Travel Crete

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Experiences

Travel Crete - Experiences - Sightseeing - here are some of the top spots and immersions in Crete. Available from most capital cities and also from your beach hotel or rural or villa accommodation.

Knossos Palace - Sightseeing Tips

Knossos Palace only 5 km from Heraklion is the site of the birth of civilisation in Europe, the beautiful Minoan palace of Knossos. As the most popular destination in Crete, the palace gets very crowded in summer (Central Crete).

Lake Kournas

West of Crete in Chania are some of the most beautiful natural sights of the island, here we highlight those experiences which will help you discover the real Crete.

Unravel the historic threads of Crete in Rethymnon Old Town and explore the hinterland valleys, gorges and beaches around Rethymnon Crete.

Unravel the historic threads of Crete in Rethymnon Old Town and explore the hinterland valleys, gorges and beaches around Rethymnon Crete.

Samaria Gorge (image by Atli Hardarson

Samaria Gorge is the most popular gorge walk on the island, 16 km from north to south ending by the south seas. As this is a one-way walk it is best to take an organised tour if you have limited time  (Western Crete).

Gramvousa and Balos Lagoon (image by Thinkscape)

Gramvousa & Balos Lagoon a breath-taking boat tour in the north-western tip of Crete, this tour is available from Chania town as a day tour or one can take the boat for a half-day trip from Kastelli-Kissamos (Western Crete).

Elafonisi Beach experience in Crete

Elafonisi Beach - a beautiful natural beach, which is a protected zone, lying at the south-western tip of the island. Azure waters and intermittent pink sands.

Preveli Beach and Palm Forest

Preveli Beach and Palm Forest - a wonderful day of gems in central Crete, see the Monastery of Preveli, deep rugged gorges, and the hidden palm grove on the southern coast, this was an important location for Allied troops during WWII.

Spinalonga Island in Eastern Crete

Visit Spinalonga as a day trip from Elounda or Agios Nikolaos, this island, with its intriguing history, is a favourite. (Eastern Crete).

Lasithi (image by Eric Dieudonne)

Lasithi Plateau with its stunning scenery and windmills, Dikti mountains, caves and high villages, the plateau is a real experience of Cretan mountain life. Visit the Psychro Cave and enjoy fresh local produce in the many tavernas (Eastern Crete).

Chrissi Island (image by Marek Bakajsa)

Boat Trip to Chrissi Island - this is just a piece of paradise. One of the remotest beaches in Crete, beautiful white sand and crystal clear waters, silence, sun and sand. These tours leave from east Crete only and include a one hour boat trip. Revel in the sparkling white sand, gloriously isolated coves and beaches, perfect paradise (South-Eastern Crete).

Agia Irini Gorge is a smaller, less popular gorge than Samaria, which is not so crowded in summer

Crete attractions and alternatives - you could visit the popular attractions in Crete or seek out the alternatives...we help you get 'far from the madding crowd'...

"Farre from the madding worldlings hoarse discords..."


Travel Crete - Knossos Palace


Travel Crete - visit Knossos Palace in the centre of Crete, which is located 5 km outside of Heraklion town.

The site is extensive and the visit will take at least 2 hours. This site gets very busy in summer and it is best to arrive early to avoid the heat and the crowds.

Make the most of this incredible historic journey with a guided tour:

Some more information on our pages below:



Travel Crete with a Guide

Travel Crete - sometimes...you just don't want to do all the driving yourself.

Sometimes...as in most of these tours, it is impossible to drive as there are boat and ferry trips involved.

Sometimes...you just want to relax on holiday and have an expert local tell you the history and stories.


Clear waters in Loutro harbourTravel Crete - southern seaside village of Loutro

Of course there are many more historical and natural sights to see on the island, see history pages for information about each Minoan palace and other sites of interest including Gortys, Arkadi and Olous.

See our nature pages and mountains and gorges info to discover your own path, make your own itinerary.

We Love Crete website is for independent travellers, with lots of great info to arrange all your travel yourself.


Travel Crete without a Guide

These mini guide books by the team at We Love Crete help you explore the island on your own. Create a personalised trip plan with this local information at your fingertips.

Extend the trips to however many days you would like, we encourage you to take at least 10 days to explore the whole island.

Perfect for independent travellers.

West of Crete by Car or Motorcycle

West of Crete - by Car

The guide to the west of Crete includes the following destinations:

•    Knossos Palace
•    Zaros Village
•    Amari Valley
•    Old Town Rethymnon
•    Lake Kournas
•    Old Town Chania
•    Samaria Gorge
•    Balos Lagoon
•    Topolia Gorge
•    Elafonisi Beach

East of Crete by Car or Motorcycle

East of Crete - by Car

Visit the following destinations:

•    Knossos
•    Lasithi Plateau
•    Dikti Cave
•    Elounda
•    Spinalonga
•    Agios Nikolaos
•    Sitia
•    Kato Zakros
•    Zakros Palace
•    Vai Beach
•    Kritsa

West Crete by Bus

West Crete - by Bus

Including the following destinations:

  • Knossos
  • Rethymnon Old Town
  • Arkadi
  • Georgioupolis
  • Chania Old Town
  • Samaria Gorge
  • Agia Roumeli
  • Sougia
  • Agia Irini Gorge
  • Paleochora
  • Elafonisi Beach
  • Balos Lagoon
East Crete by Bus

East Crete - by Bus

  • Experience wide open scenery, a palm forest and remote coastal villages in eastern Crete

  • Enjoy the beaches, nature and intrigue of Spinalonga Island

  • Save money with our accommodation tips in Lasithi

  • Explore the lake, harbour and beaches of the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos

  • See how to get to Chrissi Island by boat

  • Divine Beaches! Azure, turquoise, crystal clear waters in the east of Crete

  • Extend your trip by saving money with bus travel and flexible options

Culinary Experiences in Crete

Travel Crete - for Food Lovers - yes Greek food is yummy and Cretan food is no exception. Discover one of the healthiest culinary traditions in the world. Get close and personal on one of these tasty tour experiences.

Street Stories of Chania Morning Tour with Samples of Raki and Mezedes

Street Stories of Chania Morning Tour with Samples of Raki and Mezedes - visit the local food markets and walk for 4 hours through the gastronomic highlights of this fascinating historic town, visit the old Jewish and Ottoman quarters and taste the local white spirit or raki. Enjoy mesedes which are little appetisers, part of the Cretan diet which is one of the healthiest in the world. Find out why.

Crete Food Tour of Chania Old Town

Crete Food Tour of Chania Old Town - a 3 hour walking tour of the picturesque Venetian town with food tasting. Be led by a local down little-known laneways to out-of-the-way cafes and try tidbits of Cretan cuisine. Try rusks or paximadia and koulouria, donut-shaped bread encrusted with sweetened sesame seeds, cheese, olive oil, olives and sweet pies.

Food Odyssey, A Historical Culinary Tour of Chania

Food Odyssey, A Historical Culinary Tour of Chania - join a local gourmet and experimental archaeologist - a 'food historian' who will blend the intricate and rich cultural history of this place into the food found here. Promising to be a multi-sensory experience, this is one for the true foodies.

Gourmet Small Group Tour with Mezes in Rethymnon Crete

Small Group Gourmet Trail of Rethymnon - treat yourself to a 4 hour gastronomic exploration of this cosmopolitan town, with food and beverage tastings, hidden spots not in the guidebooks all through the old zone. 4 hour walk.


Mediterranean Tour Tips

Walking Tour of Crete

8 Day Hiking Tour in Crete - this tour of Crete offers glorious hiking and trekking for a maximum of 16 walkers in a fully guided tour. Begin in Chania and end in Heraklion, explore the mountains and enjoy blissful coastal walking.

Take the hike in the famous Samaria Gorge, relax in the coastal hamlet of Agia Roumeli. Walk to the blue and white seaside village of Loutro, and discover Zaros in the Idi Mountains.



Getting Here

Travel Crete - if your appetite is ready for Crete, you can arrive by plane to Chania International Airport CHQ or Heraklion International Airport HER.

See our page on choosing an airport here.

Ferries from Athens to Crete leave daily and the crossing takes about 9 hours. You can arrive into Souda Port near Chania or Heraklion Port.

More details about getting to Crete below.


Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.

When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and an easy online booking procedure. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid or non-hybrid vehicles.

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Anastasi & Apostoli - authors of We Love Crete


"We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the team at We Love Crete. Evíva!"

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