Step Aside, Santorini: Crete’s The Next Island Hot Spot In Greece

Ask a traveler where they’ve visited in Greece, and chances are good they’ll point to Santorini. The photogenic island has fueled social media feeds for years with its whitewashed buildings, black sand beaches, and luxe accommodations.

But there’s another island that’s giving Santorini a run for its money: Crete. Steeped in myth and history, this enchanting island offers a deeply authentic experience that transcends aspirational Instagram posts. It’s where you can go to vacation like the Greeks.

On Crete, you can wander around mystical archeological sites then refuel with just-caught seafood, sharp cheeses, and robust local wines at lively tavernas. Spend the day exploring the world’s dreamiest beaches, only accessible by boat. And get your thrills on outdoor adventures, like hiking through epic gorges and swimming to hidden waterfalls, sans the crowds of other Greek islands.

Here’s what makes Crete a contender for the best Greek island to visit this year.

Breathtaking natural wonders

A dazzling array of natural wonders turn Crete into a playground for outdoor adventures.

The island is home to 36 gorges, the most impressive of which (Samaria) is preserved in White Mountains National Park. It’s the longest gorge in Europe. If you’re up for a long hike (think: 6 to 8 hours, depending on how fast you walk!), you can trek a downhill path that runs between the gorge’s nearly 1,000-foot walls. Enjoy a well-earned taverna feast with a view of the Mediterranean Sea at the end.

For a less strenuous yet no less epic outdoor adventure on Crete, head to Preveli Beach. From the parking area, some 470 steep steps bring you to a sheltered, toasted-sand beach with dramatic cliffs, a gentle river, and a palm forest—the only native palm forest on the continent. Legend has it that the palm trees grew from seeds left by pirates during the Ottoman period.

Then, there’s the Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfall, a sublime oasis located just north of Preveli Beach. You’ll park on the edge of a cliff and begin descending a steep set of stairs down through the gorge. The path marked “Entrance A” culminates at crystal-clear swimming hole flanked by cliffs. Pop on your water shoes, wade into the lagoon, and swim into the inner sanctum of the gorge to discover a gorgeous hidden waterfall surrounded by rainbow-hued mist—a spectacular reward for braving the refreshingly cold water.

On your way back up, take a detour to “Entrance B” to get a view from the waterfall from above and see the Church of Saint Nicholas, a nearly 200-year-old sand-colored chapel built in the cliffside.

Postcard-worthy private beaches

Beautiful beaches abound on Crete. After all, the island has some 650 miles of coastline, so you’re never far from a gorgeous stretch of sand.

But if you want to see some of the island’s most breathtaking beaches—and have them practically to yourself—you’ll have do it by boat. Head to Sfakia on Crete’s southern coast where you can rent a boat for the day from Notos Mare Marine Adventures. They’ll give you a map, then set you off for a day of beach-hopping to some of the most secluded and remote beaches on this side of the island—like Domata, a pristine spot tucked beneath a near-vertical cliffside; Agia Roumeli, a fine pebble beach at the mouth of the Samaria gorge; and Marmara Beach, where you can swim through natural sea caves filled with bright turquoise water.

As you explore southern Crete by boat, keep your eyes peeled for piles of colorful wooden boxes tucked within narrow caverns of the cliffs. They’re home to the bees that make Crete’s famous golden honey.

Accommodations with legendary hospitality

If Greek hospitality is an art, Cretan hospitality is a true masterpiece—and there’s no better place to experience it for yourself than at the Cretan Dream Resort & Spa. As the name suggests, this resort was founded by the patriarch of a Cretan family who left the island to start a new life in Australia, but always dreamt of returning to his homeland and reconnecting with his culture. That dream was realized in 2004, which marked the opening of the luxurious resort at the entrance of Stalos Beach, just outside of Chania.

You’ll feel like family the moment you step into the Cretan Dream Resort, which is now operated by the founder’s passionate son, Petros Kardiakakis. Kardiakakis or a member of the friendly staff will escort you to one of 105 guest rooms, which range from cozy, wood-clad suites—complete with expansive balconies and sleep-inducing mattresses produced by the Kardiakakis family—to recently renovated guest rooms with marble bathrooms, views of the sea, and private pools.

On site, you’ll find lush gardens, a sparkling infinity pool, kids’ playground, and a state-of-the-art wellness center and spa—an ideal place for restoring your body after outdoor adventures on Crete.

The Cretan Dream Resort takes dining seriously, filling its breakfast buffet with an expansive selection of pastries, locally-made cheeses and meats, freshly squeezed juices, and thyme honey, served fresh from honeycombs from the resort’s apiary.

By night, the resort offers an upscale dining experience focused around seasonal Cretan ingredients. Expect to find fresh fish with olives and veggies, salads made with juicy tomatoes and creamy cheese, chicken and pork skewers, risotto confetti’d with mushrooms, and a downright delectable lentil soup made from a family recipe. Plus, everything is made with olive oil from the resort’s own grove, which is home to 3,000-year-old trees. It’s like tasting Cretan history.

The Cretan Dream Resort offers visits to its olive grove—complete with a sommelier-guided tasting of local wines and cheeses—as just one of several activities that help guests make the most of their time in Crete. Another highlight is its stargazing experience. You’ll head to the highest point at the resort to look at the Cretan sky through powerful telescopes as an expert astronomer shows you celestial points of interest. In the mood for something else? Just ask the staff and they’ll take care of all the arrangements.

Vibrant coastal towns

One of the most fun things to do in Crete is explore the island’s vibrant coastal towns, like Chania. Located on Crete’s northwestern coast, the charming town’s old city brims with character.

Wandering around the maze-like streets immerses you in what life on Crete is all about: sipping locally roasted coffee and wine in tucked-away courtyards, dining with friends at candlelit tables filled with colorful plates, shopping at local artisan shops (like one that’s been carrying on Crete’s knife-making tradition for three generations), and losing yourself on medieval alleyways lined by Venetian mansions. Simply being in this atmosphere can set the tone for your entire trip.

Be sure to visit the Church of Saint Nicholas in the Splanzia square. The 700-year-old Greek Orthodox church is the only one of its kind in Greece to have both a bell tower and minaret—evidence of Crete’s different rulers over the centuries.

Then, walk the long path to the Chania Lighthouse, one of the town’s most important landmarks, for incredible views of the Old Venetian Harbor at sunset. On your way back to the old harbor, treat yourself to something sweet (and even more stunning vistas on the terrace) at Pallas. Its dessert menu is unrivaled.

Fascinating archeological sites

Got a thing for seeing ancient ruins when you travel? Crete’s got you covered with remarkable archeological sites scattered throughout the island.

If you’ve only got time for one, make it Knossos. This 3,600-year-old site was the center of the Minoan civilization and contains the ruins of the Palace of Minos—the setting for the Greek myth of King Minos and the minotaur. You can walk around the remnants of a royal residence, see storerooms and banquet halls, take a peek at the irrigation drains (which were quite sophisticated for their time), marvel at giant clay jars, and see recreated frescoes and artwork. Some of the palace’s pillars have also been painted their original deep red color to give travelers a sense of just how grand this place once was during its heyday.

Knossos is just the beginning of where you can step into the ancient world on this Greek island. Some of Crete’s other renowned ancient ruins include Phaistos, Gortyna, and Zakros. No matter where you go, these archeological sites will fill you with wonder about those who wandered Crete long ago.