How Many Days In Crete Is Enough?

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, rich in culture and with a fascinating history.

It offers something for every visitor, from gorgeous sandy beaches to the ruins of ancient civilizations. 

With so much to explore, how many days in Crete do you need in order to see the best of its attractions?

Are a couple of days on the island enough to see the highlights or should you plan for a longer visit?

The easiest way to decide how many days for Crete is to consider the type of break you are looking for. 

If you want to be constantly on the go and take each day at a fast pace, then it would be possible to see the very best of the island’s highlights in 2 days. 

But if you prefer to do things more slowly and spend a little longer at the attractions you visit, then plan for a stay of 3 to 5 nights.

Pssst. Backpacking around Greece soon? Read our guide to backpacking Greece.

How To Decide How Long To Stay In Crete

There are a few different things to think about when planning the length of your visit to Crete and this guide is designed to help. 

The following is a list of all the main factors to consider, plus my recommendations for the best places to see on the island whilst you are there. 

I’ve also suggested an approximate amount of time to spend at each one. This will help you work out how many sights you can comfortably visit each day and put together a workable itinerary.

We suggest you make a list of the things you want to do in Crete. Then, add information on arrival and departure times and see the distance between places.

You should then be able to keep it more realistic and see exactly how many days in Crete you’ll need.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

If you arrive in Crete early in the morning, then you’ll have most of that day for sightseeing, which is great.

But a late arrival time will limit just how much you can do, so think carefully about this when planning the length of your stay and consider adding an extra night if needed. 

Your departure time is equally important – if you are leaving Crete in the late afternoon or early evening then you will be able to fit in some sightseeing before you go!

Some travelers organize their transfers from the airport in advance to save time on arrival.

Make sure you’ve organized ahead of time just what you will be doing with your luggage.

Unfortunately, hotel check-in times don’t always coincide with arrival times, so there may be a few hours where you will need your bags to be stored.

In most cases, your hotel or accommodation provider will offer this service. But not all do, so make sure you ask this in advance. 

If you find that you will need somewhere for your bags, then you can use a private luggage storage service.

There are several companies to choose from – some offering storage at Heraklion Airport – and you can easily book online.

I’d recommend doing this well ahead of your visit to secure your spot, as demand for storage can be high during peak season.

Activities In Crete

Don’t leave planning your itinerary until you get to Crete – instead, be sure to organize what you will be doing in advance. This makes it a lot easier to decide on just how long you will need.

As well as deciding on which attractions you absolutely want to visit, make sure you find out where they are in relation to each other and factor in time for traveling between them. 

Allow for time spent queuing, too – Crete’s top attractions are very busy at the height of the season and the lines can be long!

That said, you could even book your activities in advance to make sure to have time to do everything you want to do in Crete.

Pace Of Activities

When deciding how many days in Crete is enough, you need to decide on a pace you are comfortable with.

Do you want every moment of each day filled with activities, or do you want some time to just relax and soak up the atmosphere? 

If having the freedom to spend a bit longer at certain attractions is important to you, then it is definitely worth planning for an extra night or two.

Transportation

Crete has an efficient public bus system that makes a great way to get between the main cities and attractions. You can pick up a bus schedule from the intercity main bus station in any of the major cities.

On the whole island, the buses run on time and are reasonably priced. 

There are also regional bus services run by collectives known as Kino Tamio Eispraxeon Leoforon (KTEL).

For real freedom, though – especially if you want to get off the beaten track – I’d recommend renting a car.

Crete is a large island so it enables you to see far more than you’d manage on public transport, particularly when your time on the island is short.

Another great option for getting around Crete is to take the ferry! There are lots of lines operating on the island and they stop at multiple locations.

You can also find smaller, local ferries on certain parts of the island that are ideal for taking you for day trips to quiet coastal villages.

What To Do In Crete

Here are some of the top attractions in Crete. With each one, I’ve suggested the ideal amount of time to spend there.

Knossos Palace

Frequently referred to as Europe’s oldest city, this is the largest Bronze Age site on Crete. 

The palace was built about 3,000 years ago and appears in Greek mythology as the seat of King Minos. 

Over the years it was affected by disasters like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions until it was excavated for the first time early in the 20th century. 

Some of its incredible architecture and frescoes were then restored and you can now view areas such as the Royal Apartments, the reception courtyard, and the Throne Room. 

Make sure to book a guided tour that includes a skip-the-line ticket if you wish to save time.

Suggested time: 2 hours

Imbros Gorge

Located 57 km to the southeast of the town of Chania, this rocky gorge is stunningly beautiful and an awesome place to hike. 

The sides of the canyon provide plenty of shade as you explore and you’ll come across lots of caves along the way. 

The trail is mostly downhill which makes it easy for beginners and there is a taxi service at the end to take you back to the start.

Suggested time: 3 hours

Old Venetian Harbor

Built by the Venetians between 1320 and 1356, this harbor is distinctly Italian in its architecture. 

Take a stroll through its narrow streets until you reach the bustling waterfront, a riot of color and activity.

There are lots of lovely places to stop for something to eat and drink as you watch the beautifully decorated horse-drawn carriages pass by. 

You can also see the St. Nicolas bastion and iconic Firkas Fortress at the harbor’s entrance. 

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

If you want to learn more about Minoan civilization, then a visit here is a must. 

This museum contains one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts anywhere, dating back to Neolithic times and including weapons, armor, vases, and jewelry.  

You can see entire frescoes that have been transferred to the museum from other sites in Crete, along with the ‘Bull Leaper’ – an ivory figurine from Knossos Palace. 

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

Balos Lagoon

One of Crete’s most famous images, the beach here is simply jaw-dropping in its beauty. 

Located around 60 kilometers northwest of Chania, Balos lagoon lies between two capes, Tigani and Gramvousa. The turquoise pool of trapped water is shallow and safe to swim in. 

But perhaps the best thing to do here is to hike the Balos Beach Trail and enjoy the many scenic viewpoints. This is a great spot for families, with sunbeds, toilets, and a small cafe.

Many people visit Balos beach on a boat trip. You can browse the day trip options here.

Suggested time: 4 hours

Browse Tours

Cretan Olive Oil Farm

Designed to help visitors learn more about olive oil production in Crete, this farm offers plenty of other educational experiences too. 

You can try your hand at making pottery, cheese, cooking dolmas, and even milking a goat! 

Fun, friendly, and interactive, there are lots of opportunities to enjoy the local cuisine and try some traditional Greek beverages. 

Suggested time: 2 hours

Rethymno Old Town

This city was originally walled and features narrow cobblestone alleys set out in the 14th century by Venetian architects.

Possibly the best-preserved old town on Crete, it is still rich in Italian architecture, with Catholic churches and Renaissance mansions throughout. 

The Turks also ruled the town for a while so you will spot some Ottoman minarets and domes here too. 

Look out for the large fortress on the headland that was built by the Venetians to guard Rethymno. You’ll also find a lovely sandy beach on the newly developed side of town.

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

Final Thoughts On Crete Getaways

So just how many days do you need in Crete to see the things you want to see at a pace that suits you?

I hope this guide has helped you decide, and that you enjoy every moment of exploring this beautiful and fascinating island.

Visiting Greece soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

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