Your stay — Pelamare Apts
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The Property — Pelamare Apts
Pelamare Apts is a straightforward, no-fuss 3-star apartment hotel a couple of blocks back from Ammoudara beach, roughly 4km west of Heraklion centre. The lobby is small and functional, with a tiled floor and a reception desk that doubles as the bar. The USP is simple: clean, self-catering rooms with a pool and a sun terrace, suited to budget-conscious families or couples who want a beach base without paying for a resort.
Chronicles of Irakleion
Heraklion has been a major port since Minoan times, but its modern layout dates from Venetian rule (13th–17th centuries), when the massive city walls and the fortress on the harbour were built. The Ottomans added mosques and baths, and after Crete joined Greece in 1913, the city expanded rapidly into the 20th-century grid you see today. Contemporary Heraklion is a working city—loud, dusty, and full of cafes, kiosks, and archaeological museums—not a tourist theme park.
Best Time to Visit
Full Irakleion guide →Best months
May, June, and September: daytime temperatures are 24–30°C, sea temperatures pleasant, and visitor numbers are moderate—you can see Knossos without queuing for an hour.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak: temperatures hit 30–35°C, beaches and the airport are rammed, hotel prices double, and the August full moon draws crowds to archaeological sites for evening events.
Budget shoulder season
Late April, early May, and October offer discounts of 30–50% on July rates; nights can be cool (16–18°C), and October sees some rain, but the city is quieter and museum lines short.
Weather & packing
Heraklion gets a strong, dry northerly wind (the 'meltemi') in July afternoons—it whips dust and sand. Pack a windproof jacket and a scarf for the beach; skip the umbrella, bring sunglasses.
Live City Briefing — Irakleion
- New bus station in Heraklion: the main KTEL terminal moved to a modern site on Leoforos Ikarou (opened 2024) – local buses to the airport (route 1) and Knossos (route 2) now depart from there, not the old coastal stop. Check signs at the port for city bus stops.
- Ammoudara beach has expanded its blue-flag zone with new sunbed sections and a seasonal lifeguard station (May–October). The water is clean but subject to occasional jellyfish swarms in July.
- The Heraklion Archaeological Museum (Knossos artefacts) requires timed entry tickets in summer – book at least a week ahead online for July visits. The 2026 summer opening hours are 8am–8pm daily.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Pelamare Apts, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the rear courtyard. These are high enough to escape street-level noise and the lift whine, and the courtyard side is noticeably quieter than the front.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floor 2 directly above the lobby or the floor 1 rooms near the service entrance. Also skip any room number ending in '01' or '02'—they tend to be directly above the main entrance or adjacent to the lift shaft.
Best views
Side-facing rooms on floors 3 or 4 offer partial sea views over rooftops. Front-facing rooms see the main road and opposite buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest due to height above street and less foot traffic from the lobby.
🔊 Noise notes
Irakleion's main road runs right past the entrance—expect traffic hum from early morning to late evening. The lift is audible on floor 2, particularly around check-in/check-out times.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a courtyard room if available—they're much quieter than front-facing ones. 2. Check-in can be busy; arrive after 3pm to skip the queue.
- 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 — Pelamare Apts
free WiFi throughout; typical speed 20 Mbps down; no login required after selecting network
one lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
no complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; public areas show a flat-screen TV with Greek news
check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 costs €25
free luggage storage at reception for day of arrival and departure
step-free entry from street; lift to all floors; accessible room available on request; no ramp to pool area
on-site unassigned parking limited to 8 spaces, free on first-come-first-served basis; nearest public car park at 'Leoforos Ikarou' 5 min walk away, €8 per 24h; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €1.50 per room per night, payable at check-in
Deposit & card hold: a deposit equal to first night is taken at booking; a €50 incidental hold is placed on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Ιερός ναός Αγίου Πνεύματος (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Euronet ATM — 344 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs in the city centre for decent rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist spots near the port as they give poor rates.
Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless is common, but keep cash for small tavernas and market stalls.
Rounding up the bill or leaving 5-10% at restaurants is appreciated but not mandatory; taxis and hotel staff do not expect tips, though a euro or two for porters is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A freddo cappuccino or espresso at a local kafeneio costs around €2.50-3.50.
A gyros pita or souvlaki from a street-side grill is €3-5, often filling enough for a meal.
A main course like moussaka or grilled fish at a modest taverna runs €10-15.
The market streets near the Venetian harbour and around Kornarou Square have clusters of budget souvlaki and crepe stands.
Supermarkets like Sklavenitis, AB Vasilopoulos, and Lidl are common for affordable groceries.
The main pedestrian shopping street, 25th August, and side alleys near Lion Square have high-street chains like Zara, H&M, and local boutiques for affordable fashion.
A single bus ticket within the city is €1.20; from the airport, take the public bus (line 1 or 6) for about €1.50 instead of a taxi (€20+).
Eat where locals line up at lunch, not near the harbour. Skip bottled water—tap water is potable. Buy a multi-day bus pass if staying more than two days (€4 for a day pass).
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 Pelamare Apts
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Euronet ATM — 344 m · ~4 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 Pelamare Apts?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing the rear courtyard. These are high enough to escape street-level noise and the lift whine, and the courtyard side is noticeably quieter than the front.
Which rooms should I avoid at Pelamare Apts?
Avoid rooms on floor 2 directly above the lobby or the floor 1 rooms near the service entrance. Also skip any room number ending in '01' or '02'—they tend to be directly above the main entrance or adjacent to the lift shaft.
Is Pelamare Apts noisy?
Irakleion's main road runs right past the entrance—expect traffic hum from early morning to late evening. The lift is audible on floor 2, particularly around check-in/check-out times.
Which rooms have the best views at Pelamare Apts?
Side-facing rooms on floors 3 or 4 offer partial sea views over rooftops. Front-facing rooms see the main road and opposite buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Pelamare Apts?
1. Ask for a courtyard room if available—they're much quieter than front-facing ones. 2. Check-in can be busy; arrive after 3pm to skip the queue.
What time is check-in at Pelamare Apts?
Check-in at Pelamare Apts is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Pelamare Apts have Wi-Fi?
free WiFi throughout; typical speed 20 Mbps down; no login required after selecting network
Is there a city or tourist tax at Pelamare Apts?
€1.50 per room per night, payable at check-in
Where can I eat cheaply near Pelamare Apts?
A gyros pita or souvlaki from a street-side grill is €3-5, often filling enough for a meal.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Pelamare Apts?
A single bus ticket within the city is €1.20; from the airport, take the public bus (line 1 or 6) for about €1.50 instead of a taxi (€20+).
When is the best time to visit Irakleion?
May, June, and September: daytime temperatures are 24–30°C, sea temperatures pleasant, and visitor numbers are moderate—you can see Knossos without queuing for an hour.
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.