Greece
Crete
Our notebook to help you plan your trip to Crete: the right season, where to stay and our ideas to make the most of it.
The biggest Greek island: beaches like Balos and Elafonissi, the Samaria Gorge, the Minoan site of Knossos and food that takes you on a journey.
Best weatherIn late spring and early autumn: warm sea and good hiking weather. Midsummer is very hot.
A question?
Wéa answers about this destination: neighbourhoods, seasons, ideas.
When to go
Every season has its charm. Here's how to choose yours, depending on what you want to experience.
Crete in bloom
Flowering meadows, Orthodox Easter and the Samaria Gorge opening in May: the best time for hiking.
High summer
Dream beaches like Balos and Elafonissi, villages buzzing in the evening and village festivals all summer long.
Warm sea
The sea is at its warmest, the crowds head home and the grape harvest sets the rhythm in the villages.
Mild winter
It's olive harvest time, village tavernas welcome you, Chania and Heraklion stay lively all year, and prices are at their lowest.
Where to stay
The right neighbourhood depends on what you're after. Here are our favourite places to stay.
Chania
Chania: the old Venetian harbour, the lanes and the beaches of the west.
Rethymno
A charming old town and a long beach, between Chania and Heraklion.
Heraklion
The capital, near the airport and the Palace of Knossos.
Elounda
In the north-east: the most luxurious resorts, facing the island of Spinalonga.
Our favourites
What we love there: its history, its landscapes, its flavours and its festivals. Take your time, it's all there to enjoy.
The Palace of Knossos
Near Heraklion, this Minoan palace, over 3,500 years old, is linked to the legend of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. Round off your visit at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum.
Ideal for history lovers
The Samaria Gorge
About 16 km of hiking between cliffs and forests, all the way to the Libyan Sea. The gorge is open in the warmer months: bring good shoes and water.
Ideal for hikers
Chania and its Venetian harbour
A lighthouse, colourful houses and charming lanes: Chania's old harbour is one of the prettiest in Greece, especially late in the day.
Ideal for strolling
Balos, Elafonissi and Cretan food
Turquoise lagoons and pinkish sand: these two beaches are famous. On your plate, try dakos, a barley rusk topped with tomato, cheese and olive oil.
Ideal for food lovers