Things to do in  Crete

Crete is famous for offering some of the hottest summers, beautiful beaches, and history-steeped ruins in Greece. Its headline sights include Knossos, home to the UNESCO-listed, 4,500-year-old remnants of the ancient Minoan civilization. Don't miss the charming Venetian-built harbor city of Chania, top-tier archaeological museums, Samaria Gorge, mountains, or rural wineries.

Allow for at least a week, with any number of days on top, depending on your interests. Seven days is enough to cover Crete’s highlights including Knossos and Chania, the island's White Mountains, villages, and wineries; and the Samaria Gorge. Go for longer to delve deeper or add some beach downtime.

For city sightseeing, consider Heraklion, the capital, for its Venetian-era walls, fortress, museums and proximity to Knossos. For additional history, dining, and shopping, both Chania and Rethymnon boast boutique-filled lanes, medieval mansions, and a restaurant-hemmed harbourfront. For family fun, stay at Hersonissos, or for beaches and partying, Agios Nikolaos or Malia.

Yes. History enthusiasts have plenty of ancient and medieval gems to explore—think Knossos and Chania—while nature-lovers can immerse themselves in the wild White Mountains, Lassithi Plateau, and Samaria Gorge. Plus, all along Crete’s north coast are resorts offering beaches, watersports, and restaurant and nightlife scenes.

Yes. Resorts like Hersonnisos cater squarely for sun- and fun-loving tourists with stacks of amenities, restaurants, and nightlife. Yet Crete still has many uncommercialized havens. Find the quieter pockets of Chania and Rethymnon; explore the White Mountains or Lassithi Plateau; or escape to Crete’s remote, rugged south coast.

Yes. Although the prevalence of English speakers depends on location. Unsurprisingly, English is widely used in the hotels and restaurants of Crete’s resorts. And while English is less spoken in rural areas and the south, you’ll still find it's fairly well understood. It’s polite, however, to speak some Greek, wherever you are.