Cheap flights to Crete are available from Manchester Airport as well as Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports in London. UK citizens do not require a visa to enter Greece. Most flights to Crete will arrive at Heraklion International Airport. Taxis are available from the taxi stand just outside the terminal building. There are frequent local bus services from the airport to central Heraklion. Buses may be less regular on Sundays and public holidays.
Some flights to Crete may arrive at Chania International Airport. Airport buses provide seven services a day to central Chania. Taxis can be hired from the taxi stand outside the terminal building.
KTEL operates a network of buses around Crete and throughout Greece. Check the website for route maps and timetables. Bus drivers may also divert slightly from their route if requested. Buses may not stop at some bus stops unless the driver is signalled. Taxis are metered, and offer a reliable and relatively cheap option of getting around the island.
Discover the remnants of Minoan culture at the Palace of Knossos. The legendary site is said to be the seat of King Minos, and is featured in a number of myths, including that of the Minotaur. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum has an extensive collection of artefacts, covering multiple layers of civilisation on Crete. Rethymno is popular with many visitors due to its picturesque buildings and unspoilt coastline. Explore the narrow streets and discover the town’s charming mix of Venetian and Ottoman architecture. The coastal village of Agia Roumeli has a nice stretch of beach, and serves as a gateway to the spectacular Samaria Gorge and National Park.
The bustling Central Market on Meidani in Heraklion is a great place to shop with the locals. The maze of stalls and shops here stock a variety of herbs and spices, fresh meat, inexpensive clothes and other goods. Herb’s Garden is located on top of the hip Lato Boutique Hotel in Heraklion and provides fresh, flavourful local food. Pick up colourful woven rugs and blankets from Top Hanas in Chania. The items here are all woven by locals in the villages nearby. Chania’s Agora covered market has many stalls selling all the ingredients for a tasty Greek feast, as well as a number of cafes offering regional dishes. The Well of the Turk is housed in an inviting building in the old Turkish part of Chania, and serves up hearty, Levantine-influenced dishes. Head to the Fortezza bar in Chania’s old fortifications for an after-dinner drink accompanied by marvellous views across the water.