All the attractions of a trip are to be found on , the largest of the Greek islands... Heavenly beaches, wild landscapes, historical and archaeological heritage: Crete seems blessed by the gods, and has been since mythology. Discover the major sites - Heraklion, Knossos, the Samaria Gorge, to name but a few - and dare to venture off the beaten track to the remote villages: the warm welcome you'll receive from the locals will quickly lull you into a peaceful way of life that's as close to tradition as you can get. Zoom in on a unique road trip under the Cretan sun.
1. Heraklion
The capital of Crete, one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands, Heraklion is encircled by Venetian ramparts and is an ideal place for a stroll, with plenty of surprises in store. The old town has a typical atmosphere, with small stores, squares, tavernas and a market. Stroll around and you'll discover the Venetian castle and Loggia, the Byzantine church of Agios Titos and the cathedral of Agios Minas. Among the museums, don't miss the Archaeological Museum - certainly the richest in Crete - which reveals the secrets of Minoan civilization, a good introduction before visiting Knossos, just a few kilometers away.
And to complete the experience, we recommend a boat trip from Heraklion to the island of Dia! If you're tempted by the experience, book your cruise in just a few clicks here.
Related article: What to do in Heraklion, Crete? The 13 must-sees
2. Knossos
Knossos Palace© Jaroslav Moravcik
Discovered in 1900 by British archaeologist Arthur Evan, Knossos Palace is the most important of the Minoan palaces and one of the oldest in the world: it was built over a period of 600 years, from 2200 BC to 1600 BC. The palace ruins cover an area of 22,000 m², part of which has been completely reconstructed. Its intricate layout has often been linked to the legends of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur: King Minos is said to have asked Daedalus to build the palace's labyrinth in order to imprison a half-man, half-bull monster...
We recommend that you book your ticket in advance right here , to avoid the queue at the entrance and enjoy an immersive self-guided tour of the palace.
And to help you prepare for your trip to Greece, check out our dedicated article on all the must-sees and must-dos in Greece!
3. Chania, one of Crete's must-sees
Chania© travelbook - Adobe Stock
At the heart of the island, Chania is one of Crete's prettiest towns, with its old Venetian port topped by a 15th-century lighthouse. The town has a very special atmosphere, which you can breathe in as you stroll through its maze of narrow streets and old Venetian, Ottoman and Jewish quarters. As well as discovering its heritage and visiting its museums, Chania offers the perfect setting for a vacation, with its beaches, numerous restaurants and festive nightlife. Chania is an ideal starting point for discovering Europe's longest gorge, the Samaria Gorge, at over 1,200 m altitude in the heart of the White Mountains , by booking your excursion here.
4. Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge© Saro17
Located in the Samaria National Park, the gorges of the same name are among the longest in Europe, stretching for 16 km with cliffs up to 300 m high. The narrowest passage is 2.5 metres wide, known as the "Iron Gates". The hikes take you as far as the small village of Agia Roumeli, and take between 4 and 7 hours to complete. Along the way, you'll come across many small wild goats known as kri-kri. A must-see on any trip to Greece.
Book my excursion to the Samaria Gorge
5. Spinalonga, a must-see in Crete
Spinalonga© Vladimir Sazonov
Behind its spellbinding beauty, the island of Spinalonga holds many historical memories, including a painful chapter. It was here that lepers were isolated from 1903 to 1957, and the remains of their dwellings are still visible... The fort used as a leprosarium was built by the Venetians in the 16th century, then occupied by the Turks, who also built the mosque. Spinalonga is famous for having inspired the best-selling novel The Island of the Forgotten, written by English novelist Victoria Hislop. A walk around Spinalonga will guide you through the pages of the novel.
Tempted? We recommend you book this guided boat trip to discover the magnificent Venetian fortress of Spinalonga.
6. Moni Preveli
Moni Preveli © Gatsi
Located on the shores of the Libyan Sea, the Orthodox monastery of Preveli was founded between the 16th and 17th centuries in honor of Saint John the Theologian. This place of worship has gone down in history for the role it played against the Ottoman occupation and its resistance against the Nazis during the Second World War. Today, only two monks live here year-round, preserving sacramental vestments, ecclesiastical objects and several valuable documents in a small museum.
Did you know? Crete is one of our top 15 destinations for vacations with a baby.
7. Lake Kournas, a nugget in Crete
Lake Kournas© alexkon2000 - Adobe Stock
Crete's only freshwater lake, Lake Kournas enjoys a bucolic setting surrounded by mountains. This seaside resort is popular with bathers, fishing enthusiasts and even turtles, which can be seen basking in the surrounding area. Tavernas and shops liven up the site, which is 4 kilometers from the village of Kournas. Be sure to visit Terra Cotta, a family-run artisan ceramics factory where you'll find some lovely souvenirs.
Activities to book: Discover the culture and beauty of Crete on this guided day trip. You'll visit the town of Rethimno, the little Venice of Crete, Chania, and see Lake Kournas.
Crete is one of our top destinations in the sun this winter!
8. Lassithi Plateau and Dikti Grotto
The Dikti Grotto© entrechat
Situated at an altitude of 850 meters, the Lassithi Plateau is entirely surrounded by the mountains of the Dikti range, famous for housing a cave famous in Greek mythology . It was here that Rhea hid her son Zeus from his father Chronos, who had a nasty habit of eating his children. Excavations revealed that the cave was inhabited between 1550 and 2000 BC. The interior is arranged around different chambers with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
Explore the wild side of Crete on a guided safari bookable here. Follow in the mythical footsteps of the Greek gods by visiting Zeus' cave on one of Crete's highest mountains.
Read more: Crete, history, warmth and hospitality
9. Elafonisi
Elafonisi© Zakhar Marunov
For the wild beauty of its landscapes, Elafonisi is one of Crete's most popular destinations. With its turquoise sea, warm water and fine sandy beaches, this little corner of paradise is sometimes a victim of its own success, so for a little peace and quiet, we recommend you join the little islet opposite. In this protected nature reserve, you'll find discreet coves far from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. Elafonisi lies in a "Natura" zone that preserves a number of endangered species.
Spend a relaxing day on the small island of Elafonisi and soak up the sun on a pink sandy beach by booking this daytrip from Chania.
Read more: Top 15 of Europe's most beautiful beaches
10. Phaestos Palace
Phaestos Palace© Andrei Nekrassov - Shutterstock.com.
A major Minoan site after Knossos, Phaestos Palace extends over 8,300 m² on the edge of the Messara plain. Excavations have revealed the presence of two superimposed palaces: the first built in 1900 BC and destroyed two centuries later; the second built on the ruins of the first. Today, we can distinguish the royal apartments, the central courtyard and the archive tower. Incidentally, a disc bearing a mysterious inscription has never been deciphered...
11. Agios Nikolaos
stéphane Maréchal - Iconotec
In the Lassithi region lies the town of Agios Nikolaos, which a few decades ago was a peaceful, tranquil village living mainly from fishing. Then, in no time at all, this small port became one of the island's main tourist destinations. However, Agios Nikolaos has managed to preserve all its charm, probably thanks to its exceptional location. A visit to this charming little port is a must on any Cretan holiday. Among its attractions are Lake Voulismeni, surrounded by small cliffs right in the heart of the town, Kitroplatia beach with its tavernas and cafés, and the possibility of organizing excursions to the island of Spinalonga by booking right here , or to the traditional village of Kritsa and planning some great diving.
Book my excursion to the island of Spinalonga
Good to know: Unlike many other places on the island, the town is inhabited all year round, although many establishments are closed in the low season.
12. Rethymnon
© Pauline BOYER
Rethymnon is the island's third-largest city. Situated halfway between Heraklion and Hania, it is, it has to be said, rather overrun by tourists during the summer months. However, the capital of the prefecture has managed to preserve a certain charm and provincial atmosphere, thanks to its historic center and lively pedestrian streets. The historic quarter, located between the Venetian port and the imposing fortress, boasts picturesque alleyways, Venetian and Ottoman houses, small squares, minarets and fountains, providing an absolutely charming and authentic setting. For relaxation, head for the beach! Rethymnon boasts a 13 km long sandy beach stretching from the port eastwards towards Perivolia. Even in the high season, the beach is never completely crowded.
Discover some of the most beautiful beaches on Crete's south coast by booking this guided day trip to Plakias and Preveli beach from Rethymnon.
13. Gramvoussa and Balos beach
erreCh - Shutterstock.com
As soon as you see it, the wild Gramvoussa peninsula looms majestically out to sea. And it doesn't take long to realize that this little piece of land is indeed home to some of the most magnificent sites on the island of Crete (if not the whole country), starting with the splendid and much sought-after Balos beach with its delightful turquoise hues. A beach that offers its day-trippers immaculate white sand, bordered by turquoise waters that inevitably invite you to go for a swim. Not far away, the charming little village of Kaliviani , with its small square and typical kafeneion, is well worth a stop on your lazy day. And for those who want to extend their stay on the peninsula, this is where you'll find a few rooms to rent. A good idea if you want to avoid the simple day trip undertaken every morning by a crowd of tourists in bathing suits. Close to this photogenic beach, the shallow, warm waters of the bay create one of the world's most beautiful natural lagoons. And beyond the reef, the deeper waters will delight snorkelers, who won't hesitate to take their flippers for a walk. In short, a visit to Crete is a must! On the downside, you won't be alone in high season...
How do I get to Crete?
The quickest and cheapest way to get to Crete is by plane. While some airlines fly via Athens, many offer direct flights to Heraklion or Chania airports from major French cities (Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Paris...), especially in summer. Allow around 3 hours' flying time to reach the Greek island.
When is the best time to visit Crete?
Thanks to its very pleasant climate, Crete offers favorable conditions all year round. The peak tourist season runs from May to the end of October, with July and August the busiest months. If you prefer a quieter time, with sunny days and warm temperatures, June and September are ideal. You can also discover Crete in spring, especially during the Orthodox Easter celebrations.
How do I get around Crete?
The most economical solution is to travel by bus. The island's major cities, such as Chania, Heraklion and Rethymnon, are well served by public transport. A car is ideal if you want to have complete freedom of movement during your stay in Crete. Please note that the minimum driving age in Crete is 21.
Where to stay in Crete
Heraklion, the island's capital, is an ideal place to put down your bags. Being located in the center of Crete, it's an ideal starting point for exploring the island's various regions and attractions. Whether you want to visit archaeological sites like Knossos Palace, enjoy the beaches of the north coast or explore traditional mountain villages, Heraklion offers easy access to all these destinations. Here are our favorite accommodations!
- The most practical
The Hotel El Greco is ideally located, right in the center of town, a stone's throw from Venizelou Square (or Lions Square). In short, a hotel with basic comforts but very practical and good value for money. To check availability click here!
- The quietest
Decorated in a contemporary style, the Olive Green hotel overlooks a quiet, leafy square. We particularly appreciate the greenery inside. Tempted by this establishment? Book a room in just a few clicks right here!
- The most luxurious
Refurbished and ideally located on Eleftherias Square, just a few steps from the Archaeological Museum, the Capsis Astoria Hotel is one of Heraklion's most luxurious addresses. You're sure to meet some very special guests! To check hotel availability, click here!
