Crete is such an amazing island to discover in Greece! Yet, with it being the largest island in the country, there a few important things to know before you go. Here are our best Crete Greece tips for your next vacation, with the best beaches, things to do, and even what to skip. This Crete travel guide has everything you need for an amazing first visit!
Crete Greece Travel Guide
Location: Crete Greece
Official Language: Greek
Currency: Euro
How Long to Visit: 10+ Days
Airport: Heraklion & Chania
Best Time to Visit: May & June or September & October during Swing Season
20 Tips For Your First Trip to Crete Greece
1. How to Get to Crete
Unless you’re planning on taking a very, very long ferry, the best way to get to Crete is by flight. There are two major airports on the island Heraklion and Chania International. You can use the Skyscanner tool to look into flights and see which airport is cheaper.
We flew in and out of Heraklion, which is located on the central north coast of the island, making it the perfect hub to explore. When flying out consider booking a flight with Aegean Airlines.
We didn’t realize it beforehand, but they have a partnership with the airport where all travelers on their airline can cut to the front or the security line. This includes enjoying snacks and beverages in their lounge before departure!
2. Stay In A Beach Town
There are dozens and dozens of beach towns to stay in all around Crete Greece! They range from the bustling tourist town of Chania to the party spot of Malia, and the relaxing village of Kato Zakros.
One of the many things that make visiting Crete special is that there’s literally a different town for kind of vacation. Here are the beaches we recommend for every type of traveler in our Crete travel guide.
- Vis – For Palm Trees & Sunshine
- Elafonisi – For Pink Sand & Natural Parks
- Myrtos – For Small Town Feel & Beach Bars
- Malia – For Night Life & Party
- Sitia – For Local Feel & Island Exploring
- Matala – For Hippie Caves & Good Vibes
- Bali – For A Small Beach Cove & Sun
- Agios Nikolaos – For Developed Seaside Town & Day Trips
- Kato Zakros – For Seclusion & Hiking
3. Enjoy Delicious Cretan Food
Cretan cuisine is a bit similar to traditional Greek food, but with its own special flavors and twists. Besides exploring the island, our highlight was by far all the incredible food we ate on our visit.
Fresh salads, seafood, lamb, and Cretan wine are just a few staples to look forward to. Some of our favorite dishes more particular to Crete are Dakos, Kalitsounia, Antikristo, and Gamopilafo. You’ll find all kinds of restaurants to enjoy from the streets of Heraklion and Chania to beachside gyro and souvlaki shops.
→ Best Food in Crete: 18 Traditional Cretan Dishes, Drinks & Treats
4. Try the Local Raki
You won’t have to go out of your way to try this Cretan specialty. Most travelers know about Greece’s famous Ouzo drink, but Raki is a whole different ball game. Not to be confused with Turkish Raki, this after dinner elixir is sure pack a punch.
If there’s one thing we should warn you about in our Crete travel guide is that it’s strong… very strong. It’s common to receive a small glass on the house after your meal.
Just know that it’s not meant to be taken as a shot! Most locals will sip it slowly to truly enjoy the taste.
5. Get Around Crete Greece by Car
Before visiting Crete Greece, we didn’t truly grasp how large and undeveloped much of the island is. After just a few short days of using the Crete bus system, we decided to grab a vehicle.
This is the only way to truly experience more of the island! It will also give you the freedom to explore some of the lesser known spots in this Crete travel guide.
So unless you’re planning to just visit one or two towns in the north, book a car before you arrive. DiscoverCars is a great website to compare rates and find the best deals. We were on Crete for 10 days, and it didn’t feel like nearly enough time.
→ 6 Reasons to Rent a Car on the Island of Crete
6. Plan For Plenty of Relaxing Beach Days
Although there is so much adventure to be had on Crete island, you should make time to relax and enjoy the beaches. The endless swimming spots on Crete are beyond diverse.
From small pebbles to soft white sand and sparklingly pink sand beaches, Crete has it all. The best way to spend a lazy day is with a chair and sun umbrella or spread out your towel and soak in the sun.
7. Hike The Samaria Gorge
The Gorge in Samaria National Park is the largest and most well-known canyon on Crete Greece. It literally cuts through the southwestern part of the island, making it impossible for travelers to completely circle Crete.
Hikes can range from a few hours to days, and offer some of the most beautiful scenery on the island. You can also book a full day Samaria Gorge trekking excursion from Chania or Rethymno
8. Shop for Lavender in Crete Greece
Lavender fields come second on the island only to all the olive groves! There are incredible villas and hotels set next to lavender fields.
Even if you don’t stay in one, make sure to at least pick up some Cretan lavender before leaving. They make for a beautiful memory or great gift for friends.
→ 5 Greece Outfit Ideas For Your Next Island Holiday
9. Find Nature in Vai Palm Tree Forest
Vai Beach is home to the largest palm tree forest’s in all of Europe. We made the trip to the far east side of the island and it turned out to be one of our favorite days on Crete.
Swim in the clear water, check out the viewpoint, and get lost between the palm trees. Honestly, Vai Beach will make you feel like you’ve left Greece, and have been transported to a Caribbean paradise.
→ Vai Beach in Crete: An Adventure to Greece’s Massive Palm Tree Forest
10. See History At Knossos Palace
Although the old city was abandoned in around 1100 BC, the architecture of Knossos remains standing. Amazingly, the palace of Knossos shows evidence that people inhabited Ancient Crete Greece up to 9,000 years ago.
Knossos is only a short drive from Heraklion, and some historians even have said that it’s Europe’s oldest city. So if you take in one piece of history after reading our Crete travel guide, this Minoan palace should be it.
→ Is Knossos Palace Worth Visiting on Crete? What to Know First
11. Explore the Hippie Caves of Matala
Did you know that hippies once lived in the caves on Crete? That’s right!
These mountainside caves hover over the gorgeous Matala Beach, and in the 1960’s were taken over by hippies until the government kicked them out. Matala is one of the most touristic places on the island, but it still makes for a fun visit and photo opportunity.
→ Getting Lost in the Hippie Caves of Matala
12. Soak up the Crete Olive Oil
Olive Oil comes with everything in Crete. From a dipping sauce for bread to drizzled over your salad, it’s used in some way with every meal. It’s a known fact that the average Cretan consumes over 20 times the average for Olive Oil annually, so be prepared to drown in it.
→ Book a Delicious Miracle of Wine and Olive Oil Day Tour from Chania
13. Be Careful Driving on the Small Roads
For being an island, Crete has extremely well-maintained roads. Well… most of the time. When you start to travel “off the typical path” this can change quickly.
This is especially true once you start exploring around the south. Steep drops, unpaved stretches, and crazy fast local drivers are just some of the things you’ll have to look out for on your Crete travel. If you are planning on renting a car, make sure you’re comfortable with your driving abilities.
→ 20 Wild & Fun Facts About Crete Greece
14. Get Lost in the South
Speaking of the south, in our opinion, this is Crete Greece in its most pure form! Unfortunately, if you stick to the north (as many do) there is a whole side to the island you’ll be missing out on.
Driving through endless olive fields and having entire beaches to ourselves were highlights of our time exploring this part of Crete.
15. Don’t Miss Crete’s Pink Sand Beaches
Crete doesn’t just have one, but TWO pink sand beaches! Considering that pink sand beaches are extremely rare, to have two on one island is completely unheard of.
Each of these beaches (Elafonisi and Balos) are on secluded corners of the island and require a full day to visit. We made the trip to Elafonisi Beach and were blown away by the colors! Definitely make it a priority to hit at least one pink sand beach while in Crete.
→ Book an Elafonissi Pink Sand Beach Small Group Tour from Rethymno
16. Spend the Afternoon in Chania
This seaside town in northern Crete attracts more tourists than anywhere else on the island. Beautiful bright buildings line the ocean, and wooden boats fill the crowded harbor. Spend at least one afternoon getting lost in the back streets of Chania and taking in Crete’s most famous city.
17. Take a Day Trip to Spinalonga Island
The strange history of this former leper colony has developed into one of the top day trips in Crete Greece. Hop on a tour from the popular town of Agios Nikolaos, and take a guided step back in time to a different world. After learning about Spinalonga Island, you can swim at the small pebble beach and enjoy the water.
→ Book a Boat Cruise from Agios Nikolaos to Spinalonga island
18. Don’t Spend Too Much Time in Heraklion
Big city lovers might enjoy Heraklion, but we have to say it wasn’t for us. This port city is so massive that it’s easy to forget you’re on an island. If you’re visiting Crete on a cruise ship, this is where you’ll likely come into.
Yet, just know Crete has so much more to see and discover. We would keep it limited to one night in Heraklion if you can help it on your way in or out of the island.
19. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
One of the worst mistakes you can make when visiting Crete is not exploring for yourself. Yes, there are the top beach towns on the island and plenty of famous caves and coves. Still, the best part of visiting Crete is going off the beaten path!
So go to the well-known hippie caves of Matala and explore the pink sand beaches, but also travel to the lesser-known places. Take a random road to a beach you weren’t thinking about checking out, stop in a small mountain town for coffee, or pull over and hike to a random lookout.
→ 10 Days Circling Crete Island: Fun Itinerary with Best Route & Hotels
20. Visit Another Island After Crete Greece
You’re already here… why not start island hopping? From Crete Greece, you can get a quick jumper flight to another Greek island, or easily take a ferry.
With the Crete island being so far south, the ferry does take several hours. But hey, that’s all part of the fun! You can visit world-famous Santorini or a more relaxing island like Naxos.
Other islands we truly fell in love with are Kefalonia, Karpathos, and Milos. Also, don’t forget to see mainland gems like Meteora and the Peloponnese region.
Have any questions about this article or want to share more essential Crete tips for first-time visitors? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
Hi cretans only call it raki infront of tourists ,locals call their brew Tskoudia ! Good blog though !
haha good to know! We’ve heard it called all different things throughout Greece and the Balkans. Everyone seems to have their own name for it.
I will ne in Stalida in septembrie.Can You Tell me more about Stalida and Zephyros hotel.Thank You!
Hi! great that you’re visiting Manuela. In some of our more specific blogs on Crete we recommend hotels to stay in. Not sure about these so you should check the reviews and pick what best suits your style. Enjoy!