Around 620,000 people live in Crete, which makes it the most populated Greek island.
Where people live
Most live along the north coast. Heraklion is by far the biggest city, followed by Chania and Rethymno. In the mountains many villages have become quieter as young people moved to the cities, but in summer and at feasts they come back to life.
Language
Everyone speaks Greek, and the Cretan dialect has its own words and a softer sound, especially in the villages. In tourist areas English is widely spoken, and many people in the hospitality business also speak German, French or Italian.
Famous Cretans
The writer Nikos Kazantzakis, author of Zorba the Greek, was born in Heraklion. The statesman Eleftherios Venizelos came from near Chania. And the painter El Greco, born Domenikos Theotokopoulos, grew up in Crete before moving to Venice and Spain.
Family first
Family is very important in Crete. Sunday lunches are long, grandparents help raise the kids, and almost everyone has a village they call home.
Updated: 2026-10-29
