Like a treasure chest, the island of Crete holds within it fascinating stories to tell. They are tales that have survived the passage of time and the changes of the world, most of them associated with Greek mythology. Over the centuries, these stories have shaped a Mediterranean culture of their own. The Minoan civilisation arose there and poetry flourished. From its arts to its cuisine to its customs and daily routines, Crete can be understood through its grandiloquent legacy, but also through the delicate nuances that make the island come alive. The word Crete appears for the first time written in ancient Greek (Κρήτη) in Homer's Odyssey. And although the exact etymology of the name is unknown, it is thought to derive from the term krataie̅, meaning "strong or mighty" in reference to its influence on the sea during the Classical period.
With a surface area of 8450 square kilometres, of which 1040 are coastline, its geography is home to unique maritime corners, mountains and plains that, from time to time, alternate with wooded landscapes of pine, olive, chestnut and cypress trees where aromatic herbs such as sage, oregano and thyme grow. Legend has it that Zeus, father of the gods and of all mankind, was born on this fertile Cretan soil, so can you imagine what it would be like to explore the same landscapes with plans that connect you to the island's energy on your next holiday? In this Crete travel guide you will explore some of its mythical places as well as its best beaches. Taste the local dishes. You'll travel to its magical location and have the chance to stay in the hotel that suits you best.
Where is the island of Crete?
It is the largest Greek island and the fifth largest in Europe, but where exactly is Crete? The following coordinates will help you to locate it. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea, in Europe and very close to Asia and Africa. Historically, it was considered a symbolic frontier between East and West (trade, politics and literature all contributed to this). Another way to locate it on the map is by visualising the southern end of the Aegean Sea, the Mediterranean area is located between the countries of Greece and Turkey. About 400 kilometres south towards the Greek mainland, one reaches Athens and, 500 kilometres north, Egypt. It is also the southernmost Greek island region. The capital of the island of Crete is Heraklion.
How to get to the island of Crete
On how to get to Crete, the first option is to fly into one of the island's three airports in Heraklion, Chania and Sitia, where there are direct flights from Athens all year round and the journey takes around 50 minutes. There are direct flights from Athens all year round and the journey takes around 50 minutes. A more adventurous alternative? Take a ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens, to one of the three cities above. In high season, boats also depart from the capital and dock at other smaller ports on the island, such as Rétino and Kissamos. By sea, it takes between 8 and 10 hours to get there (depending on the point of arrival, the route and the company). If you want to visit more Greek islands after reading this Crete travel guide, consider that they are connected by a number of different ferry lines, the only means of transport available to access most of them. During the summer, it is advisable to plan your route well in advance, as tickets are often sold out.
What to see in Crete
Labyrinth of Crete
According to Greek mythology, the Labyrinth of Crete was built by the brilliant architect and craftsman Daedalus to hide the Minotaur. That is why it is also known as the Labyrinth of the Minotaur. It was there that Theseus got lost and, with the help of Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, managed to find his way back thanks to the yarn of wool she gave him. At its centre, the hero defeated the Minotaur, thus saving his countrymen from the ferocity of this fantastic creature, half man, half bull. As you walk through the architectural remains of the place where it is thought to have stood, you will feel the full force of the myth in your own skin. Especially as you go deeper into the Palace of Knossos.
Palace of Knossos
The Palace of Knossos was the residence on the island of Crete of King Minos. According to legend, it was the king himself who had an impassable labyrinth erected in his domain after his wife, Pasiphae, had sexual intercourse with a bull sent by Zeus and gave birth to the Minotaur. The monarch, knowing he had been betrayed, decided to keep the Minotaur alive in the labyrinth of Crete, protected inside his palace. From then on, he locked all his enemies in it so that the monster would devour them: no one, until Theseus arrived, managed to get out of it alive. Knossos was built in 2000 BC.
For centuries it was the nerve centre of Crete, until an earthquake left it almost in ruins. It was abandoned around 1440 BC. Today, many of its parts remain intact, including its artistic works such as the murals painted on the walls, the sculptures and the impressive columns. Most of the archaeological artefacts from the excavation are on display at the Heraklion Museum, less than five kilometres from the site. Don't miss it if you're interested in learning more about the art of the Mediterranean islands!
Samaria Gorge
The Samaria Gorge Nature Reserve, a favourite spot for hikers travelling to Crete, is a must-see in this Crete travel guide. The reserve is home to the longest gorge in Europe. And, except for the rockiest and most vertical path, which winds its way through its walls (with rock walls up to 300 metres high), the different itineraries that run through it are of medium or low difficulty, which is why hiking enthusiasts of all ages and levels come here to practise their passion, as they do to other Mediterranean nature reserves such as S'Albufera de Mallorca. At present, its riverbed is dry. The National Park was created in 1962 to protect the Cretan ibex, called Kri-Kri. In 2003, the ecosystem was declared a World Heritage Site in 20023.
Typical food from Crete
Dakos
Dakos or ntakos, also known as koukouvagia, is a simple and delicious meal typical of Crete. It consists of paximathi (the local barley bread) cut in half with diced or grated fresh tomato and feta or mizithra cheese. It is flavoured with oregano, olives and a generous amount of olive oil. Sometimes a biscotte is also used as a base. On the island it is served as a mezedhes, i.e. as part of the traditional meze. Meze was established in Crete during Venetian rule as a communal culinary ritual, which survives to this day. This custom is associated with the splendid Ottoman banquets, where the host entertained his guests with a table filled with a myriad of small dishes, including hot and cold delicacies made from local ingredients and washed down with brandy, iced raki or ouzo (two locally produced aniseed-flavoured liqueurs).
Pork souvlaki
The recipe for pork souvlaki is a variation on gyros, a street food popular throughout Greece. A skewer of pork loin, seasoned with salt, oregano and black pepper and grilled or barbecued according to Cretan procedure, is placed inside a pita bread folded into an envelope or a cone. It is topped with sliced tomato, raw onion, a Greek yoghurt sauce and (yes, you're reading that right) fried potatoes. On the island of Crete, you will have the opportunity to try it along with many other typical dishes that will surprise you. Local produce includes olives and olive oil, thyme honey, grapes (and wine), citrus fruits, vegetables, cheese and yoghurt, breads and apaki, a type of sausage flavoured with spices and smoked.
Yemista
Hellenic cuisine abounds in veggie dishes such as yemista or gemista, which is prepared with summer vegetables, rice and spices. Vegetables, usually tomato, aubergine and green pepper, are stuffed with round white rice to which seasonings such as garlic, chopped fresh parsley and mint have been added. The rice is cooked in a stir-fry of courgette and onion with a little homemade tomato sauce, or prepared as a pilaf. In some cases, minced beef is also added. Once stuffed, the vegetables are roasted in the oven. They are served with fried potatoes or as an accompaniment to grilled fish, although (unexpectedly) local vegetarian or meat-based recipes predominate in Cretan food despite the fact that, unlike other parts of the archipelago, fishing is rarely practised in Crete's waters. Travel is the best way to discover this and other culinary curiosities that enrich their destinations.
Wedding Pilaf Rice
In Crete, Greek rice pilaf is known as wedding rice pilaf or bride's rice pilaf because of the tradition of serving it at weddings. It is a recipe of Persian origin that, following the customs of the Peloponnese, the Cretan bride-to-be served to her family and friends before the wedding. Does the name ring a bell? If so, you've probably seen the Japanese series Dragon Ball, as the dish takes its name from one of the anime's villains, Pilaf. To make it, long-grain white rice is sautéed in melted butter with sugar and a pinch of salt. Then boil the rice and add sultanas and toasted almond slices. Finally, add a dash of honey and sprinkle with cinnamon powder and chopped fresh parsley.
Sfakiani Pie
And to finish off the typical dishes in this Crete travel guide, something sweet: Sfakiani pie or Sfakiani pita (which, as you may have guessed, has nothing to do with a normal pie) comes from the Cretan town of Sfakia. It resembles a pancake and combines sweet and savoury flavours, characteristic of the island's cuisine. It is made by frying a pita bread filled with mizithra cheese in olive oil. While still very hot, it is drizzled with thyme honey and, optionally, sesame seeds are also added. Crete is home to more than 1,700 plant species, 159 of which are endemic. For this reason, honey is widely used in its cuisine, as well as the herbs that give it its properties, such as thyme, rosemary, sage, marjoram, mint, cumin and fennel.
The best beaches in Crete
Rethymnon Beach
Rethymnon beach is one of the best beaches in Crete and also one of the most complete. It is the kind of coastline you think of when you imagine a paradisiacal beach picture in the Greek islands. It's in the historic town of the same name. If you go between June and August, you may come across some friendly visitors who come here every summer: sea turtles. During the nesting season, many females choose the coastline of Rethymnon to dig their nests. If you come across them, act respectfully, trying not to frighten them or interfere with their routines, as they are very fragile and skittish animals. In return, you will be able to admire them ethically in one of their most beautiful natural habitats.
Pink beach of Elafonisi
As is the case in some of the coves of nearby Montenegro, in certain places in the Greek archipelago there is a mineral phenomenon that causes the sand to appear pink on the shore. This is due to the incidence of light on the small fragments of shells of this shade which, due to the action of waves and erosion, are mixed with other microscopic rocks. At the Pink Beach of Elafonisi, considered one of the best beaches in Crete, the colour is particularly intense. It is located in Chania, on the southwestern tip of the island, surrounded by romantic lagoons and mountains. Its white sand and crystal-clear blue water create shallow pools of water, perfect for relaxation and quiet bathing, in a funnel-shaped coastline that juts out into the sea. As you move towards the tip of the funnel, its narrower end, the terrain becomes wilder and rockier.
Beach of Lianos Kavos
Lianos Kavos is located in Lavris, next to the Cretan town of Panormos, just three and a half kilometres from the centre and a five-minute walk from the marina. Its turquoise waters with iridescent reflections and its line of fine, clean sand, flanked by hills where the vegetation makes its way to the shore, make it a postcard-perfect spot for sunbathing. At sunset, its hues transform and intensify under a golden patina, offering one of the most beautiful views of the Aegean Sea. It is easily accessible and has a car park in the immediate vicinity, making it ideal for children. It also has beach clubs, sun loungers, parasols, changing rooms, showers and toilets in its various private coves. You can enjoy this paradise from your accommodation: some of the best hotels in Crete are located there to disconnect from routine.
Where to stay in Crete
From the resort that makes up the Iberostar Selection Creta Marine and Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare hotels, you'll have direct access to two private coves on Lianos Kavos beach. Tripadvisor users ranked them first and second best hotels in Crete in 2024 in the Lavria area. Both accommodations are designed for the enjoyment of all types of travellers, including families. Children will have fun and learn to care for the environment in their Star Camp space, while adults will relax in an exclusive oasis with sustainability in mind.
This Crete travel guide is just the beginning of everything that awaits you when you arrive at your destination: its six bars and restaurants all offer typical Greek and Cretan dishes such as souvlaki, yemista, Greek salad or traditional grilled Cretan sausages and meats, as well as a wide selection of international dishes. In the evenings, its Underwater Music Club will provide the soundtrack... underwater. Do you like to keep active during your holiday? The complex has three seawater swimming pools (including a children's pool and a heated pool), a tennis court and a fully equipped fitness room. Bicycle hire and water sports are also available. And, so that you continue to prioritise your wellbeing in what will be your holiday home away from home, its SPA Sensations with treatments and massages awaits you like a haven of peace. If you stay in one of its VIP bungalows, you will discover many more reasons to fall in love with the island of Crete.
