Crete, Greece

Variety is the spice of life for Crete Holidays. Greece's largest island is also its most diverse, its scenery is like a tapestry composing of nature's finest artistry. It has the idyllic golden coastline you'd expect from a Greek island but inland there's a mosaic of sweeping valleys, rolling hills and rocky mountains that rise so high they're dusted with snow. You can even hike Europe's longest gorge.

Crete highlights

History & Legends

Crete’s landscapes are threaded with stories, from Zeus’s mythical birthplace to the labyrinth of the Minotaur. Explore the Palace of Knossos with a guide who can distinguish the legends from the remarkable history of the Minoans, whose civilisation flourished here more than 4,000 years ago. Pair your visit with Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum to see treasures recovered from the island’s ancient sites. Further west, Chania and Rethymno reveal another chapter, with Venetian harbours, handsome old buildings and winding lanes. We recommend visiting archaeological sites early, before the heat builds, then finding a shaded spot for lunch.

Best time to visit Crete

May to October is a lovely time to visit Crete, whose southerly position brings a long season of warm days beside the sea. We particularly love June and September for beach weather with a little more room to explore. July and August are hotter and livelier, while May and early October suit village visits, ancient sites and countryside walks. Autumn’s sea retains the summer warmth, though the weather becomes more changeable as October progresses.

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Where to stay in Crete

Crete offers everything from intimate boutique retreats to spacious beachfront resorts and private pool villas, with lovely options for couples and families alike. Choose a base near Chania for harbour strolls and evenings in the old town, or look towards Elounda and Mirabello Bay for sheltered coastal settings and beautiful sea views. This is a large island, so we’ll help you choose somewhere close to the places you most want to explore.

Minos Beach Art Hotel

Located on Crete’s north-east coast in Agios Nikolaos, the hotel feels peaceful and secluded while still being within walking distance of the town’s harbour, restaurants and cafés. Heraklion Airport is around an hour away by car.

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Domes Zeen Chania

Wonderfully hugging a hillside with glorious views out across the sea on Crete’s north-west coast, within walking distance of pretty Chania, Domes Zeen is a beachfront resort with a boho-chic vibe. Family friendly, the interior is a stylish design mix of stone, wood, muted textiles and rattan touches. The rooms and villas spill down the hillside from the elevated modernist reception to the black-tiled swimming pool and pebbly beach below.

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Daios Cove

For all-out luxury, Daios Cove is five-star from top to bottom (quite literally). Cleverly carved into a natural amphitheatre above a secluded private cove just south of Agios Nikolaos, the resort cascades down the hillside over five different levels, accessed via a combination of winding steps, paths and a funicular that can zip you from bedroom to beach in a flash.

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St Nicolas Bay Resort Hotel & Villas

Owning a prime position on Crete's eastern coast, St. Nicolas Bay is understated luxury at its very best. The views speak for themselves, with the resort overlooking the glittering Mirabello Bay and lying just a 20-minute stroll from the charming waterfront town of Agios Nikolaos.

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Explore, dream, discover and embrace ...

"Don't try to see beyond the horizon - often the richest experiences are those that you stumble upon because of where you are and who you're with. Explore, dream, discover and embrace each new experience as a life-changing memory."

Sue Bell - Co Founder

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Why Choose Turquoise?

Family Owned & Run

We are one of the few remaining family owned and run operators of our size. We have direct relationships with every single destination, island, resort and hotel we work with, in order to deliver exceptional and truly personalised service.

Our Passion Runs Deep

We are - and always have been - mad about travel. For almost 25 years we've been scouring the globe for the best places to stay, the newest routes to take, the perfect people to meet. No-one will care more about your holiday.

Definition of Luxury

Luxury means something different to everyone. Whether you are seeking the silence of vast spaces, the isolation of a private island, the buzz of a new city, the adrenaline of a safari or anything in between, we listen, we learn, we advise.

Fun & Refreshing

We endeavour that every Turquoise experience is unique, fun and refreshing. Travel is all about experiences, about serendipitous moments and endless smiles. It is a joy and an honour to plan each and every Turquoise holiday.