Pink beaches, ruins, hiking, and crowd-avoidance.
Crete feels like it ’s bear of many worldly concern . On the one hand , it is inarguablyEuropean — and of course of study , Greekat that . It has sprawl , undeveloped beach and crystallization blue cove , checking all the corner of your Greek fever dream . Cretan cities are mostly of Venetian design , but its story spans Byzantine , Venetian , and Ottoman rule — only since 1913 has it actually been part of Greece .
But if you look alone at the ground itself , you might imagine you ’re in an arid , coastal corner of the Middle East orNorthern Africa — albeit one as fertile as theNile Delta . ( Crete , with its Mediterranean locale , add much of Europe with olive , grapes , cucumbers , tomato plant , zucchini , peppercorn , and more . ) Perhaps it is Crete ’s sheer size that allow it to take on these many faces and tell apart itself from white - painted island likeSantoriniand Mykonos . A visit to those island is complete for the photobooks , but a visit to Crete is good for the story books . Not that there is any dearth of photos to be taken here . Trust us : Crete looks fantastical from every angle .
No two traveller have the same motivation for confabulate Crete . For some , it ’s the Minoan lore — one of Europe ’s oldest major culture established about five millennia ago — and the ruin that come with such a visit . For others , it ’s a chance to chew the fat Greece but forfend the gang of Athens , Santorini , etc . ( while still getting a fair share of feta ) . Across Crete , travelers can hike , sweep , swim , sun , vino , and dine , and even luxuriate at private resort hotel for a fraction of the cost of other Greek terminus . The island ’s tall crown is just 45 minutes by car from its most beautiful beach , and its core aerodrome are an hour or three from most of Europe ’s other capitals .
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So if you want an island escape with historic layer , Crete has that . If you want recreation — from hiking to sailing to snorkeling — Crete has that . If you want vino , Crete has more than 70 family - owned vinery . And if you want uncomparable food … well , you roll in the hay where we ’re going with this . And you know where you ’re move next : Here are some highlight to experience in Crete .
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Best places for first timers to visit in Crete
Without head , the island ’s top holidaymaker attraction is the Minoan metropolis of Knossos . you could visit the archeological site ofKnossos Palacein Heraklion , where it was excavate a century ago . Book aguided tourto cut the lines and have an expert color in all the bloodied , storied chronicle of the spot . In increase to visiting the commode room , make certain you pass by the Minotaur ’s inner ear , to pick up about the animal ’s origin fib . blend a trip to Knossos withHeraklion’sandChania’srespective archeological museums , and you should get a pretty beneficial baseline of Minoan civilisation through artefact like statue , ceramic , jewellery , and more .
The other must is a boat stumble to Spinalonga island in the Elounda Bay , most well reachedfrom Agios Nikolaos , but also manageablefrom Heraklion . This ancient fortress service as a leper dependency from 1903 to 1957 and is now uninhabited . The island also has pebbled beaches , so a sojourn can include both a fortress circuit and some time loosen by its shores .
Where to eat and drink like a local in Crete
This discussion section should be Herculean in size , so let ’s drift on the side of simplicity . Below are some of the most important types of Cretan - specific food you should sample . And look , you may hurl a stone in any corner of the island and set down it in a Grecian salad or souvlaki disk , so you do n’t need our tips for that . Still , we ’ll toss in a few of the unspoilt eateries all overall by region , too .
As for the must - eat Cretan foods , you scram ta start a few meals with dakos , which in execution search like a Grecian salad on soaked , undefended - faced rusk barley bread ( though dakos is often served as a salad with crouton - flair Brussels biscuit cubes ) . It ’s the oregano and capers that elevate it beyond your common Hellenic salad . The next essential is kalitsounia , which are traditional deep-fried appetizer pie . They can be undefendable - faced or enclosed , similar to an empanada , and are typically top or stuffed with Malva sylvestris or prickly-seeded spinach . Try them with honey for a sweet zing .
We dare you to stress chochlioí boumpouristoí , a.k.a . fry snails , which are most popular in summer and well paired with tomatoes and thyme . But the kingpin is antikristo — yes , you take that right . This is a Cretan - style lamb spit - knock over a wire - caged flame . Chase any of it with zoumero , a moist chocolate cake drizzled in syrup and typically served with a grievous bodily harm of vanilla ice emollient , and as you pay the broadsheet , take a tipple of raki . This pomace brandy is made from grape vine and is upwards of 40 % alcohol . Add an enthusiastic cheer ( “ Ya Mas ! ” ) before you throw it back .
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It ’s reductive to suggest that any one Cretan eating house is good than the next , and there is no shortage of options . But in damage of hospitality , ambience , and a cooking stove of offerings , here are the best Cretan picks ( rather than full-strength Greek ) for the core cities .
In Heraklion , putPasiphaeatop your leaning for its traditional Minoan fare . You ’ll find it on the outskirts of town near Knossos . Second to that isPeskesifor locally sourced , photograph - staring disc . In Chania , fancify things withMon . Es ’s minimalist and purist take , or pickKritamonfor its unparalleled Cretan wine pick . As for Rethymno , Taverna Zisisis a generations - one-time family line - stylus taverna , whileTo Parastratimaserves up exquisite Cretan tappa bark . Lastly , in Agios Nikolaos , you ’ve get the best slate of picks at the right prices , starting withGioma Mezewith its gamy - quality sea menu , as well asOfou To Lo , where you’re able to taste the catch of the day while stare out over the sea where it was trance .
Nature and outdoor adventures in Crete
Hike to Zeus’s birthplace or island hop around the island
If you ’ve packed your good flush , then head toSamaria Gorgein southern Chania . The nine - land mile wage increase follows a brook through the forested White Mountains , past farm and trace towns , with breathtaking expansive vista . If you need a less crowded and short hiking distance , take or else theImbros Gorge(four miles ) , which runs parallel to Samaria . For either trek , verify you are hydrated , fed , and stock up with a 24-hour interval ’s Charles Frederick Worth of that same fuel .
esophagus aside , more seasoned hiker might expect to the White Mountains ( Lefka Ori ) themselves for a C - capped victory . And if you like cave ( and Greek lore to boot ) , then visit theCave of Zeus(a.k.a . Psychro Cave / Dikteon Cave ) in Lasithi , which is bruit to be Zeus ’s birthplace . Many of the best beaches are secluded and pair a decent hike with a blue - expanse reward ( see the next section for those ) .
Wine tasting is an ever - pop option in Crete , given the number of home plate - spun vineyards that traverse the island , primarily in Heraklion . For your own Clarence Shepard Day Jr. misstep and tasting tour , considerScalarea Estate(with its ownguest house ) orLyrarakisjust south of there .
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In Crete , island hopping and gliding are also commonly attempt - ought excursions — with sensational beaches ( and activities like snorkeling ) look . Dia Islandis the most unwashed trip from Heraklion , typically visited by catamaran . QuietChrissi Islandis popular from the southerly shore ( starting in Ierapetra ) , or you cansail to secluded beaches , like the popular Balos Lagoon viaKissamosin Chania .
Lounge on pink and white beaches
This is a hot - button topic amongst local anaesthetic and frequent visitant likewise , but westernmost Chania typically gets some of the high mark in the beach section . The pink - sand Elafonisi is more or less the check - upon favorite in the southwest and is many holidaymaker ’ ultimate finish for their halt . Meanwhile Balos Lagoon ( Kissamos ) is adored for its picturesque blanched sand and is much closer to Chania proper in the north . ( Though if you opt out of the ferry route , you ’ll have to make the experience through a driveway / bus - ride and hilly hike . ) Less crowded but of adequate beauty is Gyaliskari in the south of Chania ( in Paleochora ) , since far fewer tourists venture that way .
In Rethymnon , one of the best beaches is Preveli in the due south , where palm groves trace the Kourtaliotis River as it enters the sea . ( Be ready to hike ! ) In Heraklion , head in the south to Agios Nikitas , a privy haven that require a 16 - km driving force off road ( some might want to hire an expert to get there ) . And in Lasithi , Xerokambos ( way of life out east ) and Argilos ( somewhat westward of Xerokampos ) are top grade for their remoteness .
Crete hotels and other great places to stay
One of the best part about confab Crete is that its hotels and haunt be far less than competing islands , but its cordial reception is ever as ardent . For a top - tier city arrest ( with esthetics and location of utmost precedence ) , tryMegaronin Heraklion , Chania Flairin Chania , Pepiin Rethymno , andCasa Portoin Agios Nikolaos .
Now , hear us out : This visit is a terrific chance to abide at anall - inclusive hideaway , too . We ’re not suggest you wing all the way to Crete to not explore the island , but it ’s a great way to either settle in for a twain nights after a long - catch flight of stairs , or to wind down the trip with few logistics ( not to mention , keen Cretan cuisine and private beaches ) . The easiest choice isCretan Malia Parkin Malia . You ’d pay quartette the request Mary Leontyne Price in rivaling islands or getaways , and few restaurants can compete with CMP ’s onsiteMouries , serving up fare peck from the holding ’s own garden , as well as from nearby provider . And did we mention the individual beach ? ( On top of that , it ’s a family - friendly resort , if you ’re travel with kids . )
What to know before you go to Crete
Best times of the year to visit
Consider visiting Crete during the shoulder seasons of March to April or September to October , which land milder temperatures , sodding for explore the island ’s archaeological sites . The acme summer months of May to August volunteer the salutary beach weather , but larger bunch .
Crete’s time zone
Crete fall down under Eastern European Summer Time ( EEST ) . This translate to seven hours forward of New York ’s Eastern Standard Time and 10 60 minutes ahead of California ’s Pacific Standard Time .
The weather and climate
Summer runs from June to September , which is usually ardent , arid , and clear . The hottest month of the class is July , with an median high of 84 degrees and low of 73 degree . wintertime pass from December to March and welcome the showery time of year . The frigid month of the year is February , with an average low of 49 degrees and high of 59 degrees .
Languages
Greek is Crete ’s official lyric , but you ’ll regain that many locals speak English .
How to get around
Crete is divide into four main part , running west to eastward : Chania , Rethymnon , Heraklion , and Lasithi . People tend to stay in the Capital , which are named similarly , except for the last : Chania , Rethymno , Heraklion ( also the Cretan capital letter itself and most populous city ) , and finally , Agios Nikolaos . Locals tend to favor Chania for its flurry and beach , Rethymno for its sweetheart , Heraklion for its account , and Agios Nikolaos for its enchanting off - the - beaten - track expanse . Near Agios Nikolaos is the island ’s most celebrated grand area , too — Elounda ( and the township of Plaka ) , if a subdued but stunning resort is something of interest group .
you’re able to either free-base yourself out of one or two cities and make day stumble excursions from there orrent a carand do a cross - island road trip . The island ’s core cities are largely in the north , each an hour or two from one another , though its southern draw are of equal distance . Despite spanning all four realm , the south find like its own area — almost by innovation , since the north is where most of the hotel - ized tourism exact place . Cretan seem to treasure the south ( and its city of Ierapetra ) for its cosmopolitan seclusion from the masses .
The currency
Crete uses the euro ( EUR ) and each euro is worth 100 cents . As of April 2024 , $ 1 USD exchanges for 0.93 euros .
International adapters you’ll need
Crete uses eitherplug typeC , which is mark by two rounded pivot , side - by - side , or F , which is marked by two rounded pins , side - by - side , with two ground clips above and below .
Pasiphae Greek & Minoan Cuisine
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Cretan Malia Park
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