Crete isn’t just another Greek island—it’s a sun-soaked paradise packed with ancient myths, jaw-dropping beaches, and mouthwatering food. Whether you’re a history buff, a beach bum, or a foodie, Crete has something for you. Let’s explore!
Is Crete Accessible?
Accessible Tours
Several tour operators in Crete provide private, wheelchair-accessible tours tailored to various interests. Destinations include the historic Old Towns of Chania and Rethymno, the archaeological site of Knossos, and local aquariums. These tours are designed to accommodate those who use wheelchairs, scooters, and those with limited mobility.
Wheelchair-Friendly Beaches
Crete has made efforts to enhance beach accessibility. For instance, Agii Apostoli Beach near Chania has been revamped to ensure it’s wheelchair accessible. Beach wheelchairs are available for use, and extensive wooden decking has been laid across sections of the beach to facilitate movement. Kissamos beach in Crete uses a SEATRAC to help people with mobility issues access the water. Kissamos Crete | Seatrac.gr
Adaptive Equipment Rentals
Services are available in Crete that offer the rental of mobility equipment, such as wheelchairs, hoists, beach wheelchairs and scooters, to assist visitors during their stay. This ensures that individuals with mobility challenges can explore the island with greater ease.
Accessible Attractions in Crete:
When planning activities in Crete, it’s advisable to contact service providers in advance to confirm the availability of accessible facilities and services. This ensures a comfortable and enjoyable experience tailored to individual needs.
Knossos Palace: One of Crete’s most famous historical sites, Knossos has accessible pathways and ramps for wheelchairs. While some areas have uneven ground, much of the site can be explored with ease.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Fully wheelchair accessible, this museum showcases Crete’s fascinating Minoan history with ramps, elevators and wide pathways for easy navigation. It is also free for people with disabilities and 1 carer upon presentation of proof of disability.
Chania’s Venetian Harbour: The picturesque harbour is mostly flat and accessible, perfect for a scenic stroll along the waterfront. Many restaurants and cafés have step-free entrances, making it easy to enjoy a meal by the sea.
Rethymno’s Seafront Promenade: This long, flat promenade is ideal for wheelchair users, offering stunning sea views and easy access to cafés, shops, and restaurants along the way.
Lake Kournas: Crete’s only freshwater lake has flat, accessible paths, making it a great spot for a peaceful day out, with wheelchair-friendly tavernas nearby, and it is stunning at sunset!
Matala Beach: This beach has wheelchair access and special pathways, plus beach wheelchairs available for rent, making it one of the most accessible in Crete.
Agios Nikolaos Lake & Marina: With paved walkways and ramps, the beautiful lake area in Agios Nikolaos is wheelchair-friendly and surrounded by charming shops and restaurants.
Elounda & Spinalonga Viewpoints: While Spinalonga Island itself has rough terrain, the viewpoints in Elounda offer stunning accessible spots to admire the island’s beauty.
Plaka Village: This charming coastal village has smooth walkways and accessible restaurants, making it a great place for a relaxed day exploring Crete’s traditional side.
Where To Stay:
Atlantica Akti Zeus – Atlantica Akti Zeus Hotel with TUI
This stunning beachside hotel is located on Crete’s northern coastline in Amoudara, close to Heraklion city. It boasts multiple pools, a waterpark, kids club, a beauty centre and 3 restaurants to choose from.
This resort is mainly flat and all areas of the resort can be accessed by using ramps and lifts. The resort offers 4 adapted rooms, all with ensuites and with step-free access via a ramp to each of these rooms, including level access to get into the rooms. The rooms offer a double bed, the top of the mattress being 50cm from the floor and the space under the bed is 10cm high, with enough room at the side of the bed for a person using a wheelchair to turn. The room has hard flooring and an emergency button on the phone by the bed. The ensuite has enough room for wheelchair user to turn, with hard flooring and an emergency alarm. There is a lateral transfer space on both sides of the toilet, along with dropdown rails on both sides. There is another grab rail in the wheel-in shower, along with a shower chair and turning space in the shower. The hotel has an accessible toilet in the lobby area, equipped with a transfer space next to the toilet and drop-down rails on both sides of the toilet. The swimming pool has access into the water via a ramp and the beach has access to a part of the beach via a walkway. The resort has a medication fridge in reception and guests can use their own mobility scooters, charging and storing them in their rooms. Assistance dogs are well catered for and can stay in the adapted rooms. Atlantica Akti Zeus | AccessAble
Atlantica Ocean Beach Resort – Atlantica Ocean Beach Resort with TUI
This seafront resort is located in Maleme, a 20 minute drive from Chania. Its set in a secluded spot in the middle of gardens, with a beach on the doorstep and enough facilities to keep everyone entertained. It has a spa, 4 restaurants, 2 pools, a kids club and an onsite waterpark.
The resort is mostly accessible via step free pathways with some slight slopes and ramps. The resort has 5 adapted rooms, all with step free access into the room, a double bed(70cm from the floor) and space under the bed that is 30cm high, with room for a wheelchair user to turn next to the bed. The room also has hard flooring and an emergency alarm. The ensuite has hard flooring, room for a person using a wheelchair to turn and a lateral transfer space next to the toilet. The bathroom has grab rails next to the toilet and in the shower. The wheel-in shower also has a flip down shower seat. This hotel has adapted toilets in the reception area, pool area and near the beach, with a lateral transfer space and drop-down rails on both sides of the toilet. The beach is around a 4-minute walk and has a walkway that gives access to the beach and some of the sun loungers. Submersible sun loungers are also available. The swimming pool is accessible via a ladder or 7 steps with a central handrail. The resort has a medication fridge available on request, a deaf alert system and a buggy to transport guests around the hotel. Guests can use their own mobility scooter at the resort, and these can be stored and charged in their rooms. The hotel has a list of suppliers that hire mobility equipment locally. Atlantica Ocean Beach Resort | AccessAble
Atlantica Kalliston Resort – Atlantica Kalliston Resort with TUI
This resort that boasts a prime spot on Glaros beach, located in Nea Kydonia, close to Chania town has everything you need to enjoy a luxury adults only holiday! It offers 5 restaurants, 3 bars, 4 pools, a spa and the most breathtaking sea views.
The resort is accessible via level pathways, lifts and ramps. The resort offers 5 rooms with adaptions, complete with step-free access, hard flooring and an emergency alarm. The rooms have a double bed, with the top of the mattress 58cm from the floor and 8cm high space under the bed, furniture can be moved to enable a turning space next to the bed. The ensuite has a lateral transfer space next to the toilet with a drop-down rail. The wheel-in shower has grab rails, however there is not enough turning space in the shower for a wheelchair user. There is a wooden walkway that gives access onto the beach and the swimming pool has ramp access into the water as well as steps with a central handrail. The resort has toilets with adaptions in the reception, pool area and near the restaurants. Guests can use their own mobility scooter in the resort, these can be charged and stored near the reception area. The hotel has a list of local suppliers that hire out mobility equipment and there is a medication fridge in reception. Assistance dogs are able to stay in the adapted rooms and are allowed in most areas of the resort. Atlantica Kalliston Resort | AccessAble
Euphoria Resort – Euphoria Resort with TUI
This resort, in Kolymbari, close to Chania is packed with facilities to keep all ages entertained. You have 6 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa and 2 pools to keep you busy, along with a range of daytime activities such as water volleyball, canoeing, football, tennis courts and a children’s splashpark.
The resort is mainly accessible via step-free walkways, however there are some steep ramps. The resort has 6 adapted rooms, with step-free level access, hard flooring and an emergency alarm. The bed is 2 single beds pushed together, the top of the mattress is 63cm from the floor and there is a space under the bed which is 12cm high. Furniture cannot be moved in the room to enable a turning space. The ensuite has room for a wheelchair user to turn both in the main area and in the wheel-in shower. There is a lateral transfer space next to the toilet and a dropdown rail. The wheel-in shower also has a grab rail and a seat. The main swimming pool has access into the water via a gentle slope and there is a walkway on the beach which gives access to the water and sun loungers. Accessible toilets can be found at reception and there is a medication fridge available on request. Mobility scooters can be stored and charged in guests’ rooms and some mobility equipment can be hired from the resort. The hotel also offers a list of local mobility equipment suppliers. Euphoria Resort | AccessAble
TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace – TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace with TUI
Located in Lyttos Beach, close to Hersonissos and a 30 minute drive from the historic capital city of Heraklion, this resort has a prime beachfront spot. It boasts 5 bars, 8 restaurants, a spa, a beauty salon, kids club and 5 pools. The restaurants offer everything from Thai to Mexican food, your sure to be spoilt for choice!
The resort is mostly flat but does have some areas that can be accessed step-free with the use of ramps, lifts and slopes. The resort offers 5 rooms with adaptions, with step-free level access, room for a person using a wheelchair to turn next to the bed and hard flooring. The bed type is two single beds pushed together, the top of the mattress is 59cm from the floor and the space under the bed is 9cm high. There is a lateral transfer space next to the toilet in the ensuite, with a dropdown rail on the transfer side. There are grab rails on the non-transfer side of the toilet, at the bath and the shower. The ensuite has a wheel-in shower, however not enough room for a person using a wheelchair to turn in the shower. Access into the water of the swimming pool is via a ramp with a central handrail and there is a walkway to access the beach. The resort has accessible toilets on each floor of the main building and there is a medication fridge available at reception. Guests can charge their mobility scooters in the reception area and the resort has a list of local suppliers who hire mobility equipment. Assistance dogs are welcome in the adapted rooms and in most of the areas of the resort. TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace | AccessAble
Practical Tips For Visiting Crete:
Pack a Travel Adapter – Greece uses European plugs Type F (two round pins). Don’t get caught out with a dead battery!
Currency – Greece’s currency is the Euro (€), and cash is handy, especially in smaller towns.
Tipping Etiquette – Leave 5-10% at restaurants and round up taxi fares. It’s appreciated but not expected.
Pre-book Accessible Transport – Taxis with ramps are available, but book in advance to avoid waiting!
Beach Wheelchairs Exist! – Some beaches, like Matala and Platanias, offer free beach wheelchairs—check before you go!
Accessible Hotels Are Limited – Not all hotels will be suitable, so double-check accessibility before booking.
Visit in Spring or Autumn – Avoid summer crowds and extreme heat by visiting in April-June or September-October.
AccessAble Guides – TUI provide AccessAble guides on some hotels, all of the ones listed include these. Please check them out before booking to make sure they meet your individual needs.
Golden beaches, legendary ruins, incredible sunsets, and food so good you’ll want to move here—Crete has it all. Whether you’re here for adventure or relaxation, one thing’s for sure: you’ll never want to leave!
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