Category Archives: Crete Attractions & Tips
July 22, 2026
Best Beaches in East Crete 🏖️: 20+ Top-Rated Lasithi Beaches by Category (2026)
East Crete's Lasithi region is home to some of Greece's finest and least-crowded beaches. Vai Beach (the largest natural palm forest in Europe), Chrissi Island (reachable only by boat from Ierapetra), and Elounda (overlooking Spinalonga) are the standout destinations - but the region has 20+ beaches covering every style from family-friendly bays around Agios Nikolaos to isolated snorkelling coves on the southern coast. This guide is organised by traveller type, with a quick-reference table, an East-vs-West comparison, distances and parking notes per beach, and practical tips for getting there by car. Read article
July 21, 2026
11 Best Museums in Rethymno: Tickets, Hours & Highlights
Rethymno's museums span more than 3,000 years of history - from Minoan artefacts at the Archaeological Museum and prehistoric fossils at the Paleontological Museum to contemporary Greek art at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete (CCA). Several sit within walking distance of the Fortezza in the Venetian Old Town, while a handful - the Museum of Ancient Eleutherna, the Military Museum of Chromonastiri, and the monastery museums - require a car. This guide covers all 11, with opening hours, ticket prices, addresses, and highlights for each. Read article
July 18, 2026
The Best Bars in Rethymno: Beach Bars, Old Town Spots & Nightlife Guide (2026)
How we selected these bars: We visited each location personally and evaluated them on drink quality, atmosphere, value for money, location, and suitability for travellers arriving by car or scooter from other parts of Crete. Bars are grouped by category (beach, Old Town, rooftop) to help you plan an evening itinerary. Bar details - including hours and menus - change seasonally. Confirm opening times directly with the venue before visiting, especially outside the June–September peak season. Read article
July 18, 2026
Rethymno Nightlife: The Complete Guide to Bars, Clubs & Things to Do After Dark
Yes - Rethymno has a lively nightlife scene that runs year-round. The Venetian Old Town and harbor area host bars, clubs, and taverns open until 3–4 AM in summer. The 3-km El Venizelos beach strip and the pedestrian Ari Velouchioti Street are the two main nightlife corridors. The best clubs - Ice Club, Metropolis, and Fortezza Night Club - are all within 10 minutes' walk of each other near the Old Town harbor. Read article
July 13, 2026
Cave of Agia Sofia: Where Is It and How to Get There?
The cave forms a single large chamber whose figure is almost circular, with a diameter of 50 m, a height that reaches 20 m in places and an entrance opening of 20 m, according to Incredible Crete, the Region of Crete's official tourism portal. CretanBeaches reports an entrance width of 25 m and two chambers on different levels, and MeetCrete describes a 20 m ceiling and a 70 m diameter - so treat the figures as a range rather than a single survey. The chapel of Agia Sofia itself measures 6 x 3 m and stands at the left edge of the entrance, per Incredible Crete. Read article
July 5, 2026
July 5, 2026
East Crete: Things to do, Landmarks, Travel Guide and Car Rental
East Crete is prominent in the economy due to its rich archaeological heritage, natural landscapes, and thriving tourism industry. The region has numerous archaeological sites, including the Minoan palace of Zakros, the ancient town of Gournia, and the Minoan settlement of Palaikastro, which attract history lovers and archaeologists worldwide. East Crete is known for its beautiful beaches, such as the famous palm beach of Vai, and its traditional villages, like Sitia and Kato Zakros, which offer visitors an authentic taste of Cretan life. The climate in East Crete is predominantly Mediterranean, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The geography of East Crete is diverse, with rugged mountains, arid terrain, and limited freshwater sources, except for a few springs and the Aposelemis reservoir near Sitia.
East Crete offers a variety of tours and activities for visitors, including archaeological site visits, hiking in gorges like the Richtis Gorge and the Zakros Gorge, exploring traditional villages, and enjoying water sports and beach activities. The region has a well-developed tourism infrastructure catering to various interests and preferences. East Crete has numerous historical structures, including ancient palaces, monasteries, churches, and traditional Cretan houses. East Crete attracts many visitors annually, drawn by its historical significance, natural beauty, and unique cultural experiences.
Read article
July 5, 2026
June 28, 2026
Best Time to Visit Crete: Season-by-Season Guide for 2026
The best time to visit Crete is late May, June, or September. These shoulder-season months combine warm sunshine (26–28 °C), a swimmable sea (22–25 °C), open restaurants and tours, and 30–50% fewer crowds than the July–August peak. If you need beach heat above all else, book July or August and plan to arrive at major sites before 9am.
Read article
June 19, 2026
The Ports of Crete ⚓: What Do You Need to Know?
Crete has 6 main passenger ferry ports: Heraklion (the largest), Chania (Souda Bay), Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kissamos. Heraklion is Crete's major port, with daily overnight ferries to Piraeus (Athens) taking approximately 9 hours. The island also has smaller coastal ports - Ierapetra, Makry Gialos, Tympaki, Sfakia (Chora Sfakion), and Paleochora - used mainly for fishing and day-trip excursions, bringing the total to 11 well-known ports. Read article
June 19, 2026
Transportation Guide in Crete: Every Way to Get Around the Island!
Crete offers six main ways to get around: KTEL buses on the north-coast corridor, taxis for door-to-door trips, rental cars for rural exploration, south-coast Anendyk ferries between coastal villages, cycling in towns, and organised transfers from the airports. Each mode suits a different budget, itinerary and comfort level - and you do not necessarily need a rental car to have a complete Crete holiday.
Read article
June 18, 2026
Heraklion Airport Guide (HER) ✈️: All You Need to Know Before Arriving
Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" (IATA: HER, ICAO: LGIR) is Greece's second busiest airport (after Athens International), located about [distance km="5"] east of Heraklion near Nea Alikarnassos. It operates 24 hours a day, year-round, handles around 9–10 million passengers annually, and is the main gateway to central and eastern Crete. A new airport at Kasteli is set to replace it, with test flights expected to begin in 2027. Read article
June 18, 2026
Chania Airport Guide ✈️: All You Need to Know!
Chania International Airport "Ioannis Daskalogiannis" (IATA: CHQ, ICAO: LGSA) sits on the Akrotiri peninsula about [distance km="14"] from Chania city, near Souda Bay. Operated by Fraport Greece, it is Crete's second-largest airport and the main gateway to western Crete, handling close to 4 million passengers a year. This guide covers the airlines that fly here, transport to the city and resorts, terminal facilities, car hire rates, arrival timing, and what to do in Chania. Read article
June 18, 2026
Sitia Airport (JSH) ✈️: Complete Guide for Visitors to Eastern Crete
Sitia Airport (IATA: JSH, ICAO: LGST), officially Sitia Public Airport "Vitsentzos Kornaros", is a small domestic airport on the crest of Bonda hill, about [distance km="1"] north-northwest of Sitia town in eastern Crete. It serves only Greek domestic routes - mainly via SKY express to Athens and a few regional islands - so UK and other international visitors must connect through Athens, or fly to Heraklion/Chania and drive east. This guide covers the airport's facts, airlines and destinations, how to reach Sitia from the UK, services, transport, car hire, and what to do in the area. Read article
June 18, 2026
Crete Airports: Heraklion vs Chania – Which One Should You Choose?
Crete has two international airports: Heraklion (HER), about [distance km="5"] from the capital, and Chania (CHQ), [distance km="14"] east of Chania city. They are [distance km="150"] apart. The simple rule: fly into Heraklion for central or eastern Crete; fly into Chania for the west. A third airport, Sitia (JSH), handles only domestic routes. Direct flights from the UK run approximately April to November; outside that window, most routes connect through Athens.
Read article
June 11, 2026
Stavros Beach: Complete Guide – Location, Activities & How to Get There
Stavros Beach is a sheltered circular lagoon on Crete's Akrotiri Peninsula, [distance km="15.4"] northeast of Chania, internationally known as the filming location for the 1964 sirtaki dance scene in Zorba the Greek. The beach offers calm, shallow turquoise water beneath the camel-shaped Mount Vardies - ideal for families, swimmers, and snorkellers. Stavros Beach connects easily to Chania by car (25 min), taxi, or public bus - making it one of the most accessible day trips from the city. Read article
June 11, 2026
Spilies Beach: Everything You Need to Know (Local Guide)
Spilies Beach is a sheltered pebble cove [distance km="15"] east of Rethymno, known for crystal-clear deep water, sea caves that shelter the Mediterranean monk seal, and one of Crete's most scenic rock arches - Kamara - reachable in 10 minutes on foot. A true hidden gem among the Rethymno beaches, it sits two minutes off the E75 coastal highway yet stays remarkably uncrowded. As locals who have watched Spilies through the seasons, we can tell you: visit on a calm morning in June and the water is so clear you can see the square rock slabs on the sea floor from the surface. Read article
June 6, 2026
Kourtaliotiko Gorge & Waterfalls: Hike, Map, Opening Hours and Car Hire Guide (2026)
Kourtaliotiko Gorge is a [distance km="7"] protected canyon in southwest Crete, open year-round ([amount euro="5"]/day entry since 2025), best hiked in spring or autumn with a rental car. Kourtaliotiko Gorge took 5–10 million years to form between the Kouroupa and Xiron mountains, with limestone cliffs reaching 600 metres and a 40-metre waterfall near the chapel of Agios Nikolaos. Kourtaliotiko Gorge shelters Natura 2000-protected wildlife, including cliff-nesting raptors such as the Lammergeier (bearded vulture). Kourtaliotiko Gorge charges [amount euro="5"]/day or [amount euro="15"]/year for entry (since 2025), managed by OFYPEKA to fund conservation. Read article
June 6, 2026
Anogia Village, Crete: Complete Travel Guide (What to See, How to Get There, Where to Stay)
Anogia is a mountain village at 750 metres on Mount Psiloritis in Crete's Rethymno regional unit, recognised across Greece for its WWII resistance history, Cretan lyra music tradition, and traditional weaving workshops. Anogia sits [distance km="39.9"] from Heraklion Airport and [distance km="122"] from Chania Airport. With a population of 2,240 (2021 census), it is the largest mountain village in Crete and a base for visiting the Ideon Cave, Nida Plateau, and Skinakas Observatory. Read article
May 15, 2026
Heraklion Nightlife: The Complete Guide to Going Out in Crete’s Capital
Heraklion is Crete's top city for nightlife, offering three distinct scenes: atmospheric bars in the old town, modern clubs along the coastal strip, and the legendary party resorts of Malia and Hersonissos just 30 minutes away. Whether you want bouzouki with raki at midnight or a beach club rave until sunrise, here is your complete guide - venue names, addresses, opening hours, and how to get home. Read article
