Hotels in Crete, Greece

Crete is Greece's largest island, sitting in the Mediterranean Sea with hot, dry summers (85-95°F / 30-35°C) perfect for lounging on Elafonissi's pink sand beach or hiking the Samaria Gorge, and mild winters (50-60°F / 10-15°C) when you can explore the Minoan palace of Knossos near Heraklion without crowds. The island splits into distinct zones: the east around Agios Nikolaos has resort beaches and windsurfing, while the west near Chania offers Venetian harbor strolls and rock climbing in the White Mountains. If you're on a budget, visit in shoulder seasons-spring for wildflowers or autumn for olive harvest festivals-and skip the July-August price hikes.