Greece. Photo: Shutterstock The island of Crete, the largest among the Greek islands, is one of the most popular destinations for worldwide tourists every year, often surpassing Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Mykonos, and Santorini. Every month, from June to October, roughly five million tourists visit the island, landing in Heraklion in the east or Chania in the west.
Although the distances are large and often require a car since public transportation on the island is relatively outdated, adventurers can inquire about private bus services at the main stations of Heraklion and Chania. Withut further ado, gere are the top five spectacular towns and cities you cannot miss in Crete.
No, it is not the capital of Crete, nor is it really a capital (although it has a local brewery with excellent beer called Xarma). Chania is the largest city in western Crete, and if you're in the area, be sure to visit its old town for the old romantic Venetian harbor, excellent restaurants with affordable pricing, interesting bars and cafes, many carved into ancient shipyards and, of course, the souvenir shops that are trademarks of any Greek island.
Chania, Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKWhat not to miss? The beaches outside the city, on both sides, including the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, such as Balos, Elafonisi, and Falasarna to the west, and the narrow picturesque alleys of the old town, are just right for unforgettable walks.
Falasarna Beach in Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKBy the way, in the new city adjacent to the old one, you will find popular branded clothing and shoe stores at relatively low prices.
Rethymno is the hidden gem of Crete. However, because it lacks an airport, many tourists tend to miss it. The beautiful city is located between Keraklion and Chania.
Rethymno, Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKLike Chania, Rethymno is renowned for its 16th- and 17th-century Venetian old town, which has been preserved in a remarkably authentic manner. Narrow, stone-paved alleys, Venetian-Ottoman architecture, and a large Venetian fortress overlook the sea, converging into a truly historical and relaxing experience.
Rethymno, Crete Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKAlong the coast, you'll find the bustling, highly touristic promenade with its beautiful sandy beaches packed with restaurants, taverns, and cafes with a slightly more lively pace than Chania for most of the year. The city center hosts small markets, boutique shops, and galleries.
It's important to note that if you choose to visit Rethymno for a day or two, you can stay in one of the stone-carved hotels, which are maintained at a very high level and offered at very low prices compared to other regions in Greece in general and Crete in particular.
Most international tourist activity in Crete is concentrated on the northern beaches. But if you ask the locals, the south is the real deal. While fewer tourists reach it, the things it has to offer are prone to leaving a particularly positive impression on those who do make it here.
Paleochora, Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKThe town of Paleochora, southwest of Crete, is situated on a small peninsula between two bays. This location made Paleochora a strategic military destination historically. To this day, the city stands as a destination for both legal and grey-area immigrants.
The town itself is very touristy with many cafes, restaurants, hotels, and hostels, and also has a beautiful and very popular church tourists.
Paleochora, Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKBut the main reason to visit Paleochora, quite amazingly, is the entirely different climate from that in the northern part of the island. It's a hot area even in months when the northern part of Crete is already cooling down. This means you can swim here in the clear sea even in October and November, and enjoy warm and pleasant sunshine. Speaking of swimming, it is recommended to drive to the area's pristine beaches (a private small car can manage the 15-20 minutes gravel road). The beaches Anidri and Ammoudia are especially recommended. Don't forget your snorkeling gear!
This is a small, peaceful beach town, mostly isolated from any form of organization typical of a town. For decades, Sougia has attracted old-generation hippies from around the world who found their place there.
Sougia, Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKThe beach here is considered particularly clear and very clean, and the area is suitable for adventurous travelers who are not interested in luxury hotels but would rather opt for a beach-head-clearing holiday in a hostel.
The taverns here are cheap and excellent, and avid hikers can also find trails in the hills and mountains around - not really recommended in the summer heat. The area also marks the end of the Samaria Gorge, the island's most famous gorge. From here, you can sail to even more remote areas like Loutro or Agia Roumeli, as well as additional destinations that cannot be reached by car. Sougia, like Paleochora, is also located in the south, so the weather is warmer than in northern Crete and pleasant even in November.
After recommending relatively remote and out-of-sight places, we will finish off with one touristy and worthwhile town suitable for the whole family - Elounda. The town lies at the foot of a beautiful bay facing the leper island (the island of Spinalonga), which you can sail to and also get a guided tour between the Venetian walls and the remaining structures.
The leper island in Crete. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKElounda was once a modest fishing village, but today it's one of the towns hosting Crete's luxury hotels, alongside some of the best, most popular, and family-friendly ones.
From Elounda, you can easily reach the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos (about 10 km away), one of Crete's popular and young tourist centers aimed at those looking to party until dawn.
In conclusion, whether you choose a laid-back beach holiday in Crete or you're the more active type of traveler, it's highly recommended to step out of the hotel and your comfort zone to discover the amazing island of Crete, which has so much to offer you. Have a pleasant holiday!