-only five-star hotel with spa and pool

Chania Flair is on the corner of Petrof and Palaiologou in Nea Chora, about five minutes’ walk from the beach and a quarter of an hour from the Old Town. It’s an official five-star, adults-only hotel in Hilton’s Tapestry Collection with a spa, pool, restaurant and à la carte breakfast, and it scores 9.1. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, and there’s no parking on site, so the staff park your car for you on the street.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything. The location, the hospitality, the food and a fantastic breakfast.”

See photos and book Chania Flair here.

Posidonio Hotel - simple hotel with breakfast buffet right on the beach

Posidonio is on Monis Gonias, right on the beach in Nea Chora. It’s an official two-star hotel with a lift and breakfast buffet included, and it scores 8.6 from over 700 reviews. There’s no pool and no parking on site, but there’s free parking on the surrounding streets, and one guest who’s a light sleeper could hear everything from the street.

From a review: “Nice hotel with everything you need, right on the beach, lovely staff and a good breakfast.”

See photos and book Posidonio Hotel here.

Falassarna Hotel - budget-friendly hotel with free parking near the beach

Falassarna Hotel is named after the beach on the west coast, but it’s on Moni Gonias in Nea Chora, a couple of minutes from Nea Chora Beach. It’s an official two-star hotel with a garden, bar and free private parking for 14 cars, and with a score of 8.8 from over 1,000 reviews, it was the cheapest of my three picks in the area when I searched. Breakfast isn’t served, and one guest felt the bedrooms looked dated, even though the bathrooms had been renovated.

One guest says: “A very nice and clean hotel with very lovely people.”

See photos and book Falassarna Hotel here.

4. Koum Kapi and Halepa - the best area for peace and quiet and local city life

• Distance to the centre: Koum Kapi lies just east of the city walls, around a 15-minute walk from the harbour, and Halepa carries on up the hill to the east, where you have a 20 to 30-minute walk into the harbour.
• Getting around: You can walk into the Old Town along the water, or take a taxi from Halepa. Several hotels have parking, and driving is easier here than around the Old Town.
• Time from Chania Airport: Around 20 to 25 minutes by taxi.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around €88 to €162 (roughly £75 to £135) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. Halepa is a quiet residential neighbourhood, and the seafront promenade in Koum Kapi is full of locals in the evening.

Koum Kapi is the seafront promenade just outside the eastern city walls, where locals sit in the cafés along the water looking out over the bay, and there is also a small town beach here. From here the road continues up to Halepa, the smart 19th-century district of grand mansions where consuls and wealthy families once lived. This is where you will find the house where Crete’s great statesman and later Greek prime minister Eleftherios Venizelos lived, today the Venizelos Residence museum.

Halepa is also home to the Archaeological Museum of Chania, which has moved into a new building in the neighbourhood. Otherwise it is a quiet area of villas, bakeries and small churches, and in the evening you can eat at the tavernas in Koum Kapi or stroll along the water into the Old Town in about 15 minutes. That walk along the waterfront is, by the way, one of the loveliest in the city, especially early in the morning.

See hotels in Koum Kapi and Halepa here.

I would stay here if you have been to Chania before, or if you want to live the way the city’s own residents do, with morning coffee by the water and a short walk to the Old Town. It is also a good choice if you have a car, as several hotels have parking, and you can easily get out onto the roads towards the Akrotiri peninsula, the airport and Kalyves.

The downside is that Halepa is large and stretches up the hill, so check the address before you book. From the eastern part of the neighbourhood it is a long walk home in the evening, and there aren’t many restaurants among the villas. The small beach in Koum Kapi isn’t great for a full beach day either, so if you want to swim a lot, Nea Chora or the beach resorts to the west are a better choice.

Hotels in Koum Kapi and Halepa

Hyperion City Hotel & Spa - four-star hotel with a pool and spa close to the water

Hyperion is on Eleftheriou Venizelou in Koum Kapi, a couple of minutes from the seafront promenade and around a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. It is an official four-star hotel with an outdoor pool that is open all year round, a spa with a hammam and breakfast included, and with a score of 9.1 from over 1,900 reviews it is a safe choice. Parking costs €10 (around £8) a day, but one guest warns that the garage is so small you need to manoeuvre carefully.

One guest writes: “Excellent hotel, large room, excellent breakfast with lots of choice and an excellent welcome.”

See photos and book Hyperion City Hotel here.

Irida Hotel - hotel with free parking where Halepa begins

Irida sits on the corner of Eleftheriou Venizelou and 8is Dekemvriou, where Koum Kapi turns into Halepa, around a 20-minute walk from the harbour. It is an official three-star hotel with a breakfast buffet and free private parking, although a space isn’t guaranteed. It scores 8.9 from over 1,300 reviews, there is no pool, and one guest felt the breakfast selection was limited.

From one review: “Fantastic view from the balcony. Good breakfast. Helpful and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Irida Hotel here.

Ciel Collection Suites - adults-only apartments close to the water in Koum Kapi

Ciel Collection Suites is on Evans Street in Koum Kapi, around a 10 to 15-minute walk from the Venetian Harbour. These are adults-only apartments with a score of 9.5 from over 500 reviews, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area when I searched. Breakfast costs extra, there is no pool, and one guest missed blackout curtains and somewhere to hang wet towels and swimwear.

One guest says: “A fantastic holiday in the best apartment you could wish for.”

See photos and book Ciel Collection Suites here.

5. Agia Marina - best area for families with children

• Distance to the centre: You’ll be staying about 9 kilometres west of Chania. It takes 15 to 20 minutes by car to the Old Town and a little longer by bus.
• Transport: Buses from Chania bus station run west along the coast and stop on the main road in Agia Marina, and in season they run many times a day.
• Time from Chania Airport: About 35 to 40 minutes by taxi or car. By bus, you’ll need to change at Chania bus station.
• Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around €70 to €190 (roughly £60 to £160) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe and family-friendly. Don’t leave valuables on the beach while you’re swimming.

Agia Marina is one of the classic beach resorts west of Chania, and it has been popular with Scandinavian families for many years. The town stretches along a long beach that continues west to Platanias, and out in the bay lies the small island of Agioi Theodoroi, which you can see from almost the entire beach. The island is a protected area for the Cretan wild goat, the kri-kri.

Along the main road you’ll find supermarkets, tavernas, souvenir shops and car hire, and on the beach there are sunloungers, beach bars and water sports. In most places the water gets deeper gradually, but when it’s windy the waves can be big, so keep an eye on the lifeguards’ flag. If you don’t have a car, you can take a day trip to Balos and Gramvousa with pick-up and boat ticket from around €60 (about £50).

See hotels in Agia Marina here.

I’d stay here if you’re travelling with children and want a sandy beach, a pool and restaurants within walking distance. Everything is easy, the kids can swim from morning to evening, several of the hotels have a children’s pool and a playground, and an afternoon in Chania is easy by bus. I’ve chosen three hotels here that complement the suggestions in my overview of the whole of Crete, so you have more to choose from.

The downside is that Agia Marina is purely a holiday resort, where the restaurants and shops are much alike and most things close outside the season. The main road is also the old coast road heading west, so there’s traffic, and hotels on the inland side of the road are further from the beach. So check which side of the road your hotel is on before you book.

Hotels in Agia Marina

Thalassa Beach Resort & Spa - adults-only four-star beach hotel

Thalassa Beach Resort sits right on the beach at the western end of Agia Marina, where the town merges into Platanias. It’s an official four-star, adults-only hotel with a spa, pool, restaurant, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 9.1. So it’s a hotel for couples rather than families, and one guest felt the room was small.

One guest writes: “What really stood out was the lovely, friendly staff.”

See photos and book Thalassa Beach Resort here.

Atrion Resort Hotel - family hotel with children’s pool and playground

Atrion is on the main road in Agia Marina, about a five-minute walk from the beach. It’s an official four-star hotel with a pool, children’s pool, playground, evening entertainment, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 8.6. One guest felt the bathroom needed renovating.

One guest highlights: “The breakfast was really good.”

See photos and book Atrion Resort here.

Abella - affordable apartments with pool and free parking

Abella is in Agia Marina, about 400 metres from the beach. It’s an aparthotel with a pool, children’s pool and free parking, and with a score of 9.3 from over 500 reviews, it was the cheapest of my three picks in Agia Marina when I searched. Breakfast isn’t included, and one guest felt the balcony was dirty.

From a review: “What a lovely hotel, run by the most caring and attentive staff.”

See photos and book Abella here.

6. Platanias - best area for beaches and nightlife

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying about 11 kilometres west of Chania. The Old Town is around 20 minutes away by car and half an hour by bus.
• Transport: The westbound buses from Chania bus station stop on the main street, and from here it’s only a short drive onto the main road towards Kissamos.
• Time from Chania Airport: About 40 minutes by taxi or car.
• Price level: € to €€€€. The three hotels below cost from around 65 to 274 euros (roughly £55 to £230) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Safe. In the evening the bars along the main street are in full swing, so keep an eye on your bag in the crowds.

Platanias is the largest beach resort west of Chania, and it has grown together with Agia Marina, so the beach and the main street run seamlessly from one town into the other. The old village sits up on the hill above the main street, with views over the coast and the island of Agioi Theodoroi. Up there you’ll find several restaurants where you can eat while the sun sets over the sea.

Down by the water, Platanias has the widest choice of bars and cocktail spots on this stretch of coast, and in summer things stay lively until late into the night. From Platanias it’s about a 40-minute drive to Kissamos, where the boats to Balos and Gramvousa depart, and a boat trip from Kissamos to Balos and Gramvousa costs from around 40 euros (about £35).

See hotels in Platanias here.

I’d stay here if you want the beach by day and nightlife in the evening, or if you plan to hire a car and take day trips to the west. The easiest place to pick up a car is the airport, and you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com. The last few kilometres of the road to Balos are gravel, and many rental agreements don’t cover damage on gravel roads, so read the terms before you drive out there. For Elafonisi, allow one and a half to two hours each way over the mountains, while Falassarna is just over an hour from Chania.

The downside is the noise. If you stay in the middle of Platanias, you can hear the music from the bars until late in the evening, and the main street is also the main road, with heavy traffic. If you’re after peace and quiet, choose a hotel on the edge of town or right down by the beach.

Hotels in Platanias

Minoa Palace Resort - five-star resort with several pools right on the beach

Minoa Palace is on the main street in the western part of Platanias with direct access to the beach. It’s an official five-star resort with several pools, including an indoor one, a spa, restaurants, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 9.1. On the other hand, one guest writes that the room was very worn and in need of a thorough renovation, so read the room type descriptions carefully.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The best breakfast I’ve ever had at a hotel!”

See photos and book Minoa Palace Resort here.

Kallitsakis Beach - apartments with an infinity pool by the beach

Kallitsakis Beach is on the old main road in Platanias, a minute’s walk from the beach. It’s an aparthotel with an infinity pool and private parking, and it scores 9.4 from over 400 reviews. Breakfast is available at a nearby café, and one guest found the sofa bed uncomfortable to sleep on, with only a sheet and no duvet.

From a review: “Lovely quiet pool with plenty of sunloungers. The room was clean and had everything you need. Good location and friendly staff.”

See photos and book Kallitsakis Beach here.

Villa Giorgos - small hotel with a pool right on the beach

Villa Giorgos is at the western end of Platanias, right on the beach. It’s a small aparthotel with a pool and free parking, and with a score of 8.8 it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Platanias when I searched. Breakfast isn’t included, and one guest was disappointed at having to pay extra for the sunloungers on the beach.

One guest says: “A perfect stay at this lovely little hotel right on the beach, with a really good-sized pool.”

See photos and book Villa Giorgos here.

7. Kalyves and Almyrida - best area for peace and quiet and drivers

• Distance to the centre: You’re staying around 20 kilometres east of Chania. It takes about 25 minutes by car to reach the Old Town.
• Transport: Ideally you’ll want a car. Buses run from the bus station in Chania, but the area is spread out, and you’ll get the most out of it with your own transport.
• Time from Chania Airport: About half an hour by car.
• Price level: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly 43 to 207 euros (around £35 to £175) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• Safety: Very safe and quiet. Don’t leave valuables on show in the car at the beaches.

Kalyves and Almyrida are two small coastal towns in the Apokoronas area on the other side of Souda Bay, around 20 kilometres east of Chania. Kalyves has a long sandy beach with tavernas and supermarkets along the water, while Almyrida is a smaller fishing village a few kilometres further east, with a beach and tavernas right down by the sea.

The area is popular with people renting holiday homes and villas with pools in the hills behind the coast, and it’s far quieter than the beach resorts west of Chania. On the hill above Souda Bay between Chania and Kalyves lies the ancient city of Aptera, with a small theatre and large Roman cisterns, and the mountain villages of Apokoronas are a short drive inland.

See hotels in Kalyves and Almyrida here.

I’d stay here if you have a car and want peace, space and a local feel, but still want to be able to drive into Chania for dinner. From here it’s also easy to carry on towards Rethymnon, and the airport is only about half an hour away. If you’re a larger group, you’ll find plenty of villas with private pools in the hills behind Kalyves and Almyrida, and snorkelling boat trips leave from Almyrida. You can compare hire car prices at Booking.com’s car rental, and pick it up at the airport so you avoid a long taxi ride out here.

The downside is the distance to the west. Balos, Elafonisi and Falassarna are one and a half to two and a half hours away by car, so if you’re planning lots of day trips there, Platanias is better placed. In the evening there are few restaurants and no nightlife, many places close outside the season, and without a car you won’t get very far from here.

Hotels in Kalyves and Almyrida

Aloe Boutique Hotel & Suites - adults-only five-star hotel by the beach in Almyrida

Aloe sits on the beach road in Almyrida, a few steps from the sand. It’s an officially five-star, adults-only hotel with a pool, restaurant, breakfast included and free parking, and it scores 9.2 from 360 reviews. One guest was annoyed that the cleaning staff left their equipment outside the room for the whole stay.

One guest writes: “Everything. A perfect stay and a very convenient location.”

See photos and book Aloe Boutique Hotel here.

Akti Galinis - simple apartments right on the beach in Kalyves

Akti Galinis is right on the beach in Kalyves, just metres from the water. It’s an aparthotel with free parking and a score of 8.6 from just under 300 reviews, but there’s no pool or breakfast. One guest had bedding with holes in it and a blocked toilet.

From a review: “Very short walk to the beach, friendly owners and a nice, tidy and clean room.”

See photos and book Akti Galinis here.

Nikos Studio - budget-friendly apartment with kitchen and garden

Nikos Studio is a little outside the centre of Kalyves, about a 15-minute walk from the beach at Kera. It’s an apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, garden, barbecue and free parking, and with a score of 9.3 it was the cheapest place in the whole guide when I searched. There’s no pool, and one guest felt the air inside was a bit damp.

One guest says: “Very cosy and very clean. Fully equipped kitchen.”

See photos and book Nikos Studio here.

Where not to stay in Chania?

Watch out for cheap apartments listed as Chania on booking sites that are actually in the modern residential districts south of the Old Town or out along the road towards Akrotiri, where you’ll face a long, dull walk to the harbour. Souda, east of the town, is first and foremost a ferry port and naval base, not a place for a holiday. If you’re arriving by car, don’t stay in the middle of the Old Town without arranging parking, as you can’t drive up to the door. If you’re a light sleeper, avoid rooms facing the harbourfront and Splantzia Square. And if it’s a beach holiday with children, stay in Agia Marina or Nea Chora rather than the Old Town. Malia, which I warn against in my Crete guide, is by the way more than two hours away on the other side of Heraklion.

If it’s your first trip to Chania, I’d stay in the Old Town by the Venetian Harbour, and if you want more of a local feel with restaurants round the corner, choose Splantzia. Travelling with children and want the beach in town? Nea Chora is the best choice, and if you’ve been before or are coming by car, Koum Kapi and Halepa are a good compromise. For the classic beach holiday, stay in Agia Marina with children or in Platanias if you want evening life, and if you want peace and quiet and have a car, Kalyves and Almyrida are the right choice.

Give Chania at least three nights so you have time for the Old Town, a beach day and a trip to Balos or Elafonisi. You can hike the Samaria Gorge on a day trip from all the areas in this guide, but it’s only open for part of the year, so check opening times and tickets with the national park administration. If you want to see the rest of the island, I’ve covered Rethymnon, Heraklion and the east coast in my guide to where to stay in Crete. Many people combine Crete with one of the Cyclades, and here you can read about where to stay in Santorini. If you’re spending a couple of nights in the capital on the way, see my guide to where to stay in Athens, and you’ll find the rest of the country in the guide to where to stay in Greece.

The post Where to Stay in Chania? The 7 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.

Here you’ll find all the options with prices, journey times and where to find them at the airport: the Aerobus, the regular buses towards Machico and Caniçal, taxis, Uber and Bolt, private transfers and hire cars, which many people choose on Madeira. I also explain what happens when the wind plays tricks during landing, and how to get back to the airport.

Madeira Airport to Funchal at a glance

• Aerobus: €6.70 (around £5.60) in cash on board and roughly 24 minutes to Avenida do Mar by the harbour in Funchal, 38 minutes to Lido and 50 minutes to Praia Formosa.
• Bus 113 and the express buses: €2.65 (around £2.20) and a short ride to Machico, but only some departures call at the airport.
• Taxi: metered with official fares, typically around €30 to €40 (around £25 to £35) to Funchal and 20 to 25 minutes without traffic.
• Uber and Bolt: both operate on Madeira, and you can see the price in the app before you book.
• Private transfer: from around €40 (around £35) for up to four people, and it needs to be booked in advance.
• Hire car: desks in the terminal. A car is the easiest way to see the island, but you don’t need one in Funchal itself.

How to find the transport at the airport

Madeira Airport has one terminal, and it’s small enough to make finding your way around easy. The airport is famous for its runway, which has been extended out along the coast on 180 tall concrete pillars, and the approach close to the cliffs is an experience in itself. The airport is named after Cristiano Ronaldo, who was born in Funchal, and there’s a bust of him in the terminal.

Once you’ve collected your luggage and come out into the arrivals hall, you’ll find the taxis and the Aerobus just outside. Several of the car hire companies have desks inside the terminal close to the baggage belts, and in the arrivals terminal there’s one of the machines where you can buy the island’s GIRO bus card. If you’ve booked a private transfer, the driver will usually be waiting with a sign in the arrivals hall.

The island’s public bus network is called SIGA and brings together the bus companies on Madeira and Porto Santo. The Aerobus and the buses towards Machico and Caniçal are run by CAM (Companhia de Autocarros da Madeira), which the old SAM buses now belong to. That’s why you’ll still see the SAM name on signs and in older travel guides, including at the Terminal SAM bus stop in Funchal.

1. Aerobus from Madeira Airport to Funchal

Aerobus is the airport bus to Funchal. It’s run by CAM as part of SIGA, where it also goes by the route number 500. The bus stops right outside the arrivals hall and runs through the centre of Funchal and on westwards along Estrada Monumental to Lido and Praia Formosa, where many of the big hotels are. There’s free Wi-Fi on board, and your suitcases go in the luggage hold under the bus.

According to the timetable, the first bus leaves the airport at 8.30am and the last at 10pm. In the morning there’s a bus every half hour, and in the afternoon and evening it runs roughly once an hour, with slightly fewer departures on Sundays and public holidays. The bus doesn’t run on Christmas Day, 25 December. If you land early in the morning or miss the last bus, your options are a taxi, Uber, Bolt or a transfer. Current times are on SIGA’s Aerobus page.

Fares and tickets

A ticket bought from the driver costs €6.70 (around £5.60) for adults and €3.30 (around £2.75) for children aged 6 to 12. On board you pay in cash, so have euros in coins and small notes ready when you land. Fares are set by the regional government and adjusted from time to time, so check the price with SIGA before you travel.

With a prepaid GIRO card, a ride on the Aerobus costs €5.55 (around £4.65), and the card itself costs €0.50 (around 40p). You can buy the card from the machine in the arrivals terminal, and you can also use it on the island’s other buses, where a prepaid journey is cheaper than a ticket from the driver. If you’re only taking the Aerobus one way, the saving is small, but it’s well worth it if you’ll be using the buses several times during your stay.

Where should you get off in Funchal?

The Aerobus has 26 stops, and the whole journey from the airport to the final stop at Praia Formosa takes around 50 minutes. Without traffic, you’ll reach Mercado, near the market and the Old Town, after about 22 minutes, Avenida do Mar by the harbour after 24 minutes, Terminal SAM after 30 minutes, Lido after 38 minutes and the Fórum Madeira shopping centre after 42 minutes. SIGA’s Aerobus page has a list of hotels in Funchal with the number of the nearest stop, so you can check where to get off before you travel. If you’re unsure on the way, just tell the driver where you’re going.

If you’re staying centrally, the bus stops on Avenida do Mar near the cathedral. From here it’s a few minutes’ walk to the three-star Hotel Catedral on Rua do Aljube, and you can check prices at Hotel Catedral here. If you’re staying in the Lido hotel area, get off at Lido or on Rua Simplício dos Passos Gouveia, home to the four-star Pestana Promenade, among others, with indoor and outdoor pools close to the sea.

If you’re not sure where to stay, read my guide to where to stay in Madeira. I cover Funchal, which is the easiest base without a car, as well as Calheta and Porto Moniz, where you’ll need a car more.

2. Bus 113 and the express buses to Machico and Caniçal

The Aerobus only goes towards Funchal. If you’re heading north to Machico or Caniçal, you can take CAM’s regular buses, many of which call at the airport. The most important is route 113 between Funchal, Machico and Caniçal, which is also numbered 702 in SIGA’s system. In the timetable, departures that go via the airport are marked with a small a for Via Aeroporto. Some of the express buses between Funchal and Machico also run via the airport, especially in the direction of Funchal.

You buy your ticket from the driver, and it costs €2.65 (around £2.20) for a journey between two municipalities, or €2.00 (around £1.70) with a GIRO card. From the airport it’s only a short ride north to Machico, where the bus stops at the bus station on Rua 9 de Outubro in the centre. The same buses also run the other way into Funchal and are cheaper than the Aerobus, but they stop at many more places and aren’t designed for large suitcases.

The regular buses don’t necessarily stop in the same place as the Aerobus, so ask at the airport information desk where to wait. They only run during the day and early evening, with fewer services at weekends. You’ll find timetables for all routes under SIGA’s timetables, where you can search for Machico or Caniçal.

Machico is just a few minutes from the airport and has a light sandy beach and a pleasant promenade, making it a good choice for your first or last night on the island. Right by the beach is the three-star White Waters Hotel, from where you can walk to both the bus station and the restaurants.

The Aerobus doesn’t go to Caniço and Caniço de Baixo, where many hotels sit on the cliffs between the airport and Funchal. Here a taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the easiest option, and the journey takes about 15 minutes. If you still want to take the bus, check the connection in SIGA’s timetables before you travel.

3. Taxi from Madeira Airport

Taxis queue right outside the arrivals hall, and there are usually taxis available even after the Aerobus has stopped running. On Madeira, taxis run on the meter, with fares agreed between the regional transport authority IMT and the taxi associations. The minimum fare is €4.00 (around £3.35) during the day and €4.80 (around £4) at night, and the night rate applies from 9pm to 6am and all day at weekends and on public holidays. Luggage larger than hand luggage costs a supplement of €1.50 (around £1.25).

The full fare table is in IMT’s official taxi fare table, and you can always ask the driver for a receipt. To Funchal, the fare usually comes to about €30 to €40 (around £25 to £35), depending on the time and where in the city you’re going, and the journey takes 20 to 25 minutes without traffic. Caniço and Machico are shorter and cheaper rides, while a trip to Calheta or Porto Moniz on the other side of the island quickly gets expensive. If you’re going a long way, ask for the approximate fare before you set off.

If there are three or four of you going to the same hotel in Funchal, a taxi doesn’t cost much more than Aerobus tickets for the whole group, and it takes you right to the door. That makes a taxi a good choice for families and for hotels up Funchal’s steep hills, where you won’t fancy dragging your suitcase the last stretch.

4. Uber and Bolt

Both Uber and Bolt operate on Madeira, as the island’s official tourism page on transport also confirms, and it has useful advice on parking and driving too. You book in the app just as you would at home and see the price before you confirm the ride. The price depends on demand, so when lots of flights land at once it can rise above the taxi fare, while at other times it’s a little lower.

Only book your car once you’ve collected your luggage, and check in the app where the driver will pick you up at the terminal. Uber and Bolt are also handy for the rest of your stay, for example if you need to get back from a restaurant up in the hills of Funchal late in the evening.

5. Private transfer

A private transfer is a pre-booked car with a driver who waits for you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to your hotel. On GetYourGuide, prices to Funchal start from around 40 euros (around £35) for up to four people, and the journey takes about half an hour. It’s more expensive than the Aerobus, but it’s a good option if there are several of you, you’re travelling with children or you’re staying at a hotel the bus doesn’t serve.

Book a private transfer from Madeira Airport to Funchal here.

The transfer needs to be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Add your flight number when you book, so the driver can keep track if your flight is delayed. If you’re heading to Calheta, Porto Moniz or the north coast, expect a longer journey and a higher price than to Funchal.

6. Car hire from Madeira Airport

Madeira is an island where a hire car gives you a great deal of freedom. Many of the best walks, viewpoints and the natural pools at Porto Moniz are a long way from the bus routes, and with a car you can get from one end of the island to the other in a day. Several of the big rental companies, including Avis, Europcar and Enterprise, have desks at the airport, while others have offices just outside and usually pick you up in a shuttle bus. Check your confirmation to see where you need to meet, and compare prices on hire cars at Booking.com before you travel.

From the airport, you drive along the VR1 motorway on the south coast to Funchal in 20 to 25 minutes. There are no toll roads on Madeira, and the motorway is easy to drive, but it runs through lots of tunnels, so remember to switch your lights on. A hire car also makes sense for your first night if you’re staying in Calheta, Porto Moniz or somewhere else outside Funchal where the buses are infrequent.

What you need to know about driving on Madeira

Once you leave the motorway, the roads quickly become steep, narrow and full of hairpin bends. That applies in Funchal too, where many streets climb steeply up the hills and are one-way. So choose a car with enough power for the hills, and book an automatic well in advance if you’re not used to hill starts on steep slopes with a manual gearbox. Satnav works fine, but it sometimes picks the shortest and steepest route, so stick to the main roads if you’re in doubt.

Parking in Funchal is often the biggest challenge. According to the tourist office, white lines mean free parking, though in some places for residents only, blue lines mean paid parking, and yellow lines mean no parking. You pay on weekdays from 8am to 8pm and on Saturdays from 8am to 2pm at the machine or with the iPark Driver app, while Sundays and public holidays are free. Ask your hotel about parking before you book, as many hotels in the centre have no spaces or only a few.

My advice is therefore to take the Aerobus or a taxi into Funchal if you’re staying in the city, and hire a car for the days you want to get out and explore the island. Many rental companies also have offices in Funchal. You’ll find ideas for a trip around the island, from the surf village of Jardim do Mar to the summit of Pico do Arieiro, in my post on Madeira as Europe’s answer to Hawaii.

When the wind plays up on landing

Madeira Airport is known for its wind. The runway is squeezed in between the mountains and the sea, and when it’s blowing hard from the wrong direction, pilots have to go around and try again, hold in the air or land on the neighbouring island of Porto Santo or further away. This can happen all year round, and the approach is so demanding that pilots need special training to land here.

If your flight is diverted, the airline has to help you onwards, so keep an eye on its messages. For that reason, don’t make tight plans for your arrival day, such as an excursion, the ferry to Porto Santo or a hire car that has to be collected at a set time. If you’ve booked a transfer or a hire car, let them know if your flight is badly delayed. The Portuguese weather service IPMA has wind and weather warnings, including for Madeira, if you want to keep an eye on the weather in the run-up to your trip.

Onwards to Porto Santo

If you’re heading on to the neighbouring island of Porto Santo with its long sandy beach, you have two options. The Lobo Marinho ferry from Porto Santo Line sails from the harbour in Funchal and takes around two and a half hours, and there are short flights from Madeira Airport, which according to the tourist office take about 15 minutes. If you’re flying on, you stay at the airport, and if you’re taking the ferry, the Aerobus runs to Avenida do Mar close to the harbour.

Getting back to the airport

The Aerobus runs the opposite way from Praia Formosa via Lido and the centre to the airport, and you board at the same stops where you got off. According to the timetable, the first bus leaves Praia Formosa at 7am and the last at 9pm. From Avenida do Mar, allow about half an hour to the airport and longer in rush hour, so catch a bus in good time. Once again, you buy your ticket in cash from the driver, or you use your GIRO card.

If you have an early flight before the Aerobus starts running, a taxi, Uber, Bolt or a pre-booked transfer is the easiest option, and your hotel reception can call a taxi for you. If you’re returning a hire car, follow the signs for car rental returns, and allow extra time if you need to fill up, as there can be a queue at the petrol station near the airport.

If you’re flying home via Lisbon and want a couple of days in the capital, you can read where to stay in Lisbon, and see the metro, bus and taxi options in my guide to getting from Lisbon Airport to the city centre. If Madeira is part of a longer trip, you’ll find the mainland and the islands together in my guide to where to stay in Portugal, and if you want to combine it with the Atlantic’s other archipelago, I’ve also written about where to stay in the Azores.

Madeira Airport to Funchal: which option should you choose?

Here’s my recommendation based on where you’re going and how you’re travelling:

The centre, the harbour and the Old Town: Take the Aerobus to Mercado or Avenida do Mar for 6.70 euros (around £5.60).

Lido and Praia Formosa: The Aerobus runs along Estrada Monumental through the hotel area and drops you close to most hotels.

3 to 4 adults going to the same hotel: A taxi doesn’t cost much more than the Aerobus tickets and takes you right to the door.

Children or lots of luggage: A private transfer or a taxi, so you don’t have to haul suitcases up the hills.

Machico and Caniçal: Bus 113 on a departure via the airport for 2.65 euros (around £2.20), an express bus as well for Machico, or a short taxi ride.

Caniço: A taxi or transfer, as the Aerobus doesn’t go there.

If you land late or very early: A taxi, Uber or Bolt. The Aerobus runs from the airport from 8.30am to 10pm.

Calheta, Porto Moniz or a trip around the island: Pick up your hire car at the airport and drive west along the VR1 on the south coast.

The post Madeira Airport to Funchal – Transport Guide appeared first on Destination Well Known.

So where to stay in Cannes, when prices vary so much from one neighbourhood to the next? It depends on whether you want beachfront luxury, atmosphere in the narrow streets or low prices and a pool. Here are my six suggestions, with three hotels in each area.

The Best Areas to Stay in Cannes

• La Croisette - best area for luxury and beach life
• Old Town (Le Suquet) and the Old Port - best area for atmosphere and restaurants
• City centre by the station - best area for first-time visitors and day trips by train
• Pointe Croisette and Palm Beach - best area for families and peace and quiet
• La Bocca - best area for long sandy beaches and lower prices
• Mandelieu-la-Napoule - best area for drivers and a pool

La Croisette, the Old Town and the city centre sit side by side, so from there you can walk to most things, while Pointe Croisette lies at the eastern end of the promenade and La Bocca a few kilometres to the west with its own station. Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the neighbouring town further west, and you’ll get the most out of a stay there if you have a car. The prices below come from a search for a weekend in June for two people. In May during the film festival, and during the big trade fairs at the Palais des Festivals, such as the MIPIM property fair in March and the Cannes Lions advertising festival in June, prices soar and the good hotels sell out early, so check the dates before you book. The film festival’s own website also warns against fake accommodation offers that use the festival’s logo.

1. La Croisette - best area for luxury and beach life 🌴

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You stay on the seafront promenade between the Palais des Festivals and Pointe Croisette. From the hotels in the middle of the Croisette, it’s a few minutes’ walk to Rue d’Antibes and around 10 minutes to the Palais des Festivals and the station.
• 🚶 Transport: You can walk to most places. The Old Port is a 15-minute walk away, and Port Pierre Canto and Palm Beach are 15 to 25 minutes on foot along the water.
• ✈️ Time from Nice Airport: Just over half an hour by train from Nice Saint-Augustin to Cannes, followed by a walk of around 10 minutes, or around 50 minutes on express bus 81 to the station. A taxi has a fixed fare of around 85 to 90 euros (around £70 to £75).
• 💰 Price level: €€€ to €€€€€. The three hotels below ranged from around 146 to 1,509 euros (around £120 to £1,265) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Very safe and busy until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds by the Palais des Festivals, and don’t leave it unattended on the beach while you swim.

La Croisette is Cannes’ famous seafront promenade, lined with palm trees, designer boutiques and grand hotels such as the Carlton, Majestic and Martinez. The promenade starts at the Palais des Festivals, where film stars walk up the red carpet in May, and in the pavement around the building you can find the stars’ handprints. From here it follows the bay east all the way out to Pointe Croisette, and in the evening it’s full of people out for a stroll.

According to the tourist office’s beach guide, Cannes has more than seven kilometres of fine sand, but along the Croisette most of the beaches are private beach clubs run by the hotels. Here you pay for a sunlounger and parasol, and that often applies even if you’re staying at the hotel. If you want to swim for free, Zamenhof and Brigitte Bardot are public family beaches on the Croisette itself.

See hotels on La Croisette here.

This is where I’d stay if you want the classic Cannes experience, with sea views, the beach just across the road and cocktails on a hotel terrace in the evening. You can walk to both the restaurants in the Old Town and the trains in the centre, and the hotels behind the promenade are cheaper than the seafront ones, while still putting the beach just a couple of minutes away. Boats to the Lérins Islands leave from the Old Port, around a 15-minute walk from the hotels.

The downside is the price. Seafront rooms with sea views are among the most expensive on the whole Riviera, and beach clubs, parking and drinks soon add up. In May, during the film festival, the promenade is packed with photographers, barriers and fans, and prices can be several times higher than normal. If you’re coming on holiday, you’ll get the most for your money outside the big events.

Hotels on La Croisette

Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel - legendary five-star hotel with a pool in the middle of the Croisette

The Carlton sits on Boulevard de la Croisette facing the beach, around 10 minutes’ walk from both the Palais des Festivals and the station. It’s an official five-star hotel with an outdoor pool, spa, gym and restaurants, and it scores 9.4 from more than 750 reviews. It was by far the most expensive of my three suggestions at around 1,509 euros (around £1,265) per night when I searched, parking costs 50 to 70 euros (around £40 to £60) a day depending on the season, and several guests are disappointed that the sunloungers at the beach club cost extra.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “A fantastic hotel in a perfect location in Cannes. The service is first-class, the staff are super helpful and friendly, and we’ll definitely be back soon.”

See photos and book Carlton Cannes here.

Croisette Beach Hotel Cannes, MGallery Collection - four-star hotel with a heated pool just behind the Croisette

Croisette Beach Hotel is on Rue du Canada just behind the Croisette, around 150 metres from the beach and 10 to 15 minutes’ walk from the Palais des Festivals. It’s an official four-star hotel with an outdoor pool that’s heated all year round, a bar and a gym, and it scores 8.6 from just under 480 reviews. Parking costs around 25 euros (around £20) a day in high season, and one guest was disappointed that even hotel guests have to pay for sunloungers at the beach club.

From one review: “Fantastic location right by the beach on the Croisette. We enjoyed the small pool, even though the courtyard didn’t get much sun.”

See photos and book Croisette Beach Hotel here.

Hôtel Jardin Croisette - three-star hotel on a side street between Rue d’Antibes and the beach

Jardin Croisette is on Rue Molière between Rue d’Antibes and the Croisette, around 200 metres from the beach and 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from the Palais des Festivals and the station. It’s an official three-star hotel with a garden and terrace, and with a score of 8.7 from more than 400 reviews, it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area when I searched. There’s no pool, parking costs around 25 euros (around £20) a day, and one guest warns that it can be noisy at night at weekends.

One guest highlights: “A beautiful, relaxing stay in Cannes with excellent hospitality, a great location and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.”

See photos and book Hôtel Jardin Croisette here.

2. Old Town (Le Suquet) and the Old Port - best area for atmosphere and restaurants 🏰

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Le Suquet sits on the hill just west of the Old Port. It’s a 5 to 10-minute walk to the Palais des Festivals and around 15 minutes to the station.
• 🚶 Transport: You can walk everywhere, but the streets up the hill are steep and have steps, so take a taxi if you have a heavy suitcase. Boats to the Lérins Islands leave from the Old Port.
• ✈️ Time from Nice Airport: Just over half an hour by train to Cannes followed by a walk of about 15 minutes, or around 50 minutes on express bus 81 to the station.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost around 181 to 297 euros (roughly £150 to £250) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and lively in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag in the crowds on Rue Meynadier and around the harbourside restaurants in summer.

The Old Town, which locals call Le Suquet, is the oldest part of Cannes, set on the hill above the Old Port. Narrow streets and stairways lead up to the Notre-Dame-d’Espérance church and the old watchtower, and from the square in front of the church you look out over the harbour, the Croisette and the bay. The old castle at the top houses the Musée des Explorations du Monde, with art and objects from all over the world, and a ticket costs 6.50 euros (around £5.50). The museum is closed on Mondays except in July and August.

At the foot of the hill is Marché Forville, the town’s covered market, which is open every morning except Monday, when there’s a flea market instead. The pedestrianised Rue Meynadier links the market with the centre, and many of the town’s small restaurants line the streets climbing the hill. Trans Côte d’Azur and other operators sail from the harbour all year round to Sainte-Marguerite, where at Fort Royal you can see the cell where the Man in the Iron Mask was held prisoner. A return trip costs around 20 euros (about £17), and you can also buy your ferry ticket to Sainte-Marguerite in advance from around 21 euros (about £18).

See hotels in the Old Town and by the Old Port here.

I’d stay here if you want the market, the little restaurants and harbour views right on your doorstep. You can walk to the Palais des Festivals and the beach in a few minutes, and if you’d like the history too, you can join a walking tour of Cannes with a local guide from around 25 euros (about £21).

The downsides are the hill and the lack of space. Within the Old Town itself there are almost only apartments, and the hotels sit on the edge of the area, so expect steps and steep streets with your suitcase. In summer the terraces are buzzing until late in the evening, and your car will have to go in a public car park, as the streets are too narrow.

Hotels in the Old Town and by the Old Port

Best Western Hôtel des Orangers Cannes - four-star hotel with a pool on the hill by Le Suquet

Hôtel des Orangers is on Rue des Orangers on the hill west of Le Suquet, about 300 metres from the Notre-Dame-d’Espérance church and less than a 10-minute walk from the Old Port. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, garden and sun terrace, and it scores 8.3 from over 2,000 reviews. You can park for free on the street if there’s space; otherwise a public car park costs around 16 euros (about £13) a day, and one guest mentions that the lift is very small.

One guest writes: “Good hotel, good location and good staff.”

See photos and book Hôtel des Orangers here.

Hotel Splendid - classic four-star hotel overlooking the Old Port

The Splendid is on Rue Félix Faure right on the Old Port, a few minutes’ walk from the Palais des Festivals and Marché Forville. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel in an old-fashioned style with a lift, and it scores 8.5 from over 1,500 reviews. There’s no pool, the continental breakfast costs 20 euros (around £17) and the buffet 25 euros (around £21), and a nearby public car park costs around 22 euros (about £18) a day. One guest found the room rather small.

From a review: “The location was very central, and we liked the hotel’s old-fashioned style.”

See photos and book Hotel Splendid here.

Hotel Albert 1er - good-value, highly rated hotel north of Marché Forville

Albert 1er is on Avenue de Grasse in a quiet neighbourhood north of Marché Forville, about 500 metres from Le Suquet and less than a 10-minute walk from the Old Port. It’s an officially rated three-star hotel with a lift and a terrace, and with a score of 9.0 from over 1,000 reviews, it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area when I searched. Parking costs around 10 euros (about £8) a day on request, though one guest felt the walls between the rooms were a little thin.

One guest says: “We had a wonderful stay! Communication with the host before our arrival was excellent.”

See photos and book Hotel Albert 1er here.

3. City Centre by the Station - best area for first-timers and day trips by train 🚆

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying in the town’s shopping district between the station and the Croisette. From Rue d’Antibes, it’s about a 5-minute walk to the beach and the Palais des Festivals.
• 🚆 Transport: Gare de Cannes station sits right in the middle of the area. The regional trains along the coast and the fast trains to Marseille and Paris stop here, and express bus 81 from the airport runs all the way here.
• ✈️ Time from Nice Airport: Just over half an hour by train from Nice Saint-Augustin, or around 50 minutes on express bus 81, which stops at the station.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€€. The three hotels below cost around 116 to 535 euros (roughly £95 to £450) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and busy during the day. Keep an eye on your bag at the station and on the coastal trains, where pickpockets operate in summer.

The city centre is the part of Cannes that lies between the railway and the Croisette. Rue d’Antibes is the town’s long shopping street running parallel to the beach, and the surrounding streets are home to cafés, bakeries, supermarkets and many of the town’s mid-range hotels. Just north of the shopping street is Marché Gambetta, which the tourist office calls the town’s market for good deals, and it’s open every morning except Monday.

The big advantage is the train. TER Sud regional trains run along the coast to Antibes in about a quarter of an hour and to Nice in just over half an hour, and it takes around half an hour to reach the perfume town of Grasse. If you’re planning a day trip, I’ve written about the things to do in Nice, and if you’d rather stay in the neighbouring town, you can read about where to stay in Antibes. I cover the train and bus from the airport in my guide to getting from Nice Airport to the city centre.

See hotels in the city centre by the station here.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Cannes on your first visit, or you want to use the town as a base for day trips by train, this is where I’d stay. You can walk to the beach, the Palais des Festivals and the Old Town in 5 to 15 minutes, and you’ll find proper hotels with a reception and breakfast at lower prices than on the Croisette.

The downside is that you won’t have a sea view, and the streets around the station and Rue d’Antibes are busy with traffic during the day. In the evening the shopping streets go quiet, so you’ll head to the Old Town or the Croisette for dinner. The hotels here are more practical than charming, the rooms are often small, and you should ask for a room away from the street if you’re a light sleeper.

Hotels in the city centre by the station

Five Seas by Inwood Hotels - five-star hotel with a rooftop pool close to the Palais des Festivals

Five Seas is on Rue Notre Dame in the heart of the centre, about 100 metres from the Palais des Festivals and a five-minute walk from the station. It’s an officially rated five-star hotel with a rooftop pool, spa, sauna and restaurant, and it scores 9.1 from almost 470 reviews. It was the most expensive of my three picks in the centre at around 535 euros (roughly £450) per night when I searched, parking costs 49 euros (around £40) a day, and one guest wasn’t keen on the design of the bathrooms.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything is top-notch: the location, the staff and the rooms. It’s a perfect hotel for Cannes.”

See photos and book Five Seas here.

OKKO Hotels Cannes Centre - modern four-star hotel right by the station

OKKO is on Place de la Gare, about 100 metres from the station and a 5-minute walk from the Palais des Festivals. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel with a roof terrace, sauna and gym, and it scores 8.4 from almost 1,500 reviews. According to Booking.com, breakfast is included, parking costs 21 euros (around £18) a day, and one guest would have liked a bit more space and storage in the room.

From a review: “Very good location with plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby and within walking distance of all the main sights in Cannes.”

See photos and book OKKO Hotels Cannes Centre here.

Hotel Schtak - budget-friendly hotel in the middle of Rue d’Antibes

Hotel Schtak is on Rue d’Antibes, the town’s shopping street, about 200 metres from the station and a few minutes’ walk from the beach. It’s an officially rated three-star hotel with a lift and air conditioning, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in the centre when I searched. It scores 8.0, there’s no private parking, so your car will need to go in a public car park, and one guest found the breakfast poor with little choice.

One guest says: “Really good location right in the centre and within walking distance of the sea and the Palais des Festivals.”

See photos and book Hotel Schtak here.

4. Pointe Croisette and Palm Beach - best area for families and peace and quiet ⛵

• 📍 Distance to the centre: You’re staying at the eastern end of the Croisette. It’s a 20 to 30-minute walk along the seafront to the Palais des Festivals, and a little further to the Old Town.
• 🚌 Transport: Local buses run into the centre and to the station. Otherwise, you can walk along the promenade or take a taxi, and several hotels have their own parking.
• ✈️ Time from Nice Airport: Around 35 to 45 minutes by taxi depending on traffic, or the train to Cannes followed by a short taxi ride or bus.
• 💰 Price level: €€ to €€€€. The three places below were around €170 to €328 (roughly £140 to £275) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet. Lock your car, and don’t leave your bag unattended on the beach.

Pointe Croisette is the eastern tip of Cannes, where the promenade ends. This is where you’ll find the Port Pierre Canto marina with its large yachts, and out on the tip itself is Palm Beach with restaurants, bars and a nightclub. Behind the promenade lies a quiet residential area with villas, flats and a handful of hotels with pools and gardens.

The beaches out here at Mouré Rouge and along Boulevard Eugène Gazagnaire are smaller and more local than the beach clubs on the Croisette, and there are water sports in summer. To get to the centre, you take the local Palm Bus services, and if you want to get out on the water, you can take a half-day catamaran trip from Cannes with swimming and snorkelling from around €84 (around £70).

See hotels near Pointe Croisette and Palm Beach here.

I’d stay here if you’re travelling with children or want peace and quiet in the evening, but still want to be able to walk to the Croisette. Several of the hotels have pools and their own parking, which is rare in the centre, and the beaches aren’t as crowded as those by the Palais des Festivals. It’s also a good choice if you’re staying in Cannes for a whole week and want a bit more space.

The downside is the distance. It’s about two kilometres to the Old Town, and in the evening restaurants are few and far between if you don’t want to eat at Palm Beach or the marina. Around Palm Beach there can be music and traffic until late at weekends in summer, and outside the season the area is very quiet. If you only have a couple of nights, you’ll get more out of staying in the centre.

Hotels near Pointe Croisette and Palm Beach

Juliana Hotel Cannes - four-star hotel with a pool in the area behind the Croisette

Juliana is on Avenue de Madrid in the area behind the eastern part of the Croisette, about 400 metres from the beach and 1.4 kilometres from the Palais des Festivals. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel with an outdoor pool, bar and gym, and it scores 8.4 from over 1,000 reviews. Parking costs €20 (around £17) a day, and one guest felt the room was very basic, with no tea or coffee.

One guest writes: “We really enjoyed our stay at Juliana Hotel. The staff were really friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Juliana Hotel here.

Hôtel La Villa Cannes - four-star hotel with a heated pool and garden close to Port Pierre Canto

La Villa is on a small side street, Rue Traverse Alexandre III, less than a 10-minute walk from Port Pierre Canto and a couple of minutes from the beach. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel with a heated outdoor pool and garden, and it scores 8.9 from just under 350 reviews. The secure parking costs €22 (around £18) a day, and one guest mentions that the hotel is a little outside the centre, so allow about 20 minutes’ walk along the beach to the Palais des Festivals.

From a review: “Lovely hotel with a gorgeous pool and garden. The staff were excellent, friendly and helpful.”

See photos and book Hôtel La Villa Cannes here.

Chez Nicole - small B&B with free parking and breakfast

Chez Nicole is on Boulevard Eugène Tripet in the villa district at Pointe Croisette, about 600 metres from the beach and 1.8 kilometres from the Palais des Festivals. It’s a small bed and breakfast with a garden, terrace and free private parking, and with a score of 9.2 it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in the area when I searched. There are only a few reviews and no pool, and the property doesn’t accept stag or hen parties or similar groups.

One guest says: “Very kind host. Excellent breakfast. Highly recommended.”

See photos and book Chez Nicole here.

5. La Bocca - best area for long sandy beaches and lower prices 🌅

• 📍 Distance to the centre: La Bocca is the district west of Le Suquet. From the beachfront hotels it’s 2.5 to 3 kilometres to the Old Port, and the beaches along Boulevard du Midi run all the way into town.
• 🚆 Transport: La Bocca has its own station, Cannes-La Bocca, where regional trains stop, and from there it’s just a few minutes to Cannes. Local buses run along the seafront into the centre.
• ✈️ Time from Nice Airport: Around 35 to 45 minutes by taxi or car, or by train with a change in Cannes.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly 113 to 627 euros (around £95 to £525) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe, but less polished than the centre, and the main road through the district is busy. Don’t leave your bag unattended on the beach.

La Bocca is the down-to-earth district on the western side of Cannes, where many locals live and do their shopping. According to the tourist office, the Marché de La Bocca market is the area’s daily meeting point, with vegetables, fish and flowers, and it’s open every morning except Monday. On Wednesdays and Saturdays there’s also a clothes market, and in July and August a night market is held on Wednesday evenings, and here you’ll pay far less for dinner than on the Croisette.

The big draw is the beaches. Along Boulevard du Midi and out towards La Bocca you’ll find wide, public sandy beaches with a promenade lined with trees and plants, and unlike the beach clubs on the Croisette, they’re free to use. At Plage des Rochers the sand sits between ochre-coloured rocks. The tourist office recommends putting your towel down as early as around 8am in high season, and in the evening the sun sets behind the Estérel mountains right across from the beach.

See hotels in La Bocca here.

I’d stay here if the beach is your top priority and you’d like lower prices than in the centre. On the regional train from Cannes-La Bocca you’re in town within a few minutes, and if you have a car, parking is cheaper and several hotels have free spaces. It’s also a good choice for families who want wide sandy beaches without paying for a beach club.

The downside is that La Bocca has neither the charm of the Old Town nor the glamour of the Croisette. Avenue Francis Tonner, which runs through the district, is a busy main road with shops and businesses, and some hotels are a long way from both the beach and the station. In the evening it’s a long way to the restaurants in the Old Town, so expect to take the train, bus or a taxi back.

Hotels in La Bocca

Radisson Hotel Cannes Seaside - four-star hotel with a pool close to the beach on Boulevard du Midi

The Radisson is on Avenue du Docteur Raymond Picaud in the eastern part of La Bocca, around 50 metres from the beach and 2.5 kilometres from the Old Port. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel with an outdoor pool in summer, a restaurant and a bar, and it scores 8.0 from more than 1,100 reviews. It was the most expensive of my three picks in La Bocca, parking costs 25 euros (around £20) a day, and one guest complained about an old air-conditioning unit in their room.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “We loved this hotel. It’s in a good location and is ten minutes by bus from the centre of Cannes.”

See photos and book Radisson Hotel Cannes Seaside here.

ibis Cannes Plage La Bocca - chain hotel 100 metres from the beach and close to the station

The ibis is on Avenue Francis Tonner, around 100 metres from the beach and 400 metres from Cannes-La Bocca station. It’s an officially rated three-star hotel with a bar and terrace, and it scores 7.9 from more than 900 reviews. Parking costs 7.50 euros (around £6) a day, and breakfast costs 13.90 euros (around £12) per adult. One guest felt the neighbourhood isn’t particularly charming and that it’s a long walk into the centre.

From a review: “The staff were super helpful with recommendations for dinner in town.”

See photos and book ibis Cannes Plage La Bocca here.

Hotel des Victoires by Soniho - budget-friendly hotel with free parking at the western end of La Bocca

Hotel des Victoires is on Avenue Francis Tonner at the western end of La Bocca, close to the border with Mandelieu, around 1.3 kilometres from the beach and 2 kilometres from the station. It’s an officially rated three-star hotel with a restaurant, a bar and free parking, and it was the cheapest of my three picks in La Bocca when I searched. It scores 8.2 from more than 3,400 reviews, breakfast costs 10.50 euros (around £9) per person, and one guest complained that the ventilation in their room hadn’t been cleaned.

One guest says: “Perfect value for money in Cannes.”

See photos and book Hotel des Victoires here.

6. Mandelieu-la-Napoule - best area for drivers and a pool 🚗

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Mandelieu-la-Napoule is a separate town west of Cannes. From La Napoule by the château, it’s about 7 kilometres to the Palais des Festivals.
• 🚗 Transport: A car is the easiest option. Mandelieu-la-Napoule station sits right in La Napoule by the château, and regional trains run from there to Cannes in about ten minutes.
• ✈️ Time from Nice Airport: Around 30 to 40 minutes by car on the A8 motorway depending on traffic, or by train, often with a change in Cannes.
• 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The three hotels below cost around €92 to €283 (roughly £75 to £235) per night when I searched for a weekend in June.
• 👮 Safety: Safe and quiet. Lock the car and don’t leave valuables on display when you park by the beaches.

Mandelieu-la-Napoule lies on the Bay of La Napoule west of Cannes, and down by the sea La Napoule has its beach, marina and station side by side. This is where you’ll find Château de la Napoule, a medieval castle restored by the American sculptor Henry Clews and his wife Marie. According to the château’s own website, the gardens and castle are open Tuesday to Sunday from April to September, with shorter opening hours in winter.

Behind the town, the Estérel massif begins with its red rocks, and the Corniche d’Or coast road continues towards Théoule-sur-Mer and Saint-Raphaël. If you want to see the cliffs from the water, you can take a boat trip along the Estérel coast from Cannes or Mandelieu-la-Napoule from around €75 (about £65). With a car, you can also reach the perfume town of Grasse and the villages in the hinterland, and if you want to head further inland, I’ve gathered the best bases in my guide to where to stay in Provence.

See hotels in Mandelieu-la-Napoule here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family with a car who wants a pool, free parking and more space for your money, or if Cannes is just one stop on a road trip. The easiest place to pick up a car is Nice Airport, and you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com.

The downside is that you’re not staying in Cannes. If you want to eat in the Old Town or stroll along the Croisette in the evening, you’ll need to take the train, a taxi or the car, and in summer there can be queues on the roads into Cannes. The hotels are spread out, and some of the cheapest are inland, far from the beach, so check the map before you book.

Hotels in Mandelieu-la-Napoule

Ermitage de l’Oasis & Spa - four-star hotel with a heated pool and spa close to the château

Ermitage de l’Oasis is on Avenue Henry Clews in La Napoule, about 400 metres from the château, the beach and the station. It’s an officially rated four-star hotel with a heated outdoor pool, spa, sauna and gym, and it scores 8.7 from more than 450 reviews. Parking costs €15 (around £13) a day, and one guest felt that breakfast, which wasn’t included, was very expensive for what you got.

One guest writes: “It was a perfect hotel in every way: the location, the friendly and helpful staff and the cleanliness.”

See photos and book Ermitage de l’Oasis here.

ibis Cannes Mandelieu - chain hotel with free parking in the northern part of town

ibis Cannes Mandelieu is on Boulevard des Écureuils in the northern part of Mandelieu, about 2 kilometres from the beach and 2.5 kilometres from the station in La Napoule. It’s an officially rated three-star hotel with a bar, terrace and free parking at the hotel, and it scores 8.2 from just under 500 reviews. There’s no pool, children under 12 get free breakfast, and one guest wasn’t impressed with the bathroom.

From a review: “Good location, free parking next to the hotel and a good breakfast.”

See photos and book ibis Cannes Mandelieu here.

Comfort Aparthotel Mandelieu la Napoule Village - aparthotel with two pools at low prices

Comfort Aparthotel is on Rue Yves Brayer in the western part of La Napoule, about 900 metres from the station and a kilometre from the beach. It’s an officially rated three-star aparthotel with two outdoor pools, a playground, a restaurant and free parking, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions in Mandelieu when I searched. It scores 8.0 from more than 2,700 reviews, but one guest found ants in the kitchen and living room.

One guest says: “Everything you need at a low price, and lovely pools.”

See photos and book Comfort Aparthotel Mandelieu here.

Where not to stay in Cannes?

Watch out for cheap flats that are listed as Cannes on booking sites but are actually in Le Cannet or in the residential neighbourhoods up in the hills north of the railway, where you’ll face a long, steep walk home from the beach. Also check the address of hotels with Cannes in their name, as several are in Mandelieu or by the main road at the western end of La Bocca, and without a car they’re the wrong choice. Don’t book during the film festival in May or the big trade fairs if you just want a holiday, as you’ll pay several times the normal price. And don’t pick a room facing Rue d’Antibes or the station if you’re a light sleeper.

If it’s your first trip to Cannes, I’d stay in the centre near the station, where the beach, the Old Town and the trains are all within walking distance. If you want luxury and sea views, stay on La Croisette, and if you’re after atmosphere and restaurants, the Old Town and the old port are the right choice. Travelling with children? Choose Pointe Croisette and Palm Beach. If it’s sandy beaches and low prices you want, stay in La Bocca, and if you have a car and want a pool for your money, Mandelieu-la-Napoule is the best choice.

Give Cannes at least three nights so you have time for the Croisette, the Old Town and a trip to the Lérins Islands. If you’d rather stay in the big city and take the train here, you can read about where to stay in Nice, and if you want to end your trip with a few nights in the principality, I’ve rounded up the neighbourhoods in my guide to where to stay in Monaco. You’ll find the rest of the country in my guide to where to stay in France.

The post Where to Stay in Cannes? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay appeared first on Destination Well Known.