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Insider tips before your trip to Crete

Jul 10, 2022 • 5 min read

Visiting Crete is a pleasure – and even easier by familiarizing yourself with a few simple tips © alexandros petrakis / Shutterstock

Crete is easy. There’s little you need to do to prepare for your trip to this glorious Greek island beyond making a few advance bookings. Packing is simple – and if you forget something, you can buy it there.

The island is safe. The local economy counts on tourists, and the Cretans – like most Greeks – are friendly and welcoming. In any business where tourists turn up (which even includes tiny family-run eateries high in the hills), someone will speak English. A little common sense and politeness will go a long way as you navigate the etiquette of the place.

Here’s all you need to know before you take your trip to Crete. (Lucky you.) 

Reserve your rooms and rental cars (well) in advance

As travelers continue to make up for missed trips during the pandemic, Crete is a favorite destination. From April to October, the best places to stay at all price levels book up early. Don’t wait, expecting prices to fall. They won’t.

This is even more true for rental cars, thanks to the global car shortage. If you’re driving the entire time you’re on the island, shop around and reserve the best deal you can find. One exception: if you’ll just be hiring a car for the occasional day trip, you can wait until you’re on the island and then arrange for a day rental with a local outfit. (Keep in mind that this may be a friend of the hotel owner with a fleet of three Fiats.)

Know your season – and layer up

Images of sun-drenched beaches and balmy nights in cafes underpin Cretan tourism cliches. But outside of summer, it’s not always warm. Winter can be blustery, chilly and wet. Nights outside of July and August can be brisk. Bring layers.

Bring some cash

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted for purchases large and small, and ATMs are common on Crete. But you might encounter offline machines or cash-only vendors, so we recommend carrying about €200 in cash in various smaller-euro denominations. Don’t be that person who hands the elderly ex-fisherman running the beach ferry a €50 note for a €5 fare.

Fill your phone with maps before you take the wheel

Many mapping apps allow you to download data in advance that you can then use for navigation when your phone is offline. This can be a lifeline when you’re at the junction of two unmarked roads deep in the mountains and you don’t know which way to turn.

Cover up in churches

Letting it (almost) all hang out is fine on many beaches (there are a few completely nude ones on the island) but when you’re stopping into Crete’s many historic, incense-filled churches, show some respect. Cover your shoulders, have shorts or a skirt that goes below the knees, and don’t enter barefoot.

Stay coolly stylish at night

Balmy nights call for airy, floaty duds – yet don’t expect to get into that cool cafe, top restaurant or heaving club with a singlet and short shorts. Longer shorts and dresses are good almost anywhere at night; a crisp designer T-shirt or something with a collar will work for men.

Cretans rarely go naked or topless on the beach

Island residents fully expect the clothes to fall away from their beach-loving visitors. Yet you should still exercise some discretion. Near town centers and along beach promenades, polite exposure maintains a shred of modesty. Elsewhere, women often go topless and designated nude areas abound. When in doubt, check out the prevailing fashion around you (or lack thereof).

Expect long and languid dinners

Crete has some of the best food in Mediterranean Europe . Meals are an event  – and can extend over two or more very enjoyable hours. Friends share dishes large and small, which are served to the entire table, family style. On a busy summer evening, restaurants can get slammed and courses may meander out of the kitchen only after long gaps. Trying to hurry things along is bad form and the antithesis of a lovely, relaxed night out.

In contrast, lunch can be enjoyed fairly quickly at a cafe or savored for much longer, especially at a seaside taverna, where a shady table and fresh seafood meal is the ideal antidote to the scorchingly hot midday sun.

Be sure to tip – but don’t overtip

As an island with a huge tourism industry, Crete has more of a tipping culture than more un-touristed parts of Greece. In restaurants and cafes, 5% is a good median amount, with 10% very generous. Locals will round up to an even number in a restaurant (eg leave €35 for a tab of €33) or leave small change in a cafe.

Leaving some euros for your room cleaner is always appreciated. If someone helps you with your bags, €1 to €3 per bag is appropriate – unless it’s a taxi driver, in which case the bag handling fee is added to the fare. You only need to tip a taxi driver a couple of euros at most.

Pay the asked price

Outside of open-air markets, bargaining over prices is not the norm in Crete. Expect to pay the marked price in shops and galleries.

Feel free to drink the water

Tap water in Crete is safe to drink. Remember to refill your water bottles whenever you can, as it gets very hot in summer. You’ll need plenty of hydration for the beach, hiking trails, bus and car rides, and more.

Don’t stress about crime

Crete is a safe place to travel and you shouldn’t lose sleep over the risk of crime. As anywhere, though, common sense should always prevail: lock your doors, don’t leave valuables in the rental car and never leave your phone or other treasures unattended on the beach or at the cafe.

Frustrate the mosquitos

Mosquitos buzz about ceaselessly at dusk. If you like anti-bug sprays or balms, bring them with you – repellants can be surprisingly tough to find on Crete. Mosquito coils are widely available, as well as electric gizmos that plug into the wall of hotel rooms. But the efficacy of these methods is variable at best.

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Lonely Planet's  Crete  is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the region has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Swim in Elafonisi Beach's sparkling waters, gaze in wonder at the Palace of Knossos and stroll through Hania's idyllic old town; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside  Lonely Planet's  Crete  Travel Guide:  

Lonely Planet's Top Picks  - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries  help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests Local insights  give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking  -  get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

Toolkit  - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel

Colour maps  and images throughout Language  - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips  to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Covers  Hania, Sfakia, Lefka Ori, Rethymno, Mt Psiloritis, Iraklio, Lasithi and more!

ISBN: 9781788687959

Edition: 8th

Publication Date: June 2023

Ver Berkmoes, Ryan

Schulte-Peevers, Andrea

256 pages,35 maps | Dimensions: 128mm width × 197mm height

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Crete 5 (Lonely Planet) Paperback – March 1, 2012

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This Lonely Planet guide is packed full of updated and new information, maps and on-the-ground tips that will make your trip to this peaceful island the best it can be! 3 dedicated authors, 18 ancient Minoan ruins, 21 gorges and hiking trails, 113 fantastic beaches Inspirational photos and clear, easy-to-use maps Comprehensive planning tools and in-depth background At-a-glance practical info Coverage includes: Planning chapters, Hania, Rethymno, Iraklio, Lasithi, Understand & Survival chapters

• Print length 288 pages
• Language English
• Publisher GeoPlaneta
• Publication date March 1, 2012
• Dimensions 5.16 x 0.71 x 7.76 inches
• ISBN-10 1741792320
• ISBN-13 978-1741792324
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ GeoPlaneta; 5th edition (March 1, 2012)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1741792320
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1741792324
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.16 x 0.71 x 7.76 inches
• #144 in Crete Travel Guides
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With over 150 million guidebooks in print, Lonely Planet is a trusted source for any traveler. Since our inception in 1973, we've inspired generations of travelers to discover amazing places and enabled curious travelers to get off the beaten paths to appreciate different cultures and become agents of positive change.

Chris Deliso

An American professional writer based in Europe, Chris Deliso has authored and c0-authored many books in travel, history, culture and current events, mostly on Southeast Europe since 2002. Get his latest essays on travel and history, as well as short fiction works, by signing up for his Substack newsletter, the Traveller's Literary Supplicant (https://christopherdeliso.substack.com). And, for a full list of past articles and books visit his official website (www.christopherdeliso.com). Chris is currently working on a collection of detective fiction set in contemporary Greece, Turkey and the Balkans- a new literary adventure that draws on his rich past experience in academia, journalism, travel writing, political risk consulting and public speaking on current events.

Chris Deliso holds an MPhil with Honours in Byzantine Studies (Oxford University, 1999). He is the co-author of over 20 Lonely Planet travel guides, and also served as Macedonia country analyst for 13 years for the Economist Intelligence Unit, while also writing geopolitical analysis on two separate occasions for the Jane's group. He has contributed widely to major global media, ranging from major airline magazines to BBC Travel, CNN Travel, History Today Magazine, National Geographic Traveller UK and many newspapers and websites. He has published scholarly book reviews in journals like the US Naval War College Review, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, the Royal United Services Institute's RUSI Journal, Bulletin of British Byzantine Studies and more.

Chris Deliso's wide range of interests also include Irish literature (and particularly, the study of works by Flann O'Brien/Brian O'Nolan), swimming, poetry and music.

Andrea Schulte-Peevers

Andrea Schulte-Peevers has been a professional travel journalist and photographer for over 20 years. Her destination expertise is especially strong when it comes to Berlin, Germany in general, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates, the Greek island of Crete, and various Caribbean islands. Andrea has had a curiosity for other cultures and people for as long as she can remember. Despite a passion for her German home town, she packed her bags right after school, decamping first to London, then to Los Angeles, where she haunted the hallowed halls of UCLA in pursuit of a degree in English literature. Equipped with such credentials, she fearlessly embarked on a career in journalism, soon getting tapped by Lonely Planet for her Germany expertise.

Andrea has traveled the distance to the moon and back in her visits to some 75 countries. In the process she has authored or contributed to well over 150 Lonely Planet titles as well as to other guides, newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. Among her favorite memories are swimming with sharks in the Galapagos, eating lobster in a rain storm on a deserted Australian island and greeting the new millennium in a village in Andalucia.

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Lonely Planet Crete: Perfect for exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled (Travel Guide) Paperback – 9 Jun. 2023

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Lonely Planet's Crete is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the region has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences. Swim in Elafonisi Beach's sparkling waters, gaze in wonder at the Palace of Knossos and stroll through Hania's idyllic old town; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside Lonely Planet's Crete Travel Guide:

Lonely Planet's Top Picks - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests Local insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking - get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

Toolkit - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel

Colour maps and images throughout Language - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Covers Hania, Sfakia, Lefka Ori, Rethymno, Mt Psiloritis, Iraklio, Lasithi and more!

About Lonely Planet:

Lonely Planet, a Red Ventures Company, is the world's number one travel guidebook brand. Providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, Lonely Planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. Visit us at lonelyplanet.com and join our community of followers on Facebook (facebook.com/lonelyplanet), Twitter (@lonelyplanet), Instagram (instagram.com/lonelyplanet), and TikTok (@lonelyplanet).

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• Print length 256 pages
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• Publisher Lonely Planet
• Publication date 9 Jun. 2023
• Dimensions 12.83 x 1.59 x 19.69 cm
• ISBN-10 1788687957
• ISBN-13 978-1788687959
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lonely Planet; 8th edition (9 Jun. 2023)
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• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1788687957
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Things To Do In Crete (Greece Travel)

• by Jonny Duncan
• April 20, 2022 December 16, 2023

The Greek Island of Crete is a great place to explore staying within a fairly reasonable budget and without leaving the European comfort zone.  

Crete is a large island with a varied landscape ranging from high mountain peaks to deep, stunning gorges, and some of the most beautiful beaches on earth.

Such a vast landscape allows for incredible adventures and there are a lot of things to do in Crete. 

The island has a fascinating century-long history that sees many different civilizations battling for and conquering this rich land strategically located in the centre of the Mediterranean.  

As a result, Crete is also home to old towns with eclectic architectural traits and some of the best dishes you could ever try, combining magnificent Middle Eastern flavours and locally sourced fresh products.

This Crete destination guide will help you plan a basic itinerary on the island with a length that you can adjust according to your interests and available time.

Trust me, the more you explore, the more you will want to extend your stay!

Before visiting Crete be sure to have a read of some of the best books about Greece to get in the mood.

Things To Do In Crete

Crete overview.

The island has often been described as a universe on its own.

You can go from the exotic beaches on the West coast to hiking one of Europe’s largest ravines, the Samaria Gorge, in a question of hours.

Or you could even sail to the small island of Gavdos on the southern coast of Crete and be back after a day or two to explore the lonely, wild East coast of the island.

On the northern coast of the island, four different main cities with touristic attractions, interesting museums and some of the oldest archaeological settlements dating back to the Bronze Age, a period when the Minoan civilization strived on the island and the whole Mediterranean sea.

Include some unique remote monasteries, abandoned castles and the legendary hospitality of the locals and Crete turns into a destination to visit over and over again, always discovering something new.

Getting to Crete

The capital of Crete, Heraklion, and the city of Chania are the two main gates to the island, whether you arrive by air or with a ferry boat from the capital of Greece, Athens.

If you’re coming from Europe, it’s easy to reach Crete with a direct budget flight during the peak season (May – October).

Getting Around Crete

There are no trains on the island while and the public bus system mostly covers the northern coast.

As a matter of fact and due to its geography, crossing Crete’s different mountain ranges to reach the South can be somehow limited as many places are not reached by the public bus.

Those wanting to see this wilder side of Crete will find that the most efficient way to explore the island is by renting a car. Car rental on Crete can be extremely convenient if you plan to move around a lot.

What to Pack for Crete

Although packing is something really personal, it’s a good idea to always consider Crete’s landscape and climate so as not to leave home essentials such as hiking boots or sandals.

Even if you are not planning to go trekking, chances are that you do need to hike down a hill or a mountain to reach a gorgeous shore.  

In summer, the Mediterranean sun can be really strong and still you wouldn’t notice thanks to the breeze blowing from the sea.

A high factor sunscreen lotion, a hat, and sunglasses are three other essentials to add to your backpack.

Finally, always remember to pack a light jacket that you can fold and tuck in the bottom of your backpack when you don’t use it. It can sometimes be a bit chilly on the highest peaks of Crete.

Regions of Crete and Top Things To Explore

The island of Crete is divided into four different regions that alternate from west to east, all of them with access to the Sea of Crete on the North, and the Libyan sea on the South.

There are great places to discover in each of them and it’s a good idea to devote at least three days to every region. Let’s see the highlights of Crete one region at a time.

Chania is the easternmost region of Crete, home to a magnificent old town, a modern and vibrant city, beautiful, exotic beaches, and some breathtaking gorges with unique native flora and fauna.

Chania is indeed a great region to combine adventure, culture, and gastronomic experiences.

Highlights of Chania:

Considered to be one of Greece’s prettiest cities, the old town of Chania can be easily explored on foot in just one day. There are different neighbourhoods to visit, each of them with something unique or characteristic to offer.  

The so-called Topanas or Venetian quarter is home to beautiful historic Venetian buildings dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

The area is also home to the old port, the Egyptian lighthouse and the well-known Mosque of the Janissaries, right on the waterfront.  

Moving towards the east of the old town, the Turkish quarter is a more modest place, yet colourful and less touristic.

It’s a place where to breath the most bohemian side of Chania, with hidden minarets, old churches, and gardens but also with interesting beer bars quant traditional cafes, where old men still gather to play board games and drink tsikoudia, Crete’s strong alcoholic beverage.

The White Mountains

If you’re all into adventure and outdoor experiences, you’ll be happy to know that there are several gorges you can cross in the region.

They are nested in the White Mountains and count some of Crete’s most breathtaking cliffs.

Crete’s longest hike is the Samaria Gorge, which can be crossed in about 6 hours. The path will take you from the northern Omalos plateau to the southern Agia Roumeli, a lost village bathed by the crystal clear waters of the Libyan sea.  

Shorter gorges are Imbros, which can be crossed in about three hours, and Topolia, which can get you close to one of the island’s most famous beach, Elafonisi.

Beaches in Chania

You will find more than 30 magnificent beaches in Chania , being the pink sand beach of Elafonisi the best-known of all. With its pristine turquoise waters and wide pink sand shore, this small islet is located in a rather remote position.

On the extreme west of Chania region, the wide bay of Falassarna is a great place for water sports due to its windy conditions.

Instead, if you want to combine an off-road adventure with a magnificent landscape and exotic views, drive to Balos Beach and Lagoon.  

Those who are not renting a car can easily visit Balos with a day cruise departing from   that departs from the small port of Kissamos, about an hour away from the old town of Chania

Find places to stay in Chania here .

There is plenty to discover in the region of Rethymnon. Third, in importance on the island, the old Venetian town of Rethymnon is a great place to get an overview of Crete’s past and traditions.

However, there are three other things you should see in this area, take a look.

Highlights of Rethymnon:

Arkadi Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Arkadi was, according to the tradition, built sometime during the first Byzantine Empire of Crete, approximately in the 5th century BC.  

However, the building became known as one of the symbols of the Cretan fights for independence when over 900 people, hiding from the Ottomans, took their own lives in order not to surrender to the Turks.

A visit to the Baroque church, the gardens, and the museums of Arkadi is a unique journey into the history and the suffering of the local population who struggled for ages to be free.

Mountain Villages

There are enchanting mountain villages in every region of Crete , however, some of the settlements that stand in the valleys of Mount Psiloritis (2456 m above the sea level), Crete’s highest peak, treasure some unique traditions.  

You can learn everything about local ceramics paying a visit to the pottery village of Margarites. Instead, the historic village of Anogeia is known for its musicians and the Cretan Lyra, a three-cord musical instrument never missing in any village festival or panigiria .

Southern beach of Plaka  

Once you’ve crossed the mountains of the region, if you keep going south, you’ll be able to discover the fantastic village of Plaka, and the unique collection of beaches of the area.

These shores are ideal for subaquatic sports, such as snorkelling and scuba diving, and there are even a few immersion schools offering courses from May to October.

The different tavernas in the area serve traditional goat and lamb dishes, one of the most delicious staples of Cretan cuisine.

Heraklion is the most central region of Crete and it’s also home to the island’s capital. It’s Greece’s fourth biggest city which makes it a place full of things to do with activities catering to any taste.

Crete’s cultural hub, Heraklion is the perfect region for those interested in the history and past of Crete.

You can explore unique archaeological sites, magnificent museums, and – again – some characteristic beaches. Let’s check the three best things you can discover in this region

Highlights of Heraklion:

Knossos Palace

Crete is known for its unique collection of archaeological settlements and ancient ruins, the most famous one being the magnificent Minoan Palace of Knossos, just a few minutes away from the centre of Heraklion.  

The ruins, which have been partially reconstructed, allow visitors to understand the complex society that ruled Crete as far back as the Bronze Age.

The palace is traditionally linked to the myth of King Minos, who was said to rule over Crete. According to the myth Minos commissioned the construction of a vast labyrinth designed by the legendary craftsman Daedalus. Within this labyrinth, Minos imprisoned the Minotaur, a monstrous creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull.

The Minotaur was said to be the result of a curse placed on Minos’ wife, Queen Pasiphae, by the god Poseidon.

The impressive buildings, engineering works, the yards, the magazines, and the colourful frescoes depict a clear landscape of one of the most mysterious civilizations that once populated the Aegean Sea.  

Knossos is one of Greece’s most visited archaeological sites, which makes it really popular among visitors.

The best way to avoid the crowds is to visit early in the morning or right before sunset, especially because this way, you will also be avoiding the extreme temperatures of the Cretan summer.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

There’s no better way to learn more about the Minoan civilization than spending the rest of the day visiting the Archaeological Museum in the centre of town.

Here, visitors are able to admire objects found not only in Knossos but also in the several other Minoan Palaces and archaeological settlements that have been unearthed on Crete, such as the Minoan Palaces of Malia and Faistos, both of them also located in the Heraklion region.  

Paying a visit both to Knossos and the museum as a cumulative ticket allows you to save quite a few euros. Compare a cumulative €16 ticket including access to both the Museum and the Palace to a €13 ticket for just one of the venues.

A cumulative ticket is valid for 3 days.

Beach of Matala

On the southern coast of Heraklion, there’s a fantastic beach that has earned a worldwide reputation during the 60’s. A striving hippie community lived in the village and inside the caves that stand on a hill on one extreme of the beach.

They used to lead a simple life, spending their time fishing, singing, and playing musical instruments.

The hippies of Matala attracted international figures such as Cat Stevens or Bob Dylan, who spent several months on Crete during those years.

Lasithi can be considered the less-explored area of Crete and yet one of the most authentic regions you can visit.

Less touristic and full of off-the-beaten track wonders, the region of Lasithi can be difficult to explore without your own car.  

Yet, driving along the lonely roads of Lasithi can be an unforgettable experience that can take you through some of the most stunning landscapes of Crete.

Highlights of Lasithi:

Lasithi Plateau

The fertile Lasithi Plateau spreads surrounded by the Dikti mountains, more than 800 meters above the sea level.

When touring Crete, it’s a good idea to drive along the eighteen different mountain settlements in the area and stop for a visit to the Cave of Zeus, one of Crete’s most impressive caves in the small village of Psychro.  

According to Greek mythology, the cave is the place where Zeus, the Olympic god born on Crete, spent his youth and grew far from the sight of his terrible father, Cronos.

Palm Tree Beach of Vai

On the extreme coast of this eastern region, the landscape is harsh and lonely.  

Over here it’s possible to visit Europe’s largest natural palm tree forest in Vai, a unique shore with beautiful clear waters, and a few hidden coves attracting naturists as well.

Toplou Monastery

Less than 20 minutes aways from Vai, the Holy Monastery of Toplou is a must-visit religious centre on Crete.

The old, fortified construction stands on a pre-existing church from the 15th century.  

Yet, the building was reconstructed several times as it was destroyed not only by an earthquake, but it was also often the object of Ottoman attacks during the over 260 years of Turkish domination on the island.

If you’re looking to discover new tastes, the winery of the monastery is a great place to discover the vibrant landscape of the native wine production of Crete, as well as the top-quality olive oil that Toplou has been producing for years.

Visit Greece

Be sure to add Crete to your travel plans!

Greece is world-famous for its islands and beaches and there are so many quiet Greek Islands that can be explored that you should go and see as well.

I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.

For a good guidebook to Crete pick up the Lonely Planet Crete guide .

About the author:

Gabi Ancarola is the writer behind the Crete travel blog The Tiny Book. A long-time expat, she moved to Crete a few years ago to show the best of the island to first-time visitors. Every summer, she hosts gastronomic tours in Chania , and she has recently published her second travel guide. She also talks about Crete on her Facebook group.

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Lonely Planet Crete

22.99 17.42

Lonely Planet's Crete is our most comprehensive guide that extensively covers all the region has to offer, with recommendations for both popular and lesser-known experiences.

• Author : Lonely Planet
• Language : English
• Total Pages : 256
• Type : Paperback
• Release Date : June 20, 2023
• Dimensions : 5.05 x 0.63 x 7.75 inches
• ISBN-10 : 1788687957
• ISBN-13 : 978-1788687959

Swim in Elafonisi Beach's sparkling waters, gaze in wonder at the Palace of Knossos and stroll through Hania's idyllic old town; all with your trusted travel companion.

Inside Lonely Planet's Crete Travel Guide:

Lonely Planet's Top Picks - a visually inspiring collection of the destination's best experiences and where to have them

Itineraries help you build the ultimate trip based on your personal needs and interests Local insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Eating and drinking - get the most out of your gastronomic experience as we reveal the regional dishes and drinks you have to try

Toolkit - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel

Colour maps and images throughout Language - essential phrases and language tips

Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots

Covers Hania, Sfakia, Lefka Ori, Rethymno, Mt Psiloritis, Iraklio, Lasithi and more!

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• Central Greece
• Macedonia & Thrace
• Peloponnese
• Western Greece
• Ionian Islands
• NE Aegean Isles
• Saronic Gulf Islands
• Books About Greece
• Cretan Music
• Cretan Writers and Artists

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• Greek Architecture
• Greek Drama
• Greek Literature
• Greek Music
• Homer and the Odyssey
• Best Greek Beaches
• Greece's World Heritage Sites
• Ten Best Places to Visit in Greece
• Ten Biggest Cities in Greece
• Top Archaeological Sites in the Peloponnese
• Top Ten Biggest Greek Islands
• Top Ten Things to Do in Greece
• FOOD & DRINK
• Birdwatching
• Nomads of Greece
• Photos of Greece
• Driving in Greece
• Greek Ferry Guide
• Island Hopping
• Sailing in Greece
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• Lonely Planet Crete

Lonely Planet's  Crete

Lonely Planet's  Crete is an excellent and thorough guide of almost 300 pages to the largest of the Greek islands.

We recently reviewed Lonely Planet's  Greek Islands and highly recommend it as an overall guide to all the Greek islands (and Athens ). That guidebook has 56 pages on Crete but if it's just Crete you're interested in you need to take a look at Lonely Planet's  Crete . This has almost 300 pages dedicated to this very special Greek island.

The book begins with a brief overview of what to expect from Crete, then goes on to list its Top 15 Attractions and Experiences. We don't want to repeat their list in full, but the first few are:

• The Old Town of Chania
• The Beach at Elafonisi
• Heraklion Archaeological Museum
• Touring Southern Crete by Boat (a great suggestion!)
• The Samaria Gorge

We've no arguments there, nor with the rest of the list which includes the wine country in the Iraklion region and, another excellent choice: Village Tavernas. Eating at one of these places is definitely a highlight of any visit. They single out one place which we were lucky enough to eat at on our last visit, To Skolio in Anidri near Paleohora, and while we wouldn't say it was a typical village taverna, it did serve amazingly inventive and inexpensive food, all prepared fresh every morning.

Plan Your Trip

There are then several suggested itineraries for different ways of getting the most out of your visit to Crete. The first is a 2-week Essential Crete trip, starting in Iraklio and then heading south, then west, taking in many of the island's main attractions such as Knossos , Chania , Rethymnon , the Samaria Gorge , Phaistos and the Arkadi Monastery .

A suggested 1-week tour limits itself to places reachable from Iraklio, and the Eastern Crete itinerary restricts itself to one week, as there are fewer sights to see in the eastern half of the island. Our advice, though, would be to take two weeks anyway and take it slow.

The Cretan Diet

The next section provides sections on different themes, such as Outdoor Activities (of which there are plenty), Travel with Children and Eat and Drink Like a Local. We were delighted to see that this runs to eight pages, as there's a lot to say about Crete's distinctive and outstanding food and drink. There are sub-sections on important topics like olive oil , wine and raki. We'll drink to that.

Where Is Gavdos?

The guide rightly says that the island of Gavdos, off the southern coast of Crete, is the most southerly point of Europe. But what it also says is that Gavdos is closer to Africa than to Greece. Er, excuse us? Gavdos is part of Greece. We think what they meant to say is that Gavdos is closer to Africa than to Athens!

Top Crete Guide

We only spotted that one small mistake as we read quite thoroughly through the sections on places in Crete that we know ourselves. It was the only mistake that we found, and even then it was more of a slip of the brain than a genuine factual error.

On the places that we checked we found Lonely Planet's Crete to be thorough, accurate and well-organised. It's also very good on the nitty-gritty practical details, including local transport. How many buses a day are there from Rethymnon to the Arkadi Monastery , what does it cost and how long does it take? (The answers are - or were when this book was researched - three, €2.80 and 40 minutes.)

Buying Lonely Planet's Crete

You can buy the latest edition of Lonely Planet's guide to Crete on Amazon .

More Crete pages

Greece Book Reviews on the Greece Travel Secrets website with reviews of the best guidebooks to Greece, the Greek Islands, Athens, Crete and elsewhere.

The Ikaria Way

Greece Travel Secrets reviews the Greek cookbook, The Ikaria Way by Diane Kochilas, containing 100 delicious plant-based recipes.

Where to Stay in Western Crete

Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in western Crete, including both luxury and inexpensive hotels in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.

Where to Stay in Irakleio

Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Irakleio, the capital of Crete, including nearby beach resort hotels and accommodation in the city centre.

Where to Stay in Eastern Crete

Greece Travel Secrets suggests where to stay in Eastern Crete with our favourite hotels in Zakros, Elounds, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Istron Bay, Myrtos, Neapolis.

Keramos Studios in Zaros

Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.

Where to Stay in Central Crete

Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.

Best Crete Hotels

The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.

Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.

Great Greek Poets: Cavafy, Sappho, George Seferis, Odysseus Elytis

There are many great Greek poets, with two authors winning the Nobel Prize for Literature and names include Sappho, Cavafy, George Seferis and Odysseus Elytis.

The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.

Zacharioudakis Winery

Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.

Where to Eat in Western Crete

Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Western Crete with tavernas and restaurants in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.

Where to Eat in Eastern Crete

Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.

Western Crete in Five Days

Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.

Western Crete Beaches and Villages

Western Crete has some wonderful golden sand beaches as well as mountain villages, monasteries, caves, and archaeological sites to discover.

West Coast of Crete Drive

This drive along the west coast of Crete and inland from there will take a whole day and starts and ends in Kastélli Kissámou, west of Chania.

Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete

Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.

The Icon Painter

Icon painting is a centuries-old tradition in Crete and the rest of Greece, and Greece Travel Secrets meets a modern-day icon painter in Elounda on Crete.

The Herb Man of Kouses

Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.

Studies have shown the Cretan Diet as one of the healthiest in the world, involving lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and moderate amounts of wine.

Stilianou Winery near Knossos

The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.

The Snails House on Crete

The Snails House in Plouti near Phaistos in southern Crete serves the Cretan delicacy of snails, cooked in several different ways.

Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.

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