Your stay — La Palma
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Irakleion.
The Property — La Palma
La Palma is a clean, no-fuss three-star on a busy Irakleion street, a short walk from the waterfront and fortress. The lobby is small and functional, with a tiled floor and a reception desk that gets you checked in efficiently. It suits independent travellers who want a safe, central base without paying for frills. The USP is location and price: you are five minutes from the port and the market, and the rooms are basic but spotless.
Chronicles of Irakleion
Irakleion has been a port since Minoan times, but its modern shape comes from Venetian rule (1204–1669), which built the massive Koules fortress and the city walls. The Ottomans added mosques and baths, and after Crete joined Greece in 1913 the city expanded rapidly. Today it is a loud, functional transport hub and university town, with a lively food market and a reconstructed Minoan palace museum at Knossos just outside town.
Best Time to Visit
Full Irakleion guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm enough for the beach, the sea is swimmable, and the cruise-ship crowds are thinner than in July-August. The meltemi wind keeps things breezy but not unpleasant.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season. Irakleion fills with cruise passengers and package tourists. Hotel prices can double from shoulder-season rates. The main event is the August full-moon festival at Knossos, but mostly it is beach-and-ice-cream mass tourism.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are best for budget travellers: rooms are 30-50% cheaper than July, day temperatures are 18-24°C, and sights are quiet. October sea is still warm for swimming.
Weather & packing
Crete’s climate is Mediterranean but the meltemi wind can make July evenings feel cool after sunset. Pack a light jacket or long-sleeved top for evening harbour walks, plus sandals and a sun hat for daytime sun.
Live City Briefing — Irakleion
- Heraklion’s new bus station at the port (KTEL) opened in 2024, closer to La Palma than the old station; check routes to Knossos and southern beaches.
- The central market (Agora) is partly under renovation through summer 2026, but most stalls are open; expect some scaffolding along the main aisle.
- Cruise ships dominate the old harbour daily in July; the waterfront can be congested from 10am-3pm. Plan sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to La Palma, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard — these are above street level and away from the main road, reducing traffic noise from Irakleion's busy centre.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those facing the street; the ground floor is close to the lobby and any street-level activity, while street-facing rooms get noise from the city's traffic and pedestrians.
Best views
Inner courtyard views offer quiet and some greenery; higher floors (3-4) facing the street provide a view of the city and possibly the sea in the distance, but with more noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest, as they're high enough to escape street sounds but not near any potential roof-level equipment.
🔊 Noise notes
Irakleion's centre has heavy traffic, especially during the day and evening. The hotel's address on a main street means your side of the building gets noise from cars, scooters, and people. Early mornings see delivery trucks and rubbish collection.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on a high floor — the lift works well and you'll get less street noise. 2. Check-in can be busy in summer; arrive before 3pm to avoid queues and secure your floor preference.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — La Palma
Free, 15 Mbps average, no login page needed; no paid tier
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No free newspaper or digital newsstand; limited English channels on TV
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 costs €30
Free at reception after check-out; no secured luggage room
No step-free access; two steps at entrance and no ramp; lift fits standard wheelchair but rooms have narrow doorways
No on-site parking; nearest public garage at P. Mela 2, €10 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, paid at check-in
Deposit & card hold: 100% of first night charged at booking; €50 incidental card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: SENSES (231 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Ιερός Ναός Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet — 448 m · ~6 min walk
Φαρμακείο Χατζηνικολα — 372 m · ~5 min walk
Super Market Dimitra — 257 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs in the centre for best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the port or airport, which charge poor rates and fees.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; Amex less so. Contactless is common for small amounts, but keep cash for street markets and kiosks.
Rounding up the bill in tavernas is appreciated (€1-2 for a meal). Taxis: round up to the next euro. Hotel staff: €1 per bag for porters, tip for long stays.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A Greek frappé or freddo cappuccino at a kafeneio: around €2.50.
A souvlaki pita (gyros or skewer wrapped in pita) from a street-side grill: around €3-4.
Moussaka or grilled fish at a modest taverna: €10-12 for a main.
The market area around 1866 Street and the central market halls have numerous takeaway souvlaki shops and bakeries selling spanakopita and tiropita.
Supermarkets Sklavenitis and AB Vassilopoulos are common; Lidl for cheaper basics.
The pedestrian streets around Dedalou and 25th Avgoustou have affordable chain stores; the indoor market has budget stalls for everyday clothes.
A single bus ticket within the city is €1.20; a day pass (unlimited rides on local buses) is about €4.20. From the airport, take the express bus (Line X1) for €5.50 instead of a taxi (€25+).
Eat at tavernas away from the port and Venizelou Square — they charge less and serve bigger portions. Fill a reusable bottle at public drinking fountains (kiosks) found around the city. Avoid buying bottled water at mini-markets near archaeological sites; buy from supermarkets instead.
Good to know — Irakleion
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
IrakleionFor general emergencies in Greece, call 112 (European emergency number) on any mobile or landline. In Iraklion, the main police station is at Plateia Eleftherias. The University Hospital (PAGNI) is the main trauma centre, off Leoforos Knossos. Keep your phone charged and note that operators usually speak some English.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Irakleion, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at La Palma
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet — 448 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Φαρμακείο Χατζηνικολα — 372 m · ~5 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Bella Vista Hotel (stop: Eleftherias Square)
💡 Bus stop is 100m outside arrivals. Buy ticket at kiosk or onboard. Get off at 'Plateia Eleftherias' then walk 5 mins east.
Bella Vista Hotel (bus stop: Nikiforou Foka 43) → Heraklion City Centre (Lions Square)
💡 Lines 2, 3, and 6 all pass near the hotel. Get a prepaid card from the main bus station for 10 rides at €1 even.
Heraklion Airport (HER) → Bella Vista Hotel
💡 Agree on price before getting in. Official taxi rank outside arrivals, look for beige cars with a yellow stripe.
Bella Vista Hotel → Heraklion Port (for ferries or Knossos)
💡 Ask the hotel reception to call 'Radio Taxi Heraklion' (tel: +30 2810 210210) for a reliable fare. Avoid unmarked cabs near port.
About Irakleion
Wikipedia ↗
Heraklion, Herakleion ( hih-RAK-lee-ən; Greek: Ηράκλειο, Iráklio, pronounced [iˈrakli.o]) or Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in Greece, and the largest city in the Greek islands,...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at La Palma?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the inner courtyard — these are above street level and away from the main road, reducing traffic noise from Irakleion's busy centre.
Which rooms should I avoid at La Palma?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those facing the street; the ground floor is close to the lobby and any street-level activity, while street-facing rooms get noise from the city's traffic and pedestrians.
Is La Palma noisy?
Irakleion's centre has heavy traffic, especially during the day and evening. The hotel's address on a main street means your side of the building gets noise from cars, scooters, and people. Early mornings see delivery trucks and rubbish collection.
Which rooms have the best views at La Palma?
Inner courtyard views offer quiet and some greenery; higher floors (3-4) facing the street provide a view of the city and possibly the sea in the distance, but with more noise.
What are insider tips for staying at La Palma?
1. Ask for a room on a high floor — the lift works well and you'll get less street noise. 2. Check-in can be busy in summer; arrive before 3pm to avoid queues and secure your floor preference.
What time is check-in at La Palma?
Check-in at La Palma is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does La Palma have Wi-Fi?
Free, 15 Mbps average, no login page needed; no paid tier
Is there a city or tourist tax at La Palma?
€1.50 per room per night, paid at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near La Palma?
A souvlaki pita (gyros or skewer wrapped in pita) from a street-side grill: around €3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from La Palma?
A single bus ticket within the city is €1.20; a day pass (unlimited rides on local buses) is about €4.20. From the airport, take the express bus (Line X1) for €5.50 instead of a taxi (€25+).
When is the best time to visit Irakleion?
May, June and September: warm enough for the beach, the sea is swimmable, and the cruise-ship crowds are thinner than in July-August. The meltemi wind keeps things breezy but not unpleasant.
Top Attractions in Irakleion
💡 Pop in free of charge; it's often open during the day. The courtyard is a quiet spot to escape the sun.
💡 Best at dusk when the fountain is lit and the surrounding cafes are buzzing; grab a cheap freddo cappuccino from the street vendor nearby.
💡 There's no charge to walk around the outside and take photos from the harbour wall. Inside is cheap (€4) and worth it for the sea breeze.
💡 Go on the first Sunday of the month from November to March for free entry. Otherwise buy your ticket online to skip the queue.
💡 Visit during the free open day on the last Sunday of each month. Otherwise it's only €5, which is good value.