Loading map...
location.beaches.districts
location.beaches.districts_subtitle
Chania
sightseeingVenetian harbor town with old town, lighthouse, and maritime museum.
Rethymno
cultureRenaissance old town with Fortezza fortress and sandy beach.
Heraklion
sightseeingCapital city with Archaeological Museum and Knossos Palace nearby.
Agios Nikolaos
localElegant resort town with bottomless lake and seaside cafes.
faq.title
faq.subtitle Crete
West (Chania) - most scenic, Venetian architecture, Samaria Gorge. Central (Heraklion) - Knossos, airport hub. East (Agios Nikolaos) - quieter beaches.
Minimum 5-7 days. 10+ days to explore properly. Island is 260km long. Don't underestimate driving times on mountain roads.
May-June and September-October ideal. July-August hot and crowded. April good for hiking. Many places close Nov-Mar.
Highly recommended. Public transport limited. Roads scenic but winding. International license not required for EU citizens. Book ahead in summer.
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Crete
Rent a car - it's essential. Book 2+ weeks ahead in summer. International license officially required but rarely checked. Watch for narrow mountain roads.
Avoid Malia and Hersonissos if you want authentic Crete - they're party towns for young tourists. Try Paleochora, Sitia, or inland villages instead.
Local tavernas inland charge €12-20 for huge meals. Beachfront restaurants in tourist areas 2-3x more. Follow locals.
Samaria Gorge hike is 16km one-way. Start early (before 8am), bring water, wear proper shoes. Ferry back from Agia Roumeli.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
-2°
-2°95%24 м/с
Today3°-3°
3°-3°Tomorrow
7°3°
7°3°Thu10°5°
10°5°Fri
9°4°
9°4°Sat9°4°
9°4°Sun10°4°
10°4°Mon8°3°
8°3°15°
9°Jan
16°
9°Feb
17°
10°Mar
20°
12°Apr
24°
16°May
28°
20°Jun
29°
23°Jul
29°
23°Aug
27°
20°Sep
24°
18°Oct
20°
14°Nov
17°
11°Dec
Water temperature
16°
15°
16°
17°
20°
23°
25°
26°
25°
23°
20°
18°
location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
location.transport.bus
—location.transport.taxi
—location.transport.ferry
—| location.transport.title | location.transport.price | location.transport.app | location.transport.note |
|---|---|---|---|
location.transport.bus | — | — | — |
location.transport.taxi | — | — | — |
location.transport.ferry | — | — | — |
Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Budget meal
8 - 14 €
~11.0 $
Mid-range
20 - 40 €
~30.0 $
Fine dining
50 - 100 €
~75.0 $
Drinks
Coffee
2 - 4 €
~3.0 $
Local beer
4 - 6 €
~5.0 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
20 - 40 € / night
~30.0 $
Hotel 3★
90 - 150 € / night
~120 $
Hotel 5★
200 - 700 € / night
~450 $
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercard
location.payment.contactless_available
location.payment.atms
common
location.payment.mobile_payments
Apple PayGoogle Pay
location.payment.cash
Cards widely accepted in tourist areas. Cash preferred in villages, small tavernas, mountain areas. Island mix of modern and traditional.
location.payment.currency_exchange
Uses Euro. Greece largest island - payment mix! Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno cities accept cards widely. Tourist resorts (Elounda, Agios Nikolaos) card-friendly. BUT mountain villages, small beach tavernas, Samaria Gorge area CASH-PREFERRED. Alpha Bank, Piraeus Bank ATMs in major towns. Remote beaches/monasteries cash-only. Tourist season vs off-season difference - more cards accepted May-Oct. Bring cash for rural exploration!
location.payment.tipping
5%
5-10% in restaurants appreciated. Round up in tavernas. Not mandatory but welcomed.
Safety
High safety level
Tourist area with low crime rate
US State Department: Exercise normal precautions. Very safe island. Petty theft in tourist areas. Wildfires possible in summer - check alerts. Mountain roads require careful driving.
location.nomad.title
location.nomad.subtitle
€1200-2200
location.nomad.monthly