Northern Crete Travel Guide – What to See & Where to Stay
Crete is massive! Having just visited several smaller Greek islands – Patmos included, only a week before arriving – I felt overwhelmed trying to plan how to make the most of our time.
After all, my partner and I had only one week to explore, but we also wanted a few days to simply relax on the beach.
Planning a trip to Crete isn’t easy – there’s just so much to see and do! That’s why we decided to stick to the northern part of the island, especially the northwest, where many of the top sights are located.
If you don’t have 2–3 weeks or simply don’t want to rush from one place to another, I highly recommend focusing on Northern Crete only. This region offers a great mix of beautiful beaches, historic sites, and charming towns, all close enough to explore at a relaxed pace.
In this guide, I’ll show you the best spots to visit and the top areas to stay so you can make the most of your time on Greece’s largest island!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking.)
TIP: While public transport is partly available, the easiest and most flexible way to get around the island is by renting a car. I use DiscoverCars, a reliable platform with great options and fair prices. 🚗
7 Unmissable Places to See in Northern Crete
1. Chania
Chania is located on the northwest coast of Crete and was our first stop after landing at Chania Airport. We picked up our rental car at the airport and drove straight into town — it only took about 20 minutes.
You can spend a few hours walking through the old town, which is definitely the highlight of Chania. The narrow streets are full of small shops, traditional houses, and a mix of architectural styles from the Venetian and Ottoman periods.
The Old Venetian Harbor is also worth a visit — it’s a bit more touristy but still very scenic, with its lighthouse, old mosque, and waterfront promenade.
If you’re looking for a good spot for brunch or a light lunch, I can recommend Anassa Bar & Bistro, right by the water. They serve a creative brunch menu made with high-quality local Cretan ingredients.
Other things to see in Chania include the Maritime Museum and local markets where you can find fresh produce and handmade goods.
2. Rethymno
Rethymno is a coastal town located between Chania and Heraklion. It has a small old town, a Venetian harbor, and a long beach promenade.
While it’s a pleasant place to walk around and spend a few relaxed hours, I personally liked Chania more. Rethymno felt more like a typical tourist town and doesn’t have as many cultural sights or historical spots to explore.
That said, there are still a few interesting spots to check out. The Venetian fortress (Fortezza) offers great views over the town and the sea.
One of the most eye-catching buildings in the old town is the Neratze Mosque with its tall minaret — a reminder of the Ottoman period. The old town itself is also pleasant for a short stroll, with its narrow alleys, small shops, and cafés.
For food, I can recommend Agrimia Restaurant in the old town. It’s a family-run place serving typical Cretan cuisine, and they even have a full page of vegan dishes on the menu.
3. Knossos Palace
Knossos Palace is located just a few kilometers southeast of Heraklion, making it an easy day trip from most places in Northern Crete.
It’s the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on the island and was once the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization, dating back over 4,000 years.
Visiting Knossos offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient history, with well-preserved ruins, colorful frescoes, and the famous labyrinth myth linked to King Minos and the Minotaur.
Highlights include the throne room, the royal apartments, and the grand staircase, all showing impressive architectural and artistic achievements from the Minoan era.
The site is open daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm in the summer months, with shorter hours in winter. The entrance fee is €24 for a full ticket, with reduced prices for certain age groups and free entry for EU citizens under 25.
For a better understanding of the site, you can join a guided walking tour, but we decided to just buy a normal ticket since there are information boards at all the main sights.
To avoid long queues, we bought our tickets ahead of time through GetYourGuide. This was really convenient, as it allowed us to skip the line and head straight in.
Check out: Visit Knossos Palace – Your Helpful Travel Guide
4. Heraklion
Heraklion is the largest city and administrative capital of Crete. With around 180,000 residents, it’s a bustling city that combines history, culture, and everyday local life.
One of the main attractions is the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which houses one of the world’s most important collections of Minoan artifacts. If you’re interested in ancient history, it’s a must-visit.
The city itself has a historic center with Venetian walls, the Koules Fortress by the old harbor, and several charming squares.
Strolling through the old town, you’ll find plenty of shops, cafés, and restaurants. The central market is also worth a visit if you want to try local flavors and fresh produce.
5. Akrotiri Peninsula
The Akrotiri Peninsula lies just northeast of Chania and is home to Chania International Airport, making it easy to visit either when you arrive or before you leave. The area offers a mix of nature, history, and small villages worth exploring.
A key spot is the Agia Triada Monastery, known for its simple but beautiful architecture and nice views of the countryside. Close by are the ruins of Aptera, an archaeological site with remains from the Minoan era, including old walls and a small Roman theatre.
The peninsula also has some beautiful beaches, like Stavros Beach and Seitan Limania Beach — the latter is a stunning hidden cove with turquoise water and dramatic cliffs.
Besides these places, olive groves and vineyards cover much of the landscape, making it ideal for a calm drive or walk. You can also visit some olive farms and do wine tasting to get a taste of local flavors.
6. Balos Beach
Balos Beach is located on the very northwest coast of Crete, at the edge of the Gramvousa Peninsula. It’s renowned for its striking turquoise waters, white sand, and unique lagoon setting, making it one of the most famous beaches in all of Greece.
Reaching Balos requires a bit of effort, but the reward is well worth it. The journey involves a 9 km drive along a rugged, unpaved road from Kaliviani village.
This bumpy path offers scenic views and is frequented by local goats and sheep. A €1 per person entrance fee is collected at a toll booth along the road, and there’s a €3 parking fee at the trailhead.
Since we had a small rental car and not a 4×4, we drove carefully, and the whole trip along the bumpy road took about 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take a boat from Kissamos Port, which offers a more relaxed journey and the chance to see the coastline from the sea. Boat tours typically last several hours and may include stops at nearby Gramvousa Island.
It’s more expensive, but next time we’ll choose a boat tour since the drive was quite exhausting.
If you arrive by car, a short hike leads you to the beach, where you’ll find shallow, warm waters ideal for swimming.
The area is relatively undeveloped, so it’s advisable to bring your own food, water, and essentials. Facilities are limited, with a simple beach bar offering snacks and drinks.
7. Falassarna Beach
Another popular beach on Crete, and not far from Balos Beach, is Falassarna Beach. It’s divided into a big main beach and a smaller one nearby.
We drove all the way to the far end of the smaller beach, where it was much quieter and less crowded.
Both parts are known for their long sandy shore and clear, shallow waters, ideal for swimming. The area offers stunning sea views and a very relaxed vibe, with a few cafés and tavernas close by if you want to grab a bite or a drink.
Especially at the big beach, there are parking lots where you need to pay, but we found a spot at the end of the small beach where we could park for free.
6 Best Areas to Stay in North Crete (With Hotel Picks!)
You can reach almost all the places mentioned above from anywhere in Northern Crete, but the following spots are among the most popular choices to use as a base.
1. Chania
Chania lies on the northwest coast, roughly halfway between Heraklion and Balos Beach, making it a convenient base for exploring many highlights nearby.
For travelers arriving at or departing from Chania Airport, staying here means less time on the road and more time enjoying the area.
Accommodation here tends to be smaller, family-run boutique hotels rather than big resorts. It’s a great place to stay if you’re looking for a mix of history, culture, and easy access to nature.
🛏️ Top 3 Hotels to Stay in Chania
2. Rethymno
Rethymno sits between Chania and Heraklion, so it’s a practical base if you plan to explore both sides of the island without changing hotels. You can reach either city in about 1–1.5 hours by car.
Compared to Chania, it has a more energetic vibe, especially in the evenings, with beach bars, pubs, and a bit of a party scene during summer.
You’ll find a wide range of places to stay here, from charming boutique hotels in the old town to beachside stays just outside the center.
🛏️ Top 3 Hotels to Stay in Rethymno
3. Georgioupoli
Georgioupoli is a relaxed seaside village located between Chania and Rethymno, making it a nice, quiet base if you want to avoid the busier towns. It’s known for its long sandy beach and the peaceful vibe along the promenade.
If you’re looking for a calm spot with easy access to both west Crete highlights and some local charm, Georgioupoli is a great choice. It’s also close to Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake on the island.
Accommodation here mainly consists of mid-size to larger resorts rather than small boutique hotels, perfect for travelers looking for comfort and amenities by the sea.
🛏️ Top 3 Hotels to Stay in Georgioupoli
4. Bali
Bali is another small seaside village between Rethymno and Heraklion, known for its pretty coves, calm beaches, and relaxed atmosphere.
It’s a great base if you’re looking for a quiet stay by the sea, with a handful of tavernas, cafés, and shops nearby.
Most hotels here are mid-sized and focused on comfort and views rather than luxury, but there are also a few great 4- and 5-star options.
🛏️ Top 3 Hotels to Stay in Bali
5. Heraklion
Staying in the largest city on Crete means easy access to the airport, the ferry port, and some of the island’s top cultural sights like Knossos Palace and the Archaeological Museum.
It’s a great choice if you’re flying in or out of Heraklion and want to stay close to everything without losing time on the road.
The city has more of a lively urban vibe than a beach holiday feel, but it’s full of great food spots, shops, and historical sights – and the sea is never far.
You’ll find a mix of stylish boutique hotels and modern city stays here.
🛏️ Top 3 Hotels to Stay in Heraklion
6. Kissamos
Kissamos is a small town in the far northwest of Crete and a great base if you want to stay close to some of the island’s most stunning beaches like Balos and Falassarna.
It’s quieter and less touristy than Chania or Rethymno but still offers all the essentials like shops, cafés, and tavernas with fresh local food.
Accommodation in Kissamos ranges from cozy boutique hotels to seaside resorts, mostly 4-star and 5-star options.
It’s perfect if you want a more laid-back vibe but still want good access to nature and beaches.
🛏️ Top 3 Hotels to Stay in Kissamos
Check out:
Visit Knossos Palace – Your Helpful Travel Guide
Best Time to Visit Greece – A Month-by-Month Guide
How to Be Vegan in Greece – Your Ultimate Travel Guide
14 Quiet Greek Islands For a Relaxing Summer Holiday
Visiting Patmos – A Peaceful Greek Island Full of Charm
Holidays on Tinos – A Quiet & Authentic Greek Island
ALL Mamma Mia Filming Locations on Skopelos & Skiathos
20 Beautiful & Famous Landmarks in Greece Worth Seeing
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Do you want to travel like me?
Here are some of my favorite travel tips and resources:
Flights: I prefer using CheapOair to book flights. I often search for “Anywhere” to uncover the best flight deals!
Accommodation: Booking.com is my favorite site to find some great hotel deals.
Travel Insurance: There are many reasons why travel insurance is important and I never travel without one. I use the simple and flexible one from SafetyWing that protects me against unforeseen events.
Tours: I love taking tours to explore destinations like a local. My favorite website to book them in advance is GetYourGuide.
Camera Gear: I use a Nikon D5300 camera with an 18-105 mm and a 10-20 mm wide-angle lens to take my photos.
