Nightlife in CreteDietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0

Nightlife in Crete

Bars, pubs, clubs and beach bars, from the harbour of Chania to the strips of Hersonissos and Malia.

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.

Must do's

Nostos Irish Cafe Bar Hersonissos Nostos Irish Cafe Bar An Irish style pub with Greek hosts in the hill village of Piskopiano above Hersonissos, open every season since 2001. Hersonissos Hersonissos Hersonissos A big resort with a small harbour. Malia Hersonissos Malia Party resort with a Minoan palace. Chania Old Venetian Harbour Chania Chania Old Venetian Harbour Crete’s most atmospheric waterfront: lighthouse, mosque and Venetian arsenals. Rethymno Old Town Rethymno Rethymno Old Town Venetian lanes, a fortress and a long beach. Heraklion Town Heraklion Heraklion Town Crete's busy capital, with museums and Venetian walls. List Live shows & Cretan nights Music, dancing and dinner List Sunset cruises Golden hour on the water

Bars, pubs & clubs

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Chania 45 Rethymno 20 Heraklion 47 Lasithi 5

5 places

All of Lasithi× September 2027× Clear all

Many bars and clubs in the resorts open only in summer (about May to October), and some city bars close for a while in winter. Always check the opening hours before you go.

Bars & pubs · Agios Nikolaos

Bajamar Cocktail Bar

  • Akti Koundourou, Agios Nikolaos
  • Opening times change with the season. Check the opening hours before you go.
Map

Bars & pubs · Agios Nikolaos

Rob's Corner

  • Agios Nikolaos
  • Opening times change with the season. Check the opening hours before you go.
Map

Bars & pubs · Agios Nikolaos

Palazzo Cafe Bar

  • Kitroplatia, Agios Nikolaos
  • Opening times change with the season. Check the opening hours before you go.
Map

Bars & pubs · Agios Nikolaos

Cafe Puerto Bar

  • Waterfront, Agios Nikolaos
  • Opening times change with the season. Check the opening hours before you go.
Map

Bars & pubs · Agios Nikolaos

Galley Bar

  • Road to Elounda, Agios Nikolaos
  • Opening times change with the season. Check the opening hours before you go.
Map

Good to know

  • Take a taxi or arrange a lift back: never drink and drive, and not on a quad or scooter either.
  • You must be 18 to buy alcohol in Greece.
  • Opening times change with the season; check the bar's own page before you go.