With a tapestry of castaway beaches, dreamy villages and enchanting scenery, Greece’s largest island, Crete, has everything you could wish for. But natural beauty and unspoiled charm aren’t the only draws. The birthplace of Zeus has an incredible history, showcased in world-famous archaeological sites and museums stuffed with antiquities.
There are wildlife-rich gorges to roam on foot as well as hidden churches, tiny hamlets and secluded beaches to be discovered by bike. Out on the water, boats carry snorkellers and swimmers to idyllic coves and bays.
Crete’s inclusiveness is favoured by many. But if you’re one of the rare few yet to visit – what are you waiting for?
We’ve figured out the best way to spend a week in Crete, and now we’re spilling the beans. Broken down to suit all ages and tastes (with heaps of variety), our week itinerary will ensure your Cretan holiday goes off without a hitch.
Get to Know the Area…
The Best Beaches in Crete
There are some truly amazing beaches in Crete which makes it a great place to visit for anyone seeking sun and sand. The island is blessed with some of the finest beaches in Europe, ranging from untouched hidden gems to idyllic sandy resorts. If you plan to spend 7 days in Crete, make sure you visit as many of our recommendations as possible for the ultimate Greek island experience.
Elafonissi
Elafonissi was named one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete thanks to its unique pink sand and vibrant wildflowers, which will appeal to visitors who want to immerse themselves in the island’s natural beauty.
The island is a protected nature reserve connected to Crete by a shallow reef. Despite being a protected area, sun loungers are available to rent as well as other amenities like kitesurfing.
You can walk over to the island through the shallow lagoon waters for a peaceful wander away from the crowds. The islet is very small, just one mile long, but you will find some excellent hiking opportunities and can observe the miraculous rock formations and stunning flora.
Koureménos Beach
If you want to dive into water sports in Crete then Koureménos Beach is all yours for the taking. It’s a given that the beach is known for its interchangeable winds, but you can also expect a pretty fine sand-and-pebbly beach. If you decide to bring family and friends who aren’t so keen on less-than-calm waters, don’t worry, they can find a cosy spot by one of the tavernas.
Vai
In the northeast region of Lassithi lies a magical beach called Vai. It stands apart from other beaches in Crete as it is surrounded by the largest palm tree forest in Europe. In the past, the beach was a free camping site, but this is now prohibited.
Vai is one of the island’s biggest attractions, so you can imagine that it gets pretty crowded during the high season. But don’t let that put you off, as the soft supple sand and vibrant blue water aren’t to be missed.
Chania
Situated on the northwest coast of Crete, Chania is a charming Greek town that features extraordinary Venetian architecture as well as a historic harbour. Staying in Chania gives you access to some of the best beaches in Crete like Elafonissi and Balos, which are great places to visit for some leisure and relaxation.
The 7 Best Things To Do In Crete for One Week
A week in Crete is the perfect amount of time to experience this astonishing island. With ancient ruins, tombs, charming villages and more, there is something for everyone. If you’re wondering what you can do on your trip, check out our suggestions below and add them to your Crete itinerary.
1. Step back in time with Elissos Tours
Expert tour guide Marilina’s knowledge of Minoan culture, ancient history and Greek mythology is unrivalled. Her bespoke tours of the island are designed to go one step further than straightforward sightseeing, by helping guests really get to grips with the history and culture of Greece.
From archaeology and history to art and meditation, the focus of these alternative tours can be tailored to exactly match your interests, and detours or extra time in favourite places are easily accommodated, offering a personal experience that is simply not possible from most larger group tours.
Book: No need to book, just show up!
Location: Leukadia Rodias, Gazi 71414, Heraklion Crete, Greece
2. Eat like a local with Eco Crete
It has been said that a Cretan diet is the key to a long and healthy life. There are two liquids at the heart of this island’s cuisine: wine and olive oil. On the Eco Crete tour, the sacred pair is explored (and tasted) at great length, with guests taking away some insider secrets about traditional Cretan cooking.
The tour kicks off among the giant olive trees and the production line of a modern olive oil factory. It then moves on to a stroll through a local vineyard where you’ll hear from expert guides and test the products as you go.
All that walking is rewarded with an interactive cooking demonstration on the grounds of an authentic Cretan home. This is followed by a lunch of classic Greek dishes, including tzatziki, roasted pork with potatoes and fruit pie. The journey home includes a stop-off at a Minoan mill oil factory and a sundowner of the local firewater, raki.
Book: pantelis@ecoevents.gr
Location: 39 El. Venizelou Av. 74100 Rethymno
3. Take a workshop at EA Ceramic Studio
If you’re looking for a creative way to escape the sun for a few hours, classes with the EA Ceramic Studio are one of the best things to do in Crete. This working studio produces fabulous handcrafted pottery and ceramics inspired by ancient techniques and designs. Everything created by the team is a unique and collectable work of art, while also being fit for everyday use at home.
From bowls and plates to wall hangings, these works of craftsmanship make excellent gifts and souvenirs from Crete. Why not make your own creation at one of the studio’s private workshops? Classes can be tailored for pottery pros or complete beginners and the best of your efforts will be fired at the end for you to keep.
Book: enaceramics@gmail.com
Location: Margarites Village, Rethimno, 74052, Crete, Greece
4. Make like a celeb with SeaStar Chania
If you want to feel like an A-lister, then sign up for a private boat tour with SeaStar Chania. Sailing from the charming old harbour, these upmarket day trips take participants to secluded bays and private beaches on a luxury 13-metre yacht. With your own skipper and steward at your service, you can sail to the picture-perfect Balos Lagoon, the wildlife-rich Thodorou Islands or hidden gems like the beautiful spot of Menies Beach.
Each route includes picturesque stop-offs to snorkel, relax on the yacht’s sunbeds or pose for underwater photos using the team’s high-tech cameras. Bespoke tours can be designed just for you, with the crew willing to sail to virtually any local harbour, beach, fishing village or Cretan landmark of your choosing. And if you really want a taste of the celebrity lifestyle, they’ll arrange a private, customised dinner on a beach of your choice.
Book: Book Online!
Location: Chania, Crete, Greece
5. Go off-road with Safari Club Crete
Crete may be famed for its idyllic beach scenes, but Safari Club is on a mission to showcase the raw natural beauty found away from the water’s edge. Sign up for a day in one of the Club’s Land Rover Defenders for an off-road adventure into the heart of ‘real Crete’.
You’ll head well and truly off the beaten track into the unspoiled countryside and up high into the mountains to spots usually only frequented by the goats. Knowledgeable guides are on hand to fill you in on everything from wild flora and fauna to Greek history, as you stop off to explore rural villages, feast on Cretan cuisine and experience the warmth of the local hospitality. If you’re keen to discover authentic Crete, this is the way to do it.
Book: Book Online!
Location: Parlama street 22, Crete, Greece
6. Learn to cook at Vamos Village
Fussy eaters and foodies alike will be inspired by the cooking classes at Vamos Village, where expert local cook Mrs Koula gives the lowdown on traditional Cretan cuisine and even shares tidbits from her family’s secret recipes. Get stuck in making dishes from the locally sourced ingredients that earned the Mediterranean diet the title of healthiest in the world.
Everyone tucks into the fruits of their labours at the end of the session, with a Cretan feast laid out on a long banquet-style table. If you really want to return home from your holiday an expert in Cretan cuisine, Vamos also offers a day trip spent with local producers, including visits to a traditional cheese maker, a modern olive oil factory and an old olive press, plus a home-cooked meal in the home of your tour guide.
Book: Book Online!
Location: Vamos Traditional Village, Vamos, Apokoronou, 73008 Chania, Crete, Greece
7. Discover hidden gems with Cycling Creta
Only so much of Crete’s breathtaking landscape can be uncovered on foot or by car. Experience the full power of its beauty by mountain bike with the team at Cycling Creta. All abilities are warmly welcomed on this one-of-a-kind adventure.
These tour guides are home-grown Cretans and avid cyclists, who have explored every inch of the island and mapped more than 100 scenic cycle routes that take in the very best of the unspoiled landscape. Their guide to the level of fitness required for each tour is foolproof and all abilities can cherry-pick their perfect route through forests, gorges or wilderness, and past highlights such as historic churches, caves, windmills, ancient ruins and hidden beaches.
Book: Book Online!
Location: Lyttos Beach Hotel, Anisaras, Hersonisos, Crete 70014
For more inspiration and information about what to do in Crete, check out our Local’s Guide to Authentic Crete.
Family Adventures in Crete
The island is a bonafide paradise for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. But Crete is a great place for families visiting Crete as well. With a variety of activities and attractions, the whole family has something to look forward to.
Water Parks in Crete
If there is one thing kids love more than being on holiday, it’s being at a waterpark, so combining the two is always a winner. Acqua Plus has been open for two decades and was the first waterpark to use wristbands for unlimited sliding, so it’s safe to say it knows a thing or two about adrenaline-fuelled days out.
Age isn’t a factor here, as the water park has two sections; one for adults with extreme slides and the other for kids. So your whole clan is more than welcome at Acqua Plus!
Aquariums in Crete
If you’d rather have a laid-back family day out in Crete, then be sure to visit the CretAquarium. It’s one of the largest aquariums in Europe and promises to provide a fun day for the whole family. The huge shark tank is awe-inspiring and the cool interior is also a welcome break from the afternoon sun.
If your children are budding marine biologists, be sure to take a trip to Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre. This family-run aquarium was one of the first in Crete and displays local sea life as well as reptiles from around the world. They encourage hands-on interaction with the animals which provides an excellent learning experience and bundles of fun.
Family Activities in Crete
Dikteon Cave. Picture credit: ABBPhoto
Escape rooms are all the rage at the moment. And it looks like it’s here to stay.
In Crete, the best one can be found at Heraklion’s Escape Rooms. In case you’re new to the craze, you and your family will have to have your wits about you to get out of the locked room. You’re guaranteed a barrel of laughs!
Another activity you can do with budding adventurers is to explore Dikteon Cave. According to folklore, Zeus was born and raised here – making it one of the most (if not most) important caves in Greece. The maze of chambers is awe-inspiring, with exceptional stalactite and stalagmite formations and impressive views of Crete.
Food & Drink
Picture credit: Gramvousa Restaurant
It’s no secret that Greece has some of the best cuisine in Europe, with traditional techniques and punchy spices that create the perfect journey of flavour. Foodies will be overjoyed by the food and wine in Crete, which promises to tantalise your tastebuds.
For a trendy bite to eat with an incredible view of Chania’s Venetian Harbour, check out Salis. Try their chic take on traditional, farm-to-table Cretan fare.
Seasonally-inspired cooking dominates the menu at Gramvousa, which overlooks the sea in the pretty village of Kaliviani. Dishes include lots of local favourites and the chefs are fiercely loyal to classic Cretan cooking, so much so that some of the recipes date back as far as the 18th century. The restaurant itself is very much a product of the present day, with charming service, a lively atmosphere and a relaxing al fresco setting beneath the trees.
We already know that France is the gastronomical home to escargot, but snails are also widely loved in Crete. In fact, many families will integrate them into their weekly meals. So it’s only fitting that the small village of Vlaheronitisa holds a snail soiree where travellers far and wide can enjoy them on the first Saturday of August.
They’re prepared in a variety of ways, sauteed in butter, fried – you name it, they do it. The snail party goes on until sundown and when you pair that with the local ‘raki’ you won’t want the party to end.
A week in Crete is certain to be the dream holiday you’ve been waiting for. With picturesque beaches to explore, unique attractions that delve into history and culture, and a delightful culinary offering, it’s one of the best places to visit in Greece for any kind of traveller.
Are you curious about a week in Crete? Check out our dazzling selection of Villas in Crete which have been chosen for their picturesque locations and bespoke features, perfect for your next Cretan escape.
The Best Foodie Experiences in Crete
Crete for Families
The Best Group Activities in Crete
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