My Favourite Greek Island: Crete

Crete was my favourite Greek Island I visited during my trip to Europe last summer. Before Crete, I went to Naxos, Mykonos and Santorini and found that the nicest beaches, scenery and people were found in Crete.

Crete is Greece’s largest island and has the most versatile landscape. It has mountain ranges, is rich with greenary and has incredible natural and sandy beaches.

We rented a car in the capital, Heraklion and drove along the coast line to Chania. We made a stop in Rethimno which is a city on the north coast of Crete. Rethimno was a hidden gem – not over crowded with tourists with a charming old town and beautiful sandy beaches. I definitely recommend making a stop here if you’re doing a road trip.

Two must-see places in Crete:

Elafonisi Beach in West Crete

Elafonisi Beach is breathtaking. It’s found in the southwestern side of Crete and about 75 km from the town of Chania. The beach is actually magical. It has pink sand. The water is shallow, warm and perfect for a family day trip. It is a popular tourist destination and very busy so if you are looking for a private spot this might not be it.

Chania

Chania is found on the northwest coast of Crete and is the second largest city in Crete. The Old Port Area of Chania has a beautiful walk way with many shops and restaurants along the way. The shopping here is inexpensive compared to Santorini and Mykonos and justifies a stop in the Old Venetian Harbour.