Greece

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Crete

Greece's largest island: beaches, gorges, Minoan ruins

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Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Currency: EUR
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: Greece

Photo: Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0

Crete is Greece's largest island, with a long north coast of cities and resorts, rugged mountains and gorges inland, and famous beaches on the south. People come for Minoan sites like Knossos, the Samaria Gorge, Venetian old towns and long, sunny summers.

Largest cities

Athens
Thessaloniki
Patras
Heraklion
Larissa

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Greece
Capital: Athens
Region population: 623,065
Population of Greece: 10.5M
Country area: 131,957 km²
Official language
Currency: Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8926 EUR
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +30
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 1,313 m
Plugs: C / F · 230V
Emergency numbers: 112 · 166 · 100 · 199
Best time to visit: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	7°	7°	9°	14°	19°	23°	26°	26°	22°	17°	13°	9°
Low	1°	0°	1°	5°	9°	14°	16°	16°	12°	9°	6°	3°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$53
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$125
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$340

Plan a trip to Crete

Top things to do

≈ $17
Knossos Palace
Walk the reconstructed Minoan palace with its throne room and frescoes; go early or late to avoid midday heat and tour buses.
- Half day
- Heraklion and Knossos
- Good for kids
≈ $14
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
See the original Minoan frescoes, pottery and the Phaistos Disc; pair it with Knossos and allow two hours.
- Half day
- Heraklion and Knossos
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Heraklion Venetian Harbour and Koules Fortress
Stroll the old harbour, the Venetian arsenals and the fortress walls; best in the evening when it cools and tavernas open.
- Half day
- Heraklion and Knossos
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Chania Old Town and Venetian Harbour
Wander the lanes of the old town past the Venetian lighthouse and Ottoman mosque; the harbour is at its best around sunset.
- Half day
- Chania and the west
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $5
Rethymno Old Town and Fortezza
Explore the pedestrian lanes below the massive Venetian fortress and climb up for harbour views; come in the evening for dinner in the old town.
- Half day
- Rethymno
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Elafonisi Beach
A full-day trip to the pink-sand lagoon and shallow turquoise water; arrive early as parking and shade fill up in summer.
- Full day
- South coast and gorges
- Good for kids
≈ $6
Samaria Gorge
A 5–7 hour downhill hike through a national park to the south coast, open roughly May to mid-October; start very early and wear proper shoes.
- Full day
- South coast and gorges
≈ $12
Spinalonga Island
Boat from Elounda or Agios Nikolaos to the Venetian fort and former leper colony; combine it with a swim stop and the shallow water at Elounda.
- Half day
- Lasithi and Agios Nikolaos
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Greece is in the Schengen area, so many visitors from the Gulf, India, Spain and Latin America can enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, while others need a Schengen visa applied for in advance; check your nationality's rules before booking. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is being introduced, and travellers may need to register fingerprints and a photo at the border, with no fee. Always confirm current requirements with the Greek embassy or consulate and the official EU travel site.

Official website

From the airport

Most visitors fly into Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ); Heraklion airport is at the edge of the city, about 15–20 minutes by taxi or bus to the centre, while Chania airport is roughly 30–40 minutes from Chania town. Ferries from Piraeus also dock at Heraklion, Chania/Souda, Rethymno and Sitia.

Getting around

Rent a car for the island, as buses link the main north-coast cities but are slow and sparse for beaches, gorges and mountain villages.

Local tips

Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries; beachwear belongs on the beach.
Carry some cash for village tavernas, kafeneions and small shops, though cards are widely accepted in cities.
Book ferries, popular beaches and gorge hikes ahead in July–August, the busiest and hottest weeks.
Summer afternoons can hit 35°C or more; hike gorges early, carry water and sun protection, and note that Samaria Gorge usually opens May to mid-October.