Explore Crete

Beaches, nature, history and villages across the whole island.

Beaches

Crete has more than a thousand kilometres of coastline, and almost every type of beach you can imagine: shallow turquoise lagoons in the far west, pink-tinged sand at Elafonisi, palm-fringed river mouths on the south coast and tiny coves you reach on foot. As a rule of thumb, the north coast is easier to reach and well organised, while the south coast (the Libyan Sea) is wilder, quieter and often calmer when the summer meltemi wind blows from the north.

Sandy beaches 117 Lagoons 8 Secluded coves 92 Pebble beaches 20

See all: Beaches

Nature & Gorges

Behind the beaches, Crete is a mountain island: three ranges above 2,000 m, hundreds of gorges, caves linked to the myths of Zeus, high plateaus and rare palm forests. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking; in summer, start early and carry plenty of water.

Gorges & hikes 33 Caves 18 Plateaus, forests & parks 24 Lakes, rivers & waterfalls 14 Mountains & peaks 10

See all: Nature & Gorges

Sights & History

Crete was the centre of the Minoan civilisation, Europe’s first advanced Bronze Age culture, and later ruled by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians and Ottomans. You can walk through Minoan palaces in the morning, a Venetian harbour at lunchtime and a monastery that symbolises Cretan independence in the afternoon.

Archaeological sites 48 Museums 46 Churches & monasteries 43 Forts & castles 22 Landmarks & old quarters 28 Villages & Towns 100

See all: Sights & History