Greece: travel guide to Crete | Itineraries and Highlights

Crete is an ultimate sun destination. We made this wonderful trip in 2019. You will discover still wild nature, beautiful beaches, charming towns and villages.

You’ll appreciate the friendliness of the Greeks, their history with the presence of archaeological sites, their culture for wine and olive oil, and their cuisine made with simple, fresh ingredients.

Don’t be surprised if restaurant service is slow: it’s part of the local culture! Be patient, enjoy and let yourself be tempted at the end of the meal by a glass of raki!

The landscapes of Crete are enchanted by the multitude of olive trees. Cicadas are ubiquitous and wild goats are regularly encountered on the roads.

Nicknamed Little Venice, we come here for a drink, to enjoy the sunsets over the port, to get lost in the alleys and its shops, to taste the different cuisines. There’s no shortage of choice!

The city of Rethymnon is very friendly. We loved walking around. Again, the same little tourist stores, but the town has a lot of charm.

You’ll enjoy wandering through the less commercial parts of the town, discovering lovely little streets with traditional Turkish wooden balconies.

You can visit the Fortezza citadel that dominates the city and protected the inhabitants of the Ottomans.

Close to Rethymnon, we suggest a visit to a sanctuary, the Arkady monastery where the resistance against the Ottoman occupation has settled. Ideally, you should be accompanied by a guide.

Lake Kournas is a unique freshwater lake in Crete. There is plenty of free parking all around.

Cretans love to relax, swim, pedal-boat and picnic here. You can spot turtles, geese and ducks.

Several restaurants and craft stores have taken advantage of the opportunity to set up shop in the area.

The island boasts several magnificent beaches. The best known are Elafonissi, the lagoon of Balos and Falassarna. At the opposite extreme to the east, you’ll find wild beaches: access is generally well signposted and parking is available. We detail them below in the family section.

However, not all beaches are easy to access (Balos lagoon and Seitan Limania beach), so be careful if you’re with children!

A very touristy town that lacks a little authenticity. It’s a pleasant place to stroll, whether to the pedestrian street or around the natural lake. But you’ll soon get the hang of it.

As for bars and restaurants, there is no shortage of choice. Stop at the statue of Zeus at the end of the pier!

The Venetians originally built a fortress on the island of Spinalonga in 1579, opposite the town of Elounda, to protect Crete from Turkish forces.

From 1904, the island became known as Leper Island. Anyone carrying leprosy was deported to the fort, as the cretans thought the disease was highly contagious.

Spinalonga has a nice little waterfront with restaurants that are by the waterfront offering daily fishing.

British author Victoria Hislop wrote the book “The Island of the Forgotten”, which traces the tragic life of a family affected by leprosy.

Want to find out more? This private day trip to Spinalonga and Eloundanear the Roman town of Olous.

At Spelios, we shake your hand when you arrive! The place is crowded, no mistake, this is the place to be.

After a day on the beach, there’s nothing better than a beautiful terrace to admire the sunset, accompanied by a glass of wine.

Enjoy a delicious moussaka (the best we’ve ever had in our lives, that’s for sure!), or let yourself be tempted by grilled meats, octopus or shrimp saganaki!

The Corinna Star restaurant has a terrace overlooking a beautiful pool and the sea, perfect for admiring the sunset as you dine.

Very good food. Several menus on offer. Beautiful flavours. A very good Greek salad, a delicious tuna. We loved it!

Mon.Es is a restaurant tucked away in an alleyway in Chania, very friendly, in a magnificent setting. Delicious food, refined dishes, we really appreciated the service! We recommend it.

Visit the toilets and you’ll feel dizzy with the archaeological remains under your feet!

Meltemi is a bar and restaurant. We suggest you stop off here for a refreshment and, above all, to admire the breathtaking view!

If you’re a keen hiker or climber, you’ll find all the information you need on the website of the Association of Mountaineering Clubs of Chania. Between canyoning, climbing and trekking, you’ll find plenty to please you.

We suggest a visit to the Samaria GorgeThese well-developed gorges are popular with hikers (16 km), so start early in the morning.

Rendezvous at Omalos or Sougia. Ask about taking the morning ferry to Agia Roumeli.

For the sporty, explore picturesque landscapes on a quad safari, book a Jeep tour through eastern Crete or the southern canyons and reconnect with nature on horseback.

For wine lovers, a visit to a vineyard such as Klados, Douloufakis or Manousakis is a must.

For the most gourmet,we suggest you visit an olive oil factory. Why not visit Astrikas or Vassilakis: a culinary voyage combining olives, wine and raki is a must!

Want to cook like a Cretan? Don’t hesitate to take a cooking class to become an expert.

Finally, a sailing excursion, whether for the day or to watch the sun set.

Ideally, we suggest you get to the main beaches early in the morning or late in the afternoon, to avoid the large influx of tourists during the summer season. On each, Transats and umbrellas are available.

After 1 h of winding, narrow roads, which can be done very well in a small car if you’re coming from the north, you’ll be on the protected beach of Elafonissi, listed in the Natura 2000 network.

Ample parking is available along the entire length of the site, and we’ll tell you where to park.

The sandy beach is very large and very busy. Some places have pebbles. Sand can become pink in places due to shell debris.

With an average depth of one metre over long distances, it’s perfect for families with children. The water is very clear.

Too many people on Elafonissi beach? Located about ten minutes away, this wild, well-hidden beach is very beautiful with its junipers. Perfect for snorkeling!

Located to the north-west, this beach is more pleasant, longer, with more waves, less clear and deeper, but less windy than the previous one.

You’ll have to drive 7 km of dirt road at 20 km/h to get to Balos lagoon! With an ounce of hope, try to make your way to the main parking lot to find a spot.

The rest is done on foot. A beautiful 2 km “hike” made up of ascents and descents on steep paths, carved out by the footsteps of tourists.

Beautiful views of the lagoon! You’ll be amazed by this stretch of turquoise water protected by rocks.

A few large tourist boats drop the plagists in the distance during this time.

The right-hand side is busier, of course, thanks to its clear water and fine sand, and the tourists who drop off nearby by boat. Prefer the left side if you want more tranquility even if it can be a little more rocky.

On the way back, a surprise may be waiting for you on the roof of your car: there are plenty of friendly goats around!

The Heraklion Museum of Natural History is not very big, but very nice. It appeals to younger visitors with its interactive features.

The Aquaworld Aquarium located at the port of Hersonissos is a children’s paradise. It is also a care center for injured and orphaned reptiles. You can interact with the animals in the center

Need to keep your kids cool and busy? The Limnoupolis water park is 15 minutes from the center of Chania.

For our part, we took Easyjet from Nice to Chania, a 2.5-hour flight.

There are two Marriott Bonvoy credit cards issued by American Express, which allow you to quickly accumulate a large number of Marriott Bonvoy points. Thanks to these cards, you can enjoy several free nights.

We stayed at Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection and Domes Noruz Chania, Autograph Collection.

Here are our reviews of these establishments:

At independent hotels, travel credit card points can also be used to save on reservations.

They’ll add up quickly with your day-to-day spending and welcome bonuses when you open a new credit card. You could opt for the National Bank World Elite Mastercard^®, which offers excellent insurance coverage.

Speed cameras are present and the police are rare, but present to have seen them in action, so take care and respect the limits.

Other ways to travel for long distances, the bus. I recommend the ktel company (central and eastern region) or this ktel website (western region).

In the city, we recommend taxis, and make sure their taximeter is activated.

Various ferry connections (with the option of taking the car on board) are available between villages such as Paleochora and Agia Roumeli. However, it is important to check the weather conditions and timetable on the day itself.

We recommend the gtp|Ferry Connections website, to see all the ferry connections and timetables on the Greek islands, and the Anendyk website.

As a family,the stroller will only be useful in the city. Away from home, you’ll be more comfortable with a baby carrier or children on your shoulders, as the roads and paths are not suitable, especially if you’re a fan of archaeological sites!

You’ll find plenty of mini/super markets, petrol stations and chemists with late opening hours. Choices are sometimes limited in small boutiques, but the main items are there, so don’t worry!

Crete is a destination where the weather is good all year round, with mild temperatures in winter. To visit, we suggest the period from April to mid-October, and avoid July-August when attendance, prices and heat are at their peak.

Ulysses Travel Guides has an extensive collection of books on this destination:

We recommend that you complete the registration form for Canadians abroad on the Government of Canada website to be notified of any events, civil disturbances or natural disasters during your travels abroad.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take a look at theCrete Tourist Board website. The site provides a map with all points of interest, all the information is there.

It is recommended to have up-to-date vaccines and a list of your drug profile in case of a problem, with a copy of your prescriptions for opioid-containing treatments.

Many pharmacies are present, you will have no trouble finding one.

This geographical area does not present a risk of unsanitary conditions, conventional hygiene rules apply and tap water is safe to drink.

Long clothes and high-boots are recommended for hikers due to the presence of snakes that can be dangerous on the island.

You should allow around two weeks to visit the island of Crete. One week on the west coast, with its famous beaches, and another week in the wilder, more authentic east. We therefore suggest a minimum stay of one week to discover part of it!