Crete
Minoan palaces, pink sand beaches, mountain gorges, and tavernas where the raki arrives free at the end of every meal
About Crete
Crete is the largest Greek island and behaves least like one. It has its own mountain range, its own cuisine distinct from mainland Greece, and an attitude toward Athens that ranges from polite indifference to cheerful defiance. The Minoans built Europe's first civilization here 4,000 years ago, the beaches compete with any in the Mediterranean, and the food is the best in Greece at prices that make the mainland look expensive.
The north coast strings together four distinct areas. Heraklion has the airport, the archaeological museum, and Knossos 15 minutes away. Chania in the west has the Venetian harbour, the best restaurant scene on the island, and access to Elafonisi and Balos beaches. Rethymno sits in between with a quieter old town and the closest access to Samaria Gorge. Agios Nikolaos in the east anchors the calmer, resort-oriented side with Spinalonga island and the Lasithi plateau.
The food is reason enough to come. Dakos (the Cretan bruschetta), lamb with stamnagathi (wild greens), and boureki (zucchini-potato pie) cost EUR 8-12 at village tavernas. Raki appears unprompted after every meal, and the waiter will look offended if you try to pay for it.
Cities in this region
4 destinations, each with its own character. Pick one as a base or string them into a route.
Suggested route
Things to do across Crete
24 top experiences across every destination in the region.
Experiences worth booking ahead
Vetted tours and tickets across every destination in the region. The ones worth reserving before you arrive.
Stay in Crete
Real-time pricing across hotels, apartments, and ryokans. Book direct from the map.
5 Days in Crete: Palaces, Gorges & Pink Sand
Five days driving across Crete from Heraklion to Chania. Two nights at each end, one driving day across the north coast with detours to monasteries and mountain villages.
Heraklion: Knossos & the Museum
Arrive Heraklion airport. Drive to Knossos (EUR 15, go before 10 AM to beat cruise ship crowds). Afternoon at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum (EUR 12, the Minoan collection alone takes 2 hours). Evening walk along the harbour walls, dinner at Peskesi (book ahead, Cretan tasting menu EUR 35).
The North Coast Drive
Drive the E75 west. Stop at Fodele (El Greco birthplace village, 30 min detour). Continue to Rethymno old town for lunch (try the Fortezza and the Venetian harbour). Drive to Chania. Check into hotel near the Venetian harbour. Evening walk along the waterfront, dinner at Tamam.
Chania: Old Town & Harbour
Morning at the covered market (agora, olives and cheese tasting). Walk the Venetian harbour to the lighthouse (the best walk on the island). Afternoon in Splantzia quarter (the quiet side of old town). Sunset from Tabakaria (the old tanneries district). Dinner at Glossitses (snail pie and lamb with stamnagathi).
Elafonisi Day Trip
Drive 75 minutes to Elafonisi beach (leave by 8:30 AM, the road is narrow and slow). Pink sand lagoon, shallow water, no facilities worth mentioning. Pack food. Return via Moni Chrysoskalitissas monastery (the golden step monastery, worth the 10 min stop). Back to Chania for dinner.
Morning in Chania, Depart
Morning walk to the market for olive oil and herbs to bring home. Last coffee at the harbour. Drive to Heraklion airport (2.5 hours, allow 3 with traffic). Or fly from Chania airport (20 min from town, fewer connections but no drive back).