Nightlife in Crete

Going out in Crete

Crete has nightlife for every taste: lively bar streets in the resorts, cocktail bars by the Venetian harbours, student bars in Heraklion, beach bars at sunset and Cretan nights with live music in the villages.

Where to go

Hersonissos and Malia on the north coast are the busiest resort areas, with bars and clubs that stay open late in summer; the hill villages above Hersonissos, like Piskopiano and Koutouloufari, are quieter with bars and tavernas. In Chania and Rethymno the bars are in the old town lanes and around the harbour. Heraklion is a university city with cafes and bars that are busy all year. Agios Nikolaos has bars around the lake and the harbour.

When

Greeks go out late: bars fill up after 23:00 and clubs after midnight. The resort season runs from about May to October, and many resort bars close in winter, while the cities stay lively all year.