Greece's largest island has the Palace of Knossos, the Samaria Gorge, pink-sand Elafonisi and the Venetian harbor of Chania. It is a rich mix of beaches, history and tavernas; May to October is the season.
Month by month
Best: April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak
Worth avoiding: January, February.
How long to stay
5–8 days is the sweet spot.
Flight time
About 11h from the US East Coast, 3.5h from Europe, 8h from South Asia.
Good to know
- Rent a car; distances are bigger than they look and public transport is limited.
- Hike Samaria Gorge early; it closes in winter.
- Cretan food is a highlight; ask for the daily special.
Plan a trip to Crete
Pick your dates and Offdays builds a day-by-day itinerary from Crete's best places.
Destination