Review Rating: 4/5 Date of Visit: July 2021 I needed a hotel room to overnight before my early ferry to Karpathos the next day. After some time exploring options on…
Crete Island Guide
Crete has been one of my favourite Greek destinations for many years and the one I most recommend to friends and family, especially those who have never visited the country before.
I first came to Crete with my parents and grandparents over 25 years ago. As a teenager, I was too young to really appreciate what made one Greek island any different from another, but I thoroughly enjoyed the two weeks we spent in Makry Gialos on the southeast coast. As a family, we enjoyed it so much that we went back again the following year. That time my best friend came along and we had a blast: running up and down the beach and playing in the sea during the day, then playing pool in one of the bars in the evening.
In the two decades since my first visit, I’ve been to Elounda, Malia (twice), Kokkini Hani, Kato Gouves, Analipsi and Hersonissos. In 2021, I finally explored the western side of the island, spending nine nights in Palaiochora on the southwest coast before making my way across the island all the way to Sitia in the very northeast. Along the way, I visited Chania, the inland village of Spili and the southern settlements of Plakias, Agia Galini and Matala. I finished up in Sitia for a brief overnight stop, departing the next day by ferry for Karpathos.
The best thing about Crete is that its size means there’s something for everyone: lively party resorts like Stalis, Hersonissos and Malia for the young revellers; quiet seaside villages like Georgioupolis and Elounda for those seeking a peaceful and relaxing getaway; vibrant cities like Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion; and plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking in the Samaria Gorge; and, of course, some fabulous beaches for topping up that tan!
The interactive map below shows some of our favourite hotels, restaurants, beaches and places of interest on Crete. Click the markers to see more details.
Here are some of the videos we’ve filmed in Crete over the years:
One thing that makes Crete unique as a Greek island is that it has two international airports: one just east of Heraklion, the other just northeast of Chania. These effectively split the island into two halves: east and west. If you are planning to stay anywhere east of Rethymno, Heraklion is the more convenient airport. Rethymno itself is slightly closer to Chania airport, but either one will do (roughly a 1-hour transfer by car). If you plan to visit one of the resorts further west, such as Georgioupoli, Palaiochora, Kissamos, or Chania itself, then Chania airport is the one to choose.
You can also reach Crete by ferry, with regular services from Piraeus to both Chania and Heraklion. There is also a daily service between Heraklion and Santorini (Thera), should you plan on visiting multiple islands during your stay.
There are many tourist destinations on Crete, these are some of the more popular ones that we’ve visited:
Located on an east-facing coastline roughly an hour’s drive from Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos is one of the largest towns on the island. It’s a popular tourist destination with a large selection of bars and restaurants, and plenty of hotels both large and small. It lacks a decent beach, but there are plenty nearby to choose from providing you have transportation.
Just north of Agios Nikolaos lies Elounda. It is a much smaller resort, but still popular with tourists in the summer season. There are several luxury hotels dotted around the nearby hillsides, while the town itself has a decent beach and a good selection of bars and restaurants.
Its proximity to Spinalonga makes it a good destination if you plan to visit the island or any of the villages along the northern coastline.
Don’t be too put off by its reputation as a party resort for the younger generation. While the main strip is laden with bars and clubs, there are quieter spots and plenty of beach space for everyone. The old town, further back from the coastline, is very pretty and worth a visit.
Tucked out of the way on the southwest coast, Palaiochora is a popular seaside resort located on a small headland with a large main beach to the west and a smaller one on the eastern side. About a 90-minute drive from Chania, it does take some effort to reach but is worth it for the relaxed atmosphere, great selection of shops and tavernas and wide, sandy beach.
With unique locations such as Spinalonga, plus water parks, caves, and numerous great beaches, Crete has something for everyone. The large main road that runs across the north of the island makes it easy to get around and there is an excellent local bus service covering most of the island, though smaller villages and resorts may only have one or two connections a day.
Review Rating: 4/5 Date of Visit: July 2021 I needed a hotel room to overnight before my early ferry to Karpathos the next day. After some time exploring options on…
Review Rating: 3/5 Date of Visit: July 2021 My penultimate hotel as I journeyed across Crete from west to east was an overnight stay at Matala Bay Hotel in, you…
Review Rating: 4/5 Date of Visit: July 2021 I stayed at Akteon Rooms for a single night in July 2021 as part of a road trip across southern Crete. The…
Review Rating: 4/5 Date of Visit: July 2021 I spent one night at Galini Beach during a mini road trip across southern Crete in July 2021. I chose the hotel…
Review Rating: 4/5 Date of Visit: July 2021 We visited Crete in early July 2021, spending 9 nights in Palaiochora at On the Rocks Hotel. I was travelling with my…
Review Rating: 4/5 Date of Visit: July 2016 I booked a week here through Thomson Holidays who advertise Cretan Malia Park as being a 4-star plus hotel. Coupled with some…
Review Rating: 3/5 Date of Visit: September 2016 I spent a week at Manos Apartments back in September 2016, having visited Crete a few times before but never to this…
Review Rating: 4/5 Date of visit: September 2019 I chose to spend 8 nights at Sentido Vasia early September, travelling solo for a bit of quiet relaxation. All-inclusive hotels aren’t…
Review rating: 4/5 Date of visit: May/June 2018 Just returned from a lovely week in Crete at Ourania Apartments. This was my 9th time on the island, but first time…
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