While Crete is a beautiful and charming destination with plenty of incredible places to stay, there are certain areas that you should avoid. Unless you're looking for a party atmosphere, staying away from Malia and perhaps Hersonissos is advisable, as they are quite busy and noisy.
The island is known for its friendly locals and laid-back atmosphere, and the crime rate is low. However, as with any destination, it is important to take the usual safety precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night, being aware of your surroundings, and not leaving your belongings unattended.
Crete is a safe place to travel and you shouldn't lose sleep over the risk of crime. As anywhere, though, common sense should always prevail: lock your doors, don't leave valuables in the rental car and never leave your phone or other treasures unattended on the beach or at the cafe.
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.
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.
The mountain ranges of Crete affect the weather in a couple of ways. First, they create a physical barrier for the winds from the North. This means that even when the north coast is uncomfortably windy, the south coast may be calm and pleasant.
Elounda Gulf Villas has just earned it's place in my top 5 favourites and here's why. 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.
Ferries connect Chania and Heraklion with the majority of the island's major cities. The ferries are an excellent method to get about the island and are also extremely inexpensive. The bus is another way to get around Crete. All of the major towns on the island have buses that run between them.
This means that even when the north coast is uncomfortably windy, the south coast may be calm and pleasant. The exception to this is where gorges and valleys channel the north winds, which can create areas of intense winds at certain spots along the coast. This is especially true at Frangokastello and Plakias Bay.