The Best Things to do in Crete, Greece
Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and one of the more relaxed, easy going and local islands in Greece. Crete is very mountainous, so is home to some awesome gorges, valleys and mountain scenery, but it also has some amazing beaches with beautiful clear, turquoise seas and soft golden sand.
We spent 7 days in Crete in September 2024, to end off our travels around Greece, but you can definitely fit the best of the island into 5 full days, if you have a limited amount of time. I would highly recommend adding Crete to your Greece holiday itinerary to experience more of an authentic local Greek Island experience than you may get on more touristic islands like Santorini or Mykonos.
This post will guide you on exactly what you need to see, eat and experience during your time in Crete, and I hope it will inspire you to include this beautiful island on your next trip to Greece.
Where to Stay
The most popular area to stay in Crete is Chania, however this town isn’t very centrally located, and accommodation in Chania can be quite expensive. For a more central and affordable stay, I would recommend booking accommodation in Rethymno.
Rethymno has a similar look and feel to Chania, but is smaller and more local. The Venetian-Ottoman harbour town of Rethymno has a beautiful historic old town as well as some really lovely, long sandy beaches, and sits along the Northen coast of Crete, between Chania and Heraklion. Both the airport and ferry port for the island of Crete are located in Heraklion, and with Rethymno being only an hour away, it’s the perfect area to base yourself while you’re in Crete.
Here are some highly rated accommodation options in Rethymno:
The Best Things to Do in Crete
1. Explore the Venetian Harbours of Rethymno and Chania
The charming and well-preserved Venetian harbours of Rethymno and Chania are both well-worth the visit. There is a bus service that runs between the two towns. It is a long journey of over an hour, but if you schedule in a whole day for exploring, you should be able to do both in the same day. Plus, if your accommodation is in Rethymno, you can always use your evenings to wander through the old town and explore some more.
Chania is a beautiful and historic city that is well-known for the 14th century Venetian harbour that hugs the old town. The old town buildings are painted in vibrant mediterranean colours and the cobbled streets are lined with markets, tavernas and shops. Enjoy lunch at one of the many sea-front restaurants and soak up the views across the water. There are no beaches in Chania, which is another reason why Rethymno is the better option as a base for your holiday in Crete.
Rethymno offers a blend of history, culture and beautiful local beaches. The old town is vibey and filled with tavernas and boutique shops, but if you go a bit more into the city you’ll find friendly local restaurants and cafes that will make you feel very at home. The harbour is 16th-century and has a picturesque lighthouse attached to it. We loved our stay in Rethymno and really enjoyed the relaxed vibes and beaches in this part of Crete.
2. Spend the Day Hiking at the Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge is an incredible 10-mile-long canyon, located in Samaria National Park, near the South coast of Crete. The National Park is a 2-hour drive from Rethymno, so make sure to clear a whole day to spend here, as the hike through the gorge will take between 6-8 hours.
The hike is steep and rocky for the first 3km, but is then followed by a long, flat walk. This hike does require a good fitness level and proper hiking shoes, so keep this in mind before taking it on. The trail is open from May to October and the entrance fee is currently 5 Euros per person.
It is best to get here as early as you can and pack some food and water, as there is no food for sale until you reach the end of the trail. If you’re up for it, the hike through the Samaria Gorge is one of the best things to do in Crete and will take your breath away with the amazing views and at the end of it, you’ll be spoilt with a beautiful swimming spot and the perfect place to have a picnic under the canopy of trees, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
3. Hire a scooter or Book a Tour to Balos and Falassarna Beaches
Crete is known for having some of the most amazing crystal clear, turquoise sea water found on any of the Greek Islands. Both Balos and Falassarna are two of the highest rated beaches found along the coast of Crete, both with soft, white beach sand and clear, crystal blue water perfect for spending the day swimming, snorkelling and relaxing under the Greek sunshine.
From Rethymno, you can either arrange to be picked up by a tour guide for a stress-free beach day out at Falassarna or Balos, or you can pay to rent a scooter for the day and drive along the coastal roads to be able to visit both beaches for a more adventurous day.
Falassarna beach is made up of five consecutive stretches of beach, the main one being Pachia Ammos, making it big enough to not feel overcrowded. It’s perfect for surfing, snorkelling and touring the nearby ancient Falassarna Roman ruins. The best sunsets on Crete can be experienced from this beautiful beach.
Balos beach is a beautiful, crystal-clear lagoon with white and slightly pink tinted beach sand. It is located about 20 minutes away from Falassarna and has calm, warm water great for snorkelling. This beach is a bit less developed and does require some hiking from the parking area to get down to the beach, unless you are arriving by boat. This tour on GetYourGuide is perfect, as you’ll be arriving at Balos beach by boat.
4. The Palace of Knossos in Heraklion
Knossos Palace is located 5km out of Heraklion, and is a prominent Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. The palace was built in 1900BC, and rebuilt again after multiple earthquakes in the area. Knossos Palace is associated with the myth of King Minos, as well as the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, and historically served as the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization.
As you explore the ancient ruins and learn about the history of the site, you’ll be transported back in time, imagining how the prehistoric civilization lived their daily lives. The throne room is particularly beautiful, with frescoes that have survived thousands of years. It’s best to visit Knossos Palace in the early morning or evening, to avoid the crowds and the heat of the Greek sunshine. It will take around one to two hours to explore the site and since it’s so close to Heraklion, you can schedule in a visit here on your way back to the airport. This Knossos Palace tour on GetYourGuide includes pick up from your hotel and a guided tour of The Palace of Knossos and comes highly recommended.
What to Eat and Where
Traditional Greek Taverna Meals
Traditional Greek taverna meals include heart-warming moussaka, refreshing Greek salad (you know a Greek salad is made right when there isn’t any lettuce in it), slow-cooked lamb and fresh fish caught locally that same day. Good Greek food is always fresh, full of flavour and makes you feel right at home. We had a wonderful traditional Greek meal that was fresh and delicious at Aris Marie in Rethymno. This taverna and guest accommodation has been run by the same family for many generations and the owners made us feel like part of the family with their warm hospitality.
Souvlaki and Gyros
You can’t visit Greece without trying out the local souvlaki and gyros. Meat is a big part of the food scene in Greece. Souvlaki is basically Greek meat on a stick, but the meat is marinated and grilled to perfection. Greek Gyros is meat that is slowly marinated and cooked on a rotisserie. Both gyros and souvlaki are served with a side of soft, home-made pita breads, tzatziki and fresh salad, including some of the most flavourful tomatoes I’ve ever tasted. Kandaulos was our daily gyros spot in Rethymno and they never failed to disappoint on the incredibly tasty meat, or the super friendly service!
Bougatsa and Baklava
Two of the best desserts in Greece have to be baklava and bougatsa. In fact, I would travel to Greece just to have a bougatsa if I could! Baklava is a traditional Greek dessert made up of many layers of light, crunchy pastry, all soaked in a delicious and sweet syrup. The pastry is also filled with chopped nuts, which makes it even better. There is a debate on whether baklava originates in Turkey or Greece, but it’s super yummy in both countries! Bougatsa is my ultimate Greek dessert, with its buttery and flaky pastry filled with creamy custard and light dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar, I definitely recommend you give this indulgent Greek treat a try during your time in Crete! Most bakeries will have baklava and bougatsa freshly made!
Greece is well-known for it’s delicious food and Crete serves it with a smile and a friendly Kalimera!
Crete is a beautiful Greek Island that comes with less crowds and more local experiences than some of the other islands, and is definitely worth a visit. With gorgeous turquoise sea water, soft, sandy beaches, and mountain peaks across the island, historical architecture, friendly locals and delicious food, Crete is extremely underrated and is a place that’s full of adventure. My husband and I loved our time here, relaxing on the beautiful beaches and enjoying fresh and tasty food in the Greek sunshine. We met so many friendly locals that were welcoming and always had time for a chat. Our time on the island really made us feel at home. If you’re planning on visiting Greece and doing some island hopping, I hope this blog post has inspired you to really consider including Crete as a part of your Greek vacation!
