Everything you need to know about Crete, Greece’s largest island, including the best things to do, the top restaurants and hotels, plus a few things to avoid.
When I first arrived in Crete, Greece, I imagined I’d have ”done” it in a few weeks. But 15 years later, I still haven’t experienced everything there is to see on this wonderfully diverse island, which was the birthplace of the god Zeus, and the Zorba the Greek author, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Dubbed the megalo nisi, “the big island,” by Greeks, it takes seven hours to drive from the western tip to the eastern toe of Crete, and several hours to cross this mountainous atoll at its widest point. In between you’ll find an almost overwhelming amount of things to see and do: whether you’re keen to get off the beaten track and chow down on local specialities, want to mosey around fascinating museums and jaw dropping archaeological sites, long to try extreme sports ranging from rock climbing to bungee jumping or just laze on paradisiacal beaches with only the gulls for company, Crete has you covered.
I’ve compiled the best things to do in Crete, plus a few things you should avoid.
