17 Things To Do In Crete: Beaches & Island Trips

On previous visits to Crete, we have explored most of the island and love the delightful northeast seaside town of Agios Nikolaos. From here, it’s easy to experience different local beaches – each one is a destination on its own!

With stunning sandy beaches, interesting towns full of ancient history, quaint villages, and famous hikes to undertake there are countless things to do in Crete! It’s even close enough to island hop to Santorini or Rhodes!

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At 260 km in length, it will take you around 5 hours to drive from west to east. Crete’s coastline is over 1000 km so it is a pretty big island! 

One side of Crete faces the Agean sea and the other the Libyan sea.  There are 4 main areas to choose from in Crete to base yourself in.

Your choice will depend upon what you want to do when you get there. Read on for tips to help you decide which location is best for you and which airport to fly into as there are two – Chania and Heraklion. 

Crete – 13 Incredible Beaches

Did you know that Crete holds the #1 position in Greece with 146 Blue Flag Beaches!! FYI  Halkidiki in Northern Greece mainland is ranked #2 with 104 – check our Week Itinerary in Halkidiki Greece to learn more about this region.

As we mentioned earlier, Crete has over 1000 miles of coastline so you’re never going to be far from a stunning beach. 

From our own experience of spending time here, the Chania area is your best location base to explore Crete’s top sandy beaches.

Just bear in mind that you may need to travel quite far to get to some of these (trust us its so worth it!). 

1. Elafonisi Beach

Famous for its pink-tinged sand, Elafonisi beach is a standout with its powdery, fine sand that extends into shallow, crystal-clear waters. It’s no surprise it has been voted one of the Top 50 Beaches in the World!

It’s beautiful and often a feature photo for Crete so if you love photography don’t miss this spot. If you like quieter beaches, the main area may not be for you but wander a little further from the crowds and you will enjoy a quieter vibe.

2. Balos Lagoon & Beach

Known for its pristine white sand and turquoise waters, Balos Lagoon offers a stunningly beautiful sandy area that is perfect for relaxing and sunbathing. Rent an umbrella and chairs on the beach and you’re all set for the day!

Although you can take a boat ride here from Chania, driving yourself gives you more flexibility with the option to arrive earlier in the day before the crowds. This is a lovely area to pack yourself a Greek picnic and enjoy it on the beach as food facilities at Balos are limited.

Note: The hike from the car park to the beach (& back) may be a little tough for younger kids or those with mobility issues. Watch out for goats on local roads!

3. Falassarna Beach

If you are looking to be able to park right next to the beach and avoid long walks like at Balos, come to Falassarna. With its long stretch of golden sand, Falassarna Beach is one of Crete’s most beautiful sandy beaches. In fact, it is actually 5 beaches strung together with contrasting mountains at each end.

What draws people here, beyond the stunning beach scene, are the sunsets along the kilometre west facing sands. Kids will love the rock pools and ‘pink sand’ although it is not as prevalent as the pink sands of Elafonisi and Balos.

Although the main beach has coarse sand head to North Beach here and you will discover fine, soft sand and clear, shallow waters making it ideal for families and sunbathers. 

4. Stavros Beach

Made famous in the 1960s film Zorba, Stavros Beach features soft, golden sand and clear, shallow waters, making it a comfortable spot for lounging and swimming. 

It’s also a great spot if you are travelling with little kids and want to start them off snorkeling as the waters are so clear and calm. For the more adventurous of us, try hiking up the Stavros Mountain behind the beach for some stunning views.

To be honest, this is a perfect day trip destination if you don’t want a long drive or prefer to take a taxi from Chania.  

5. Platanias & Agia Marina Beaches

Platanias Beach boasts a wide expanse of golden sand and blue clear waters – 4km to be precise! Add on adjacent Stalos and Agia Marina beaches and you have a gorgeous Crete beach destination.

The beach slopes very gently here so families and kids will adore this play space. That said, Platanias Beach area is also a mega entertainment spot in this region of the island, so if you like to party at night, check this area out.

You can also enjoy a wide range of water sports if you’re the energetic type!

6. Matala Beach

Known for its unique caves and beautiful sandy shore, Matala Beach offers a blend of history and soft, golden sand, making it a fascinating and comfortable place to relax.

7. Preveli Beach

Preveli beach is in a protected area so you won’t find the typical organized seaside facilities here.  But you will find a spot where the Megalos Potamos River flows into the sea, passing through many palm trees and forming a lake.

There are water sports in this lake to explore the river so Preveli is a wonderful place to swim. The beach is a mix of coarse sand and pebbles so pop your water shoes on for paddling around.

Once you park up, you need to walk down a steep rough path to the beach – wear sturdy footwear!

Today this is quite a tranquil area – perhaps a hang over from the seventies when Preveli beach was quite a global magnet for hippy travelers 🙂

8. Elounda Beach

In Eastern Crete and in the resort town of Elounda, this beach has fine, soft sand and is well-maintained, offering a pleasant setting for relaxation and beach activities.

9. Via Beach

On the far northeastern side of Crete, in the region of Lassithi, is a fantastic beach called Vai. The special thing about this beach is that it is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe, consisting of 5,000 trees.

The soft sand, the crystal water, and the natural beauty make this beach an inviting place for families.  Make a day trip out here as it’s quite a long way east.

10. Agios Nikolaos Beach

In the town of Agios Nikolaos, this beach has a sandy shore with fine sand and clear, shallow waters, providing a pleasant experience for visitors. It’s a great beach to combine with wandering around the delightful streets and pottering in the shops.

11. Almyros Beach

A 5-10 minute walk from a recent stay in Ariadne Hotel.

The beach here is sandy and has very gentle shelving into deeper waters.   A kiosk sells drinks and snacks and you can sign up for some water activities but it’s pretty low key. 

Book 2 sunbeds with a parasol for €12 and also receive 2 bottles of water for the day. 

12. Sissi (or Sisi) Beach

Located in the beautiful Crete village of Sissi is a natural harbour. This popular spot offers a protected small beach with calm waters along a rocky coastline.

For a little larger and some say a more enjoyable beach, head on a little further to Boufos Beach as in the image above for great swimming, snorkeling and sunning yourself.

However, what’s special about Sissi is it’s authentic. It still has the charm of a Greek Island fishing village with working boats at the harbour. Make a day of it by staying for dinner. You can have the freshest of seafood in a stunning location!

Fabulous Things To Do In Crete – Day Trips

Taking a day trip on Crete whether by driving yourself around or with an organized tour is the best way to appreciate the rich culture – past and present – of the island. This is also a break from beaches, wonderful though they are!

13. Explore The Palace of Knossos

Visiting Knossos is one of the most popular activities to do in Crete especially if you are interested in ancient history and Greek mythology. Built around 1700 BC, it served as an important centre for Minoan culture until its destruction by a fire around 1450 BC.

Knossos was once the centre of Crete’s ancient Minoan civilization.   The palace is believed to have been the home of King Minos and his legendary Labyrinth, where he kept the Minotaur.  It’s a fascinating story.

It is also said to be where father and son, Dadeleus and Icarus (the boy who flew too close to the sun) were imprisoned by King Minos. 

Considered by many as the oldest ancient city in Europe, its Bronze Age ruins cover 4 square miles. The site is packed with vibrant frescoes depicting day to day life, soaring columns, crumbling staircases and various rooms. 

Information boards along the way provide more facts if you haven’t got an audio guide. You will need around 3 hours to walk around the site and explore it properly. Although if you’re a real history buff, you may need longer. 

Wear comfortable shoes, take sunscreen and water with you. There are restrooms, a cafe and a gift shop on site. 

14. Hike The Samari Gorge

If hiking is your thing, this famous gorge may already be on your bucket list. Location wise, if you’re staying in western Crete it will be easier and quicker to get to (around 2 hours each way from Chania) but day trips do run from Heraklion. 

Be prepared however for a long drive from Heraklion. Plan for around 3 hours each way! We suggest an easier option is to stay near the gorge for a night and make a real adventure of this incredible hike.  

Allow between 5-7 hours to walk the complete length of the gorge. 

At a length of 16 km, Samari is Europe’s second longest gorge starting at an altitude of 1230m in the mountain trailhead of Xyloskalo and continuing through rocky terrain, over streams, past several churches and chapels, and forests down to the shores of the Libyan Sea in Agia Roumeli. 

The walk through the National Park of Samaria is 13 km. But you will have to walk the extra 3 km to Agia Roumeli to the exit of the National Park making it a total of 16 km. 

At one point, the walls are only 3 metres apart from each other, and are known as the ‘iron curtains’ with sides rising sheer up to 100 feet. Amazing!

For more detailed information, we recommend reading the West Crete Samari Gorge Guide which we found very useful.  

15. Is it worth doing a day trip to Santorini from Crete?

We say absolutely “YES” if you have time in your Crete itinerary.  Santorini is a stunning island, renowned for its beautiful sunsets and blue and white stone buildings perched on the hillside.

Based on our own experience of this trip, in a day, you get a decent feel for this volcanic island.

You will enjoy spectacular views, a local lunch, spend a little time on the beach and check out the main town of Fira. 

How to Get From Crete to Santorini

Check out Santorini day tours that collect from your hotel, include your ferry crossing and tour around Santorini on arrival. These can save you time and effort and make work out cheaper.

If you prefer to organize your own trip crossings are from Heraklion Ferry Terminal or Rethymno only. You will need to factor in getting there from your chosen accommodation. From Chania or Agios Nikolaos you will be adding on another 1-2 hours travelling. 

High speed ferries will get you there in 2 hours or allow 3-4 hours with the slower conventional ferry companies. For more information on ferry crossing times and fares check Ferry Hopper and  Heraklion Ferries.  

• Fares range from around €70 for slow ferries to €150 return for the fast ones but it will depend on the operator and the time of day. 

• There are two ports in Santorini – one for ferries and one for cruise ships. The ferry one is 8km from the main town and capital of the island, Fira.  

• When you arrive at the port, unless you are on an organised tour, aim to go up to Fira.  To get there you have 3 main options

• Pre Book a private transfer with Welcome Pick Ups.
• Queue at the local taxi rank. Cost around €35. Travel time about 15 minutes. Worth it if you can share with others.  
• Take a local bus which is only a couple of euros but takes 25 minutes and there could be quite a queue for the bus.  

Are There Any Negatives?

These 3 points aren’t really negatives but more things to be aware of. 

• Although beautiful, the island is increasingly busy with tourists desperate to see the magic of Santorini.  There are 20,000 residents yet tourist figures expected for 2024 are 3-4 million!  Our advice? Avoid July and August; Check theSantorini cruise ship schedule to avoid cruise tours groups. 
• Your day trip could be as long as 14 hours with a good 6 hours of that travelling so factor that in when deciding whether to go or not.  
• It is more expensive than other Greek Islands so up your budget.  

16. A Day Trip to Spinalonga Island

The uninhabited island of Spinalonga is located in the north east of Crete in the Gulf of Elounda and opposite the town of Plaka.  Interestingly, it wasn’t always an island but during Venetian occupation in 1579, it was carved out of the coast and used for defense purposes and a huge fortress was built there. 

Ruled by the Ottomans for many centuries, in 1903, it came under Greek rule again. The island then became a leper colony and over the years more than 1000 Greeks were sent there to quarantine.  This continued for several decades until a cure for leprosy was found in 1948.

For most of those years, conditions were not good. By 1957, the island was no longer used for this. 

If you’ve read the book called ‘The Island’  by Victoria Hislop,  you’ll know that Spinalonga was the setting. Her best selling novel of 2005 told the story of the lepers and how they built a life for themselves despite their hardships. 

After that, Spinalonga’s popularity grew as a tourist attraction and now many day trippers visit to see the island and learn more about the history for themselves.  If you are based in the north east of Crete and love history this is a great day trip to take. 

To get to Spinalonga, take a boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka.  

Itineraries to Spingalonga

From Agios Nikolaos – these scheduled tours tend to offer you time to swim and have lunch as well as an island visit.  Check these itineraries to make sure it is the right one for you as your time to explore Spinalonga may be limited. Tours range from around €20.  

1. From Elounda – this is a popular village for tourists with a sandy beach. Combine a visit here with a trip across to Spinalonga. Boats every half hour taking 15-20 minutes. Cost €12 for a return ticket and flexibility for you to choose when to return.

2. From Plaka – 10km from Agios Nikolaos. Catch the bus from Agios Nikolaos €3 return to this small quaint fishing village offering the quickest crossing of only 5-10 minutes.  Cost €10 return. Locals recommended this as the best option to us.  Buy your ticket from the kiosk on the quay. On your return, have a late lunch in Plaka and enjoy the beach.  

For all options, an additional cost is your €8 entrance to Spinalonga. You can spend 1-2 hours exploring the island on your own self tour. 

17. Tour The Heraklion Archaeological Museum

If you’re in Heraklion and want to escape the heat of the day, this museum is well worth 2 hours of your time..  The  museum houses many artefacts from all periods of Cretan history, covering a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. 

Highlights of the museum 

• Knossos Palace: The museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from the Palace, including treasures such as frescoes, pottery, and figurines.
• Minoan Pottery Collection: showcases remarkable artistic skills and cultural practices of ancient Crete.

• Statue of the Snake Goddess: Be mesmerised by the iconic statue of the Minoan goddess, that sheds light on Minoan religion and mythology.
• Minoan Jewellery: Admire precious jewellery pieces from the Minoan era, crafted with intricate detail and exquisite materials.
• Roman Collection: Discover artefacts mostly from the Late Roman periods, showcasing the influence of this powerful empire on Crete

Useful To Know

Although the Knossos website makes reference to a bundle ticket at €25 when we tried to book it,  the response was ‘not available’.

We found another option for Combination tickets but at €39 these were more expensive than booking separately!   It’s worth checking both sites, just in case of seasonal offers or things change. 

Where Is Crete?

Crete is the largest Greek Island and the fifth largest of the Mediterranean islands. It lies about an 8-9 hour ferry ride south from Athens although more recently Sea Jet high-speed ferries are cutting that journey to 6 hours. 

 

Where To Stay in Crete – 4 Main Regions

Now you’ve had a chance to discover these amazing things to do in Crete from stunning beaches to exciting day trips and where they all are, the question is where do you stay? To help you decide, here’s a bit more on the main towns in each region of Crete.

Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lassithi are the four main regions of Crete. Although most tourists distinguish the island in terms of western and eastern Crete, from our time here we find it more helpful to use these 4 categories. 

Chania

Crete’s 2nd largest town is a perfect base for Samaria Gorge, Elafonisi and Balos beaches. The 14th Century Venetian Old Town is centered around the Old Port.

Narrow streets are filled with museums, tavernas, cafes and boutiques. Chania airport is only 14 km away. 

Rethymno

66km east of Chania you will find Crete’s third largest town. Fly into Heraklion or Chania – an hour transfer time.

Less touristy, Rethymno has a similar harbour setting to Chania with Venetian landmarks including a fortress. The old town is mostly pedestrianised. Take a ferry from here to Santorini.

Heraklion

The capital of Crete with its airport only 5km away from the city. Although not as picturesque, Heraklion is a great base due to its central location on the island.

Here you’ll find museums, plenty of history, restaurants and beaches. Knossos is also very close by. If you plan to island hop, the ferry port serving Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos is here. Other popular towns in this area are Malia, Sissi and Hersonissos.

Lassithi

Popular towns in this north eastern area include Agios Nicolaos and Elounda. Heraklion airport is around an hour away.  Elounda is regarded as the luxury location of the island with upmarket beachfront resorts surrounding a charming former fishing village. 

Half an hour south of Elounda, is Agios Nikolaos with many superb beaches close by.  The town is also famous for its stunning centre and Lake Voulismeni. At one time it was considered bottomless, but is connected to the sea by a small canal. 

The lakeside features restaurants and bars on one side and towering cliffs on the other. Views are spectacular both day and night.

From both towns, travel easily by boat to the island fortress and former leper colony, Spinalonga.  Also don’t miss stalactite-filled Psychro Cave, believed to be the mythological birthplace of Zeus.

How To Get To Crete, Greece

If you are flying into the island, Crete has two airports.  Chania is in the west and Heraklion serves the eastern areas.  Heraklion is the busier of the two and has many more flights arriving daily from Europe than Chania. 

We have flown to both. On our last visit, we flew with Jet 2 from London as we were heading to Agios Nikolaos in the eastern part of the island.  

Heraklion Airport arrivals are fairly efficient. Last time it took a mere 15 minutes from landing to meeting our transfer taxi driver.  Perhaps we were lucky but travelling with no checked luggage always speeds up the process.  Use our Tips for Hand Baggage Only to lighten your travel load.

How To Get Around Crete

Getting from the airports to your accommodation is easiest by taxi. 

We usually pre-book our taxi transfer via booking.com for best rates. To give you an idea of price, the 50 minute journey from Heralkion Airport to Agios Nikolaos covered 70km and cost £48 each way. (2024). 

The company we last used was Crete Cabs so it’s worth checking their rates directly too. Cheaper options include taking a bus to your main town and then possibly a taxi after that but with many stops, it could be a long ride

To check fares and timetables between towns and to and from the airports use Ktel bus services.  Car hire options are available at the airport and major towns on the island.  There are no good train services!

FAQs

Greek Food – What To Expect

Greek food may sound fairly traditional but that doesn’t mean it is boring. Its delicious. With an emphasis on locally grown produce like olives, eggplant (aubergine), and organic cheese, fresh breads it’s hard to go wrong. 

Try local favourites like fresh Greek salads, moussaka, tzatziki , Papoutsakia (little stuffed aubergines), gyros (lamb, chicken, beef).  Being an island local octopus, squid, as well as freshly caught fish of the day fill menus in most restaurants . 

We highly recommend local wines which are great value and delicious. For something a little stronger try the national drink Ouzo!

Greece Island Hopping

So there you have it. Visit Crete for a few days as part of a Greek island hopping extravaganza, or spend a full week or two here!

If like us, you love Greece and are looking for other Greek adventures, we highly recommend Corfu. Our Corfu with Grown Up Kids article is a helpful guide for taking older children to Greece.

Don’t overlook mainland Greece either. We have also spent time in Lefkada and here’s a great Guide to Exploring Lefkada in a Week