Welcome to Greece’s largest island with arguably the best weather of any Greek Island. The fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean, Crete is a whole world in itself, with a unique and distinctive cuisine and an astonishing ancient and modern history.
Its beaches are among the best in the world. Its mythology, old Venetian harbors, and (still) traditional mountain villages are enough to keep you going for several weeks of vacation time. Here’s a complete guide to this astonishing and beautiful island.
Introduction to Crete
Crete is one of the southernmost European islands, located around 150 km off the coast of mainland Greece and around 300km away from the African continent.
Northern Crete is in the Aegean Sea, while the south stretches into the Libyan Sea. The whole island has an astonishing 8500 km of coastline and a local population of around 650,000.
The north of the island is where all the cities and most of the sights are, but the south has the sleepy villages and a more authentic (less touristy) Cretan lifestyle.
The history of Crete is the history of the European continent in a nutshell. Ever since the Minoan civilization (dating back to the Bronze Age), this island has been the prize of the aspiring marching empires.
This includes Rome (Marc Anthony even gave Crete as a gift to Cleopatra), the Arabs, the Byzantine Empire, the Venetians, and the Ottomans, before finally returning to the Greeks in 1913.
So, expect Unesco heritage sites and ancient history all around the island!
The importance of Crete for the Mediterranean world was and still is paramount.
Its geography with a seaside that gives way to high mountains sustains more than 30 million olive trees, producing around 130,000 tons of olive oil annually.
Crete’s strategic position brought influences of Europe and Asia in close contact and its people are particularly warm, hospitable, and flamboyant.
The beauty of Crete is everything you’d expect from a Mediterranean island, plus more as its aesthetics spring from centuries of mixed influences, mostly Venetian and Ottoman.
The natural beauty is even more diverse, from snow-capped mountain peaks, highland meadows, and glorious gorges, to some of Greece’s finest beaches, palm forests, and fortress islets.
Crete is large and it takes at least 2 weeks to see all of it. These are the absolute Cretan highlights:
- The cities of Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion, the
- The beaches of Balos, Elafonisi, and Vai, the monasteries of Preveli, Arcadi, and Toplou,
- The historical sites of The Palace of Knossos, Spinalonga Island, and the Rocca, plus
- The countless villages where the soul of the island still resides.
🚗 2 week Crete road trip for history and beach lovers
Crete Map
How to Get to Crete by Air
I always fly at least one-way to Crete. It’s very convenient to get a high-speed ferry but direct flights from Athens are cheap and fast.
Crete is internationally connected to almost all European countries via charter and regular direct flights.
Several daily flights leave Athens and Thessaloniki to 3 airports of eastern Crete – Heraklion, Chania and Sitia and you can choose from Aegean Airlines/Olympic Air, Sky Express, Volotea and Ryanair.
How to Get to Crete by Ferry
The Ports of Heraklion, Chania, Kissamos, and Sitia are the four major ports of Crete. You can reach them by overnight ferry (my preferred one as I always get a cabin) or by daytime ferry from Athens.
There are 5-10 daily departures between Athens and Crete, the trip lasts 8-13 hours and the tickets start from €25.
Island Hopping
Crete is close to other wonderful Greek islands and the network of ferries enables island hopping from or to Crete.
Santorini is only 2 hours away and a major transportation hub for both Aegean and Dodecanese island groups. This includes Ios, Sifnos, Serifos, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Kos, and many other islands.
You can also get directly to Kasos, Karpathos, and Rhodes from Sitia port in Crete.
Check out this popular day trip to Santorini from Heraklion:
Getting Around Crete: Local Transportation
The public bus service in Crete is excellent, punctual, cheap, and has new air-conditioning installed on its buses. However, it connects the cities of Crete, so for the proper exploration of the island, it’s best to rent a car.
It’s important to note that even on an island as large as Crete, the bus system becomes overloaded on the most touristed routes in peak season.
Loads of tourists tell me they sometimes see buses passing the stop when they are too full to stop.
Hiring a Car, Quad/ATV, or Scooter
Book your vehicle early is the golden rule when it comes to renting a car in Crete, especially if you want/need an automatic.
I always take a car as the ATVs and Scooters tend to become tiresome on longer drives, but they are perfect when you stay in one city.
🛵 How to Rent a Scooter in Crete [2024]
Cretan roads are well maintained, but in many parts wining and going up or down a hill. Local drivers are quite experienced on these roads, so don’t follow their example, and stick to the rules!
Riding a Bicycle
If you are a cyclist and plan on traveling to Crete during a shoulder season, there is no finer way to explore the Cretan countryside than by bicycle.
The blooming countryside in April/May and the mature colors of autumn/fall in September and October are real treats for cycling fans.
Renting a bicycle is possible in any Cretan town – either a push bike or an e-bike.
Walking and Hiking
The best hiking in Crete is through its gorges, namely the Samaria and Kourtaliotiko Gorges, and in general, all around the western side of Crete and especially in and around the White Mountains.
Hiking the Cretan gorges is among the top activities on the island, so expect fellow ramblers along the paths.
Organized drop-off and pick-ups at the end of the trail are possible, but there are also wonderful hikers’ lodgings at the end of the paths.
Check out this super-popular day trip trekking in Samaria Gorge, leaving from Chania:
Public Bus System
City buses connect the airport with the city center and the intercity bus station called KTEL. They run non-stop (single fare around €0.9) for the better part of the day and I always pick one up to get me to the city.
KTEL is a system of intercity busses, great when moving base from one town to another (usually not more than €10-15), but do not expect to be able to hop on and off any attraction or place you want to stop along the way.
🚏 Bus to Knossos from Heraklion: complete guide
Best Time of Year to Visit Crete
Crete is a lively island and home to more than 650,000 people, so you can consider it a year-long destination. But like most of Greece, it is best visited between March and November.
Depending on what you want to do, consider traveling to Crete in different months.
High Season (June – August)
This is the time Crete is at its busiest and warmest (up to 110F), but is ideal for a beach resort-centered vacation.
Beaches and swimming are optimal as the sea is warm and the days are clear and hot. Beach bars are humming. Just bear in mind the start of the European holiday season in mid-July when popular sights become very busy.
Shoulder Season (April – May, September – October)
Late spring and early fall are probably the best time to visit Crete if you want to combine beaches, gastronomy, and hiking or wandering around and exploring the island. The weather is generally dry and warm, and the crowds are not as stark as during the high season.
October is my favorite month to visit Crete because it is still so warm.
Low Season (November – March)
Although a sunny island, Crete gets its share of rain, wind, and low temperatures during the 3-4 winter months.
Many tourist outlets will be closed, so you might consider traveling during the low season to visit some of Crete’s celebrations happening during winter, or as a quick sunshine-chasing weekend break.
How long to stay in Crete?
Crete is a destination where you can spend a decade’s worth of vacations and still not see all of it. A sprint run of two weeks will barely cover the important sites.
A 10-day time is probably the best balance between time spent and getting the most of Crete’s charm and beauty.
A wise itinerary would include 2-3 bases along the northern coast (ideally Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion) from where you could do the day trips inland and over to the south side.
I always recommend staying at least three nights in one location.
Crete’s Top Tourist Attractions
Below you’ll find the best beaches, historic sites, what to see in the major cities of Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, and the best of the countryside.
The Most Beautiful Beaches in Crete
Cretan beaches are among Europe’s best and regularly top the list of Greece’s stunning beaches. See these full guides for more details:
🏖️ 20 Chania beaches to take your breath away
Here are the cream of the cream – don’t miss these five:
1. Elafonisi Beach (Chania)
Set on the southwesternmost tip of the island, this place is what you imagine when you think of a tropical paradise – insanely crystal azure waters, with soft pink sand. It is simply one destination not to miss on your first visit to Crete.
TIP: Chrissoskalitissa monastery is close by and worth a visit.
2. Balos Beach (Chania)
Best reached by boat via Kissamos port, Balos is another tropical white sand beach and the wonder of western Crete.
The beach is a lagoon-type with sand dunes around it. Just opposite lies the photogenic rocky islet Gramvoussa, with a Venetian castle on top.
3. Vai Beach (Lassithi)
The easternmost point of Crete hides this sandy beach behind Europe’s largest palm tree forest, with more than 5000 trees.
4. Preveli Beach (Rethymno)
A beautiful sandy beach on the south side of the island next to Preveli Monastery.
It’s located where the river flowing through Kourtaliotiko Gorge meanders among the palm trees before flowing into the Libyan Sea. This makes for wonderful scenery.
Matala (Heraklion)
A center for hippies from all over the world in the 1960s and 1970s, Matala is not only a sandy beach with restaurants and bars close by, but a site with dramatic drops containing ancient adobes dug from the cliff itself.
Major Historical Sites and Museums
Knossos Palace (Heraklion)
The crown jewel of Crete’s ancient heritage, Knossos is the palace built by the Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age. Although inhabited since Neolithic times, the home of the King of Minos is a major site for Greek mythology.
The whole site is dominated by the imposing Palace of Minos, the main reason behind worldwide interest in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is second, in my mind, to the Acropolis of Athens in terms of ‘wow’ factor and is the second-most visited archaeological site in Greece.
You can peer down into the mythical labyrinth built by Daedalus to keep the Minotaur trapped below the Palace of King Minos.
Here is where the legendary Thesues, aided by Ariadne and her ball of string, slay the Minotaur and freed the Athenian youths held captive in the labyrinth.
If you love mythology, you’re going to love visiting Knossos Palace!
Here’s a detailed guide on how to get the bus from Heraklion to Knossos Palace:
🚏 Bus to Knossos from Heraklion: complete guide
Spinalonga (Elounda)
This tiny island located in the magnificent bay of Elounda has a grim history – between 1903 and 1957 it was a leper colony, built inside the Venetian fortress.
Tourist boats for Spinalonga depart from Plaka, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos. If you’d rather book a day trip, check out this perfect (and very popular) one:
The Venetian Fortress (Rocca) (Heraklion)
The most imposing Venetian fortification in Crete is the Rocca, a castle garrison on the shores of Heraklion City.
It is well worth looking inside the fortress which is surprisingly large and full of small exhibitions.
A must-visit for its historical collections and views from the walls, it is an astonishing creation and you can watch small boats navigate the tunnel below the harbor walkway out to the fortress to reach the shelter of Heraklion Harbor.
Archaeological Site of Phaistos (Heraklion)
Another ancient Minoan Palace was erected at Phaistos, in central-southern Crete. The ancient ruins of the Monumental Propylaia, together with the staircase, are among the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Here’s a lovely day trip that includes a visit to Phaistos:
Arcadi Monastery (Rethymnon)
The Monastery played a crucial role in the Cretan revolt of 1866, when almost 1000 people decided to perish by setting powder kegs on fire rather than surrender to the Ottoman occupiers.
Cretan history is tightly linked with this beautiful monastery and visiting it will help you understand something fundamental about the Cretan character.
Chania Old Town
Arguably the most beautiful Venetian port outside of Venice, Chania Old Town is where you should start your Cretan journey. When in Chania, do not miss:
Chania Harbor
The harbor with the maze of old alleys surrounding it is a real pleasure to spend time wandering through.
The Chania lighthouse
This lighthouse was built in 1864. It was built on top of an earlier Venetian lighthouse. You might see it referred to as the “Egyptian Lighthouse” because the rebuilding was carried out by Egyptian forces who were aiding the Turks to capture Chania.
Firka Fortress dominating the harbor
“Firka” means “barracks in Turkish. The Fortress was built before the Ottomans invaded, however, in the mid-1500s and was called the Revellino del Porto. (Yes, it was built by the Venetians!)
In summer the Fortress is open from 9 am to 7 pm (but you can’t enter if it is less than 20 minutes before closing time), and in winter (November to the end of March). it’s open from 9 am to 2 pm but closed on weekends.
Maritime Museum of Crete
The original maritime or naval Museum of Crete is beside the Firka Fortress at the western end of the harbor and is worth visiting.
Recently a new annex of the museum has opened, also on Chania Harbor, at the eastern end at the Moro Docks.
In 2003 a replica Minoan ship was launched in the Harbor, and the ship is on display at this second site.
Archaeological Museum of Chania
Opened in April, 2022 in the suburb of Chalepa, this landmark building houses a history of Crete through objects, beginning in the first room with a Paleolithic collection, followed by a Neolithic collection, through to the Minoan collection.
The collections evolve over time to a house destroyed by an earthquake in 365 AD. There are lots of interesting parts of this thoroughly modern and well-curated museum.
Perfect for a swelteringly hot or rainy day. You can get your e-ticket here:
Kucuk Hasan Mosque
Another building to add to your list of main sights lining Chania Harbor. Once an Ottoman mosque, it now houses art exhibitions.
TIP: Make Chania your base for exploring Western Crete
Heraklion
Heraklion is the busiest and the biggest city in Crete. Staying 1-2 nights is usually enough for seeing its most significant sites, including:
Knossos Palace
The capital of the legendary King Minos, Knossos Palace is the largest bronze Age site in Crete. Multiple palaces have been built over the site as Minoan influence grew over crete, especially from 1580 BC.
The mighty Mycenean culture eventually conquered Knossos and the Minoan world in the 15th century, BC.
In 1400 BC a fire destroyed what is called the “Last Palace” at Knossos and the political center of Greece moved from Knossos to the heartland of the Myceneans on the Greek mainland.
Koules Fortress (locally known as Rocca)
Venetian Loggia
Morosini Lions Fountain
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
I have only four words for you: “Just don’t miss it.”
If you only see the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, then you’ve seen the best of the city. Add in Heraklion Fortress, and you’ve got a lovely 2-day city break. Tickets in the link below – cheap as chips.
Opening Hours and Admission times: https://www.heraklionmuseum.gr/
Church of Agios Titus and Agios Minas Cathedral
Rethymno
Compared to touristy Heraklion and Chania, Rethymno town retains its local character. Its old town is as beautiful as Chania’s Old Town, just smaller in scale. Do not miss:
The Venetian harbor with the lighthouse
Fortezza Castle
Historical and Folk Art Museum of Rethymnon
Yiorgos Hatziparaskos’ phyllo factory
Neratze Mosque
Rimondi Fountain
Outside the Cities
The Cretan spirit is most easily found lies outside of its main towns, in many of its traditional charming villages that retain old ways of life surrounded by protected nature reserves.
Scattered all around the island, these villages are home to some of the best tavernas, wineries, central square coffee shops, local museums, and above all, are full of the warm hospitality this part of Greece has to offer.
One of the best ways to see some of beautiful rural crete is to take this day trip from Chania:
Make sure to visit:
- Anogia village, for its fierce spirit and the legacy of Nikos Xylouris
- Hora Sfakion, picture-perfect seaside village, at the end of the Imbros Gorge
- Mochlos, a small fishing village known for its crystal waters and taverns next to the sea
- Anopolis, for Platanos tavern and Agia Aikaterini church on the hill
Cretan Cuisine: What to Eat in Crete
Cretan cuisine is the actual basis for the famous Mediterranean diet. Food is the reason many Greeks and tourists visit this particular Greek island. Make sure to try:
- Dakos, a Greek salad of a sort with its own rye dry-bread
- Cretan cheeses, especially Graviera and soft Myzithra
- Snail stew (Chochlioi boubouristi)
- Cheese pies (Kaltsounia)
- Sfakia pies, wonderful thin pitas filled with soft cheese and drizzled with honey
- Raki (or tsikoudia) – A soft Cretan liquor drank as an aperitive and a digestive
Emergency and Useful Numbers
Any Emergency: 112
Police: 100
Fire Department: 199
Ambulance: 166
Tourist Police: 171
General Hospital St. George (Chania): +30 2821 342000
University General Hospital of Heraklion: +30 281 340 2111
General Hospital of Rethymnon: +30 2831 342100
Heraklion Airport: +30 281 039 7129
Chania Airport: +30 2821 083800
