Crete Travel Guide
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If there was one word to describe the Greek island of Crete, it would be "diverse." Sandy beaches hide among soaring mountains, palm tree forests grow in the middle of sprawling plains, bustling modern cities share coastlines with centuries-old structures. And speaking of cities — in Crete, they reflect the people that came before. The streets are lined with architecture mirroring the styles of the Minoans, the Venetians and the Ottomans, as well as contemporary Greeks. Despite the visible contradictions, this island maintains a sense of unity, felt whenever you step onto the street, dine at a local taverna, or love a glass of raki at a sidewalk café.
Crete’s practices are as assorted as its history, so take some time to determine what type of vacation you’re looking to have before you set anything in stone. For an urban setting with a multitude of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, consider staying along the northern coast in Chania or Heraklion. Those who choose the good outdoors should head to Rethymnon or Agios Nikolaos for the many beautiful beaches.
Photos
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- /quality/85/?url=/static-travel/pics/destinations/100/154602043.jpg" title="Agios Nikolaos" />
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Rankings
The U.S. News & World Report travel rankings are based on analysis of pro and user opinions. Read more about how we rank vacation destinations.
Crete is ranked as:
- #Five in Best Honeymoon Destinations in Europe
- #11 in Best Islands in the World
Best of Crete
Crete
Best Things to Do
Find out which sites and activities not to miss
Best Hotels
See the highest rated hotels in Crete
Crete
Journey Advisor Travelor Rating
Best Things to Do in Crete
- #1Rethymnon Old Town
- #TwoVai Beach (Palm Beach)
- #ThreeElafonisi Beach
See the total rankings list
Best Hotels in Crete
- #1Casa Delfino Hotel & Spa
- #TwoBlue Palace, a Luxury Collection Resort and Spa, Crete
- #ThreeAtlantica Kalliston Resort and Spa
See the utter rankings list
Crete Travel Tips
Best Months to Visit
U.S. News editors analyzed weather and price trends to recommend the top times to visit.
What You Need to Know
- Plan ahead Crete is larger than its fellow Greek islands, so you could waste a lot of time traveling from site to site. Create an itinerary before you head out to make sure you budget enough time to do and see everything on your list.
- Drive very cautiously Aside from the island’s main highway, many roads outside of the big cities, especially in the rural areas are underdeveloped or poorly marked.
- Bring a switch of clothes It’s significant to dress appropriately at the religious sites: long pants and skirts, and shirts that cover your shoulders and chest. If you’re bouncing inbetween the beach and the sites, pack an extra pair of clothing.
How to Save Money in Crete
- Bring your own toiletries Shampoo, toothpaste, suntan lotion … all of these things cost more in Crete than they do in the U.S. And as long as they’re not in your carry-on, you’ll have no trouble getting them from point A to point B.
- Eat like a local When it comes to dining on a dime, you can’t go wrong with a taverna. These unpretentious eateries serve up all the Greek favorites for a fraction of the cost of a fine restaurant.
- Determine your route in advance Gas prices tend to be high in Crete. If you’re renting a car, avoid excess fuel use by mapping out your route and your itinerary.
Culture & Customs
Greeks are known for their hospitality and Crete is regarded as a friendly tourist destination. However, understanding Greek etiquette will help you interact and blend in with the locals.
Understanding assets language is key. Be aware of your gestures; for example, the mitt signal for "OK" using the thumb and index finger, is offensive in Greece. Greeks indicate "yes" (a slight downward nod ) or "no" (a slight upward nod ) differently than Americans.
Because of Crete’s warm climate, cut-offs and T-shirts are acceptable when walking around the cities or the beaches. However, if you are planning to visit any religious sites, make sure to dress more conservatively in long pants or skirts, and shirts that cover the shoulders and the chest area. You should dress more formally when dining at restaurants as Greeks tend to get dressed up when they go out.
Cretan restaurants are used to serving foreigners and generally accept most major credit cards. However, Cretans themselves generally pay in cash (the official currency of Greece is the euro). Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Like residents of many other countries in Europe, Greeks don’t tend to peak, so you don’t have to either. Service charges are often added to restaurant bills, but if you want to give something extra, a ten percent peak is sufficient.
What to Eat
Don’t expect any Caesar salads here — Cretan cuisine bears very little resemblance to Olive Garden. In fact, food on Crete often doesn’t even resemble food on mainland Greece. Feta, a Greek staple cheese, isn’t produced or popular on Crete. Instead, look for graviera, a hard cheese (similar to Swiss gruyere) aged in caves in the White Mountains. The soft, ricotta-like mizithra is also a Cretan mainstay.
It’s hard to go wrong with a meal at a local taverna. Because of its proximity to the sea, Crete’s most traditional dishes contain snails ; they may look alien, but eating them will build up you some serious Cretan cred . However, if griddled gastropods don’t make your mouth water, don’t worry: You will find some less adventurous dishes like souvlaki and rice pilaf. Another quintessentially Cretan dish is dakos, a twice-baked hard bread sprinkled with tomato, cheese, oregano and olive oil. If you’re feeling lost when it comes to finding a truly authentic taverna, just ask a resident; Cretans are known for being friendly and helpful to tourists. Travelers suggest the Ferryman Taverna and Lotus Eaters, both located in the northeast town of Elounda, for an excellent dinner practice.
One final note: You’re in Crete. Don’t even attempt to avoid the olive oil. Home to more than 1.Five million olive trees, Crete is famous for producing olive oil and it’s a staple ingredient in most dishes. Even desserts contain olive oil : loukoumades, similar to doughnut slots, are deep-fried in the stuff. Wash ’em down with some raki, an alcoholic beverage distilled from leftover wine grapes.
Safety
Crete is renowned for its safety, however, one safety concern of note is for those who determine to rent a car. Aside from the main highway that runs through the main cities in Crete’s northern coast, the more rural mountainous areas can be a challenge for drivers, as many of those roads are underdeveloped and, in some cases, lack decent signage. Cretans strongly advise driving very cautiously through these areas and asking locals for the best way to navigate.
