Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Crete?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Crete?

Many visitors spend five to seven days in Crete during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This island offers a number of attractions to explore, including the beaches, the restaurant scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the museums and landmarks.

Crete is the largest island in Greece. Many people believe it has some of the best beaches in the country. You'll find sandy shorelines that meet striking blue water. There are also cities that are filled with excellent restaurants and a world class nightlife scene.

Do you have one or two days to visit Crete? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Crete?

With only one day, you'll probably feel rushed to explore the island. After all, Crete is home to a multitude of sights and attractions, making it an extremely popular destination for tourists. To fully embrace Crete, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to schedule about five to seven days to experience the beaches, the restaurant scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the museums and landmarks. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

How to spend a day in Crete

The beautiful beaches await you in Crete, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are some of the best beaches in the world on Crete. The areas around Chania have some of the island's best beaches, with one of the most beautiful being Balos. On the northern side of the island, be on the lookout for strong winds, particularly in August, which can make for larger waves. The island is large, so you'll find everything from secluded and quiet beaches to more active and lively places.

A few tour suggestions include:

Sea Kayak & Snorkel tours in West Crete ($86)
Land Rover Safari: Tripitis Gorge and Beach, South Crete ($103)
Luxe boat trip on sailing catamaran, Heraklion, Crete ($82)

The delicious food of Crete is one of the main highlights of a trip to the region. Dining out is one of the highlights of a trip. Make sure you take the time to taste as much of it as possible during breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this island's best restaurants. And consider a food tour or cooking class. You can easily fit one into your schedule since many are just a few hours or half a day. Local cuisine is influenced by the island's fertile environment and excellent agriculture. You'll find olive oil in most dishes and seafood is a major staple. You'll also find a lot of stews and recipes that incorporate local ingredients.

A few tour suggestions include:

Olive Oil Tasting Tour ($18)
Cooking Class and Meal at our Family Olive Farm (the Cretan Vibes Farm)! ($88)
Chania Cooking Class-The Authentic Enjoy traditional Cretan meal ($121)

Public transit in Crete is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the island quite easily. There's a decent bus system that travels around the island and offers access to many areas.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Crete?

Crete is a small island that is extremely popular with tourists due to the many sights and attractions. A weekend is probably not enough time on the scenic island. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Crete such as the beaches, the restaurant scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the museums and landmarks. To thoroughly enjoy the whole island, you'll probably want more time, as most travelers schedule at least 5 or as many as 7 days here. Nevertheless, we have some nice suggestions for your visit below.

Heraklion, Crete, Greece

How to spend 2 days in Crete

With a weekend (two to three days) in Crete, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the island has to offer.

Don't miss the Palace of Knossos during your trip to Crete, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

This island is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The island has excellent nightlife with clubs and bars found in Chania, Malia and Stalis to Elounda. The area is popular with British tourists and you'll find many bars open until 2 or 3 in the morning.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Crete, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.