Crete holidays

Deals from £169 per person
Crete holidays

Best hotels in Crete

As the biggest of the Greek Islands, Crete holidays are great for couples, families and those who prefer to explore the world solo. Rethymnon and Hersonissos suit families who like to flit between the town and the beach with resorts sitting right by the coast. Couples will love Chania, a pretty harbour town crammed with medieval charms, while Elounda is just as romantic but with more of a boujee feel. 

Our holidays to Crete can be booked as an ATOL-protected package covering your return flights and hotel. Choose a getaway that you can grab now and leave in a few days’ time, or if you prefer to be organised, our 2027 trips may be a better fit.

 

Crete holidays at a glance

• Best for: Families, couples, history buffs & hikers
• Flight time: Around 4 hours
• Best months: May - October 
• Top resorts: Hersonissos, Elounda, Rethymnon, Chania & Heraklion

 

5 reasons to choose Crete

1. There’s a beach with pink sand

Crete’s home to spectacular shorelines like Elafonisi, one of the few beaches in the world that has pink sand. Its unique colour comes from seashells and makes for some incredible pictures if you visit during the summer. 

2. Summers are long

Summer in Crete isn’t just a short few months! Temperatures start to heat up around May and last right into October, which means plenty of autumn beach days.

3. Easy to reach from the UK

Taking just over 4 hours to get there from most UK airports, it’s a great option if you want a sun-soaked hotspot that’s close to home. 

4. A resort for every taste

Family-friendly and right by the coast? Try Agia Marina. Something a little more luxe? Opt for Elounda. All about ancient sites? Heraklion’s the place to be. 

5. A great mix of All Inclusive hotels 

From super-fancy stays like Stella Island and Mitsis Selection Laguna to family favourites like Rethymno Mare and Lyttos Beach - Cretes has some fantastic All Inclusive options.

 

Which Crete holiday is right for you?

All Inclusive holidays in Crete

What’s better than a week of Crete sunshine? A week of Crete sunshine with meals and drinks on tap! And thanks to the island’s excellent choice of All Inclusive hotels, you’ve got plenty to choose from. Some by the beach, some close to the city, and others surrounded by nothing but mountains. 

Best for: Families and couples seeking a week of pure relaxation with most things paid for upfront. 

Top areas:

Hersonissos: Great selection of All Inclusive hotels, from plush beachside stays with private pools to resort-style hotels with onsite waterparks. 

• Chania: Ultra All Inclusive packages, beachfront settings and adult-only facilities.

• Elounda: Super-modern 5-star stays with unrivalled service and jaw-dropping poolsides. 

Explore: Hersonissos | Elounda 

 

Family holidays in Crete

Shallow-water beaches perfect for paddling tots and quaint coastal towns with a welcoming family atmosphere - your gang will feel right at home in Crete.

Best for: Families who want a mix of beach time and activities.

Top areas:

• Rethymnon: Venetian Fortress, pirate ship sailings (old port), family hotels and pram-friendly harbour.

• Hersonissos: Top-rated All Inclusive hotels, 42-slide waterpark, arcades and a great choice of beaches, from quiet coves to sands jam-packed with watersports. Tip: A great choice if you’re holidaying with older kids. 

• Heraklion: Historical must-sees like the Palace of Knossos and fun attractions such as CRETAquarium and Dinosauria Park, alongside lots of family-run tavernas. 

Explore: Rethymnon | Heraklion

 

Couples holidays in Crete

Sunsets that stop you in your tracks, beaches so beautiful they look like AI, and cosy waterside towns you can spend all evening getting lost in. Crete was made for couples - from its peaceful resorts to its fancy adult-only retreats. 

Best for: Crete is perfect for couples who want relaxation, culture and a choice of outdoor activities. 

Top areas:

• Chania: Venice vibes, a blend of architectural styles, breathtaking beaches, intimate bars, waterside tavernas, and boat trips to Balos Lagoon.

• Elounda: Luxe 5-star hotels with honeymoon suites, stylish harbour, waterfront dining, Spinalonga island views, tucked-away beaches and a wellness centre.

• Agios Nikolaos: Lakeside strolls at sunset, boutique hotels, rooftop dining, people-watching, scenic boat rides, olive oil tours and beach-hopping.

Explore: Agios Nikolaos 

 

Beach holidays in Crete

Beaches your thing? Crete’s home to some of Greece’s most amazing coastlines! Step on Elafonisi’s pink sand, sunbathe surrounded by palm groves at Vai beach, or hit Matala - a must at sunset thanks to its iconic sandstone cliffs. 

Best for: Crete’s beaches suit just about every kind of holidaymaker thanks to their shallow waters, watersports and dramatic backdrops. 

Top areas:

• Chania: The island’s most famous beaches in easy reach, rural feel, lagoon waters, pink sand, hidden coves and watersports.

• Plakias/Agia Marina: Seafront hotels, beach bars, long stretches of golden sand, well-equipped beaches with watersports, sun beds and changing facilities.

• Elounda: Calm, snorkel-friendly waters, Spinalonga Island views, a mix of sand and pebbles and a good choice of facilities. 

 

Winter sun holidays in Crete

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Crete is still comfortably mild during the winter. Busy spots like Heraklion will start to feel pleasantly peaceful with plenty of tables to choose from in the tavernas, not to mention having popular tourist sites all to yourself. 

Best for: Those hoping to avoid Crete’s summer crowds with breaks centred around hiking and culture instead of beach days. 

Top areas:

• Heraklion: Open year-round, museums, historic sites, shopping, bakeries filled with winter favourites, local life, cheaper accommodation. 

• Chania: Coastal walks, deserted beaches, day trips to rural villages, slow shopping days in its old town

Tip: It’s best to stick to big towns and cities during the winter months as a lot of the smaller resorts shut down for the season. 

 

Cheap Crete holidays

A bit of a bargain hunter? You’ll find plenty of cheap Crete holidays, especially if you avoid the peak summer months of July and August. It’s also a great spot for affordable Self Catering apartments where you’ll be able to fill up on wallet-friendly snacks like gyros and crepes. 

Best for: Budget-minded holidaymakers who are prepared to sacrifice luxury for affordability. 

Top areas:

• Heraklion: Budget digs, cheap transport links, budget family-run tavernas.

• Malia: Student deals, hotels / apartment-style accommodation and cheap supermarkets.

• Plakias: Less developed, great value food, family-run hotels, harder to reach.

 

Where to stay in Crete 

Heraklion 

Best for: Short transfer, first-timers, lovers of culture, and foodies.
Known for: Historical sites, traditional tavernas, architecture and wine.
Holiday style: A Greek island city break spent indulging and sightseeing. It’s also a great starting point for a road trip.
Hotel type: City centre hotels from boutique to budget.


Chania

Best for: Couples, scenery and beach lovers.
Known for: Venetian harbour, world-famous beaches and romantic feel.
Holiday style: Relaxing beach break with a side of culture.
Hotel type: Large adult-only complexes and boutique hotels. 


Rethymnon

Best for: Couples, families, culture and getting around without a car.
Known for: Family-friendly resorts, easy-going atmosphere, romantic old town, architecture. 
Holiday style: A quieter alternative to Chania and plenty of chance to hop from the coast to the town with fewer crowds than other resorts nearby.
Hotel type: Large beachfront hotels and Self Catering apartments.


Elounda

Best for: Couples, honeymooners, scenery and luxury stays.
Known for: Super fancy 5 star resorts, intimate coves, waterside dining, fresh seafood and yacht charters. 
Holiday style: Couples who have a taste for the finer things in life, or those celebrating a special occasion.
Hotel type: Ultra-luxe resorts from lifestyle stays to beachfront suites. 
 

Who are Crete holidays best for?

 

• All Inclusive holidays in Crete - Elounda suits couples looking for luxury All Inclusive resorts, while Rethymnon and Hersonissos have the best selection of hotels for families.

• Couples holidays in Crete - Head to Elounda for a holiday that’s super fancy, or choose Chania for romantic vibes and waterside views.

• Cheap/last-minute holidays in Crete - Your budget will stretch the furthest in Malia but Rethymnon is a great wallet-friendly option if you prefer to relax.

• Winter sun holidays in Crete - Chania is a great pick if you want to chance a beach day or enjoy some comfortable coastal walks. Heraklion is great for history buffs hoping to experience the island’s ancient sites without the big crowds. 

• Beach holidays in Crete - Chania is home to some of Crete’s most beautiful beaches, but Elounda is a great alternative when Chania’s coast gets busy. 

• Family holidays in Crete - You’ve got a great mix of family-friendly resorts between Rethymnon and Hersonissos but the pace is much slower in Rethymnon.

 

Best hotels in Crete

All Inclusive

Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa - Adults-only favourite with Maldives-style rooms

Gouves Water Park Holiday Resort - Onsite waterpark perfect for families

Zeus Eleva Mirabello Bay - Fantastic children’s facilities and two private beaches

Family

Creta Maris Resort -  Beachside All Inclusive just metres from Hersonissos centre

Iberostar Waves Creta Panorama & Mare - Five pool set-up and short bus ride to Rethymnon

Couples

Thalassa Beach Resort - Adult-only stay in Chania with direct access to the sea

Domes of Elounda - Spinalonga Island views and gourmet restaurants

Luxury

Nautilux Rethymno by Mage Hotels - Swim-up suites overlooking Rethymnon beach

Lyttos Beach - Three All Inclusive restaurants and family-friendly pool scene with slides

 

Best time to visit Crete

The best time to visit Crete depends on whether you want guaranteed heat or prefer it a little cooler so you don’t have to share the island with tons of tourists.

June to August: Ideal beach weather but bigger crowds
May and September: Not as hot as summer but warm enough to hit the beach
October to April: Mild temperatures, fewer crowds - a good fit for hiking and sightseeing 
 

More travel guides

Find out more about holidays to Crete with our guides to Aghios Nikolaos | Elounda | Heraklion | Hersonissos | Malia | Rethymnon | Stalis

Map of Crete

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11 - 40 ℃

Crete’s Mediterranean climate means warm summers and mild winters, perfect for sun-soaking and sightseeing.

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4 hours
Heraklion Airport (HER) is the island’s main airport. You might also fly into Crete Chania Airport (CHQ).
Types of holidays in Crete

Crete is best for...

Beach fans: Beautiful beaches are a big draw for holidays here. You’ll find sandy stretches dotted all over the island’s 650-mile coastline, including pretty spots in Aghios Nikolaos, Chania and Heraklion. While Malia’s a hit with fun-seeking young couples, families will feel right at home in Stalis, a former fishing village with bags of charm and all sorts of things to do.

Explorers: You’ll adore the tiny abandoned island of Spinalonga – yes, that’s the old leper colony you read about in Victoria Hislop’s bestseller ‘The Island’. See it as part of a boat tour or jump on the ferry from Elounda and discover the village ruins under your own steam. Or, if you love a bit of rock-climbing, head inland to the spectacular White Mountains; ideal if you’re the outdoorsy type.

History buffs: Travel back into the Bronze Age at the ancient palaces of Knossos and Phaistos, discover glorious Venetian architecture in the town of Rethymnon, and spend a few hours exploring the fascinating Lychnostatis Open Air Museum in Hersonissos. For a totally child-friendly history lesson, pay a visit to Minoan’s World 3D Museum and 9D Cinema in Chania – it’s about as far from boring as you can get!

Fast facts for Crete

Language: Crete’s official language is Greek. Most people speak a local version known, unsurprisingly, as Cretan Greek. Road signs and menus are usually written in English, but learn a few handy Greek words and phrases before you go to smooth the way with the island’s residents. ‘Efharisto’ (‘thank you’) is an easy one to start with.

Currency: Order Euros (€) for your Crete holiday.

Local time: Crete is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time, so you’ll need to move your watch forward.

Fly to: Heraklion International Airport. If you’re not driving yourself to your hotel, you can add transfers to your holiday to make things easier when you land. The journey’s between 15 minutes for Heraklion hotels and 2 hours 40 minutes for Elounda.

Flight time from UK: You’ll fly to Crete in around 3.5 - 4 hours from a choice of airports around the UK.

Tourist information: Visit the official Crete tourism website.

Visa and health: Get the most up-to-date information on entry requirements and health from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Holiday destinations in Crete:

Getting around Crete

By hire car: Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, so it’s worth hiring a car to see all the highlights. It’ll also give you the freedom to explore in your own time. Just be prepared for winding mountain roads and frequent stops for goats and pigs!

By bus: The island’s local bus services are regular and efficient, so they’re an excellent alternative to driving. They run throughout the day between Heraklion (the island capital), the biggest towns and all the main resorts, beaches and archaeological sites.

By boat: You can’t go to a Greek island and not take at least one trip across the waves! Why not hop on a boat tour from Chania and head for the unspoiled islet of Gramvousa and the luminous Balos Lagoon? Alternatively, catch the ferry from Aghios Nikolaos to see a different side of Greece with a day on the beautiful island of Santorini.

Events in Crete

Bands on the beach: Matala Beach Festival (held annually at the end of June) is one of Europe’s biggest free music festivals. You can expect stages on the beach and a host of other events inspired by the 1960s hippie era, when this fishing village became a popular hangout.

Chania Summer Festival: From July to September, the idyllic city of Chania hosts a long list of cultural events. Think theatre nights, religious festivals, art exhibitions and traditional Cretan music and dance – there’s plenty going on!

Renaissance Festival: Late summer sees Rethymnon bustling with performers and festival-goers in celebration of the town’s rich Venetian heritage and the island’s role in the European Renaissance. Visit during this famous event and you’ll find historical plays, music and comedy everywhere from the narrow old streets to the open-air Erofili theatre.

Crete safety and security

Do I need a passport?

Yes, all visitors to Crete need a passport, including children and babies of course! For information on current passport requirements and other entry specifications for Crete, head to the Greece section of the FCDO website.

As Crete's in the EU, the rules might be different from when you last travelled, so make sure you check the requirements carefully, including validity for both your entry and exit dates. You might need to apply for a new passport.

Do I need a visa?

British citizens travelling to Crete on holiday do not currently need a visa - you can find out more from the Greek Embassy in the UK.

For further Crete visa information and other entry requirements, visit the UK government travel advice website.

Health and Safety

Should I get travel health insurance?

Absolutely! We always advise anyone planning a holiday to take out comprehensive travel and health insurance, regardless of the destination. This way if you’re injured or become ill on your trip, you’ll be covered for the cost of emergency medical treatment or even your return back to the UK. Without insurance, the bills can mount up really quickly.

It’s a good idea to read through your policy documents properly before your trip, just so you’re aware of what is and what isn’t covered. We also recommend checking that any activities you’re planning for your holiday will be covered by your insurance so you don’t get caught out.

Crete weather

Temperature: 11 - 40 (°C)

When’s the best time to go?

From the ancient capital of Heraklion to the sandy beaches of Ierapetra, Crete is one of the most beautiful Greek islands, and also the largest. Packed with Insta-friendly beaches, ancient treasures and sleepy villages, a holiday here is sure to be a memorable experience. But when is the best time to go to Crete and what do you need to know before you jet off?

Crete has a Mediterranean climate with hot, sunny summers and mild, wet winters. The hottest month is August with the average temperature reaching around 29°C, making summer the ideal time for a beach break. Sometimes a heatwave can see temperatures as high as 35 - 40°C, so be prepared!

The sea is at its warmest from July to September, which is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. From mid-May to mid-September the sea can get rougher due to coastal winds, making Crete a great destination for windsurfing.

If you’re planning on visiting ancient ruins or taking excursions, spring or autumn is the best time to visit Crete, when attractions aren’t as busy and the weather is cooler. Spring is one of the most popular seasons, with plenty of sunshine. May’s deliciously toasty with temperatures ranging from 19°C - 27°C.

From October to March, Greece has its wettest weather. It can be a little chilly, with temperatures averaging around 10°C during the day. Of course, it’s likely to be lower than that at night. During the coldest period, when skiers take to Crete’s mountain slopes, beach breaks aren’t really a thing in Greece. The holiday season ends in October, so most hotels are closed from November to February/March.

What should I pack?

Crete’s Mediterranean climate means you’ll need to pack summery clothes for most of the year. If you’re planning your holiday for the warmer months, take plenty of lightweight, cool clothing, swimwear, and of course, sun cream!

Since there are plenty of ancient ruins and beautiful wild places to explore on the island, comfy shoes are a must. And don’t forget your sun hat and sunglasses too. You’re sure to need them, whatever you’ve got planned.

Going to Crete during one of the cooler months? Add a few extra layers to your packing list (and perhaps a waterproof jacket) for the wetter weather. Evenings and nighttimes from autumn to spring can be chilly, particularly on the coast or in mountainous regions, so make sure you take a jumper.

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Popular Crete holiday resorts

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FAQs

FAQs

1. Is Crete suitable for first-time holidaymakers?

Yes. Crete is a great choice for first-time holidaymakers, with plenty of direct flights from the UK, helpful locals, and a fantastic mix of resorts. It’s got beaches, history, culture and amazing food all rolled into one trip so you can experience a little bit of everything on one island. 


 

2. Is Crete good for All Inclusive holidays?

Yes. Crete has tons of All Inclusive resorts to choose from, whether you want a resort-style complex with plenty to do with the kids or you like something luxurious with multiple a la carte restaurants and an onsite spa. You’ll also find plenty of affordable All Inclusive hotels that can often work out better value than a Self Catering holiday.

3. When is the best time to visit Crete?

If you want good weather without the peak crowds, May and October are a great time to explore the island. The temperatures are usually warm enough to hit the beach, the chance of rain has fallen, and the island is not quite in full swing.

4. How long should you stay in Crete?

5 to 7 days is about the right amount of time for a trip to Crete, as it gives you more days to explore the island. This means you can spend some time relaxing and exploring with trips to nearby villages and beaches.

5. What's included in a Crete holiday package?

What’s included in a Crete holiday package depends on the deal you booked. As standard, your hotel and flights (return) will be covered, but you can also add things like transfers, meals, drinks, travel insurance and luggage.

6. Which part of Crete is best for families?

Rethymnon and Hersonissos are best for families thanks to their excellent choice of child-friendly beaches and All Inclusive resorts. Hersonissos tends to suit families looking for something lively that’s just a short hop from the airport, while Rethymnon has a more laid-back feel and its location in the middle of the island is great if you want to do some resort-hopping.

7. Where should couples stay in Crete?

Elounda is a great base for couples wanting all-out luxury, while Chania is home to some of Crete’s most romantic backdrops, from its beaches to its Venetian harbour.

 

Popular Crete destinations
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