One Week on the Largest Greek Island: CreteCrete is home to clear water beaches, towering mountains, adorable fishing towns, and rather large cities! It takes about 8 hours to go across, and we definitely needed more than 7 days to explore it all, so here are a few of my favorites that we did visit while we were based in Heraklion.Authorskatherinebeard
DestinationsCreteItinerary

Heraklion

Villa Octo
Had the absolute pleasure of staying at the most picturesque villa in Heraklion, with three rooms, a private pool, a steam room, and beach access. Let's not forget, the views were absolutely INSANE from here (during the day, with the Aegean Sea & at night as the lights popped on in Heraklion).
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Thigaterra - The Art of Slow Food
Had our first night of dinner here! Don’t skip out on their olive oil tasting, which takes you through three types, ranging in region and flavor. We also liked the saganaki, sea bass (which came out in the salt bake!), wedding pilaf, & shrimp spaghetti.
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Lygaria beach
A rocky, clear water beach home to a few local tavernas, great snorkeling, and swimming spots. Grab your towel and plan to relax here!
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Paralia Paleokastro
A cute little beach nestled under the highway bridge, looking up at an old fort. When we came, it was unfortunately rainy and gloomy :(
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Spora’
Maggiri, a locally made pasta dish, is most certainly worth trying here!
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Tiny Rebels café
A cute morning stop for coffee! Their latte was sharp and bitter, but saved me before a long tour... This would be a perfect stop for a full breakfast, sitting upstairs in their quiet space overlooking the streets below.
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Knossos Palace Skip-the-Line Ticket (Shared Tour Group)
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Book
Konoso
Right outside the palace, Konoso has handmade jewelry and pottery souvenirs (better than the other kitschy stores IMO).
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Almyra Seaside food & Cocktails
Right along the shores of Agia Pelagia, Almyra has amazing views and a MEAN Greek salad. It's the perfect spot for a drink & the vibes are super boho-beach!
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Paralia Agia Pelagia
Another rocky, but clear water beach in a bay-like area surrounded by little shops and restaurants.
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Παραλία Φυλακές
AKA Filakes Beach, this inlet is a short swim or hike & climb (lol) from Agia Pelagia, but the water is INCREDIBLE. Plus, cliff jumping (but be careful & check water levels!)
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Knossos Palace
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Heraklion Archaeological Museum
An absolute MUST in Crete!
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Sirocco Taverna
Right along Lygaria beach, this is the best spot to grab a cocktail and a snack. We tried the Greek salad, calamari, and my Aperol spritz was perfection. The outdoor tables have the best open-air views of the ocean and crashing waves... Absolutely quintessential.
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Peskesi
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Rethymno

Avli rustic fine dining restaurant
A MUST for a meal in Rethymno. Tucked away into a quieter alley of the city, AVLI had the most delicious Greek salad, seafood salad,
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Venetian Harbour
Admire the Venetian-style architecture and sit at a little bar along the harbor that was influenced by former Venetian times and rulers. The lighthouse is so picturesque.
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Regalo concept store
A great spot for postcards! Got two of my favorites here & they were hand-done by a local artist (didn't see them anywhere else).
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Greek Angels
Super cute, locally made silk scarves with Greek motifs. A bit $$$ but make a unique souvenir!
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TESORO JEWELLERY WORKSHOP Εργαστήριο κοσμημάτων
Unique jewelry along the main road!
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Geropotamos beach
Worth a stop on your way back from Rethymno, this beach has towering cliffs and acts as a little inlet. The day we went, the waves were pounding the shores and very rough, but I loved hiking up the cliffs for a better view overlooking the churning waters.
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Sirokos
A local beach tavern for lunch and dinner, serving pints of local beers, fresh/grilled fish, and delicious Greek salads. There is both outdoor and indoor seating beach chairs along the shore.
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Episkopi beach
A lovely beach where we enjoyed sunset after dinner, with expansive shores overlooking the beautiful mountains beyond. The water was shallow and friendly to swim in!
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Matala

Minoan Palace of Phaistos
no
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Place of Art
Super cute spot for handmade souvenirs, like pottery and jewelry.
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Caves Matala
Climb up along the seaside in these ages old caves that overlook the small, hippie town of Matala. The cliffs get busy in the afternoons so I’d suggest a morning or evening adventure!
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Smile Stairs Matala
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Koules of Matala
Hike past the Red Beach for amazing views over the sea, mountains, and a few old ruins up here. The views overlooking Malata and the beach are amazing!
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Aum
A one-of-a-kind jewelry (made with raw and healing stones) & clothing shop worth popping into!
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The Two Brothers Restaurant
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Elounda

Afroditi Boat Elounda
For just ~$320, we took a private boat tour for 3 hours around Spinalonga Island, to the Blue Lagoon, and a quaint Church out of Elounda. The crew, Costas & Manos, were both amazing, plus it included drinks and snacks! Had a blast swimming in the clear waters and soaking up the sun! If you split it with a larger group, it would be SO worth it :) Highly recommend.
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IRIDA CORNER
Cutest evil eye souvenirs and handmade sculptures at a local shop!
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Clock coffee & brunch
Perfect stop for a morning latte to sit out in the sun! It’s right along the docks so you’ll start to see the fishermen and tours come and go.
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Voulisma beach
My FAVORITE beach we visited, has perfect surfing waves in the right seasons and beautiful blue waters. PLUS the beach is just below some towering mountains which is so cool.
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Macrame by Voulisma | Beach Club - Restaurant
The COOLEST beach club that we visited. Upscale, beachside pools, a boho-chic chairs area, and restaurants/a bar serving up delicious sushi rolls & mocktails. Since I was driving, I tried the Tropicana cocktail (and ordered 2) & became obsessed. The spicy salmon roll was pretty good, but nothing beats the mix of the ocean and the mountain views here.
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Nisida Spinalonga
The old lepers colony and island that is now open to the public. You can hike to its peak for amazing views over the former jail area & island waters! Plus there’s a little beach area where you can swim.
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Boulangerie Elounda
Perfect stop for Cretan treats and ice cream after a day on the water.
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NINA'S ORGANIC HOUSE
My mom bought the cutest linen dress here & they also had adorable jewelry and bags.
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Margarites

Simos Ceramics
Little pottery shop with detailed figurines and glassware. I loved the polka dotted bowls here!
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Ilys Ceramics
Think vibrant, punchy colors of mugs, plates, bowls, and more – all as sets. Loved our stop here & wished I had more room in my suitcase to bring back a set of neon orange plates (they were like nothing I've seen before).
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Kerameion Pottery Workshop
THE MOST MAGICAL STOP! Walking into this pottery workshop, it took my breath away. The craftsmanship of the hanging balloons, beautifully painted plates & cups, and the warmth of the family who runs it was all such a treat. It is truly amazing what they create! I even got a set of plates :)
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Her Story
A modern take on traditional pottery elements, Her Story had gold accents, little decals, and sets of dishware of my DREAMS. I also loved her unique jewelry and the pomegranate-shaped vases.
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