The SL Pocket Guide To Crete

You won’t find any Michelin-starred restaurants in Crete, but the island is famous for its traditional tavernas which celebrate local produce – many restaurant owners will boast about their organic gardens and family recipes. With plenty of affordable options, you’ll find excellent options in all four regions, especially Chania. Just a short walk from Chania’s city centre, Periplous is a lovely seaside restaurant on the Halepa waterfront. It specialises in Cretan cuisine and local seafood – try and get a table outside to enjoy dinner by sunset. Maiami, just a short walk away is another top choice which serves brunch and Mediterranean dishes throughout the day. The owner is a ceramicist who sells her pieces in the shop next door – it’s well worth a browse.

For a more traditional setting, Kritamon is an atmospheric restaurant and wine bar in Chania Town, while Chrisostomos is an award-winning Cretan restaurant which serves generous portions of grilled meat with dips and bread. For something a little more upmarket, you can get grilled lobster and octopus at Periplous along the water’s edge, and other seafood dishes at Salis, one of the island’s most celebrated restaurants. Don’t forget to make a reservation at Ginger – one of the most modern places to eat on the island. Formerly a traditional spot, this summer the team has upped sticks to an industrial building three minutes down the road, where they’re now able to make more of late-night dining and cocktails. We love the look of its terrace.

After sightseeing in Heraklion, make like the locals and enjoy a leisurely lunch at Parasties which has been serving Greek for over 100 years. Today, it’s a more modern affair where diners can enjoy dishes cooked over an open wood-fired grill. Its traditional loukoumades (small donut-like bites) are not to be missed. Pekesei, a five-minute walk away, offers farm-to-table dining to highlight the best produce in the region – dishes change weekly so there’s always something delicious on the menu. Lola is another popular spot in Heraklion. A proper old-school tavern, it’s open until 1am and serves the likes of aubergine with candied peppers and one of the best Cretan salads on the island.

Elsewhere, Agia Fotia Taverna in Preveli Beach to the south is a must-visit. Perfect for a romantic evening or special family meal, diners arrive by boat to enjoy seafood overlooking the water. Guests are encouraged to stay for hours and soak up the relaxed atmosphere. As already mentioned, La Bouillabaisse at Minos Beach Art Hotel also has beautiful views. Here, you can expect modern Mediterranean dishes like seafood orzo pasta with fennel oil; Romana salad with marinated anchovies; and seabass ceviche with avocado and grapefruit. 

Crete has 100 Blue Flag beaches, meaning it’s one of Greece’s leading islands for water quality and environmental management. If you go to just one, head to Elafonissi at the island’s southwest tip. The bay often breaks into two parts when the tide is out, when locals and tourists alike flock to the white and pink sand (comprised of millions of crushed shells) to swim in the crystal-clear waters and sunbathe on the beach. There’s a lagoon to the eastern side of the beach, as well as beachside restaurants, cafés and changing rooms. Balos Lagoon is equally beautiful but a little quieter, especially during the autumn months. Famous for its turquoise waters, visitors can snorkel in the bay and see a panoramic view of the lagoon from surrounding mountains. Falassarna beach to the west is also worth is visit, as is Vaï beach on the eastern cape.

If beach clubs are your thing, check out these two newcomers for summer 2025. On pristine Aptera Beach, Zamāna is the newest launch from Domes Resorts. An immersive beachfront concept adjacent to Domes Zeen Chania, this fresh launch is described as a ‘barefoot luxury retreat’ where the team organises everything from sunrise rituals to sunset DJ sets playing afro house and soulful electronica. Sunbeds, umbrellas and cabanas are all there – and there’s a great choice of cocktails from one of Athens’ leading mixologists. Then there’s the Vilebrequin La Plage. The French Riviera brand’s newest concept has landed at Domes of Elounda, you’ll find it on a secluded three-acre private beach framed by olive groves and Mirabello Bay. Expect striped sunbeds, pastel parasols, hand-painted ceramic planters and Riviera-chic cabanas.

For a more leisurely afternoon activity, book a wine and olive oil tour at one of the many vineyards to the northwest of the island. Fabulous Crete offers a tour at an olive oil factory and two family-run wineries. Late afternoon is then a great time to hit Crete’s top archaeological spots, including the Palace of Knossos in Heraklion which was excavated in the early 20th century. Dating back to 1900 BC, visitors can book a tour of the palace to see one of its most impressive rooms, the Fresco Gallery. The nearby Gortyna, which dates back to Neolithic times, is also a must for history buffs, as is the archaeological site Phaestos and Fortezza Castle.