Crete
Big enough to feel like a country, Crete pairs shallow, warm beaches — Elafonissi's lagoon is toddler heaven — with the Palace of Knossos for a dose of Minotaur mythology that actually lands with children.
- Best forFamilies · Walkers & hikers · Beach lovers
- In August30°C · 2 rainy days
- Ideal stay1-2 weeks
- Approx. flying time~14h 05m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyEUREuro
- LanguageGreek
- Local time11:262h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+30
Why go
Crete is really several destinations stitched together: the White Mountains and Samaria Gorge in the west, working towns like Rethymno and Heraklion with their Venetian harbours, and a long, gentler south coast with fewer crowds. The interior still runs on olive groves, mountain villages and family-run tavernas, so it rewards a hire car and a willingness to leave the coast road. Wine country around Archanes and the Lasithi plateau's old windmills are the classic detours.
Two or three bases work better than one, since the island runs roughly the length of Wales: a west-coast stretch near Chania, then a few days further east or south. May, June and September avoid the peak summer heat and crowds while keeping the sea warm enough to swim. Families do well almost everywhere, though the far south and the mountain villages suit older children better than toddlers.
- Ideal stay
- 1-2 weeks
- The vibe
- Sprawling, rustic, quietly proud
From our guides
Cretan tavernas welcome kids as standard, water parks and gorge walks cover the energy spectrum, and Chania's harbour makes the prettiest evening stroll in the Aegean.
Featured in Ten family holiday destinations in Europe, from toddlers to teens
Things to do
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Samaria Gorge
One of Europe's longer gorges, walked in a full day down to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli.
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Chania old town
A Venetian harbour ringed by a lighthouse, minarets and narrow lanes of shops and tavernas, at its best after the day-trippers leave.
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Palace of Knossos
The Minoan ruins that inspired the Minotaur myth, just outside Heraklion and heavily visited in summer, best seen with a guide for context.
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Balos Lagoon
A shallow, turquoise sandbar reached by boat or a rough coastal track, popular for its colour and a long, sandy approach.
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Rethymno's old quarter
Venetian and Ottoman architecture packed into a walkable seafront town with a working fishing harbour and a lively Saturday market.
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Lasithi Plateau
A highland basin scattered with old stone windmills and market gardens, a classic inland day trip away from the coast.
Getting there
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Fly to
Souda (CHQ)
Nearest airport to Crete, about 38km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Chania
Chania airport (CHQ) is about 30 minutes by car or airport bus into Chania town.
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On the ground
Getting around
A hire car is the way to reach the gorges and the southern beaches. Chania old town itself is walkable and coaches run along the north coast.
Public transport: The KTEL coach network links the north coast towns reliably, but the south coast and the best beaches really need a car.
Flights
Los Angeles Crete, Greece
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Roughly 14h 05m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 13°C in January to 30°C in August. Driest June to August; wettest in December, with rain on about 15 days.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
August30° · rain 2 daysWarm and dry.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — May to September. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Everything from family-run studios and village houses to large all-inclusive resorts and boutique conversions in the Venetian towns. Car hire is near essential outside the towns.
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Best base overall
Chania
A Venetian harbour town with the west's best beaches within reach and an airport nearby. The old town is charming but its rooms are small, hot and reached on foot.
Find stays in Chania -
Best with children
Georgioupoli
A long shallow beach halfway between Chania and Rethymno, with family hotels and a river mouth to explore. It can be windy, and there is an undertow on rougher days.
Find stays in Georgioupoli -
Best value
Rethymno
Old town atmosphere with a sandy town beach and prices below Chania. The hotel strip east of town is dense package territory, so choose the address carefully.
Find stays in Rethymno -
Best for couples
Elounda and Plaka
The sheltered north-east bay opposite Spinalonga, calm and smart. It is a long way from the Chania sights, and the smart end of the market is priced accordingly.
Find stays in Elounda and Plaka
Worth knowing before you book: Flights and hotels for late July and August go early and cost double, while many coastal hotels shut entirely from November to April.
Our picks in this destination
Or search everything else in Chania by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Getting there
- Heraklion and Chania both have international airports with direct flights from the UK in summer.
- Driving
- Roads in the mountains and south are narrow and winding, so allow more time than the map suggests.
- With kids
- The calmer, shallower beaches are mostly on the north and east coasts; the south can have more swell.
- Timing
- The Samaria Gorge is typically open only from May to October, depending on weather and trail conditions.
- Book ahead
- Popular beaches and tavernas fill up in July and August, when Crete is at its busiest.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Elafonissi
Crete, Greece · 85km away →
Oia
Santorini, Greece · 152km away →
Folegandros
Greece · 152km away →
Milos
Greece · 156km away →
Antiparos
Greece · 195km away →
Naousa
Paros, Greece · 213km away →Elsewhere in Greece
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Crete?
For warm, mostly dry days, May to September. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 13°C in January to 30°C in August. Driest June to August; wettest in December, with rain on about 15 days.
How long should I spend in Crete?
Our suggestion: 1-2 weeks.
How do I get to Crete?
Chania airport (CHQ) is about 30 minutes by car or airport bus into Chania town.
Do I need a car in Crete?
Yes, a car makes a real difference here. The KTEL coach network links the north coast towns reliably, but the south coast and the best beaches really need a car.
What currency and language are used in Crete?
Currency: Euro (EUR). Language: Greek. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Crete best for?
Best for families, walkers & hikers and beach lovers. In a phrase: sprawling, rustic, quietly proud.