Is Crete Worth Visiting? 15 Reasons Why You Should Visit [2023]
Is Crete Worth Visiting?
The short answer is – YES, Crete is worth visiting! Crete is an underrated Greek island, which has been gaining more well-deserved recognition recently. From sweeping mountain views, lively harbors, colorful old towns, big cities, beautiful lakes, stunning sunsets, and gorgeous beaches – this “unsung hero” has it all! While this picturesque island still remains under the radar, it is on track to become a must-visit destination. If you are on the fence about adding Crete to your Greece itinerary, check out this post!
15 Reasons Why Crete is Worth Visiting
1. Little Bit of Everything / Something For Everyone
Crete has a little bit of everything, which means there is something for everyone! Beach lovers will find plenty of beach options to visit. Nature lovers will find an abundance of outdoor activities, which range from hiking, swimming, kayaking, and everything in between! History buffs will not be disappointed, as there are many ancient sites and museums to explore. From small villages to lively harbors to big cities – Crete truly has it all!
2. Full of History, Ancient Sites, and Landmarks
This large Grecian island is chock-full of ancient history, including many ancient sites and landmarks. While ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and fortresses can be found peppered around the island, the most notable historical ancient sites can be found in (or near) the city of Heraklion. These notable sites include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Cave of Zeus, and the Heraklion Archeological Museum.
3. Beautiful Beaches
There is an abundance of beaches in Crete, all around the island. There are beaches sprinkled along the coast of the entire island, so no matter where you stay you will find a lovely beach to visit.
4. Stunning Sunsets
Sunsets in Greece are STUNNING. While Santorini gets the most buzz for its sunsets, Crete actually has spectacular sunsets that can give Santorini a run for its money.
5. Picturesque Coastal Villages, Colorful Old Towns, and Big Cities
Whether you are into exploring cities at a fast pace or taking leisurely strolls in idyllic coastal towns, Crete can meet your needs.
Heraklion is the island’s largest city and offers tons of things to do and see while satisfying your city needs. Chania, on the other hand, has a small-town charm with its lively harbor and small winding streets that can be explored within 30 minutes. If you are looking for a mix of both city and small town, Rethymno offers you the best of both worlds.
6. The Mountains Make it Unique from Other Islands
Crete’s mountainscape makes it unique from the traditionally popular tourist islands like Santorini and Mykonos. The large mountains in Crete offer amazing views, adventurous hiking, and beautiful scenery to soak in while driving around the island.
7. Nature Lovers and Adventurers Can Find Endless Activities
Whether by land or by water, nature lovers and adventurers are sure to be pleased with the many activities that can be found in Crete. Boat excursions, kayaking, scuba diving, parasailing, swimming, sunbathing, hiking, walking amongst ancient ruins, and exploring caves and archaeological sites are just a few of the countless things one can do while in Crete.
8. Great for Short or Long Visits
Crete is great for both short visits and long visits. While it is impossible to fully experience the island during a short visit, you can get a nice feel during a 4-night stay. For a more rounded-out trip, a 7-night stay allows more time to explore and venture out further to see more locations or add in more activities. Of course, a longer visit like a 1-month stay will give you an even deeper dive into the island. The great thing is that Crete is so large, so even with a 1-month trip, you will still only just be scratching the surface.
9. Perfect Island for a Road Trip
Crete is the perfect island for a road trip because it has a beautiful scenic view and many spots to explore. You can venture a few hours by car, explore a new village, and eat a delicious meal, before getting back on the road to drive a few more hours to the next spot.
10. You Can Navigate Without a Car
The great thing about Crete is that you can still explore the island without renting a car. There are many options for transportation if you do not feel comfortable driving yourself or do not have the budget for a car rental.
11. The Island is Very Large
The island of Crete is very large. In fact, it is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea! Since Crete is so big, it is guaranteed you will not run out of things to do or see, no matter the length of your stay.
Something to note about Crete is that the Northern part of the island is more developed for tourism than the Southern part. In fact, most visitors choose to stay in the Northern/Central area (Heraklion) or in the Northern/Western area (Chania and Rethymno).
12. Crete is Very Safe
Crete is a very safe island. It is very laid back and exudes a sense of security. As with any location, always stay aware of your surroundings.
13. Easy to Get to Other Greek Islands
It is very easy to get to other islands from Crete. The easiest way is by ferry boat. There are two main ferry hubs in Crete where ferries dock, in Chania and Heraklion.
14. An Authentic Greek Experience
Visiting Crete will give a more authentic Greek experience and a truer sense of the Greek culture than visiting other touristy islands.
15. Affordable
A great reason to visit Crete is that it is affordable. As opposed to other touristy islands that have inflated pricing due to tourism, Crete’s prices remain lower and more affordable.
FAQs about Crete
Is Crete a Nice Greek Island?
Yes! Crete is a nice Greek island that offers everything while giving an authentic Greek experience.
What is So Special About Crete?
From delicious cuisine, beautiful beaches, scenic views, outdoor activities, wild nightlife, and historical sites, to so much more, Crete is special because it has unique qualities found scattered across many other Greek islands all on the same island.
Things To Do In Crete
Explore the largest city in Crete: Heraklion. Spend the day in harbor towns in Western Crete: Rethymno and Chania. Day trip to Lake Kournas.
Endless activities await you such as exploring ancient ruins, kayaking, scruba diving, sunbathing, swimming, eating, shopping for local souvenirs, and so much more.
Which is Better Santorini or Crete?
Santorini and Crete cannot be compared, as they are each unique in their own way. If it is your first visit to Greece, and you must choose one over the other, I would recommend Santorini. Most tourists picture white buildings and blue-domed churches when imagining Greece, which is exactly what you will find in Santorini. However, Crete is not overcrowded like Santorini, and it is a much larger island so it can offer so much more to do and see.
Where is Crete On a Map?
Crete is located on a map in the Mediterranean Sea, just South of mainland Greece, North of Libya and Egypt, West of Turkey and Cyprus, and East of Southern Italy, Sicily, and Malta.
How Do I Get to Crete?
You can get to Crete by airplane, directly from the city of Athens in mainland Greece. Another way to get to Crete is by ferry boat, which travels from the city of Athens in mainland Greece and from other Greek islands.
What Are Must-See Sites in Crete?
Must-see sites in Crete vary on location and interest. In Heraklion, the most famous sites are the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archeological Museum. Nearby, you can also explore the Cave of Zeus.
Don’t forget to visit Efalonisi Beach aka the “pink sand” beach to capture your most Instagram-worthy photos. FUN FACT: the pink is actually not sand, but instead crushed-up shells!
How Many Days Should I Stay in Crete?
The great thing about Crete is its large size, making this destination perfect for both short and long visits. The minimum recommended stay, for a taste of what Crete offers, is 4 nights. However, due to the plethora of activities, sites to see, and places to visit, you can easily spend an entire month in Crete and still not run out of things to do!
What is The Best Way to Navigate Crete?
The best way to navigate Crete is by renting a car, especially if you are staying for a longer duration or if you plan on traveling between different villages/cities while on the island. Another great option for traveling longer distance are tour busses (example: day trip from North Central Crete to North Western Crete, etc.)
Other modes of transportation are private taxi, public bus, and ATV quad rentals.
What Food is Crete Most Known For?
While all of Greece is known for making excellent and tasty extra-virgin olive oil, the best is known to be made in Crete. Crete is also most known for its tomatoes! A delicious food to try in Crete is stuffed tomatoes. Other most-known Cretan foods include Cretan cheese, Kaltsounia (cheese pies), Cretan Yogurt, and Honey. Of course, most traditional Greek dishes are found in Crete as well.
Why is Crete So Cheap?
Crete is reasonably priced, especially compared to the most popular Greek islands like Santorini and Mykonos, because it is not as heavily visited by tourists. Although it has gained more recognition recently, it still remains a more wallet-friendly option for those wishing to visit the Greek islands.
What is The Best Time of Year to Visit Crete?
The best time of year to visit Crete is any time of the year! While June, July, and August will have the hottest weather and the best water temperature for swimming in the sea, that is also usually the timeframe when Greece is most heavily visited by tourists. April and May or September and October are called “shoulder season”, and refer to visiting the Greek islands when the weather is not as hot and there are fewer tourists.
WRAP UP: Is Crete Worth Visiting?
Absolutely yes! Crete has so much to offer and is still relatively lowkey compared to other islands like Santorini. Definitely add it to your Greece Itinerary because you will not be disappointed.