Experience your own amazing Crete, Greece's island paradise

The Island Paradise on your Doorstep

With approximately 600,000 inhabitants, Crete is the largest Greek island and the most southerly (with the exception of the small island of Gavdos). From east to west, Crete is about 260 km wide, whilst the distance from north to south varies between 15 and 65 km. The island has an area of approximately 8,336 square kilometres.

Situated only 320 km south of Athens, Crete is very easy to reach for most visitors.

With its long, flat, sandy beaches, the north coast is the main tourist attraction on the island. All the major cities are also on the North Coast: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. In the south you will find beautiful coastal cliffs and countless idyllic bays.

The mountainous interior, however, is the least known region of the island: a long mountain chain (up to 2456 metres high), which extends over the entire island. This is just the place to look for small, traditional villages and meet the natives of Crete.

In the very best hands: Hospitality and cordiality are a matter of course on Crete

It's hard to think of anyone who will take better care of you than the Greeks. Known for their hospitality and warmth, you will be in the very best hands with your Greek hosts, whether in the local taverna or in an exceptional top-class hotel.

Their kindness, openness and generosity will add a sweet touch to every day of your holiday, making you both feel embraced, pampered and completely welcome far from home.

If you are looking for a destination where you can be sure that people will look out for you, wish you the best and simply want to share special moments in life with you, Crete is a safe choice.

Travel information for Crete

Local Time

Greece is in the time zone GMT + 2, which means, for example, that there is two hours’ time difference between the UK and Greece.

Electricity

The voltage on Crete is 220V. The sockets require a standard European 2-pin plug. You will therefore require an adapter for electronic devices using other plugs.

Entry Requirements

Citizens of EU member states can travel to Greece on a passport or identity card.

Entry requirements for minors: Since 26/06/2012, every child needs their own proof of identity. The inclusion of a child on their parent's passport is no longer valid. If a child is travelling with only one parent, it is recommended to bring a self-written (unofficial) declaration of consent signed by the other person with parental responsibility. All minors travelling alone require an officially certified declaration of consent signed by the parents or the person with parental responsibility.

Currency

The official currency of Greece is the euro.

Airports

There are two international airports on Crete: Chania Airport (CHQ) and Heraklion Airport (HER) with regular air traffic throughout the year.

Medical care

Crete possesses an extensive network of licensed specialists, state hospitals and private clinics. You will find a modern, private clinic with specialists in Chania. For holidaymakers who regularly need dialysis during their vacation, modern dialysis centres are available in Chania.

It’s recommended to buy travel health insurance before a vacation. In the case of an acute illness or an accident, travel insurance not only enables you to be transported home if required without any difficulty, but also provides optimal medical care locally, for example by highly qualified specialists.

Package holidays or individual breaks with your own travel arrangements

A holiday trip to Crete can be booked either through a travel agency as a package tour via a tour operator, or individually with your own travel arrangements via online travel agencies (OTAs) or directly with the selected hotel.

In the case of a package tour, travel services such as flight, hotel and usually transfer to the hotel are firmly bundled into a package and sold at a total price. A package tour can be booked in a local travel agency or online on the website of the respective tour operator or a corresponding online travel agent.

In the case of an individual holiday booking, the travel components (flight, hotel, transfer) are not strictly bound together but can be flexibly combined and booked separately. You can benefit from dynamic flight and hotel offers, as the flight fare is not coupled with the hotel rates.

Crete can be reached by plane, ferry and cruise ship

The preferred way for most holidaymakers to get to Crete is by plane. Other options are regular ferry connections from the port of Piraeus near Athens and cruise ships.

There are two international airports in Crete: Heraklion Airport (HER) and Chania Airport (CHQ) with dense air traffic throughout the year. Direct flights to Crete are available from most major European airports from April to November. The duration of a direct flight between the UK and Crete averages at about 4 hours. Outside the tourist season, Crete can usually be reached by connecting flights via Athens.

Heraklion Airport is considered the larger airport and is currently served more frequently. However, Chania airport has been modernised and expanded in recent years, so that significantly more direct flights to Chania can be expected in the near future. Construction of a new international airport in Kastelli near Heraklion has already begun. It is to become the second largest airport in Greece after Athens.

Today, Crete is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean - cosmopolitan yet arcane

The island of Crete is particularly recommended for all holidaymakers who love bathing, nature, hiking, history, and culture all at one place, without ever having to repack their bags.

The island of Crete is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the beginnings of European culture and retrace a history that goes back for millennia. At the same time, it is a paradise for those sun worshippers who want to relax and enjoy the sweet life on the beaches, those who want to pamper themselves with culinary delights and to de-stress at wild parties.

That’s because on Crete you will find an impressive holiday setting with long, sandy beaches and idyllic coves; with ancient monuments and medieval castles; with a vibrant nightlife and glorious hiking trails through high mountains and deep gorges.

The incredibly dense diversity of the island means that it’s possible to experience a huge range of scenery, settlements and activities, whilst being based in one location, which means that you really can treat yourself to a luxury home away from home, and enjoy it to the full, whilst still having a huge range of activities and options open to you.

Fascinating hiking tours through unique, unspoilt nature

Especially in spring, when the temperatures are mild and nature is green, a hiking holiday on Crete is recommended. From relaxed walks and individual hiking routes to guided hiking tours and excursions lasting several days, there is something for every fitness level. Every hike shows how diverse the scenic beauty of Crete is. Especially the west offers a great combination of mountains and waters.

The highlight for hikers, however, are the more than 400 gorges on Crete. In the south of the island is probably the best-known destination among hikers on Crete: the Samaria Gorge. With a distance of 17 km, it is the longest trekking gorge in Europe and offers spectacular views time and again. A slightly less frequented alternative is the Agia Irini Gorge, which at 7.5 km is also much easier to tackle. For families with children, the 2-hour tour through the Imbros Gorge is a good choice. If you would like to combine a gorge hike with a bathing excursion, take a short tour through the Agiofarango gorge in south-central Crete.

Breathtaking adventure and activity holidays. Fun, excitement and unforgettable activities in Crete

Did you think Crete was all about beach holidays and that they weren't exciting enough for you? Time to rethink! Because on Crete you will experience extraordinary sports and entertainment that often seem extreme to outsiders, although there is hardly any real risk or maximum requirements. Are you brave enough?

For example, you can not only hike the almost 140 m deep Aradena Gorge, but also get to know it by bungee jumping. Canyoning and climbing are also offered in some gorges.

Do you prefer water as your element? Take advantage of Crete's wide range of water sports to go diving, jet skiing or visit a water park. By the way, holidaymakers can also spend an active yet relaxed day by the water at Lake Kournas. At Crete's only natural freshwater lake, colourful pedal boats are available and you can discover various rare animal and plant species.

If you want to combine sporting activity, nature and culture, then why not take a mountain bike tour and explore the hinterland of Georgioupolis. Here you will encounter idyllic landscapes, hidden villages with historic churches, an interesting castle - and of course the friendliness of the locals.

History and myth up close: An exciting cultural journey through time

Greece's largest island not only delights holidaymakers with its fantastic beaches and diverse nature, but also has a rich cultural heritage. The first people settled on Crete as early as 9,000 years ago, and in the 3rd millennium it rose to become a maritime and trading power.

Mythology and history are closely intertwined here and are brought to life by numerous archaeological sites, historical buildings, museums and monasteries. Walk in the footsteps of Europe's earliest advanced civilisation, discover the treasures of Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman architecture and learn to understand the Cretans' self-image!

Boundless delights for the palate: Crete's traditional cuisine and culinary insider tips

The Greek Mediterranean island of Crete is a real insider tip in culinary terms. In addition to excellent star cuisine with unique upscale food creations and the well-known Greek classics, such as baked feta, souflaki and moussaka, you can experience an incomparable and individual variety of flavours on the island.

Cretan cuisine stands out in its own way from that of mainland Greece and also differs from the cooking on other Greek islands. At the same time, the dishes are much more digestible and in no way comparable to the menus of Greek restaurants abroad.

It is not only the way they are prepared, but also the high quality of the individual ingredients that makes traditional Cretan dishes so unique.