Key Takeaways
- Crete is a popular and affordable honeymoon destination known for its romantic vibe and stunning landscapes.
- The best time to visit Crete for a honeymoon is during the summer, particularly in May, June, September, or October, to avoid crowds and enjoy the authentic experience.
- Crete offers a wide range of luxury hotels and accommodations suitable for honeymooners, with popular options including Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Abaton Island Resort & Spa, Amirandes, and Domes of Elounda.
- There are various activities for couples to enjoy on their honeymoon in Crete, such as hiking the famous Samaria Gorge, exploring beautiful beaches, immersing in the island's rich history and culture through visits to Knossos Palace and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, and taking local tours to experience the island from a local's perspective.
Chania, Crete - credits: Aetherial Images/Shutterstock.com
The big step was taken; look at your hands, yeap, that’s a wedding ring staring back at you. Now what? Now it’s time to celebrate in one of the most gorgeous destinations in the world, the magical island of Crete!
Follow our advice on how to plan a perfect honeymoon in Crete, read our Greece trip planner, and enjoy your first moments as a married couple with the glorious Cretan sun lifting your spirit!
The romantic vibe of the island and the fact that although it is a beloved tourist attraction, its popularity doesn’t translate to steep prices make it the ideal destination for honeymooners worldwide.
Located in the south of the Aegean Sea, Crete is the biggest and, consequently, most populated Greek island.
Whether you choose to visit Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, any other part of the impressive island, or all of the above, we want to ensure you have the time of your life!
When to Visit the Island for Your Crete Honeymoon
First things first, you have to make the important decision of when to make the Greek honeymoon you have dreamt about for months and months happen.
Although Crete is huge and has a large number of permanent residents year-round, which means that it is one of the few Greek islands that are worth visiting during winter, the best season to visit your favorite destination in Greece to get the authentic experience and enjoy it to the fullest is, of course, the summer.
No offense to cloudy weather and raindrops, but nothing beats lounging in a couple of sunbeds on a long, sandy Cretan beach with the blazing sun warming your skin and thoughts.
As Crete is a very popular destination, to avoid the crowds, you should choose to arrive from Athens to Crete or from the Greek islands (such as Santorini to Crete) either the very beginning of the summer, with May and June being the safest bet, or the very end of it, with September and October -still very warm months in Greece- offering the best version of the island.
Where to stay in Crete and enjoy the best honeymoon hotels
Blue Lagoon, Crete - credits: Igor_Tichonow/Shutterstock.com
Accommodation is a big stress factor when planning a regular trip, let alone your honeymoon, when you're looking for luxury hotels in Crete that will host the most memorable trip of your lives!
It is important to find a place that will feel like home during your stay; if there’s a time for luxury and comfort, this is exactly it!
Thankfully, the island of Crete is known for its variety of accommodation offerings that cater to all tastes and budgets, which is a good enough reason to visit Crete.
Some of our personal favorites for a Crete honeymoon are Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas in the region of Agios Nikolaos, Abaton Island Resort & Spa, and Amirandes luxury hotel in Heraklion, and Domes of Elounda in -you guessed it- Elounda. Of course, you can also check out our guide for the best hotels in Chania and choose the one that fits you best.
Don’t worry about choosing the best region in Crete. Every destination is beautiful in its own way, and you can always rent a car to drive around and witness the distinct beauty of every part of the island for yourself.
Activities for your Crete honeymoon no other Greek islands offer
Spending quality time with your newly-acquainted spouse is what honeymoons are for. However, quality time doesn’t equal lounging all day long on the sunbed unless that’s all you’ve set your mind to do, in which case, good for you!
If, however, you're interested in engaging in fun and romantic activities with your other half:
Go for a hike
If you’re a fitness enthusiast, an 8-hour-long hike will not intimidate you, especially if it means you’ll get to witness the wild Cretan nature and get charmed by its breathtaking allure.
Samaria Gorge, one of the most popular yet demanding hiking trails in Greece and one of the longest canyons in Europe, will bring you close to the Cretan land.
Samaria Gorge was established as a National Park in 1962, and its path begins from the region of Xyloskalo and follows an 11-mile trail to Agia Roumeli.
Not for the faint-hearted, this striking hiking trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you can share with your partner in crime!
Of course, we can arrange the ideal hiking in Samaria Gorge for you and your other half.
Swim in crystal clear waters
Heraklion, Crete - credits: Neirfy/Shutterstock.com
No one can deny that the island of Crete has some of the best beaches in Greece, and it should be your mission as newlyweds to discover each and every one of them.
From luxurious and beautiful resorts to secluded beaches that offer nothing but astonishing scenery, the choices when you visit Crete are plenty, and all are equally great.
The only thing you should do is remember that, as a general rule of thumb, the most remote beaches on the island are located on the south coast, while the most popular beaches can be found on the northern coast near the big cities where most visitors reside.
If you want to find out about our Cretan beach recommendations, take a look at the top 10 beaches in Crete!
Explore the region’s history and culture
Chania Old Town - credits: Patryk_Kosmider/Sepositphotos.com
Like the entirety of Greece, Crete is rich in culture and ancient history, and one can’t visit the island without experiencing at least some of it; after all, the archaeological sites in Crete offer a perfect opportunity for a romantic walk by the ancient ruins.
Knossos Palace is the obvious must-visit site, but even if you’re not a history fanatic, it’s still worth your while to also visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which will introduce you to the artifacts and daily life of the Minoan civilization, the oldest civilization in the world.
Additionally, you can visit the Venetian Fortezza in Rethymno, the imposing fort built in the 16th century under Venetian rule.
Take a tour to explore the island from a local’s perspective
If you want to be time-efficient and experience Crete like a local, then joining local tours is the best way to go.
Whether you’re looking for sightseeing, culinary experiences, workshops, or just walking tours that will help you see the island through the eyes of a local, Crete will accommodate your needs!
Eat and dance like a local in Heraklion, join an authentic Cretan cooking class in Chania, enjoy a Cretan wine and olive oil tour, and fill your stomach with Cretan goodies in a Heraklion for foodies tour!
As you have probably gathered by now, there won't be a dull moment on your honeymoon!
Getting to know Cretan cuisine
Cretan tavern - credits: Dmitry Naumov/Shutterstock.com
Cretan cuisine is one of the world's oldest and most delicious cuisines. It is the continuation of the tradition of flavors, aromas, and products that has its roots in the Minoan civilization and reaches our days. The local dishes are to die for.
The cuisine of Crete is based on what its land offers. It focuses on the art of cooking with its simple ingredients. What counts in Cretan Traditional Cuisine is imagination.
Cretans may eat greens or legumes every day, but they never eat the same delicious meal. They find a way to bring out new flavors and different recipes.
The basis of the diet is olive oil, vegetables, wild grasses, fruits, honey, olives, cereals, and legumes.
Olive oil plays an important role in the healthy cuisine of Crete, with the fertile soils on the island offering an ideal both for the cultivation of olive trees. More than 35 million olive trees are cultivated, not only meeting the needs of the inhabitants, but large quantities are exported abroad.
Cretan food is often accompanied by Cretan wine, 'raki,' or 'tsikoudia.' Cretans drink together, laugh, chat, and party. No matter how many centuries pass, the Cretan soul, language, and cuisine remain unchanged!
The best beaches for your honeymoon in Crete
Loutro, Crete - credits: arturasker/Shutterstock.com
When you're on your honeymoon having a private beach at your disposal is the dream. However, since that is a bit outrageous and you have to settle, the island of Crete is the next best thing.
Crete has several beaches amidst breathtaking scenery. There are some great beaches on the island. Those are dunes, and the others are pink beaches and a backdrop of castles. They have clear water and deep blue hues.
Here is a breakdown of the most romantic beaches for your honeymoon in Crete.
Kedrodasos beach
Promenade in Chania - credits: Amotional/Depositphotos.com
On the southwestern coast of Crete, Kedrodasos beach is an amazing beach that is rightly described as paradise on earth.
Kedrodasos is located 76 kilometers southwest of Chania and just one kilometer west of the famous lagoon at Elafonissi. And yet, the scenery is completely different, as the hordes of tourists are absent.
Kri Kri wild goat - credits: irakite/Shutterstock.com
The ultra-tropical Kedrodassos beach is lined with juniper trees, which look like cedars and sand dunes, reminiscent of the tropical beaches of Lebanon.
The trees make the scenery magical, while the white sand and tropical waters transport you completely elsewhere, evoking a setting outside of Europe.
Elafonisi
Elafonisi - credits: _DaLiu/Shutterstock.com
A few meters beyond the usually quiet Kedrodasos is the popular Elafonisi. The turquoise waters, the pink sand, and the incredible landscape with a strong dose of exoticism have catapulted the popularity of this particular beach, which does not exist like it in Greece.
And if you find yourself in Crete, no matter how crowded it is, you have to go. The landscape is truly unique, reminiscent only of beaches in the Pacific.
Balos Lagoon (and Gramvousa)
Balos lagoon sunset - credits: natalyphotography/Shutterstock.com
Next to Balos is by far the most photographed and recently the busiest beach of Crete.
Gramvousa, with the castle built by the Venetians, is a peninsula to the western Crete that stretches the magnificent beach of Balos, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, awarded as one of the best in the world by TripAdvisor.
Very fine white and red sand, shallow water, and at some point, a lagoon with clear turquoise water. To reach Gramvousa and the beach of Balos, you can take one of the boats that depart daily from the port of Kissamos (Kastelli). The beach of Balos is also accessible from the land.
Falasarna
Falasarna beach - credits: lucianbolca/Depositphotos.com
17 km from Kissamos, in the northwest of Crete, is the beautiful beach of Falasarna, which boasts crystal-clear waters and an endless sandy beach.
The white and red color of the sand and the view of the imposing mountains surrounding it make the landscape unique.
Heraklion old port - credits: kavalenkava/Shutterstock.com
Ayiannis beach
Agiannis beach is located in Gavdos, 4 km west of Sarakinikos. Secluded, sandy, and full of sea cedars. The wild landscape that dominates the scenery is reminiscent of Africa.
It is no coincidence that the Discovery Channel has voted it the 2nd best beach in the world, after a beach in Hawaii.
Agios Pavlos
Nightlife in Heraklion - credits: lornet/Shutterstock.com
The beach of Agios Pavlos is located in the south of Rethymno, about 50 km from Agia Galini. It is atmospheric, with huge sand dunes, 30 meters high, coming down from the mountain and one of the best sunsets in Greece!
It is perfect for couples in love who want to make memories that will last a lifetime on their romantic getaway.
Souda
Heraklion port - credits: Sergey Lyashenko/Shutterstock.com
Souda is located 41 km southwest of Rethymno, on the outskirts of the picturesque seaside village of Sellia, just 3 km east of Plakias.
Souda is located at the exit of a narrow green valley through which flows the Phoinikas or Phoinikias river, along which there are Cretan palm trees.
And at the end of this "passage" unfolds the beach of Souda with its coarse sand. Only minus the wind that the beach often gets, as a result of which you cannot stand.
Final Thoughts
View of Heraklion harbor from koule - credits:Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock.com
The diversity in the island’s offerings and its idyllic landscape make Crete the ultimate honeymoon destination in Greece.
Now that we’ve provided you with the local’s knowledge necessary to plan the perfect honeymoon in Crete, you’re all set to begin your adventure. What are you waiting for?
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Frequently Asked Questions
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