Find a Travel Buddy in Crete

With its beautiful turquoise shades of the sea and its magnificent ancient history, Greece is a popular tourist destination. The most visited Greek Islands are Mykonos and Santorini thanks to their amazing views, but the biggest Greek Island is Crete and there is so much to see in this beautiful island. If you are looking for the best travel guide to Crete, travel buddies, and so much more you can find everything you need for your next destination here! Make sure to check the upcoming trips to Crete so you can join one of them easily and you get to meet your travel buddies with JoinMyTrip!

Since it is a big island, there is so much to see and to do in Crete! Here are some recommendations on what to do and where to visit during your stay on this beautiful Greek Island.

1 - Sunbathe at Seitan Limania Beach

Seitan Limania Beach is near Chania. We recommend visiting this amazing beach early in the morning so you can enjoy the sunrise while swimming in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea.

2 - Walk Around in the Biggest City of Crete, Chania

Chania is the biggest city on all of the Greek islands which means you can find everything you need in this city! The architecture, the culture, the historical sites, and the food is just amazing here. Make sure to check out the lighthouse and the old Venetian Harbour during your stay in Chania.

3 - Visit the Oldest City in Europe, Knossos

The Knossos Palace which is also known as the oldest city in Europe is worth visiting. This archeological site has been there since the Bronze Age. You will be amazed by this well-preserved ancient ruin!

4 - Cotton Candy Pink Beach, Elafnosi

It looks unreal, but Elafonisi Beach is naturally pink! Make sure to check out this popular destination in Crete so you can take cool pictures where turquoise and pink meet!

5 - Get Lost in the Aegean Forests in Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge is a hiking spot that has an amazing view of the olive trees and the canyons around you. It is the perfect spot for nature lovers!

1 - Rethymno

This old medieval town will make the perfect background for your Instagram page.

2 -Balos Beach Lagoon

The Lagoon is professional photographers' favorite spot in Crete and there is a reason for that! The different shades of the perfect turquoise color water…

3 - Chania Venetian Harbour

Check out this small old harbor in Chania and you can take cool pictures here that look like a postcard!

4 - Vineyards

Greece has some of the best wines. You should visit the vineyards around Crete if you want to take unique photos away from the crowds. You can also try the homemade wine when you are there!

1 - Palm Tree Forests

Crete has the biggest palm tree forests in Europe. The palm tree forest at Vai Beach is stunning. This place has such a good vibe with the sandy white beach and palm trees. If you go there around sunset, there is no doubt that you will take some amazing photos!

2 - Richtis Gorge

Would you like to feel like you are in a fairytale during your stay in Crete? Then you should visit Richtis Gorge! This place is perfect for nature lovers. There is a hidden waterfall and an isolated hidden beach at the end of the road. You can also see a wide range of different plants and trees while you walk around the area.

3 - Loutro

Loutro is a small fishing village. With the turquoise water and the nice houses painted in white and blue, it spreads the traditional Greek energy! You can enjoy the view with a nice meal during your stay in Loutro.

4 - Agiofaraggo Beach

Most of the beaches in Crete are quite crowded during high season, but Agiofarago Beach is

A dreamy beach that is only known by the locals! Take a dip into the crystal clear water and sunbathe on the white sand beach.

5 - Vamos

Vamos is a small village near Chania. What makes this place unique is that it is eco-friendly and it is not a massively touristic place. Visit Vamos when you need some quiet time away from the crowds! Try the local food here because it is yummy and homemade!

10 Days Travel Itinerary to Crete

Are you looking for a guide for your next trip to Crete? Here is the best travel itinerary for a ten days trip to Crete and we make sure you see all of the must-see places around the island! Join one of the trips to Crete with our Trip Leaders with JoinMyTrip and enjoy this beautiful island without worrying about anything because JoinMyTrip got you covered!

Day 1-4

Arrive in Chania

One of the airports in Crete is located in Chania. Stay in Chania for four days to explore all the beauties around the city. You can visit Seitan Limani, Vamos, Balos Beach, and Rethymno while you are in Chania.

Day 4-7

Explore the South of Crete Island

Arrive in Loutro and stay here for another three days so you have enough time to explore the south of Crete. You can take a daily road trip to Elafonisi Beach. The famous hiking trail, Samaria Gorge is super close to Loutro so you can go on a hiking trip when you are there!

Day 7-10

Head to the West, Heraklion

Heraklion is another big city in Crete. Heraklion is a beautiful ancient city that offers many things to do and to see. There are many places that you can visit near Heraklion like the oldest city, Knossos, and the two hidden gems: Richtis Gorge and the palm forest Vai Beach. You can explore everything in three days around the area during your stay in Heraklion.

The months of mid-May to June, or September to October, are ideal for a trip to Crete. Warmer waters and magnificent wildflowers abound in May, which may be found throughout the island's natural features.

If you plan on visiting during the summer, we strongly advise you to go in June, as July and August attract a large number of guests, potentially jeopardizing the comfort of visitors who came to the island to relax. The heat of the high season, as well as lodging rates and tourists, cools off in September and October, making this the perfect time to come.

If you’re on the island during these months, be sure to stay for the following festivals 

Wine festival 

Every summer, various villages on the island of Crete host wine festivals. The wine festival in Anogia is particularly popular.

Houdetsi festival 

This international festival that takes place in Matala every June is known for taking a trip back in time, with music, art, and literature from the hippie age of 1960 to 1970.

By Rental Car

Crete is a big island, but transportation is quite easy there. The most convenient way to get around is by rental car. You can find many rental companies around the island or you can get one from the airport too. Book your car in advance so that you can have it right after your arrival.

By Taxi

If you don't feel like driving, you can always use taxis to get around in Crete. You can find cab stations everywhere or you can find them online.

By Bus

Public transport in cities is not that common, but you can use the buses if you want to travel around different cities. All you have to do is go to the bus station and buy your tickets and you are done!

By Ferry Boat

If you want to visit the small islands near Crete, you can use ferry boats. If you also want to visit the other Greek islands like Santorini, Patmos, or Mykonos, you will need to use the ferry boats that go around those islands.

By Walking

If you want to spend most of your time in one city, then you won't need any kind of transportation. Since the cities are quite small, you can go everywhere on walking.

Well, one of the most important topics when it comes to traveling is calculating the price and the costs. If you are wondering how much you would spend on your next trip to Crete, we are here to help you out! Traveling to Crete, or Greece in general can be affordable. Depending on your budget, you can find every type of accommodation in Crete. Keep reading to find out more about how much it costs to travel to Crete!

The average amount of daily costs to expect when traveling to Crete without including the accommodation is:

Budget-Friendly: €35-€45

Mid-Range Budget: €50-€70

High Budget: €80+

1 - Accommodation:

Budget-Friendly: €15-€25 one night, per person

Mid-Range Budget: €50- €60 one night, per person

High Budget: €150+ one night, per person

2 - Food

When it comes to food, Greece has some of the best of it! They have so many traditional foods and mezes (side dishes) that you need to try. Luckily, every type of budget can get really good food here, from the street food to the ones in the fancy restaurants.

Budget-Friendly: €10-€25 per meal

Mid-Range Budget: €30-€50 per meal

High Budget: €60+

3 - Transportation

Depending on your budget, you can find the most convenient and suitable one for you when you are traveling to Crete. Here is a rough calculation of how much it would cost to get around in Crete.

Budget-Friendly: €15-€25 per day

Mid-Range: €40-€70 per day

High Budget: €90+

Crete has one of the world's oldest and unique culinary traditions. Sure, it's comparable to the rest of Greece, but the Cretan style of cooking is distinctive and unusual. It’s also super fresh  and flavorful.

Dakos

This appetizer consists of chopped tomato, topped with cheese, seasoned with a bunch of herbs, and drizzled with olive oil (AKA Crete’s liquid gold). Those toppings are then placed on top of a Paximadi - which is an authentic Greek rusk. 

Sarikopitakia

Pastries stuffed with sheep's cheese, fried in olive oil, and served warm with honey on top. They receive their name from the shape of the scarf worn by native males on the island's western side.

Raki 

Raki is an alcoholic beverage that is usually served after meals in Crete, usually free of charge. It's prepared after the grapes have been picked in the autumn. It's a by-product of the winemaking process. To avoid wasting anything, the remaining skins and other materials are preserved for six weeks before being distilled into Raki.

Chochlioi boubouristi

Chochlios means snail in Cretan dialect, and in this meal they are fried in a skillet with flour and heated olive oil, then showered with wine (or vinegar) - Some people like to add a pinch of wild rosemary to their dish.

Apaki

This dish of luscious smoked pork is cooked over several days, with pig strips marinated in vinegar for days. The meat is then hung above the fire to smoke, which is created with local herbs such as sage, bay, and rosemary. The finished product has a fresh herb flavor and can be served cold in thin slices later.

Horta 

Cretans have been eating wild greens known as "horta" for hundreds of years. These are wild plants found in Cretan fields, olive orchards, and mountains. Served with lamb, fish, eggs, and other foods. It is thought to be one of the secrets to longevity because it is high in vitamins, calcium, iron, and Omega 3 fats.

Tsigariasto

Tsigariastó is a traditional Cretan dish from the western section of the island. It's usually lamb or goat cooked gently in extra virgin olive oil at very low heat. It has a flavor that melts on your mouth.

Here are tips from travel experts that you should definitely check out before your visit to Crete

Food on a budget

Street snacks in Greece are pretty affordable, if you want to get a quick meal that is filling - go  and order gyros pita stuffed with either chicken or pork with an add-on of chips, vegetables, and spoonfuls of tzatziki. It shouldn’t cost you more than €4.

Visiting attraction sites 

Most tourist attractions and museums are open all day, or at least until 3 p.m. Avoid the coach-tour throngs by going about noon, when most tourists are eating their lunch. Plan to see landmarks that are open in the evening after 5 p.m., when most day trips have ended.

Where to party

Look for signs offering Cretan music evenings – glendis – for a dose of local life. In the summer, the ticket price would be around €15 and would include a set meal that consists of a starter, main meat dish, and dessert, as well as a carafe of raki or local wine. Around 10 p.m., the festivities and dancing begin; pack your comfy shoes and plan to party until morning!

Be careful when driving in Crete 

Cretans tend to speed along narrow, winding roads that are sometimes washed away by mountain runoff or blocked by landslides. Even in "no passing" zones, so be sure to not get pressured into speeding and drive safely. 

Bring your student ID

Many of Greece's historical landmarks and museums are free or discounted for students, so bring your student ID with you if you have one.

Don’t pack your home office

Crete doesn’t really have the fastest wifi so be sure not to pack your laptop and just focus on exploring beaches.

Visit the south of Crete 

Southern Crete is less developed, owing to a wall of steep mountains, deep valleys, and woods that separate it from the tourism north. As a result, it represents the island's more traditional aspect. If you rent a car, make a point of going to southern Crete and staying a few days. 

Pack up hiking shoes 

Crete's magnificent gorges and mountain landscape are another reason to arrange a few trekking sessions. Also, bring a light pair of hiking shoes that are comfortable if you want to enjoy this type of trek. Even a sturdy pair of sneakers will suffice. Many of your adventures will be accompanied by these loyal buddies.

What to wear

Shorts and T-shirts are fine for roaming around the cities and beaches on Crete due to the warm temperature. If you plan to visit any religious places, however, make careful to dress conservatively in long slacks or skirts and shirts that cover the shoulders and chest area. When dining in restaurants, you should dress more formally because Greeks like to dress up when they go out.

Spending habits 

Foreigners are common in Cretan restaurants, and they take most major credit cards. Cretans, on the other hand, prefer to pay with cash (the official currency of Greece is the euro). You are not required to tip in Greece. Although service charges are frequently added to restaurant bills, a 10% tip is enough if you want to provide something extra.