Greece
Crete
Crete is less an island than a small country: snow-capped mountains, deep gorges, Venetian harbours, Minoan palaces and a food culture that the rest of Greece envies. Give it at least a week, ideally two.
Why go
Nowhere in Greece offers more variety. Mornings at Knossos or in Heraklion's superb Archaeological Museum, afternoons on beaches such as Balos and Elafonisi, evenings in Chania's lantern-lit old harbour, and days in mountain villages where lunch is whatever the garden produced that morning.
The island at a glance
The west, around Chania and Rethymno, has Venetian towns, the White Mountains and the wildest beaches. The centre holds Heraklion, Knossos and the wine villages south of the city. The east, around Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, is gentler, with sheltered bays and upmarket resorts. The south coast, facing Libya, is remote, hot and beautifully quiet.
Best for
History, everyday food, walking and long stays. Crete is our pick for anyone who wants to combine culture and the outdoors, and for a winter or shoulder-season escape, because the season runs longer here than on almost any other island.
Eat and drink
Cretan cooking is built on olive oil, wild greens, cheese and slow-cooked lamb and goat. Order dakos, the barley-rusk salad with tomato and mizithra cheese, plates of horta, snails and graviera, and finish with a glass of raki, which arrives whether you ask for it or not. Crete also has its own grapes: try Vidiano and Vilana whites and Liatiko and Kotsifali reds from the wineries around Peza and Archanes.
When to go
April to June and September to October. Spring brings wildflowers and green hills; autumn brings warm seas and harvest. July and August are hot and busy on the north coast. The Samaria Gorge normally opens from May to October, depending on conditions, and it opened on 19 May in 2026 after a weather-related delay.
Getting there
Direct flights from the UK to Heraklion and Chania run from spring to autumn, with year-round connections via Athens. Overnight and daytime ferries also link Piraeus with both cities.
Where to stay
Split your time: a few nights in a restored Venetian townhouse in Chania or Rethymno, then a rural estate or village guesthouse in the mountains or on the south coast. For a beach base with polish, look at Elounda.
Don't miss
The Palace of Knossos, ideally first thing in the morning; the Heraklion Archaeological Museum; walking the 16-kilometre Samaria Gorge down to the Libyan Sea; sunset over Chania's lighthouse; a long lunch in a mountain village.
Questions
How many days do you need in Crete?
At least a week for one half of the island; two weeks to see both east and west without rushing.
When is the Samaria Gorge open?
Normally from May to October, weather permitting. In 2026 it opened on 19 May.
Do I need a car in Crete?
Yes, if you want to reach the villages, gorges and south-coast beaches. Buses link the main towns.
Is Crete good in winter?
It is mild on the coast and quiet, with snow on the mountains. Many beach resorts close, but the towns stay lively.
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