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Basics about Crete, the largest island in Greece and a major tourist destination. It’s got plenty to offer everyone who visits.
Introduction to Crete
Crete isn’t just another Greek island, it’s a destination unto itself. You’re guaranteed to be amazed at what you see and you’ll love the hospitality of the Cretan people. The island has its own unique customs and cuisine, a fascinating history, incredible nature, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I spent five days on Crete and got a good taste of the island, but I could have spent a few weeks and still not have seen enough.
When to Visit Crete
The best time to visit Crete is between the months of May and October. I was there in the middle of June, just at the beginning of high season. It wasn’t too crowded outside the beaches, but it was still pretty full everywhere I went. I wouldn’t have gone any later to avoid the heat and crowds.
Shoulder season, from May to the beginning of June and September through October, would probably be the best time to go. The weather is great, it’s less crowded, and everything is open during those times.
Getting to Crete
You have two options – by sea and by air.
Ferries to Crete
Crete is well-connected by ferry at the ports of Heraklion and Rethymno. There’s service from Athens via Piraeus and the islands of the Cyclades such as Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Karpathos, and Rhodes. If you’re traveling to Chania, there’s direct service from Piraeus only (as of March 2024). We came into Heraklion from Naxos, which took about 3 ½ hours. Check ferries.gr for timetables and booking options.
Heraklion International Airport
When leaving Crete, we flew out of Heraklion International Airport, officially named for writer Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957). It’s a small airport with seasonal flights all over Europe. The airport is set to be replaced by a new and much larger airport in 2027 (as of March 2024).
Getting Around Crete
I highly recommend having your own transportation to get around Crete. You can do it by public bus but you won’t be able to reach as many places. If a rental car isn’t in your budget, you can base yourself in one of the major cities and book tours to some of the must-see destinations like Balos Beach, Knossos, or Elafonisi. For bus schedules and rates, check the official KTEL website.
Monza Rent-A-Car
I rented a van for our group of five from Monza Rent-A-Car, who I found on rent-a-car-crete.gr. They met us as we got off the ferry at the port in Heraklion and walked us over to the vehicle. We were able to drop off the van at their office across the street from Heraklion International Airport on the day we left Crete.
While it was old and not in the best condition, the van ran just fine and got us where we needed to go. My only complaint is that it was a lot bigger than we needed and tough to find parking. Other than that, the price was fair and service was great. We nicknamed it “the Beast”.
Driving in Crete
Driving in Crete is fairly easy and relaxed. There are speed cameras so it’s best not to drive too far over the speed limit. Drivers are fairly courteous. You might encounter the occasional tailgater flashing their brights at you, but they’re not being rude and only asking to pass. In that case, move over onto the shoulder when you have a chance and let them pass. As for parking, it’s free in the municipal parking lots.
