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HER · Greece

Crete

Greece's largest island, with Minoan palaces, gorges and lagoon beaches.

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About Crete

In short

  • Palace of Knossos
  • Chania old harbour
  • Samaria Gorge
  • Elafonisi and Balos
  • Spinalonga

At a glance

Country
Greece
Region
Europe
Local time
GMT+3
Time difference
3 hours behind Dhaka4 hours behind in January
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Languages
Greek and English
Main airports
  • HERHeraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport
  • CHQChania International Airport
Flight time
About 4 hoursFrom London
Best time to visit
May to June and September to October
Deals
11 deals

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, big enough for a holiday that mixes beaches, mountains and history. Near Heraklion, the palace of Knossos was the centre of the Minoan civilisation, and the city's archaeological museum holds its treasures.

In the west, Chania has a Venetian harbour lined with tavernas, and day trips run to the pink sand beach of Elafonisi and the lagoon of Balos. Walkers come for the Samaria Gorge, around 16 kilometres long, which is usually open from May to October.

In the east, the resort of Elounda looks across to Spinalonga, a former leper colony on a small island.

When to go

  1. January
  2. February
  3. March
  4. April
  5. MayBest
  6. JuneBest
  7. July
  8. August
  9. SeptemberBest
  10. OctoberBest
  11. November
  12. December
  • Hotel

    Elounda Beach Hotel and Villas

    Opened in 1971 on the shore at Elounda in north east Crete and set in 40 acres, with villas and suites at the water's edge, some with their own heated pools, a spa and a programme for young guests.

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