Hotels in Crete, Greece

Crete is Greece's largest island, with a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers (80-90°F or 27-32°C) perfect for lounging at Elafonisi's pink-sand beaches and mild winters (50-60°F or 10-15°C) ideal for hiking the Samaria Gorge. It's famous for the 3,500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, where you can see ancient frescoes, and for rugged gorges like the 10-mile Samaria trek. Western Crete around Chania offers Venetian harbor strolls, while eastern parts near Elounda have quiet coves for swimming-choose based on whether you want history or beach time.