Crete is the biggest island in Greece and because of that there is a lot to see and if you were like me you have only a few days to see as much as you possibly can.
I visited Crete Greece in the summer of 2023 for four days and it did not feel like enough. If you are planning a trip to Greece and have the time I would recommend spending at least a week exploring all around the island. But if that’s not possible for you do not worry because here are the top things you NEED to see while in Crete.
This post is all about the top 5 best things to do in Crete Greece.
1. Hike the Samaria Gorge
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Hiking the Samaria Gorge is at the top of this list for good reason. For anyone that likes hiking and the outdoors you with absolutely LOVE this hike. It is an 18 km walk through the White Mountains from the Samaria Gorge Trailhead to Agia Roumeli. You will be walking over rivers, through narrow gorges, see little waterfalls, and so much more. I can not explain to you how much I like this hike and I am so happy I did it. I almost didn’t because people online made it sound super difficult but it’s mostly downhill and you can walk as slow as you please, just make sure you get there early in the morning if you want to take your time. If you want more details about hiking Samaria Gorge check out “Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking the Samaria Gorge in Crete Greece.”Location/ How to Get to Samaria Gorge
Most people will either use public transport by bus from where they are staying to the trailhead of Samaria Gorge or go on a tour. Not many people will drive since this is a one-way trail you will have to find your way back to your car at the end. When I visited Crete I stayed in Chania so to get to Samaria Gorge I took one bus directly from Chania to the Trailhead and then I got a ferry from Agia Roumeli to Sfakia and then another bus from Sfakia to Chania. I know this may sound confusing but if you go the the ticket counter at the bus stop they will be able to explain everything and help you out.Cost/ Tours
You can either hike Samaria Gorge without a tour or with a tour group. Without a tour will cost you around 35 euros, around 30 euros for bus/ ferry tickets and 5 euros for entrance into Samaria Gorge. If you want to go on a tour to Samaria Gorge the price ranges but prices start around $50. You can check our GetYourGuide for tours to Samaria Gorge.2. Explore the Old Town of Chania Crete
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When I visited Crete Greece I stayed in Chania. Chania is one of the major cities in Crete because it has one of two ferry ports. So if you are travelling by ferry to Crete you will either be sailing into Chania or Heraklion. Old Town Chania is right along the water with lots of shops, restaurants, and beautiful walking paths with views. I highly recommend walking around Chania Old Town for a couple of hours. If you want more details on Chania Crete check out “The Ultimate Travel Guide to Chania Crete Greece.”Location/ How to Get to Chania Old Town
As mentioned before Chania is one of the two places on Crete there is a ferry port so if you are travelling by ferry you may be sailing into Chania. If you are sailing into Heraklion there is a direct bus from Heraklion to Chania you can take to visit or stay in Chania.3. Have a Beach Day at Elafonissi Beach (the PINK BEACH)
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Elafonissi Beach is a very well-known destination in Crete as it is a pink sand beach. I know this picture does not do it justice but this beach is very nice with clear blue water and sandy beach (which looked kind of pink when I visited). I am not sure if the pink sand is more vibrant during certain times of the year or if lots of photos are edited on this beach but when I went I was expecting super pink sand which was not exactly what I saw. I am saying this because I was a little disappointed but it still was a super nice beach perfect for a beach day.Location/ How to Get to Elafonissi Beach
There are lots of ways to travel to Elafonissi Beach you can drive, take a public bus, or go on a tour. If you are travelling from Chania to Elafonissi Beach by bus there is only one bus running per day, which leaves Chania at 9:00 am and leaves Elafonissi at 4:00 pm.Cost/ Tours
Depending on how you are planning on travelling to Elafonissi Beach will change the cost. If you are planning on taking the bus from Chania to Elafonissi it costs 20 euros roundtrip. But if you are planning on visiting with a tour prices vary. Check out GetYourGuide to find tours that visit Elafonissi Beach.4. Plan a Day Trip to Balos Beach
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Balos Beach is another very popular beach day trip. Balos Beach Lagoon is a beautiful white sand beach with clear blue water.Location/ How to Get to Balos Beach
To get to Balos Beach Lagoon you need to drive or take a bus to Kissamos Port which from the port you will take a ferry to Balos Beach. This is a full-day excursion so be prepared.Cost/ Tours
If you are taking a bus from where you are staying to Kissamos tickets cost around 5 euros and then the ferry from Kissamos to Balos Beach costs around 30 euros. You can also visit Balos Beach with a tour group check out GetYourGuide for different tour options to Balos Beach.5. Walk Around the City of Heraklion Crete
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Heraklion is another major city in Crete as it is the location of the second port in Crete and very close to the airport. Some of the top things to do in Heraklion include:- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Rocca a Mare Fortress
- Trip to Knossos Palace
- Historical Museum of Crete
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That brings us to the end of the top 5 best things to do in Crete Greece. From best hikes to amazing beaches to city exploring Crete really has it all. Crete was one of my favourite Greek islands I visited during my Greece island hopping adventure and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I hope this list of the top things to do in Crete Greece helped you plan your trip. I hope you have an amazing trip and safe travels!
