Crete: visitor guide
20 Popular Greek Islands to VisitCrete · Ancient sites · mountains · bold cuisine
Plan Crete by west or east. Choosing Chania–Rethymno–Samaria or Heraklion–Knossos–Agios Nikolaos reduces long drives.
Heraklion or Chania
Flights to Heraklion/Chania or overnight ferry from Piraeus
7–10 days
7–10 days
April–June and September–October
7–10 days
Regional buses are good; remote beaches need a car.
Places to see
- Knossos, Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Rethymno old town.
- Chania Venetian Harbour, Balos/Elafonissi and mountain villages.
Things to do
- Hike Samaria or Imbros Gorge.
- Visit an olive-oil farm and spend a boat day on the south coast.
What to eat
- Dakos, kalitsounia, apaki, gamopilafo and stamnagathi.
- Honey, olive oil, graviera and raki.
Restaurant picks
- Peskesi · Heraklion · Cretan produce.
- Tamam · Chania · local food in a historic hammam.
- Ferryman · Elounda · seafood.
Getting there and around
- International airports at Heraklion and Chania; ferries from Piraeus.
- Regional KTEL networks operate separately; do not attempt the whole island from one base.