Crete (Greek: Κρήτη) is one of those places where kindness, beauty, and oddities are present at all times. Under certain circumstances, this combination can be a highway to happiness. It doesn’t matter if you visit Crete in the high season or late autumn: this majestic Greek island guarantees excellent weather and an incredible atmosphere.
In this article, you will find a travel guide for your journey to Crete. In addition, I added several travel tips about the places I visited, and I hope you can enjoy Crete as much as I did. If you feel exhausted or empty inside, that’s the place to recover. In Crete, you’ll simply leave everything behind.
So, let’s start with the Crete travel guide.
*Some of the links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Introduction to Crete: What’s special & initial info
Reaching Crete
Although most people visit Crete via ferry, you can also fly to the island. The airport in Chania is really compact, and the flight from Athens takes just 30 minutes. Aegean Airlines flies directly from Athens to Crete several times per day.
There are actually three airports in Crete: Heraklion, Chania, and Sitia. Depending on which part of the island you’d like to explore, you’ll have to choose the arrival airport. There are, of course, several ferries from Piraeus to Crete (book your ferry tickets here), but the plane option is the fastest one.
Crete is the biggest island in Greece, and if you want to see everything, you should probably stay for a month. However, we had almost three weeks there, and we thought of starting from Chania. From there, Crete began to unfold slowly. The journey turned slowly into a long road trip around Crete -but a slow one as well.
Bonus tip: Despite some seasonal charter flights, most international travelers will probably fly to Athens and then head over to Crete. If that’s the case for your upcoming journey, I wrote a comprehensive guide on how to travel from Athens to Crete. Check it out.
Driving in Crete
If you plan a road trip to Crete, sooner or later, you’ll read about the island’s drivers. Cretans are notorious for their driving skills. They are supposedly terrible drivers, and they don’t care about speed limits. Well, we rented a car, and to be honest, I didn’t see much difference compared to the rest of Greece.
What I can say for sure is that the condition of the roads is not optimal. But honestly, I didn’t see remarkable differences compared to the rest of Greece. Maybe it’s worse in the high season, but don’t let the rumors terrify you. The landscape is fantastic, and driving around Crete is one of the best ways to see the island.
The city of Chania
Of all the towns I’ve seen in Crete, Chania is the most beautiful one. While the modern part of the town is not something unique, the area around the Venetian harbor and the Old City of Chania are both stunning. The atmosphere is vibrant, and walking toward the lighthouse and being next to the water, is definitely a remarkable experience.
Despite being a relatively small city, Chania is lively around the clock. The Venetian harbor also has lots of restaurants and cafes. The ones straight at the port are the most tourist-oriented. In the travel guide section of this post, you will find more info about the best places to eat and drink in Chania.
The beaches of Crete
I guess no one would travel to one of the southernmost spots of Europe without being a fan of the sea. I’ve seen lots of Greek islands, and I swam in crystal clear water –like in Schinoussa. However, the beaches of Crete are outstanding. That’s not just about the quality of the beaches themselves; it’s also about the landscape.
Driving to a beach in Crete will also give you a good overview of the island. That said, Crete is not just about the beaches: it’s also about the more rural areas. Therefore, I will also add a selection of beaches that you should not miss in my Crete Guide below.
Rural Crete: a must-see
As I said in the previous section, Crete enjoys a stunning combination of sea and rural landscape. Driving through Crete is a beautiful experience, even though the roads are not in the best possible condition. The seaside is what most tourists see, but if you want to really understand what Crete is all about, you should also visit some of the traditional villages in the mountains.
The photos of Crete that you might have seen before your journey were probably all about the sandy beaches. However, Crete’s wildlife and landscape are mainly a thing that lies off the beaten path.
A travel guide to Crete (& more photos)
As I wrote in the introduction, Crete is a huge island, and if you want to see everything, you’ll have to spend an entire month there. Of course, if you spend two or three weeks, it’s also enough, but you’ll have to make a plan and leave some things out of your Crete itinerary.
We stayed for three weeks, and I must say that I didn’t want to rush day and night through the island. Instead, we preferred to have some relaxing days and combine them with sightseeing. That said, we concluded that we wouldn’t see everything during our journey -and that was okay. Greece should always be a destination for slow traveling.
It proved to be the right way -at least for my traveling style- to enjoy Crete. I had long days at the beach combined with lazy nights and good food. We used the car every day, and we always tried to see something new. But this didn’t mean traveling endlessly. There were days that we’d only drive to a beach, spend the day there, and return to the hotel. Other days were more active, though, including 2-3 hours of driving, sightseeing, and hiking.
I’d say that after three weeks in Crete, we saw 60% of the island. Of course, each of us has a different definition of sightseeing. Therefore, while the recommendations below are for “slow travelers,” this doesn’t mean that you can’t accelerate the schedule and see as much as possible in fewer days.
The main cities of Crete
Crete is split into four prefectures, and each one of them has its own -let’s call it- capital. In reality, these are big settlements, and apart from Heraklion, the other cities are more like towns in size.
Heraklion info
Heraklion is probably not the most beautiful city you’ve seen, but it’s worth visiting. The chances are that you will arrive there either by boat or airplane. Anything from half a day up to two days should be enough. Heraklion is by far the biggest city in Crete, and it’s also the administrative center of the island.
If you’d like to have a local show you around and taste some local delicacies, check out this awesome food walking tour in Heraklion.
Chania info
Chania, as I wrote earlier, is Crete’s most beautiful town. The Venetian Harbour of Chania is outstanding and full of life. We used Chania as our basis, and from there, we explored the island. Chania is also strategically positioned around the best beaches on the island. Although there are settlements significantly closer to the beaches (like Kissamos), the fact that Chania has bars, restaurants, cinemas, and everything you’ll need, makes it unbeatable. Plus, the atmosphere in the Old Town of Chania is so great that there will be days that you’d like to just stroll around there.
There are various Chania tours to choose from, and the best one combines the Old Town highlights & food tour.
Rethymno info
Rethymno is another beautiful town that will remind you of Chania. It has a lovely port, a picturesque lighthouse, and an Old Town. I did, however, find Chania more charming. The promenade along the coast was more beautiful in Chania, and the truth is that in Rethymno, I felt that everything was more tourist-oriented. Maybe I’m wrong, and maybe my love for Chania is blurring my judgment. However, the area around Rethymno is also beautiful, and spending two-three-four days there is a good option.
Other settlements on the island
Agia Galini
I’ve visited a couple of other settlements in Crete. The landscape made me want to take more photos of Crete -and it was also the landscape that sent me to bigger and smaller settlements. For example, I spent a couple of days in Agia Galini, a sleepy small town, straight to the sea. But it proved to be an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area. From there, we discovered known and lesser-known locations.
Georgioupolis
Unfortunately, the same thing happened with Georgioupolis, a settlement sold to mass tourism. In Georgioupolis, you will see one of the longest beaches in Greece (it’s many kilometers long), but the place is all about resorts. Mass tourism is nothing I enjoy, and this settlement specializes in all-inclusive vacations. I won’t forget arriving there after a hard rain and being introduced to an odd concept: dining with another 300 people in a big hall full of buffets and noise.
Georgioupolis deserves a stop, though, just for the impressive little church that you reach after walking on some rocks on the water. However, I can’t recommend staying there.
Palaiochora
As for Palaiochora, this is also a port settlement next to the Samaria Gorge. In every set of photos of Crete, you will probably see something from the famous Gorge of Samaria, and Paleochora is the closest big settlement. Not fascinating, but definitely not bad, Paleochora is an option for a couple of days.
The best beaches in Crete
I named a few earlier, but the truth is that Crete has so many beautiful beaches that it’s impossible to see them all. Unfortunately, I didn’t visit any of the beaches in the eastern part of the island; therefore, I cannot include any in this guide. As always, I prefer to talk about the places I really saw. For example, I couldn’t visit the palm beach of Vai, which is probably one of the highlights.
Earlier, I said that Chania is probably your best option if you’d like to visit the best beaches in Crete. However, this doesn’t mean that they are that close to Chania. On the contrary, some are more than an hour away from there. But the thing is that you can drive easily from Chania or take a bus. If you don’t have unlimited time in Crete, you should focus on visiting three beaches close to Chania: Elafonissi, Falassarna, and Balos.
Elafonisi, Crete
Elafonissi is world-famous for its pink sand (!) and crystal-clear water. Honestly, Elafonisi is one of the best beaches I’ve ever seen. However, do keep in mind that during the high season is super packed. To get an impression, there was even an odd incident: it was once so packed that the people had to be evacuated in order to return to their hotels.
I was lucky enough to see it around the end of October, and it was almost deserted. Calculate an hour’s drive by car from Chania. Also, very close to Elafonissi, you’ll find Kedrodasos, one equally majestic beach. Kedrodasos stands for Forest of Cedars, and the name comes from the cedars you’ll see on your way to the beach.
You can book a great tour from Chania to Elafonisi or alternatively book a day trip to Elafonisi from Heraklion.
Falassarna and Balos
Falassarna and Balos are two magnificent beaches, much closer to Chania. For Balos, you will also need the local boat, so if you’re visiting off-season, make sure to check if there’s service. Falassarna is easy to reach, and the landscape is stunning. The beach is sandy, and the water is not cold even in early November.
You can book a boat trip to Balos from Kissamos or a tour to Gramvoussa and Balos from Chania.
Matala and Komos
Matala is also one of these places that you might have heard of. The rocks have turned into cave houses, and many hippies visited them during the 60s and 70s and used to stay in these caves. You will still find lots of them living there, but mass tourism has altered the human landscape significantly. However, this is a must-see if you have some extra days.
Very close to Matala, you’ll also find the beautiful Komos beach. That’s a long stripe of sand directly to the Libyan Sea. The waves can be really high there, but it was definitely a highlight of my beach days in Crete.
What to eat in Crete
The food will be a highlight of your journey to Crete. The local cuisine will spoil you. Fresh fish and vegetables are a must when you are in Crete. Of course, you shall not leave the island without trying some local specialties.
Don’t miss the chance to try dakos. That’s dry bread (rusk), which gets softer with water and the locals serve it with olive oil, tomatoes, oregano, cheese, and more. Imagine it like the Cretan version of Greek salad. The island is also famous for its cheese, usually from sheep’s milk.
Give a try to Anthotiro (mild and light), Graviera (semi-hard), and Kefalotiri (usually hard). Cretans love cheese, and they make a local specialty called Kalitsounia. These are small handmade cheese pies served with cinnamon and sometimes with honey.
Apart from that, the locals will always offer you raki after the meal -and sometimes they won’t stop refilling your glass. For free, of course. Keep in mind, though, that raki has a high volume of alcohol, so try to stop early; otherwise, you’ll have a hangover the next day. Even if you are not a drinker, try to taste a tiny portion: sometimes, the locals might feel offended if you don’t.
In general, in Crete, I avoided visiting tourist tavernas. Most of them are located straight at sea, and there will be somebody chasing passersby 24/7. On the other hand, in every taverna in the middle of nowhere, I had fantastic meals or dinners. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy fresh fish, even if it’s a bit pricey.
Where to eat in Chania
Even though we tried to eat in different places every night, the truth is that in the last days of our stay in Crete, we returned to our favorite spots. After three weeks in Crete, we started feeling like locals. One or two nights, we had the traditional souvlaki, of course, but otherwise, there were 2-3 spots where we ended up every day and every night. The places that I can highly recommend for food in Chania are:
Bohème. That’s our all-time favorite restaurant in Chania. Apart from the fantastic Cretan food, Bohème also has a nice garden to unwind and enjoy a breakfast or meal. Don’t miss it. Check the website of Bohème here.
La Bodega. Even though it’s located straight at the port, next to many touristic tavernas, La Bodega was where we ate several times at night. The platter was always delicious, and the guys made the best Negroni in Crete. Just a few tables, nice music, and a great atmosphere. What’s more to ask? Here’s the FB page of La Bodega.
Sailing Club Sea Lounge. The name sounds posh, but the truth is that this cafe-restaurant is relatively easy-going. Located on the very edge of the Venetian harbor, the place is great for unwinding and enjoying the moment. Whenever we felt like walking to the other side of Chania, we always ended up there. Here’s the FB page of the Sailing Club Sea Lounge Chania.
Where to stay in Crete
Well, the island of Crete has accommodations for everyone. That said, there are so many places to stay in Crete that it’s almost impossible not to find a decent room. Crete is also a destination for everyone: from campers to families, from budget travelers to luxury ones. From my side, I will tell you what I experienced and what my advice will be.
First of all, I stayed in four different places: Chania, Georgioupolis, Agia Galini, and Paleochora. If I were about to go again, I wouldn’t consider Georgioupolis because it’s like a stripe of mass tourism resorts. If that’s your style of travel, you can, of course, consider it. Agia Galini is okay for a couple of days if you want to explore the region around it, especially close to Triopetra, Matala, etc. However, Agia Galini is a small place, and you might soon feel bored. As for Paleochora, that’s a good option for exploring the southern part of Crete.
All that said, for me, Chania is by far the best option. If you want a place with different places to eat, proximity to the best beaches of Crete, plus some nightlife, then Chania is probably the best option for your first visit to Crete. For families traveling with kids or older people, Chania also has very good medical facilities. Plus, it’s connected to Athens, both by planes and ferries. If you have a driving license, renting a car in Crete will make your life so much easier.
My suggestions for your accommodation in Crete
So, here are the places that I stayed in Crete.
Chania. For our stay in Chania, we chose Fagotto. It’s located on the edge of the Jewish quarter, and it is a fantastic place. We got a rooftop flat, which comes with a beautiful terrace. Highly recommended. Book your room in Fagotto Art Residences here.
Agia Galini. We spent a couple of days in Agia Galini while exploring the southern part of Crete. The Petra Hotel was decent, and the lady running it helped us a lot with her recommendations. Book your room in the Petra Hotel here.
Georgioupolis. The rooms were clean, but the overall concept was not for us. I wouldn’t consider staying in Georgioupolis. Instead, I’d spend a couple of hours there and move towards Rethymno. If you, however, would like to have an all-inclusive stay for a couple of days, you can book a room here and also here.
For all other options, please check the interactive map below. Chania is on the left side.
Sightseeing: the best things to do in Crete
It’s not everything about the sea in Crete. The island has a very long history, and there are plenty of things to see. The Minoan civilization is one of the most important civilizations of antiquity, and there are plenty of archaeological sites to visit. Here’s a shortlist of the top-5 things to see in Crete. If you don’t plan to rent a car, a guided tour is the easiest way to reach them. I will share the best tours below.
- The Palace of Knossos. That’s one of the ultimate highlights of Crete and a must-see for your journey. You can visit the Palace of Knossos on your own, but if you want to make the most out of your visit, I recommend booking this great guided tour of Knossos.
- Phaistos.
- Frangokastello.
- Samaria Gorge. Walking the Samaria Gorge is one of the best things to do in Crete. However, it’s better (and safer) to have somebody guide you through the Samaria Gorge. The best guided tour to Samaria is this one.
- Preveli Monastery and the nearby beach
When it’s the best time to visit Crete?
Crete enjoys a delightful climate, which is a privilege for people who want to avoid the high season. After seeing Crete between the end of October and mid-November, I think that it’s a fantastic option for vacation in October. It will definitely have fewer people, and the weather will be good on most days. However, remember that October is autumn; therefore, you can expect the sea to be cooler and have some occasional rain.
All that said, Crete, is a good option for your autumn holidays. While in the high season, it will definitely be warmer (and sometimes too hot) and packed, exploring the island in September, October, or early November is for sure an option. If I could choose when to visit Crete, I’d go there at the beginning of October. The days will still be warm, the beaches emptier and the services you’ll get in the restaurants and cafes more relaxed.
The best guided tours in Crete right now
If you don’t plan to rent a car for your Crete holiday, then it’s better to book a guided tour for visiting places of interest. In this section, you’ll find the best guided tours in Crete, based mainly on what I found more attractive on the island. More specifically, I chose itineraries that do have visits to archaeological sites since Crete’s history is very rich.
- The Palace of Knossos. Visiting the Minoan Palace of Knossos is definitely one of the recommended activities if you are into Greek antiquity and mythology. There are several tours offering tours to Knossos, and they are usually 8-12 hours long. Depending on the tour, you can expect some extra stops, like, for example, in the Lasithi Plateau or the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. You can take a tour of the Palace of Knossos from both Rethymno and Heraklion. For the tours from Heraklion to Knossos, click here, and for the tours from Rethymno to Knossos see here.
- Balos and Gramvousa private boat trip. This one is an excellent option if you are traveling as a group; otherwise, it might be too expensive. Visiting Balos with a private boat is much easier and also more comfortable. If you are visiting off-season, it might actually be your only chance to go to Balos and Gramvousa. Check the private boat tour to Balos here.
- Wine and olive oil. This tour is all about taste. You will visit a winery, and then you will also see the oldest olive tree in the world and taste some olive oil. Apart from that, you will see the stunning landscape of Crete for 6-7 hours. Check the prices for the wine and olive oil tour here.
Rent a car in Crete
While there are several car rental companies in Crete, the truth is that demand can be overwhelming. Hence, the best option for renting a car in Crete is to book one in advance. I always book a car via RentalCars, and I never had any problems. You can find the best prices for renting a car in Crete here.
Connections to other islands
Crete is a big island, and even though it’s rather far away from most Greek islands, there are daily connections to some of them. There are direct flights to the Cyclades, and there are good ferry connections too.
As I already wrote, if you are willing to see everything in Crete, you will most likely need a month. However, I know that some people would like to visit more places during their holiday in Greece. Therefore, I’m adding some extra options for some islands you could visit from Crete. However, if you want to do that, please keep in mind that it’s better to stay in either Heraklion or Chania.
Travel from Crete to Santorini
I was never a big fan of Santorini, mainly because it was sold entirely to mass tourism. However, the landscape is stunning, and Santorini is probably the most famous Greek island in the world.
Reaching Santorini from Crete is pretty easy: and there are daily ferries during the summer. There are also organized tours from Crete to Santorini like this one or that day trip to Santorini from Crete. At the end of this article, you’ll find a search engine for checking your ferry itineraries.
If you’d like to find more info about Santorini, I wrote two separate articles, where you can find lesser-known Santorini facts and the best photo tours on the island.
Travel from Crete to Rhodes
Rhodes (or Rhodos) is one of the biggest islands in Greece. It also attracts loads of tourists, and it has several accommodation options. Rhodes is also famous for its nightlife as well. You can check the best hotels in Rhodes here.
Travel from Crete to Anafi
Well, if you have been following this blog for a while, you probably know how much I love Anafi. I have even written a book about Anafi.
Anafi is a small, remote island in the Aegean Sea, and it’s all about swimming, relaxing, and hiking. The ferries to and from Anafi are most of the time problematic; therefore, it’s better to visit if you’re not on a tight schedule. Sometimes the island can remain disconnected for a week or even more -although, in the summertime, it’s a bit better.
From the port of Heraklion, there’s a ferry to Anafi, but it doesn’t run daily. Usually, it runs twice per week, but check the ferry schedule here.
You can read more about Anafi here and here and also find out what to do on the island.
If you are more adventurous, try to visit Gavdos
If you are more of an adventurous type, try to visit Gavdos. I didn’t visit this tiny island that lies just off the coastline of Crete because, in early November, there was no available connection. However, this is an island frequented by free campers, and it offers a raw experience. It’ll only be you and some other campers in nature. I recommend visiting Gavdos only if you are not on a tight schedule: the boats are rare and depend greatly on the weather. Gavdos is the southernmost spot in Europe, and it has 150 inhabitants. You can reach Gavdos by boat from Palaiochora, Agia Galini, and Hora Sfakion.
Three things you might observe while traveling through Crete
Crete is full of surprises for visitors. If you’re driving through the island, you will most likely come across three of the following things/situations.
Wildlife
It’s not uncommon to see in the middle of the road goats and sheep. Therefore, it’s recommended not to drive very fast in order to avoid any accidents with the animals. You can find them everywhere, and they seem to spread all over the place. These will be the highlight of your stay, and 9 out of 10 times, the animals are not dangerous.
Sunsets
Crete enjoys a beautiful, intense light. Late in the evening, you’ll often see some occasional clouds. That said, there’s usually an excellent combination of sunset light and clouds on the horizon. So have your camera ready for some photos, no matter where you are.
Oddities
Be on the watch out for some oddities. The Cretans seem to be very creative when it comes to storing things. I always believe that oddities betray something about the soul of a place. In Crete, I came across several bizarre arrangements, and I must admit that I found them both useful and amusing.
Is Crete expensive? How to budget?
Accommodation
Greek islands aren’t usually cheap, especially in the summertime. However, Crete has the advantage of being a big island, which means that you have plenty of options for accommodation and food. That said, you can easily find accommodation in a hostel for less than 20 euros, while for a good hotel room, you can calculate an average of 60 euros per room per night. Free camping is an option, and luxury accommodations that cost 800 euros per night are also available.
Food
Food in Greece tends to be normally priced. Street food like souvlaki won’t cost more than 3-4 euros; for a taverna, you should calculate around 15-18 euros per person. If you choose to eat fish, add an extra 10-15 euros -honestly, you should. Since Crete has a vibrant nightlife, it’s up to you how much you’ll spend on alcohol. Last but not least, there are both organized and non-organized beaches in Crete. For me, organized beaches are a no-go, so it’s an expense that I never consider.
General thoughts about budgeting for Crete
In general, I found Crete to be affordable. While it’s not the cheapest destination, it’s not by the standards of big European capitals. For example, our room cost 75 euros per night (it was off-season, and we thought of upgrading). We spend around 30-40 euros per day on food, and we never got a sunbed at the beach. We rented a car for approximately 35 euros per day. With some expenses like a bottle of water or a soda, we never spend more than 160 euros per day. That’s about 80 per person per day, all-inclusive.
I found, therefore, the prices to be average: if you’ve been following the blog for a while, you probably know that I assume a destination to be cheap when I can have a hotel room, food, and all my daily expenses for less than 70 euros. In Crete, I’d say that you should calculate around 80 euros per person per day, and that’s why I found the prices average.
Books about Crete
So, before finishing this long Crete travel guide, I thought of adding a few books about Crete. These are actually books that will help you get a better impression of the island. Read them before your journey to Crete, or have them with you while being there.
Zorba the Greek. Written by Crete’s most famous son, Nikos Kazantzakis, Zorba is a cornerstone book of Greek literature. Even though every tourist office around the world commercializes the character, the truth is that it’s still the most famous book about Crete. Buy Zorba the Greek here.
Abducting a General. Well, the writer of the book is also the main character. Patrick Leigh Fermor kidnapped General Kreipe, the German commander in Crete, on 26 April 1944. Buy Abducting a General here.
The dark labyrinth. Lawrence Durell wrote the last book on this list. It follows a bunch of English travelers that arrive on a cruise ship to explore the island. They want mainly to examine a dangerous local labyrinth. Buy The dark labyrinth here.
25 Photos of Crete & travel guide – Final thoughts
Crete is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen in Greece. Spending three weeks there didn’t only put me back on track but also helped me make some future decisions. After clearing up my mind, I returned to Berlin, and soon I decided to start this blog. I’ll always owe Crete a speedy recovery from a bad year. Apart from that, the hospitality and the locals’ kindness helped me reconnect with the things I loved the most: writing and traveling.
If you are still thinking about where to go on your next vacation, look no further: Crete is a fantastic destination. The fact that the island is big also means that you can enjoy various activities. You can spend time on the sandy beaches, but you can also enjoy cultural activities like visiting the Minoan Palace of Knossos. On top of all that, the Cretan food is just so good.
If you had a hard winter, Crete is the place to go. Or if you just want to relax next to glorious waves.
More travel guides about Greece: Greece in a week, Greek islands on a budget, Ferry Tales
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring: if you enjoyed this travel guide to Crete, please share it with your friends on Social Media.
Last Updated on March 18, 2023 by George Pavlopoulos