Greece had always been a dream destination for me, and finally visiting Crete, Greece turned that dream into a reality! In this travel guide, I’ll share my personal experiences and insights into three captivating cities, along with must-see spots, my favorite restaurants, where to get amazing drinks, and few valuable tips for an unforgettable journey.
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We visited Crete last April as a much needed, and refreshing, escape from the gloomy weather in Zürich. We chose Crete because of the rich history and were desperately seeking a bit of culture. Switzerland, with its reserved nature and very little culture, has made feeling at home a bit challenging, and we’ve really struggle with the lack of diversity and the weather. The anticipation of warmth, good food, and friendly encounters were exactly what we were seeking.
This Crete, Greece travel guide shares the places I went, ate at, drank at, and visited. Now, you won’t find a dozen plus restaurants, because frankly, who can eat at that many places in one trip? My guides share real restaurants reviews, places I actually visited, and none of the fluff or filler. I hope you enjoy.
Table of Contents
- Getting to Crete and Where To Stay
- How Long to Stay in Crete
- Cities to Explore
- Map of The Best Locations in Crete, Greece
- Three Cities to Visit in Crete, Greece
- The Best Beaches in Crete, and one you have to avoid!
- Beaches You Should Visit Instead
- Travel Tips For Your Trip to Crete, Greece
- What to Pack for Crete, Greece (Spring and Summer!)
Getting to Crete and Where To Stay
A direct flight from Zürich to Heraklion via Edelweiss took us only 2 hours and 50 minutes. Heraklion is quite a small airport, so once you arrive you can walk directly to the rental car counter. We like to rent with Sixt in Europe because the cars are always new, customer service is a breeze, and they have great electric vehicles to rent! (We did not rent an electric car for this trip though, but we normally always do). Having a car in Crete is a necessity, as public transportation really isn’t built out, and taxis can be a bit of a hassle.
We chose to stay just outside the city center at an Airbnb in Heraklion which I loved for an easy return to the airport on our last day. You can also stay in Rethymno or at the beautiful Isla Brown Resort in Chania.
How Long to Stay in Crete
We opted for a four-day stay, given the short flight. If you prefer a more relaxed pace with an additional beach day, I’d recommend 5-6 days in Crete. If you plan to visit other islands, I would say you can easily spend 10-12 days in Greece as a whole and have a super relaxing and fun vacation.
Cities to Explore
During our four day trip we visited three different cities, and spent a full beach day. I have included the famous beach you really should skip, and two you should visit instead!
Chania: A Venetian harbor with charming streets and a unique coastal vibe. My personal favorite.
Heraklion: Reminiscent of Southeast Asia, it’s gritty and charming.
Agios Nikalos: A dreamy city, a bit touristy, but the location and charm are irresistible.
Map of The Best Locations in Crete, Greece
Three Cities to Visit in Crete, Greece
Chania
Where to Eat & Drink
Monogram Roaster Coffee Shop: Don’t be fooled, this cafe has absolutely amazing espresso, but also lovely glasses of wine. We started off our afternoon here, after a full beach day, sitting outside and enjoy the beautiful cobble stone streets.
Melodica cafe-bar: You’ll know you are at the right spot when you see an adorable little dog (with a huge personality) posted up on one of the chairs out front. This local spot has some of the best beer I’ve had since moving to Europe and my Portland beer loving heart was over the moon! Musicians might even come by to serenade you and make you fall in love with Chania even more.
Salis: Along the old harbor there are dozens of restaurants. While you can’t go wrong with any, I absolutely recommend Salis for a beautiful meal, paired with even better white wine. Their menu is stated as “eclectic”, and you’ll see that in their elevated traditional dishes like sea bass in a nut milk and ginger sauce (absolutely amazing) and the deconstructed pastitsio.
Perperas: Another spot along the water for simple, yet delicious Greek food. You will find yourself sitting on colorful chairs, in the open air and it truly cannot be beat. You have to order the tzaztiki, zucchinni balls, and fish of the day.
Travel tip: Pack a change of clothes in the car at all times! We did a lot of driving this trip and always had a dinner outfit, some makeup, deodorant and wet wipes in the car so we could do a quick change and never waste time going back to the hotel.
What To See
Old Venetian Harbor: Take a stroll along the picturesque harbor lined with colorful buildings, charming cafes, and traditional tavernas (aka restaurants). You can also explore the historic lighthouse for panoramic views of the city. The Harbor of Chania is filled with shops and restaurants, and loads of cats at night!
Chania Old Town: This was one of my favorite towns to wander through and I was instantly filled with a surge of energy and happiness. The alley are adorned with Venetian and Ottoman architecture, and you won’t be able to resist taking selfies in front of the bougainvillea flowers.
Archaeological Museum of Chania: This is a neat museum sharing the Immerse yourself the history of Crete – featuring artifacts from the Minoan to the Roman period.
Heraklion
Where to Eat & Drink
Peskesi: For true Cretan, farm to table cuisine, you must eat at Peskesi. It’s an amazing way to try Cretan cuisine, in an absolutely spectacular location in the heart of the city. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time though!
Alla ki Alla: Nestled in the center of the city and it’s known for it’s Greek music and dancing nights. Enjoy a Greek salad, wine, and you’ll be graced with a raki at the end of your meal.
Old Cafe: This is a spot you won’t find tourists at and it’s one you have to visit. We spent our last night here, drinking wine, eating almost every mezze on the menu, and recapping our amazing trip.
What To See
One thing you will see recommended for Heraklion is Knossos Palace, and this maybe an unpopular opinion, but this is a total waste of time. My husband and I really found it disappointing and somewhat strange. There really isn’t much to see, the grounds are not taken care of – meaning you just walk wherever along ruins, and what you do see, can be found exactly on the website. A few things that are worth checking out are:
I recommend skipping Knossos Palace and checking out a few other spots instead.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum: This is one of the most significant museums in Greece, housing an extensive collection of Minoan artifacts, including the famous Snake Goddess. This is great for an afternoon to escape the sun for a bit and take in some history.
Koules Fortress: The imposing fortress situated at the entrance of the old port, offering panoramic views of Heraklion and the sea. I wouldn’t say this is a total must visit, but it is quite cool and something to fill an hour with.
Morosini Fountain: When you are walking around the city from the archeological museum, stop to admire the Venetian fountain adorned with lion sculptures. It’s a central landmark in Heraklion’s Lion Square.
Hit the Beach: We spent a half day at Nisos Beach, at a beach club called Pleasure Beach Club. Beach clubs are all over the island and it’s honestly hard to choose one. This one is in-between Heraklion and where we stayed. If you’ve never done a beach club before you have to! You normally pay for a seat (sometimes you can bargain if it’s not busy), and get beachside drink and food service. It’s a blast and every time we do a beach club we chat with our server, who is always a local, and they will tell you the BEST places to visit.
Agios Nikalos
Where to Eat & Drink
Skala: This will probably stay my forever favorite restaurant solely because of the location. It’s nestled in the corner along the water of Lake Voulismeni and serves the best calamari I’ve ever had. Make sure to order an espresso freddo before you go too!
Piato: For a unique take on Cretan food, Piato is a must. Everything is so fresh and the dishes are absolutely beautiful.
What To See
Lake Voulismeni: Now this surprised me that it was a lake, because to me it looks like the ocean! It surround the city so it’s hard to miss, but there is a paved walkway to enjoy the breeze and views.
Spinalonga Island: You can venture to the nearby island, known for its Venetian fortress and later used as a leper colony. The boat trip itself offers stunning views of the coastline and crystal clear waters. Below is an affordable boat tour, with a swim stop included that I recommend (*just note it doesn’t include entry tickets to the island so you will need to purchase those upon arrival).
Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikalos: Here you can discover artifacts from the surrounding areas, providing insights into the island’s rich history. It’s another way to beat the heat.
Kritsa Village: You can take a short trip to this traditional Cretan village nestled in the mountains (what you image Greece looking like, this is it!) Explore its narrow streets, visit local workshops, and experience authentic village life, and take a million pictures. Spinalonga island is beautiful and perfect for an afternoon.
The Best Beaches in Crete, and one you have to avoid!
Balos Beach: So, everyone was raving about Balos before we visited, saying it’s a must-visit paradise. Well, I have to tell you – it’s wasn’t at all what we expected…
First off, the drive. It’s 45 minutes of navigating a rocky, pothole-ridden road that’s basically a one-lane rollercoaster. For much of the way there you are driving alongside what to me, was a cliff. I had a mini meltdown in the car after Googling reviews and reading that taking a rental car is a big no-no due to potential damage as well.
Now, once you survive that ordeal, you’re greeted by the not-so-charming parking situation on a cliff. Then comes the other surprise – it’s a 40-minute trek down to the beach. I was shocked that no one told us any of this. When you finally hit the beach it’s not just you and the crystal-clear water (the water is absolutely amazing, let’s be honest). But, there are hundreds of fellow tourists had the same ‘paradise’ idea. And there is so much trash! Feeling so guilty, I spent a good 30 minutes cleaning up because, well, someone had to.
We stuck around for about an hour, spotted some cool goats (highlight of the day, honestly), and then braved the nerve-wracking drive back. Was it worth it? I’ll let you decide, but it’s not exactly what Instagram led us to believe.
Beaches You Should Visit Instead
Falassarna Beach: To make up for a disappointing day we stopped at Falassarna Beach on our way out of town which made it all worth it. Beautiful water, soft sand, and rows of beach huts and chairs so you can spend the day and truly relax.
Istro Beach: This is another great beach near Agios Nikalos that will truly give you Greece vibes. The sand is so soft and the water is crystal clear. There are beach chairs and beds for rent too (which is my fave).
Having a car allows you to drive and stop at any of the above beaches, or ones that line the coast.
Travel Tips For Your Trip to Crete, Greece
- Make reservations! This was one thing we honestly didn’t expect. We went during off season (April 2023) and we didn’t think places would be too busy, but we were very wrong. Reservations ensure you get to eat where you want and avoid very long waits at certain restaurants.
- Ditch your typical coffee order and order espresso freddo’s EVERYWHERE you go. And tell me how much you love them when you get back.
- Make sure you have some cash on hand always. For most meals at larger restaurants you will be able to pay with your Visa, but for coffees, beaches, and small items you’ll need to pay in cash.
What to Pack for Crete, Greece (Spring and Summer!)
Easy, effortless, and light—that’s the vibe for packing Crete. Think breezy linen, strappy sandals, and a swimsuit that makes you feel amazing. Spring calls for layers (a light jacket is a must), while summer is all about flowy dresses and oversized sunnies. A tote for market mornings, comfy shoes for wandering, and a chic cover-up for long beach days? Non-negotiable.
Shop My Crete Outfits
I hope you have a fabulous trip and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
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