Luxury Crete
Tours made for you
Spinalonga
to learn about the history of the former Leper colony
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
to delve into ancient Greek history
Knossos Palace
to see Europe's oldest city
Samaria Gorge National Park
for a hiking adventure with scenic views
Balos Lagoon
for white sand and turquoise waters
The largest island in Greece, home to ancient ruins and stunning beaches
Crete was home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, the Minoans, and the legendary birthplace of Zeus. That’s quite a claim to fame but not content to just be historically interesting, the island also has a wealth of natural beauty and some of the country’s best beaches.
The island was under the rule of the Romans, Venetians, Byzantines and Turks and its towns and cities have their fair share of architectural gems. It’s well worth wandering through the backstreet of Chania and along its pretty Venetian harbour, as well as exploring the medieval town of Rethymno with its impressive fortress.
Relive the legend of Theseus and the Minotaur at the palace complex at Knossos, capital of Minoan Crete, and delve further into the county’s fascinating history at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion with exhibits spanning an impressive 5,5000 years.
As well as its rich cultural offerings, Crete is a naturally beautiful island. Explore the eastern region of Lasithi with its forests and vast plateau dotted with windmills. The Samaria Gorge at 16km is thought to be the longest in Europe and is buried deep within the White Mountains, so called because of the sun reflected on the limestone and the dusting of snow in winter.
No introduction to Crete would be complete without mentioning its beaches. Let yourself be seduced by the sparkling turquoise waters, the swathes of white sand and the secluded coves that are begging to be explored.
Highlights
Stroll along the Venetian harbour in Chania
Explore the medieval town of Rethymno
Discover over 5,500 years of history at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
Hop from beach to beach, including stunning Elafonisi and inviting Balos Lagoon
Marvel at the ruins of the Minoean Crete capital, Knossos
Go for a hike in breathtaking Samaria Gorge
Wake up to splendid ocean views at the award-winning Blue Palace
Hanna Fischer
Senior Travel Designer
The largest island in Greece has a very distinctive local atmosphere. Influenced by a variety of cultures, you can still find the remains of Bronze Age settlements or the Venetian and Ottoman empires. There are also beautiful hidden bays and beaches, as well as undiscovered local villages that make this island so unique.
Hanna Fischer
Senior Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Crete
Trip Inspriation
Explore more of Greece
Athens
Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilisation, it’s a city bursting at the seams with culture, intrigue and beauty.
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Mykonos
Mykonos might be one of the smallest islands in the Cyclades complex but it makes up for it in character. Its reputation as a glamorous party destination has stuck since the 50s and while it’s true people here know how to have a good time, the island is incredibly beautiful, its beaches and secluded corners offering refuge to those who seek it.
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Paros
Paros is an idyllic Greek island, which decorates the already beautifully mesmerizing Aegean seas, as part of a group of islands known as the Cyclades. It is the second largest island here and is famous for its bright sandy beaches which are lapped by perfectly turquoise waters, as well as its quaint yet traditional villages, connected by unrivalled Byzantine footpaths.
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Santorini
Sheer cliffs hundreds of metres high shield coves and beaches made up of red, white and black sand, while pretty villages of limewashed cubic houses creep up the sides, nestled into every nook and cranny.
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Peloponnese
The southern peninsular of Peloponnese, separated from the mainland by the Corinth Canal, encapsulates everything that is wonderful about Greece. It is both rich in culture and naturally beautiful.
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Spetses
Despite this rather diminutive size, it has a rich history dating back millennia and has been a favourite of well-to-do Athenians for over a century, now hosting a handful of wonderful boutique hotels.
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Milos
The southwestern-most of the Cyclades, it encapsulates the beautiful beaches, rustic white-washed houses, cyan waters, great food and rich history of its neighbours without the crowds of Santorini or Mykonos.
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Folegandros
Positioned in the southern reaches of the Cyclades and surrounded by the glistening blues of the Aegean Sea, Folegandros is a beautiful and largely undiscovered island, currently emerging as a rewarding and laid-back haven.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
The climate on Crete is quite suitable for most of the year, with the temperature and sunlight hours increasing gradually from March through to August. The main tourist period runs from April to mid-October, but our favourite times to visit Crete are in late spring or early summer, as well as in autumn when the weather is not too hot and the main tourist crowds have departed.
Beach Break
June - September
Escape the crowds
October
Plat your trip to Crete
Whatever you want from your adventure in Crete, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Greece. Our experience with Jacada was great from the start. They listened to our wish list. Provided some good feedback, and helped us put together a wonderful itinerary customized to our preferences. Once in Greece, our transportation was on time and very comfortable. Our guides for excursions were engaging and knowledgeable. Restaurants…
Murray and Symmone planned an unforgettable trip to Greece. Our favorite locations were by far Crete and Paros. Athens and Santorini were worth visiting just once, but a bit crowded for our liking. Murray planned some wonderful spots off the beaten path and paired us with top-of-the-line expert, private tour guides. The food, accommodation, and experiences were priceless. I didn't…
From start to finish, everything was taken care of. The choice of accommodations was amazing. The guides were all really knowledgeable and friendly. The drivers the same. Every transport was prompt. The couple times we had to call the on site number for assistance, it was answered immediately and our concerns addressed. If you are looking for a luxury trip,…
The Jacada customer service planning and execution was outstanding. The service at each location superb and the hotels were first class. The guides were exceptional and well versed in the country history. A tremendous experience and would highly recommend Jacada as a travel agency. They do it the right way!!
We have taken two trips arranged by Jacada and both have been amazing. They pick the best hotels, restaurants and guides. This summer Melania and her team pulled together a 10 day trip in the Greek isles with only three weeks advance notice! Nothing about our itinerary felt rushed or not up to the standards of our previous trip. We…
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