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Holidays in Crete

With its own unique folkways, history and spectacular scenery, Crete is like a country within a country. Soaring from the deep blue Mediterranean, holidays here take in stunning mountains, palm-fringed sandy beaches and historic harbour towns built around Venetian fortresses.

Beach bums, lounge lizards and outdoor adventurers all find something to please on Greece's biggest island. Fly-and-floppers head straight to the island's north coast, where a chain of turquoise bays and golden beaches are fronted by wide range of accommodation – think friendly guesthouses and self-catering apartments, as well as gorgeous boutique hotels within aristocratic townhouses, all-inclusive resorts, and some very lush enclaves.

Culture cravers, meanwhile, ditch the sun-lounger for a dip into Crete's rich past. From the 4,000-year-old relics of the vanished Minoan civilisation to forgotten Roman cities and grim Ottoman fortresses, a long and fascinating history is still scribbled across the island.

For foodies, Crete has a menu that ranges from distinctive Cretan delicacies such as patsas (tripe soup) and chochlioi (wild snails) in red sauce to upscale Mediterranean-fusion in fine-dining restaurants. Pair your meal with any one of the new-style Greek wines. It's not just about cheap and cheerful retsina these days and you’ll find plenty of drops made from uniquely Cretan grape varieties.

While you can easily spend a holiday to Crete hopping between pretty beaches, tasting Greek treats and sunbathing your days away, it’s rewarding to get off the beaten track here. Hidden valleys, secret grottoes and tiny offshore islands let you play castaway for a day are just a stone’s throw away from the big hitters – if you know where to look.

Popular Crete holiday packages

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Hotel Harmony

  • Malia, Crete, Greece
  • 28 September 2025
  • Bed & breakfast
  • Heathrow

Prices from

£585 pp
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Erofili Apartments

4

Good

  • Hersonissos, Crete, Greece
  • 28 September 2025
  • Room only
  • Heathrow

Prices from

£554 pp
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Galini Apartments

4.4

Excellent

  • Analipsis, Crete, Greece
  • 18 May 2025
  • Room only
  • Heathrow

Prices from

£557 pp
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Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Cheap Crete holidays under £300pp

It’s possible to find cheap deals in many of Crete’s main resorts if you’re travelling on a budget. Chose a small hotel or a self-catering apartment along the strip of lively resorts that stretch eastward from Gouves. From Hersonissos to Malia, Stalis and Sissi, you’ll have plenty of options to suit your wallet. Chania, the island’s second largest city, also has a decent range of affordable holiday deals and is relatively close to two of the island’s loveliest beaches: Balos and Elafonissi. If you’re planning on relying on public transport, be aware that it can be pricey. A hire car could be a better option.

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Maria Rousse Hotel

  • Malia, Crete, Greece
  • 8 May 2025
  • Self-catering
  • Gatwick

Prices from

£258 pp
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Pelagia Bay

4.3

Very Good

  • Agia Pelagia, Crete, Greece
  • 8 May 2025
  • Bed & breakfast
  • Gatwick

Prices from

£273 pp
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Elpis Studio-Apartments

4.4

Excellent

  • Bali, Crete, Greece
  • 14 May 2025
  • Self-catering
  • Gatwick

Prices from

£293 pp
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Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

Crete holiday packages with hotel close to the beach

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Senses Blue Boutique Hotel

4.3

Very Good

  • Hersonissos, Crete, Greece
  • 18 September 2025
  • Bed & breakfast
  • Belfast Intl

Prices from

£738 pp
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Hersonissos Village

4.2

Very Good

  • Hersonissos, Crete, Greece
  • 18 September 2025
  • All-inclusive
  • Belfast Intl

Prices from

£753 pp
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Silva Beach Hotel

4.3

Very Good

  • Hersonissos, Crete, Greece
  • 1 May 2025
  • All-inclusive
  • Stansted

Prices from

£668 pp
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Prices and availability shown can change. Always check pricing with the provider before booking.

When to go to Crete

When to go for the best weather

You'll find cheap holiday deals in Crete for much of the year, whether you're looking for a luxury all-inclusive holiday or a budget getaway with pals. The holiday season stretches from April until late September, with prices peaking at Easter, during May school holidays, and in July and August. At these times, beaches and poolsides are busy and there are long queues for key attractions such as the Palace of Knossos.

When is the cheapest time to visit Crete?

Winter is the cheapest time to visit Crete but be aware that most hotels, and many restaurants, clubs, and waterparks close between late October and early April. Expect cool, wet and windy weather between November and March.

When to go for the best of both

For some of the best deals on package holidays to Crete, try travelling in the shoulder seasons. In early June or September and early October, you’ll find cheaper prices, fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures still in the high 20s to low 30s.

What to do in Crete

It can be tough to tear yourself away from Crete's miles of golden sands but there's so much more to see and do, from the ghostly ruins of ancient Minoan cities to walks through spectacular Cretan scenery and trips to offshore islands.

Water parks and watersports

Sandy beaches from Platanias and Rethymnon to Malia and Plaka offer all manner of watersports. For low-key days on the water, you’ll find banana-boats, paddleboards and pedalos for hire, or you can take things up a notch with parascending, jet-skiing and windsurfing.

Water parks for kids and kids at heart include Star Beach, which has its own sandy bay near Hersonissos, and Heraklion’s Watercity Waterpark, where kids under 90cm tall go free.

Minoan Palaces

Hub of the 4,000-year-old Minoan civilisation, the ancient Palace of Knossos – rediscovered and reconstructed in the 20th century – is a dazzling complex of brightly painted columns and vivid fresco paintings of bulls, dancers and dolphins.

Knossos is the best known and most spectacular of Cretan ancient sites, but it's not the only one – Festos, another Minoan palace site, and the ruins of the Roman city of Gortys nearby are also well worth a day trip.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Plunge into Crete's past in this spectacular museum, crammed with over 5,000 years of history. Some 27 rooms are filled with gorgeous Minoan, Hellenic and Roman treasures, but pride of place goes to an exquisite 16th-century BC drinking vessel in the shape of a lifesize bull's head. Carved from black stone, it’s embellished with gilded horns and rock crystal eyeballs.

Kids will like the displays of miniature pottery animal figures, and in the garden, you’ll find the ruins of a Venetian monastery.

Samaria Gorge

A daily cavalcade of walkers troop down this breath-taking gorge as it carves its way from high in the White Mountains to the south coast of Crete. At 16km long (almost 10 miles), expect to take at least six hours to complete the medium-difficulty trek to the sea.

Tour buses take you from most resorts to Omalos, where the trail through walk begins, and boats pick you up from Agia Roumeli, where it meets the sea. Go in early May or late October to dodge the crowds and enjoy the best walking weather.

Island trips

Take a boat trip to Spinalonga, an island fortress island in the Gulf of Mirabello with a grim history. Covered by formidable fortifications built by the Venetians, it held out against the Turks until 1715. It was later used as a prison and – until less than a century ago – as a leper colony.

Much less gloomy is tiny Elafonisi. Leave the crowds that flock to its mainland counterpart and set off across the shallow turquoise lagoon on foot to discover a quieter side to the area. Don’t forget your camera – this stretch of coastline looks more Caribbean than Cretan and is famous for its pink sands.

Where to stay in Crete

For families

Families visiting Crete like Gouves, less than 20 minutes from Heraklion airport and ideal for flopping straight on to the beach. Right next to Gouves, Hersonissos is another family-pleaser with its huge beach and attractions including the Aquaworld Aquarium and Star Beach waterpark.

Stalis, midway between Hersonissos and Malia, has warm shallow water and soft yellow sands, while further east, Agios Nikolaos, with its four beaches and lively atmosphere, is a good pick if you’re travelling with older kids.

For food and drink

Elounda is guaranteed to please foodies, with a big choice of upscale restaurants serving up a fabulous menu of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian-fusion dining. Sissi’s harbour also has a clutch of good options.

For authentic Cretan food, stay in Heraklion or in Rethymnon's old town, where you'll find ouzeri restaurants offering tasty meze platters and local wines.

For nightlife

Malia is the best area in Crete for party animals who like to chill all day and rock all night. There's a long sandy beach with a huge choice of watersports, and it’s easy to find cheap hotel and apartment deals right in front of the resort.

After dark, top DJs host spectacular club nights but you don't have to wait until sunset to start the party – beach venues host all-day events by the sea.

For culture

Choose a hotel in Heraklion to be close to cultural attractions such as the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos. Alternatively, stay in Rethymnon to discover the hidden history of Crete under Venetian and Turkish rule in the picturesque old town, as well as island traditions at the Historical and Folk Art Museum.

Elsewhere, Chania is known for its 14th-century Venetian harbour, lighthouse and the Firka fortress. You’ll also find the Nautical Museum here, and the delightfully simple but well-reviewed Greek National Football Museum.

Tips and advice

Is it safe to go to Crete?

Violent crime involving visitors is rare, but theft from rental cars is common. Do not leave valuables in plain sight in your car. Accidents involving rented scooters and quad bikes are not uncommon, so use caution. For up-to-date travel advice for Greece, check the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Do I need a visa to go to Crete?

No, travellers with a full British passport do not need a visa to visit Crete.

How many days do I need in Crete?

You need at least a week to take in the top sights and enjoy all the activities on offer in Crete. A two-week stay gives you time to explore off the beaten track, with plenty of time to relax on the beach, too.

What is Crete known for?

Crete's flagship attraction is ancient Knossos, an amazing relic of Europe's oldest civilisation. But there's more: sandy beaches, historic towns, outstanding food and drink and breath-taking mountain scenery are all part of the mix.

Good to know

Flight time

4.00 hrs

(from London)

Currency

Euro (€)

Language

Greek