Crete is one of our most popular Greek destinations, with 8,052 Thomas Cook holidaymakers visiting the island over the past year. As Greece's largest island, it offers everything from rugged mountain scenery and historic sites to long sandy beaches and lively coastal towns, giving plenty of variety within a single trip. A 7-night stay is the top choice, with longer 10-night holidays and shorter 5-night breaks also popular.
September is the favourite month to travel, followed by August and July for those chasing the summer sun. Our customers typically jet off from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham, with flights available from airports across the UK..
Guests regularly choose Aquila Elounda Village Resort, Suites & Spa, Nana Golden Beach - All Inclusive, and RG Village Crete. Holiday prices typically start from around £1,080pp, dropping to roughly £697pp over winter, or from about £1,115pp during peak summer. All package bookings are ATOL-protected, with a low deposit to secure your holiday.
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 - Crete 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
