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Travel Guide of Crete in Greece by Influencers and Travelers


Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. It bounds the southern border of the Aegean sea.


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How to visit Crete ?

To get to Crete, you can either fly into Heraklion International Airport (HER) or Chania International Airport (CHQ). Several European airlines offer direct flights to these airports, especially during the summer months. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Athens (Piraeus port) to either Heraklion or Chania. The ferry ride takes approximately 9 hours, and overnight options are available.

It is recommended to book your accommodations and any guided tours or activities in advance, especially during the high season (June - August). If you're planning on visiting the Palace of Knossos or other popular archaeological sites, consider booking a guided tour to guarantee entry and learn more about the fascinating history of these locations.

Costs in Crete can vary depending on your travel style. Budget travelers can expect to spend around €40-€60 per day, while mid-range travelers may spend €60-€100 per day. Luxury travelers can easily spend over €100 per day. Entrance fees to archaeological sites and museums typically range from €5 to €15.

Some of the best things to do in Crete include exploring the ancient Palace of Knossos, relaxing on Elafonisi Beach, visiting the Samaria Gorge National Park, and strolling through the picturesque old town of Chania. Additionally, consider taking a boat trip to the island of Spinalonga, a former leper colony with a rich history.

For dining options, you can try The Well of the Turk in Chania, offering a fusion of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine in a charming setting. In Heraklion, Peskesi serves traditional Cretan dishes made with local ingredients. For a more casual option, Ta Kalamia in Rethymno offers delicious seafood dishes at affordable prices.

When it comes to accommodations, there are plenty of options ranging from budget-friendly hostels to luxury resorts. For a mid-range option in Chania, consider staying at the Alcanea Boutique Hotel, located in the old town with beautiful harbor views. In Heraklion, Lato Boutique Hotel offers comfortable rooms and a rooftop restaurant with panoramic views of the city. For a more budget-friendly option, the Cocoon City Hostel in Chania is a popular choice among backpackers.

Off the beaten path: For an unusual travel experience in Crete, head to the village of Mochos, located in the mountains south of Heraklion. This traditional Cretan village offers a glimpse into the authentic local life, away from the tourist crowds. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the narrow streets, visit the local Byzantine churches, and indulge in a delicious meal at one of the village's traditional tavernas. Additionally, you can explore the nearby hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the coast.




The Best Things to Do and Visit around Crete


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1 - Crete Region

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus and Corsica. It bounds the southern border of the Aegean sea.

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Crete Region things to do in Crete Crete Region things to do in Crete



2 - Fourfouras

   13 km away

Mount Ida, known variously as Idha, Ídhi, Idi, Ita. The massif including the mountain is called Psiloritis. At 2,456 m, Ida is the highest mountain on Crete. It has the highest topographic prominence in Greece. A natural park which includes Mt. Ida is a member of UNESCO's Global Geoparks Network. Located in the Rethymno regional unit, Ida was sacred to the Greek Titaness Rhea.

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Fourfouras things to do in Crete Fourfouras things to do in Crete



3 - Trekking | Crete

   12 km away

On the tour of Crete, enjoy a fascinating hike through Europe's longest gorge and bathe in the pristine waters of the Libyan Sea. Take a boat trip along the south coast of Crete and admire the cliffs.

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Trekking | Crete things to do in Crete



4 - Faistos

   16 km away

Faistos is a municipality in Heraklion regional unit, Crete, Greece. The seat of the municipality is the village Moires. It is named after the ancient city Phaistos, located in the municipality. The municipality has an area of 410.810 km².

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Faistos things to do in Crete



5 - Bali Beach

   19 km away
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Bali Beach things to do in Crete Bali Beach things to do in Crete



6 - Sea Kayaking in Heraklion

   19 km away

Get ready to discover the beautiful coast of Crete around Bali, a charming beach in the Rethimno prefecture while paddling on a sea kayak! Contrary to popular belief, Balí is not named after the Indonesian island, or from the old Turkish word ...

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Sea Kayaking in Heraklion things to do in Crete



7 - Agia Varvara

   21 km away

Agia Varvara is a suburb in the western part of Athens, Greece.

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Agia Varvara things to do in Crete



8 - Knossos

   25 km away

Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and has been called Europe's oldest city. Settled as early as the Neolithic period, the name Knossos survives from ancient Greek references to the major city of Crete.

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Knossos things to do in Crete Knossos things to do in Crete



9 - Heraklion Archaeological Museum

   25 km away

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a museum located in Heraklion on Crete. It is one of the greatest museums in Greece and the best in the world for Minoan art, as it contains the most notable and complete collection of artefacts of the Minoan civilization of Crete.

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Heraklion Archaeological Museum things to do in Crete



10 - Agios Pavlos, Thessaloniki

   27 km away

Agios Pavlos, Saint Paul, is a suburb of the Thessaloniki Urban Area and a former municipality. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality of Neapoli-Sykies, of which it is a municipal unit.

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Agios Pavlos, Thessaloniki things to do in Crete



11 - Caves Matala

   28 km away
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Caves Matala things to do in Crete



12 - Morosini Lions Fountain

   31 km away
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Morosini Lions Fountain things to do in Crete



13 - Heraklion

   32 km away

Heraklion or Iraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion regional unit. It is the fifth largest city in Greece with a population of 140,730 according to the 2011 census. The population of the municipality was 173,993. The Bronze Age palace of Knossos, also known as the Palace of Minos, is located nearby.

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Heraklion things to do in Crete Heraklion things to do in Crete



14 - Rethymno

   32 km away

The University of Crete is a multi-disciplinary, research-oriented institution in the island of Crete, Greece, located in the cities of Rethymnon and Heraklion, and one of the country's most academically acclaimed and reputable ones.

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Rethymno things to do in Crete



15 - Rethimno

   33 km away

Skouloufia is a village in the Municipality of Arkadi in the island of Crete, Greece.

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Rethimno things to do in Crete



16 - Kaloi Limenes

   34 km away

Kaloi Limenes or Kali Limenes is a village and port in the Heraklion regional unit, southern Crete, in Greece, located 82 kilometres south-west of the city of Heraklion. It has 21 inhabitants. It is known as a major bunkering spot for ships in the southern Mediterranean.

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Kaloi Limenes things to do in Crete Kaloi Limenes things to do in Crete



17 - Lentas

   36 km away

Lentas, Lentas is a coastal village 75 km south of Heraklion, on the south coast of Crete in Greece. It belongs to the community of Miamou within the municipality of Gortyna.

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Lentas things to do in Crete



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Learn More about Crete

CRETE, A MYTHICAL ISLAND WITH A THOUSAND FACES



On the borders of Europe, Africa, and Asia, Crete, "the island of the gods"



The island saw the birth of Zeus and his love affair with Europe, which is the cradle of European civilization.
Between dream and reality,
Crete offers exceptional ancient and medieval testimonies: the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaestos or Malia; the Venetian and Ottoman architecture of the cities (Chania, Rethymnon, or Heraklion) but it is also what any traveler can expect from a Greek island: beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, a hinterland dotted with small villages, monasteries, churches, and whitewashed houses, olive trees as far as the eye can see and finally welcoming inhabitants who will make you discover a legendary cuisine.

Crete is dominated by three mountain ranges that have deeply marked the soul of its inhabitants and which divide Crete into four very different regions.
  • From west to east: the Lefka Ori, "The White Mountains" which reach 2452m;
  • in the center, Mount Psiloritis (or Mount Ida) culminates at 2456m,
  • finally, in the east, Mount Dikti rises to 2148m.

These three massifs delimit four regions around Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Agios Nikolaos which occupy the four large bays of the northern coast of Crete.

The history of Crete, an important part of Greek mythology



From 2100 BC the Minoans built a flourishing civilization. The cities prosper quickly around the Minoan palaces and the island is at the head of a large-scale maritime commercial empire that extends to Egypt and Syria.
Then came the Romans, the Byzantines at the end of the fourth century, the Saracens who seized it in 825, the Venetians from the eleventh to the seventeenth centuries, and then the Ottomans who occupied the island until the early twentieth century. This eventful history has contributed to the forging of the Cretan soul, fiercely resistant, and their passion for freedom.

But Crete is also the scene of many episodes of Greek mythology



It is in a cave of Mount Ida (or Mount Dicté according to the authors) that Zeus was born, protected by his mother Rhea, against the appetite of his father Cronos. And it is still in Crete that he would have been raised by nymphs and Curetes.

The wife of Minos, Pasiphae, having succumbed to the charm of a bull sent by Poseidon, gave birth to the famous Minotaur, a monster half-man half-bull. This one was locked up by Minos in the labyrinth, built by the architect Daedalus. The labyrinth that archaeologists locate in Knossos; 

Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Crete

When to go to Crete?

Situated at the height of North Africa, Crete enjoys an exceptional climate and you will find bright sunshine from the beginning of May to the end of October. 

  • Very often, November and December are also pleasant.

If you have the possibility, our advice is to go in the early season for Easter or in the late season when the inhabitants are free from the tourist pressure and find peace.

Crete is an easy island to get to

  • The airport of Heraklion is served throughout the summer by direct flights from most major European cities.
  • The airport of Chania is also very well served. 

From Athens, you can reach Crete by plane (45′ flights) or by ferry from the port of Piraeus (9h)
Finally, if you want to go through the Cyclades before Crete, the daily fast ferry from Santorini will bring you in 1h45.

Crete is a large country with 3 airports. Heraklion in the center of the island, Chania in the west, and Sitia in the far east of Crete.
By regional flight, these airports are served from Athens 

How to get around Crete?

  • Crete by bus/Crete has a good bus network 
Buses of a good level of comfort assure daily and in all seasons the connections between the main cities of the north coast of the island: Heraklion, Rethymnon, and Chania towards the west, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia towards the east. From these hubs, there are connections to the inland and the southern coast. 

  • Crete by car or motorcycle
The car or motorcycle/scooter is the best option. The majority of the roads are generally in good condition and well marked.
You will easily find rental cars around the airport where all companies are represented.

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