The capital of Crete and the island's gateway thanks to its airport, Heraklion opens onto a very lively north coast, from Gouves to Hersonissos and Malia. Hotels follow one another along the beach. For a warm swim out of season, the selection focuses on indoor spa pools, a heated pool here and there, and a few private villas. I've selected 18 places, all rated at least 8/10; the top-rated is Romantic Evas Cottage (4.98/5).
Each city has its own selection, with a page for each type of accommodation.
Places are ranked from highest to lowest rated. The yellow bubble shows the advertised water temperature, when it's known.
18 places shown
The pool. Entire house with a pool advertised as heated ("eco-friendly heated pool").
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask the host about the heating period and the water temperature.
The pool. Entire seafront villa with a heatable private pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Heating is probably optional: get it confirmed and priced before booking.
The pool. Large heated private pool, heating at extra cost. Three-bedroom villa (sleeps 8).
The pool comes up in 23 guest reviews.
Guide's tip. The amount of the extra charge isn't shown: ask the host before you book.
The pool. Entire villa with a private pool advertised as heated.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get confirmation of whether heating is included or charged as an extra.
The pool. Three pools, one of them heated.
A guest in September 2026 specifies that one of the three pools is heated. Other reviews praise the pools without mentioning the temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which pool is heated and during which period.
The pool. Twelve villas, each with a garden and a heated private pool with jets, plus two shared outdoor pools.
A guest in October 2026 found the sea warmer than the pools, without saying which ones.
Guide's tip. Get confirmation that the private pool's heating will be working on your dates.
The pool. Small heated indoor pool, large outdoor seawater pool and some sixty private pools with adjustable temperature in certain suites and villas.
A guest in April 2026 says the indoor pool is heated to 26 °C. In October, one guest felt the main pool didn't seem heated; another describes it as cool but not icy.
Guide's tip. Out of season, take a suite with a temperature-adjustable private pool, or rely on the indoor pool.
The pool. Heated indoor pool in the spa, as well as six freshwater outdoor pools.
Reviews talk about the many pools and the spa, without mentioning the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The heated pool is the one in the spa: check its opening hours and access.
The pool. Two outdoor pools, plus an indoor pool and a heated pool listed among the facilities, with a thalasso centre.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which pool is heated and when: the listing doesn't specify.
The pool. Heated indoor pool and thalasso pool at the 4,500 m² spa centre, in addition to the outdoor pools.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The spa and its heated indoor pool are the big draw out of season: check their opening hours.
The pool. Three pools, one of them heated.
A guest in May 2026 found the heated pool a real bonus when it's cooler. Another guest reports a greenish deposit around its edges.
Guide's tip. Read recent reviews on the upkeep of the heated pool before you book.
The pool. Indoor pool and outdoor pools, some of them seasonal. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the indoor pool is open and heated on the dates of your stay.
The pool. Heated pool advertised, with indoor, outdoor and infinity pools, and a waterslide.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask which of the pools is heated before booking.
The pool. Indoor pool in addition to the outdoor pools and water park.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. The water park is outdoors: outside summer, ask about the indoor pool.
The pool. Entire seafront villa with a heatable private pool.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. "Heatable" often means optional: ask about the price and how long it takes to heat up.
The pool. Indoor pool with hot tub, outdoor pool and infinity pool.
The hot tub. Hot tub.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the indoor pool is heated: the listing doesn't specify.
The pool. Indoor pool and hot tub, in addition to the outdoor pool.
The hot tub. Hot tub.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Get confirmation that the indoor pool is heated before booking out of season.
The pool. Several outdoor pools and an indoor pool. Heating isn't specified.
I haven't yet found guest reviews that mention the water temperature.
Guide's tip. Ask whether the indoor pool is heated: the listing doesn't say.
These places don't have a confirmed heated pool, but they do have a hot tub: the water is hot all year round. A good way to relax in the warm.
These places were suggested to us directly by their owners. The heated pool is declared by them; they don't yet have enough guest reviews to join the selection.
In my selection, the top-rated is Romantic Evas Cottage (House for rent · Airbnb), with 4.98/5 (40 reviews · Airbnb). Next come Blue Coast Seafront Villa with Heatable Pool (4.98/5) and Luxury Irida Villa in Hersonissos, with heated pool (4.89/5).
None of the places selected in Heraklion clearly advertises a pool heated all year round. Amirandes, A Resort to Live, Alexander Beach Hotel & Village Resort and TML Candia Maris have an indoor pool, sheltered from the wind. Either way, ask for the heating dates before you book.
Advertised temperatures: 26 °C at Amirandes, A Resort to Live. For the other places the temperature isn't published: ask the property.
Yes: Abaton Island Resort & Spa and Blue Sea Beach, Affiliated by Meliá also have a hot tub in addition to the heated pool.
Yes, 5 villas and holiday homes are selected: Romantic Evas Cottage, Blue Coast Seafront Villa with Heatable Pool and Luxury Irida Villa in Hersonissos, with heated pool. Heating is sometimes charged extra: check the listing.
The word "heated" on a booking page isn't enough. Every place must have a rating of at least 8/10 (or 4/5) and carries one of these four levels.
Guests mention the heated water in their reviews, with the season when they say so.
A journalist or guide who stayed there describes the heated pool.
The hotel or the platform says so, but I haven't yet found a review that confirms it.
Heating isn't specified, but the water is sheltered from the wind and cold air. Ask for the temperature before you book.
I left these out because guests report water colder than advertised, or because no heating or indoor pool is mentioned.
| Place | What the sources say | Rating | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creta Maris Resort | Many pools and a water park, heating not stated anywhere | 4,6/5 | Heating not confirmed |
| Nana Princess Suites Villas & Spa | Private pools in the suites, heating not stated anywhere | 5,0/5 | Heating not confirmed |
| Lyttos Mare | Saltwater pools, heating not stated anywhere | 4,8/5 | Heating not confirmed |
| Village Heights Resort | An indoor pool is advertised, but one guest found the water very cold | 4,7/5 | Guests report cold water |
| Cactus Royal Spa & Resort | Indoor pool mentioned, but a guest photo describes the pool as freezing | 4,7/5 | Guests report cold water |
| Annabelle Beach Resort | Indoor pool listed, but the Kayak rating remains below the threshold. | 7,6/10 | Rating below 8/10 |
Sources: TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, TripAdvisor, Kayak.
