Explore Crete
thoughtfully
Editorial guides, regional overviews and practical planning help for one of the Mediterranean's most rewarding islands. No booking funnels, no vague superlatives — just honest, clearly sourced information.
Guides updated regularly · Sources clearly labelled
South Crete coastline
Best-of guides
Featured guides
Best Beaches in Crete: A Practical Guide
A curated selection of Crete's best beaches, from organised sandy bays to quiet rocky coves. Each entry is labelled by how it was sourced.
Places to Visit in Crete: A Selective Guide
A selective guide to the places in Crete worth visiting beyond the obvious, with notes on what makes each one worth the journey.
Explore
By region
Crete's four regions each have a distinct character.
Local life
Food & drink
What makes Cretan food distinct, and where to find it.
Cretan olive oil
Among the most distinctive in Greece. Single-estate oils from Kolymvari and the Messara plain are worth seeking out.
Mountain honey
Thyme honey from the Cretan mountains is a specific and genuine local product — different from the generic honey sold in tourist shops.
Local cheeses
Graviera, anthotyros and mizithra are all made in Crete. The covered markets in Heraklion and Chania are the best places to buy them.
Raki and wine
Raki (tsikoudia) is the local spirit, often served free at the end of a meal. Cretan wines are improving and increasingly worth trying.
Accommodation
Where to stay in Crete
Best areas to base yourself, from the old towns to the quiet south coast.
South Chania
Quiet coastline near Frangokastello. Good for walkers, slow travellers and those avoiding resort areas.
Heraklion City
A city base close to Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. Practical for those treating Crete as a whole.
Chania Old Town
Stay inside the Venetian architecture. Several smaller hotels within the historic area.
Rethymno
Central location between Chania and Heraklion. Good for those wanting to explore both directions.
Plakias (South Crete)
A relaxed south coast village popular with return visitors. Long beach, quieter pace, mountain backdrop.
Elounda / East Crete
Clear water, Spinalonga access, and the widest range of upscale accommodation in Crete.
Freshness
Recently updated
Guides reviewed and updated this season.