Both Crete and Rhodes offer a mild climate in winter and blistering heat in summer. There's little difference between the two in temperature, though some argue that Crete is marginally warmer due to its more southerly location. Both destinations are popular in the summer, teeming with sun-seeking holidaymakers.
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Rhodes is by far the best Greek island for families. As well as calm beaches offering safe swimming, there are oodles of days out away from the sand and plenty of convenient flights from the UK.
If you're considering a trip to Greece, you absolutely have to visit Crete, in my opinion. While Santorini, Mykonos, etc., are beautiful, Crete has so much more to offer. It gives you the beauty of Greek islands while also giving you access to endless activities, dining, and driving.
The largest Greek island has mild weather, pristine beaches, great offerings for foodies and wine lovers, hundreds of ancient sites, breathtaking landscapes and hiking paths and wild nightlife. It is the largest island in Greece, but has its own unique history and culture.
Santorini is somewhat of a cliché choice to kick-off the list, but there are a multitude of reasons why the film-set stunning island is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Greece.
Crete in 4-5 daysWith a few more days in Crete, you can get out of the cities and off the beaten path to see more of the island's natural areas. Crete is known for its olive groves, and many of them welcome visitors.
It really depends on where you stay on the island, there are numerous tourist resorts, but also quiet village locations and small unspoilt sea size villages too.
Why is it famous? The island is home to a magnificent acropolis, a medieval town, alpine forests and long curves of sandy beach. All of this has drawn writers, artists and film stars to the island. Read on for more reasons to make the trip, plus facts about Rhodes.
Rhodes has a mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. If you enjoy hot perfect sunny days the best time to visit Rhodes is between June and September.
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.
Crete is an ideal place to enjoy swimming at any time of the year. All needed, beyond a good mood and leisure time, is a relatively nice day without much wind and extreme cold. You don't need to go too far away, because the informal meeting points of winter swimmers are located very close to the towns of the island.
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).
You can spend as much or as little as you want in Crete. At the budget end of the spectrum, you're aided by the island's size and popularity, which means options are many. With some planning and shopping around, you can get good deals on transport and accommodation.
Crete has better beaches but they're spread out and it takes a fair bit of effort to see the best beaches. Santorini is small and it's easy to get around to all the popular beaches. Crete has more small traditional (non-touristy) villages. Santorini is more romantic and better suited to a honeymoon.
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.