Crete, Greece: Planning Your Way to an Unforgettable Experience
What to Expect
Language
The official language is Greek, but many locals also speak English. We always try to learn a few local words as we are preparing for our holiday. Here are a few that we learned:
- ???????? – Kalimera – Good Morning
- ????????? – Kalispera – Good Evening
- ???? ??? – Yahsoo – Hello/Goodbye
- ????????? – efcharistó – Thank you
- ???????? – parakalo – Please/You’re Welcome
- ??????? – sygnomi – Sorry (this one is for all you Canadians out there)
Currency
Euro €
We used a combination of cash and credit cards while we were in Greece. There were a few smaller spots that only accepted cash.
Safety
We felt very safe on Crete, our biggest challenge were the windy roads as we crossed the island and the occasional animals crossing the road.
Local Customs
There isn’t a culture of tipping in Greece, however, in restaurants and tourist areas a 10-15% tip is standard.
My daughter commented that you could tell how friendly a city was by someone’s reaction to her smiling at them as she walked by. Greece in general had the happiest responses of any of the countries we visited with people waving and wishing you good morning (Kaliméra) as you walked by.
Cell Phones
We picked up SIM cards from a local convenience store that gave us local numbers and a data plan to use while away. We chose Lebara as it worked all through Europe and was less expensive than the offerings at the airport for travel SIMs. If you go this route, purchase the SIM card at a convenience store and then sign up for a plan that works for you online to get the best deal. We did this for all our phones, teens included, as we wanted to be able to connect if we happened to get separated. We used WhatsApp to text and talk with family back home. Don’t forget your power adapter to plug in.
When to Visit
Weather
We visited Crete at the beginning of August and were met with clear skies and sunshine 30-35°C/86-95°F. It was beautiful beach weather, but we needed hats, water and lots of sunscreen to venture out and explore during the days and were grateful for the pool and air conditioning at the end of the day.
Getting There
We visited Crete by ferry from Naxos (World Champion Jet), with a half-day stop in Santorini (Power Jet) arriving late in the day in the city of Heraklion after our ferries were delayed by about an hour. We used Ferry Hopper to book all our ferries before we arrived in Greece and had smooth rides. Our only challenge was getting on and off the ferries, it is quite a chaotic experience, as cars and pedestrians with their luggage, all go up a single ramp simultaneously. The turnaround is quick, and they don’t scan your ticket until your boat has departed so make sure you get on the right ferry. We frequently checked with those in line to make sure we were headed to the same place they were.
In Heraklion, we picked up our rental car for the week and drove another hour and a bit to our accommodation in Rethymno. Crete is a big island that reminded us of the Okanagan in British Columbia; it’s far too big to see it all in a week and it would be difficult to get around without a rental vehicle. The main roads were in great condition and were easy to navigate. It is worth noting that drivers frequently pull over onto the shoulder to let others pass regardless of a passing lane.
Local Holidays
While we didn’t visit Crete over any local holidays, I always have a quick look at what is happening when we are visiting. Many shops were closed or had reduced hours on Sundays, we caught onto this quickly and made sure to plan ahead.
Location, Location, Location
We chose to stay in Rethymno near the centre of the island for our week in Crete. The town was beautiful, safe, and had lots of history in the Old Town having been built around a Venetian Fort. We chose Rethymno for its location mid-way between Chania and Heraklion (where we arrived by ferry and left by plane).
Day Trips
As I’ve shared previously everyone gets to pick something they want to do on our holiday, so we had a few interesting day trips to make these ideas a reality.
- Spent a morning visiting the ancient Minoan site, Knossos Palace just outside of Heraklion. On our way back we stopped to check out the Melidoni Caves. These were spectacular and a cool relief as we made our way underground.
- Drove across the island to Preveli Beach and its palm forest walk through a giant gorge. We drove through centuries-old olive groves on our way home.
- Visited Lake Kournos for an afternoon, rented a pedal boat and swam with the turtles.
- Travelled just over an hour to Chania and spent the day exploring the city and its lighthouse walk.
- Travelled to Kourtaliotiko Gorge to go canyoning.
Random Bits
Beach Rentals
Unlike Naxos, we didn’t need to rent and pay for beach chairs and umbrellas on Crete. Most often we just took our towels and enjoyed the beach or made use of free chairs. When we visited Lake Kournas and rented the pedal boat, we were also able to use their loungers for free.
Kandylakia
Throughout Crete, we saw a lot of shrines at beautiful spots or on the edge of someone’s property. We learned that these are Kandylakia (translated as little candies) and are usually made from wood, stone or concrete. They might commemorate a lost loved one if they are found by a road, but more often they are dedicated to the saints to protect the crops and livestock or to commemorate a special occasion, like a birth or wedding.
