Crete Travel Guide: The Complete Guide to Greece's Largest Island

Crete is not like other Greek islands. It is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean, with its own dialect, its own cuisine, a fiercely independent historical identity, and a terrain that ranges from coastal beach towns to high mountain villages still accessible only by rough track. The Minoan civilisation — Europe’s oldest — centred on Crete for more than a thousand years.

Heraklion

The island’s capital and largest city (approximately 190,000 people). Heraklion is functional rather than beautiful — much of the historic centre was flattened in WWII — but it has three things worth travelling for: the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and the old Venetian harbour.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum: One of the finest museums in Greece, containing the bulk of what has been recovered from Minoan Crete — the famous bull fresco, the Snake Goddess figurines, and the Phaistos Disc. Entry €10 adult (as of 2026), open 8am–8pm daily (reduced hours in winter).

Venetian Fortress (Koules): 16th-century Venetian sea fortress at the entrance to the old harbour. Entry €4 adult, open 8am–8pm daily.

The market on 1866 Street: One of the best street markets in Greece, running from Plateia Eleftherias into the historic centre — herbs, Cretan cheese (graviera, anthotyros), honey, olive oil, and fresh produce.

Chania

The most visually striking city in Crete — a Venetian old town built around a harbour with a distinctly Ottoman-Venetian-Greek character. The lighthouse on the Venetian mole, the converted mosque (now exhibition space), the covered market in a 19th-century building, and the warren of alleys behind the harbour make it one of Greece’s finest small cities.

Restaurants along the inner harbour are expensive and mediocre (tourist trap territory). Eat instead in the streets behind — Stivanadika Street, Daskalogiannis Square — where the prices are fair and the food better.

Halcion Days: One of the best Cretan restaurants in Chania, in the old town. Creative modern Cretan cuisine, approximately €30–50 per person.

Michelas Winery: Family winery in the old town serving barrel wine by the carafe, excellent mezedes, very good value (approximately €15–20 per person).

Knossos

The Bronze Age Minoan palace-city, 5km south of Heraklion — one of the most visited ancient sites in Greece. The remains are partially reconstructed (controversially, by Arthur Evans in the early 20th century), which makes the site easier to understand than most Greek ruins but less archaeologically “pure.”

Entry: €15 adult, €8 reduced. Combined ticket with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum: €20 (as of 2026).

Getting there: City bus (route 2) from Heraklion bus station, approximately 20 minutes, €1.70. Taxi approximately €12.

Crowds: Knossos receives hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. Arrive before 9am to see it without crowds.

Samaria Gorge

Europe’s longest gorge (16km), running through the White Mountains National Park to the Libyan Sea. The walk takes 5–7 hours and is entirely downhill from Xyloskalo (1,230m altitude) to the coast at Agia Roumeli. Boats from Agia Roumeli take you to Sfakia or Paleochora, from where buses return to Heraklion or Chania.

Entry: €5 (paid at the entrance). Open May–October (closing dates depend on conditions).

Getting there: Buses from Chania to Omalos (for the trailhead) depart daily in season. KTEL Chania handles the schedule.

Where to Stay in Crete

Heraklion: GDM Megaron Hotel (historic building, harbour views, from approximately €110/night), Galaxy Hotel (mid-range, good location, from approximately €80/night).

Chania: Casa Delfino (beautiful boutique hotel in a Venetian mansion, old town, from approximately €160/night), Amphora Hotel (harbourfront, from approximately €120/night), Nostos Hotel (quieter location, old town, from approximately €90/night).

Resort areas: Elounda (east Crete) is the most upscale resort area — Blue Palace Elounda (from approximately €300/night in summer), Domes of Elounda (from approximately €400/night). Rethymno old town also has excellent boutique hotel options (from approximately €80/night).

Cretan Cuisine

Cretan food is distinct from mainland Greek cuisine. Key things to try:

Dakos: Barley rusk topped with grated tomato, feta or soft white cheese (myzithra), olives, and olive oil. The barley rusk absorbs the tomato juice over time — the longer it sits, the better.

Antikristo: Whole lamb or goat cooked upright on a spit around an open fire — a traditional celebration dish, increasingly available at specialist restaurants.

Graviera cheese: Crete’s famous hard cheese — nutty, slightly sweet, made from sheep and goat milk. PDO designation. Available at every market and dairy shop on the island.

Cretan olive oil: Considered among the world’s finest — cold-pressed, very low acidity. You can visit oil mills (eleotriveia) throughout the island, particularly in the Kolymvari area west of Chania.

Getting Around Crete

Crete is 260km long from west to east — getting around without transport is difficult. The north coast motorway (E75) connects Heraklion, Rethymno, and Chania efficiently. The south coast and interior require slower mountain roads.

Car hire: Strongly recommended for any exploration beyond the main cities. From approximately €30–45/day at Heraklion Airport (as of 2026), cheaper in shoulder season. Book in advance for peak season. The main hire companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar) are at Heraklion Airport; local companies in Chania and Heraklion are often cheaper.

Buses (KTEL Crete): The north coast bus service (Heraklion → Rethymno → Chania) is excellent — frequent, fast, and inexpensive (Heraklion to Chania approximately €14, 3 hours). South coast services are less frequent.

Taxis: Available in all cities. Heraklion Airport to the city centre approximately €15. Heraklion to Chania by taxi approximately €130.

Ferries: Heraklion and Chania both have ports with overnight ferries to Piraeus (Athens) and connections to other Cycladic and Dodecanese islands.

Practical Notes on Crete

Heraklion Airport (HER): The busiest airport in Crete and one of the busiest in Greece — handles both domestic flights (from Athens, Thessaloniki) and direct international charter flights from the UK, Germany, and northern Europe. A second international airport serves Chania (CHQ).

Mobile coverage: Excellent on the north coast and in major towns. The Samaria Gorge and the deep south coast (Sfakia area) have limited or no coverage. Download offline maps before heading into the White Mountains.

Crete in shoulder season: May and October are excellent months for Crete specifically — the island is large enough that the Samaria Gorge, Knossos, and the main cities all remain open and well-serviced, while the beach resorts are quiet.

Book Crete tours, Knossos guided visits, and Samaria Gorge hikes with GetYourGuide.