Crete lies at the southern edge of Greece, between the Aegean Sea to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south. Africa is closer than you might think, a few hundred kilometres away.
Size
It is the largest Greek island and one of the biggest in the Mediterranean: about 260 km long and between 12 and 60 km wide. That is why driving from one end to the other takes most of a day.
Mountains
Three big mountain ranges run along the island: the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) in the west, Psiloritis (Mount Ida) in the middle, which is the highest point at about 2,456 m, and Dikti in the east. Snow on the peaks in spring, while people swim at the coast, is a very Cretan sight.
Climate
Crete has a Mediterranean climate with long, hot and dry summers and mild, wetter winters. July and August often go above 30 °C. The south coast is usually warmer and drier, the mountains much cooler.
Wind
In summer the strong northern wind, the meltemi, can make the north coast rough. That is when the beaches on the south coast are at their best. Check the live sea conditions on our beach pages before you go.
Planning when to come? Read When to visit Crete.
Updated: 2026-10-29
