- Reasons Why Crete Greece is Worth Visiting<\/a>
- Crete is largely underrated<\/a>
- It has gorgeous beaches<\/a>
- And incredible sunsets<\/a>
- The island is enormous<\/a>
- So much delicious food and wine<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Book Tickets for Attractions and Things to Do on Crete Online<\/a>
- Frequently Asked Questions about Crete Greece<\/a>
- What is the best time of year to visit Crete?<\/a>
- What are the must-see attractions in Crete?<\/a>
- How many days should I spend in Crete to fully experience the island?<\/a>
- What is the best way to get around Crete?<\/a>
- What are some traditional Cretan dishes to try during my visit?<\/a><\/ul><\/ul><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nRELATED: 10 Stunning, Less Touristy & Undiscovered Greek Islands To Visit<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhether you prefer a pampered vacation with all the luxury amenities or to get off-the-beaten-path and explore, Crete has something for you. Here are all the reasons why it should hold a firm spot on your travel list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reasons Why Crete Greece is Worth Visiting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Crete is largely underrated<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Top](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Crete-Heraklion.jpg\")
Heraklion<\/strong><\/a>: The historic and cultural heart of Crete. Immerse yourself in the rich history and mythology of the island, explore the ancient ruins and marvel at the impressive architecture of this vibrant city. With its bustling markets, lively nightlife, and delicious cuisine, Heraklion is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Crete.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Everyone wants to go to Santorini<\/a><\/strong>. It’s understandable, as the island seems to be the poster child for a Greek vacation. But Santorini is also crowded and extremely expensive. Crete also has beautiful, clifftop villages, luxury honeymoon hotels, family-friendly villas and those dreamy Greek sunsets — at a much more affordable rate. Plus, you may stumble upon an empty beach or local village void of tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
It has gorgeous beaches<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Crete-Greece-Beach.jpg\")
Crete is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. With its crystal-clear waters, soft golden sand, and dramatic coastlines, this island is a true paradise for beach lovers. From secluded coves to bustling resort areas, there’s a beach for every taste in Crete. Come and soak up the sun in one of the most beautiful destinations on earth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Considering Crete is the largest Greek island, there’s plenty of coastal space. Your biggest problem will simply be deciding on which beach to go to. The island is so big that it can take several hours to drive from one end to the other, so consider finding beaches in the area you plan to stay in, or even better, deciding to stay where some of the best beaches are. Some Winetraveler beach favorites are located near the Chania area on the west side of the island, like Balos Lagoon and Elafonisi. Agiofarago in the south is reachable only by boat or hike. Vai Palmgrove and its towering palm trees are located on the more rugged east side of the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
And incredible sunsets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pretty](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Pretty-Sunset-on-Crete.jpg\")
Where the sky meets the sea in a blaze of color. As the sun sets over the horizon, the sky above Crete transforms into a stunning canvas of pink, orange, and gold. Whether you’re enjoying a romantic dinner or simply strolling along the beach, the island’s breathtaking sunsets are a sight not to be missed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Crete has an expansive west coast full of beautiful beaches, cliffs and hilltops perfect for admiring those world-famous Greek sunsets. You can enjoy the sunset from any west coast beach (the aforementioned Balos and Elafonisi are both popular spots). Or, head to Rethymno, a walled Venetian fortress from the 16th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The island is enormous<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Samaria-Gorge-Crete-Hike.jpg\")
Crete isn’t just a bunch of beautiful beaches. This enormous island is also home to the beautiful Samari\u00e1 Gorge, which we highly recommend hiking.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n You won’t have to worry about confusing ferry schedules to get to this island. Crete is so large, it actually has two major airports! You can fly there from many European capital cities or hubs. Check out the current flight deals<\/a><\/strong> that are running and book quickly, as flight prices have been rising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s important to have an idea of what to do and where to stay before booking your plane ticket. If you fly into Chania (CHQ), you can enjoy the charming village of Chania plus many of the beautiful west coast beaches and sunsets. You can also hike the Samari\u00e1 Gorge, one of the largest gorges in Europe or visit the Rethymno Fortress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
If you’d prefer to explore the less touristy, wilder east part of the island, fly into Heraklion (HER), the island’s capital. The further east and south you go, the more quaint fishing villages and tranquil beaches you’ll come across. And, the main city is best for history buffs wanting to explore the Knossos archaeological site dating back to the Bronze Age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you arrive on the island, we recommend booking skip-the-line tickets<\/a><\/strong> to some of the major landmarks, archeological ruins, and especially the palace of Knossos in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re spending some time on Crete, consider getting off the island for a day and visit the beautiful island of Dia to get away from tourists, do some snorkeling and relax seaside. We chartered this private sailboat that leaves out of Heraklion<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
So much delicious food and wine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Crete-food-and-wine.jpg\")
Savor the rich flavors of Crete as you indulge in its vibrant culinary heritage, featuring a sumptuous array of traditional fare and exquisite local wines. With its sun-kissed soil and bountiful seas, Crete offers a cornucopia of fresh ingredients that give life to mouthwatering dishes, like dakos \u2013 a rustic Cretan salad with barley rusks, juicy tomatoes, creamy mizithra cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil. Immerse yourself in the age-old tradition of slow-cooked gamopilafo, a savory risotto with tender goat or lamb, and don’t miss the chance to sample kalitsounia, delicate pastries filled with sweet or savory delights. Raise your glass and toast to the island’s fine wines, like the robust red Kotsifali or the crisp white Vilana, as you celebrate the harmonious marriage of food and wine in Crete’s gastronomic paradise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The entire north coast of Crete is dotted with Greek wineries. Most of Winetraveler’s favorites are located near Chania, like Manousakis<\/a>. The family-owned winery uses a number of grapes in their wine production, including Vidiano. This grape is indigenous to the island and typically produces dry white wine. The winery has strong connections to the Cretan community and donates a portion of its proceeds to a school for children with disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another family-owned winery, Karavitakis<\/a> sits in the hills of the Kolimbari area outside of Chania. Besides tasting the wine which is produced from local grape varietals, you can explore the small church that is set among the vineyards and olive groves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
If you’re unsure about how to go about wine tasting on Crete, and you like the idea of being guided by local insight, consider scheduling this highly-rated private tour in advance<\/a><\/strong> out of Chania. During the full day experience, you’ll visit atleast two family-operated wineries, in addition to an olive oil factory, and a stop by what’s reported to be the island’s oldest olive tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes to dining out, there are endless options appropriate for any budget located on the island. Choose from local fisherman spots with fresh seafood to fancy, modern restaurants. You can even buy fresh cheeses and honey from local vendors to make your own sunset happy hour snacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Plan to sample dakos<\/em>, a Greek-style bruschetta built upon barley rusks soaked in olive oil topped with tomato, herbs and Cretan cheese. And speaking of Cretan cheese, many villages make their own, so make sure to try some. Lamb is a popular dish, and fresh seafood is always the right choice when dining along the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Book Tickets for Attractions and Things to Do on Crete Online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions about Crete Greece<\/h2>\n\n\n
- What are the must-see attractions in Crete?<\/a>
- It has gorgeous beaches<\/a>
- Crete is largely underrated<\/a>