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Travel to Crete

Travel to Crete - our website is dedicated to giving travellers the insights to enjoy their own independent trip to Crete.

Tips and suggestions from our family...for you to enjoy 'The Great Island'.

A 'Home-Away-From-Home'

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Travel to Crete

Travel to Crete - this is a large island - our best suggestion for our travelling friends is to focus on one part of the island, west or east. This will enable you to enjoy the depth of incredible experiences, history, food, towns, beaches and villages in your chosen corner of the island.

The regions, or prefectures of Crete, as shown above, are:

Experiences

Each region offers you cultural, environmental and historic experiences to absorb the character of the island. Here are just a few.

In Chania, discover the beating heart of the island in the White Mountains. Take a full-day small group hiking trip through Samaria Gorge. An unforgettable day.

In Rethymnon, stay within the walls of the Old Town to absorb the history and culture by osmosis. Take a small group gourmet walking tour to unlock some of the secrets of local food tradition.

In Heraklion, understand a culture at least 4000 years old. Discover the Minoan history, the first civilisation in Europe, at the Palace of Knossos.

Independent Trips

Travel to Crete - written in response to our visitors' questions, our e-books give tips for independent travellers to make their own way around Crete. Go on back roads and see the real Kriti.

Two of the e-books are for car trips, take as little as 5 days or expand the trip for as long as you like.

Two of the e-books are for travel on the local buses, again stretch the travel for as long as you like, buy two books in a bundle and see both sides of the island.

The We Love Crete team has written this little e-book just for you - '5 Days in the West of Crete by Car or Motorcycle' give you tips for a backroads journey around Crete.

Our tips for a road trip through the east in '5 Days in the East of Crete by Car or Motorcycle' gives many options for you to extend your trip to 7 or 10 days easily.

Budget travellers and backpackers who want to take the bus will love our little e-book 'West Crete by Bus', with tips for a 5, 7 or 10 day journey in Kriti.

Join the two ebooks together to see the whole of Crete or choose just the quieter eastern side of the island 'East Crete by Bus' loads of tips for independent travellers.

4 Budget Stays

Travel to Crete - our tips for lovely places to stay in each region that won't break the bank. Stay longer, travel for longer, enjoy Kriti on a budget.

Throughout our website - see the blue and white backpack which is the budget symbol.

In Chania, keep to your budget but stay within the characteristic old town. Pension Eva is such good value and in a great location, steps way from the harbour.

Faros Rooms and Suites, on the Old Harbour in Rethymnon, looks over to the Lighthouse across the harbour

In Rethymno, stay right on the Old Harbour, overlooking the Lighthouse or 'faros' at the Faros Rooms and Suites. Less than a minute to local tavernas right on the waterfront. Enjoy the view from the rooftop.

In Heraklion, stay centrally at Hotel Mirabello, not far from the Liondaria Square. Very convenient for exploring downtown Heraklion and catching the bus to Knossos.

In Lasithi, at the Pergola Hotel, you are right next to the harbour and close to everything, yet the rates are reasonable. With great service, this is a very convenient location from which to explore Agios Nikolaos and the east of Crete.

4 Mid-Range Stays

Travel to Crete - our tops picks in each capital.

In Chania, stay within the walls of the Old Town in style at Alcanea Boutique Hotel, which sits directly on the Old Harbour, with views across the water.

In Rethymnon, make sure you enjoy the narrow old laneways of the Old Town whilst staying at the Casa dei Delfini.

In the very centre of the old zone, surrounded by great shopping, boutiques, jewellers, this stylish accommodation is close to the Rimondi Fountain, Nerantze Mosque and the Archaeological Museum.

Veneziana Boutique Hotel, Heraklion, Crete

In Heraklion, stay in style at the Veneziana Boutique Hotel, walk from here to the Liondaria Square and along Daedalus shopping street, or enjoy the 1866 Street Markets.

In Agios Nikolaos, stay overlooking the lake at Hotel du Lac, the location is very central and convenient to the cafe circle.

A Home-Away-From-Home

Travel to Crete - renting a home as a couple, family or group will give you a comfortable base from which to explore the island in comfort. Usually these locations will require a hire car. Get the details you need for each region below, most homes require one week rental. Our top picks...

In Chania you will find Villa Petra surrounded by olive groves in easy driving distance to Georgioupolis Beach and the Old Town of Chania. A favourite family place to stay in rural Chania.

In Rethymno, stay close to Bali Beaches at Melissa Villa, with a car this makes an ideal relaxing home from which to explore the island.

Galini Traditional House, Archanes Village, Heraklion, Crete

In Heraklion, stay in the beautiful village of Archanes, at Galini Traditional House. This village is only 7 km from the Palace of Knossos and gives visitors the experience of the real Crete.

In Lasithi find an idyllic hideaway with your own private beach. Carob Villa or 'Charoupi Villa' is perfect for you to gather the family or extended family together for a special occasion.