If you are looking forward to having some quiet time and a semi-rural experience, consider visiting the southern side. However, the more adventurous tourists should go to the north where it is easy to find transportation, modern amenities and exciting nightlife.
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It depends on what type of experience you're looking for. The east side of Crete offers more rugged and less crowded beaches, while the west is known for its cosmopolitan cities and picturesque villages. If you want to relax and enjoy peace and quiet, then the East is your best bet.
Chania Town is probably the most beautiful town in Crete. The Old Town of Chania, with the evident Medieval style, is a wonderful place to walk around, lined up with elegant Venetian mansions.
However, the more adventurous tourists should go to the north where it is easy to find transportation, modern amenities and exciting nightlife. Regardless of which side you choose to spend your holiday in, Crete is a great place to visit and create some beautiful memories.
Best Place in Crete to Stay for First-Timers: ChaniaEasily the prettiest city on the island, Chania features a gorgeous harbor strung with sea-facing tavernas with a warren of pedestrian-only backstreets paved with pretty sandstone setts in the Old Town.
South Crete is generally a couple of °C warmer (but water temperatures are roughly similar). The east of the island, has less rain than the north and especially the north-west.
Elounda is a beautiful simple fishing village in the North of Crete. Over the years it's attracted the worlds rich and famous with the likes of Lady Gaga, Leonardo DiCaprio and the Saudi Royal Family choosing to holiday here.
For travelers whose primary aim is to connect with the genuine spirit of Crete, away from the noisy clubs and throngs of tourists, it's essential to tread the less beaten path. ...
Crete is Greece's largest island—just driving from one end to the other makes for a five-hour journey, and there's much to do and see in between. If you want to experience all Crete has to offer, plan to spend a full week exploring its monasteries, olive groves, towns, and coast.
And since Crete is a mixture of lowland and mountainous regions, there are also weather and temperature variations based on altitude. The weather on the north coast of Crete will be strongly affected by the Meltemi winds of summer. These warm winds blow from the north and can hit most of the coastal beaches.
Historically, most resident expats prefer the island's more traditional west and while the east is known for its handful of lively holiday resorts, one corner there has become a hot spot for luxury living…
The average Crete temperature decreases as you travel north. July and August are the warmest months, and January is the coldest month of the year. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC (70-90°F) and in winter between 10-15ºC (50-60°F).
Crete has the greatest concentration of ultra-luxurious hotels in Greece, most of them on and around the Elounda peninsula, about an hour east of the capital, Heraklion, and its airport.
The most affordable Greek Islands to visit include Crete, Andros, Tinos, Corfu and Naxos. These cheap Greek Islands don't get nearly as many visitors as others, making everything from transportation to food and accommodations more affordable. And often, they're not even very far from the more popular islands.