Athens to Crete, Greece (How To Get There, Island Hopping Tips ...)
Greece is one of the most extraordinary countries in the world, filled with ancient history, awe-inspiring landscapes, incredible beaches, and mouth-watering Mediterranean food. As such, it’s a super popular destination, especially during the summer months when travelers from all over the world flock to the famous crystal clear water islands after exploring some of the ancient history of mainland Greece.
Athens, the capital of Greece, is a place I’ve been lucky enough to visit three times and it's still a destination with a lot to offer!
Whether you’re looking for great entertainment, some good food, to do some exploration, or just to stroll around and learn about Greek history and mythology, Athens is the place to go!
That’s why when visiting Greece, I always recommend leaving a couple of days to explore Athens. Ideally, I’d say 4 is the perfect amount of time to visit some of the city’s most famous neighborhoods and landmarks and also spend time relaxing and having fun at some of the livest bars and restaurants. Yet if all you have is a day or two in the capital, you can still visit many of the world-renowned destinations and get a good feel for the city.
Beyond Athens, there are innumerable fascinating places in Greece. Some favorite ones include the Corinth Region, the Athenian Riviera, Meteora, Peloponnese, the Greek Islands, and Crete.
Among all these incredible beautiful places, one that always sticks in my mind while daydreaming about my past trips to Greece is Crete. You might have heard and read about it, maybe even seen some great pictures of the island, but once you get to experience it by yourself you’ll be forever mesmerized!
Crete is one of the most visited destinations in Greece. The large island is located in the southern part of Greece’s large group of islands, and in my opinion it’s one of the best to visit. There’s a huge variety to do, from mountains and inland farms to gorgeous sandy beaches and natural features. You’ll also find several larger towns as well as many smaller charming villages.
Most travelers head to Crete from Athens, and since we have previously done that trip I’m sharing everything you need to know to get from one place to the other (and vice versa), including different means of transportation, some great stops (on other Greek Islands) you might want to do do along the way, useful things to know, and popular things to do on the island. So you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip from Athens to Crete and have everything planned.
Athens to Crete
How Far is Crete From Athens?
Athens has one international airport, while Crete actually has two. The island needs both, since it's surprisingly big and gets a lot of traffic. Many visitors will stop in Athens, especially those coming from North America or any non-European city. Once in Athens it's your choice to spend either a couple of hours or a couple of days. From Athens to Crete it’s a distance of around 200 miles or 350 km, depending on where in Crete you first arrive. Time-wise, getting to Crete from Athens varies a lot depending on your means of transportation.
How To Get From Athens To Crete?
When it comes to traveling to Crete from Athens, there are a handful of options visitors can choose from. It’s all about personal choice and it depends on a few things: time, budget, and personal preference regarding means of transportation.
Travelers taking a direct flight from Athens will be in Crete in right around an hour, while those riding the ferry can take anywhere from 6.5 to 12+ hours depending on the type of ferry you choose! Make sure you take this into account when planning your trip!
Athens to Crete by plane:
Planes are my go-to means of transportation when traveling to Crete, since the island is far enough that you’ll lose almost a full vacation day commuting there by ferry. This might not seem like a big deal if you are traveling from a nearby destination like Spain, Italy, or the UK, but it’s quite a lot if you are flying from Los Angeles or Sydney! You’ll definitely want to make the most of your time if you’re visiting from a far away place, and flying is the way to go!
There are also plenty of airports in Crete (International: Chania, Heraklion. Regionals:Thessaloniki, Lassithi...) which makes it even easier to choose plane rides, so you don't have to drive all through the island to get from the airport to your final destination. The largest two are Chania and Heraklion, so most travelers will find themselves arriving to these two places.
Another important reason why I choose planes is because the tickets for these short flights tend not to be very expensive: prices in the low season can be less than the cheapest ferry (around 30 euros) and in the high season they’ll still run for about the same or less if you book them with enough time in advance. There are plenty of local airlines doing the Athens to Crete route everyday, so you’ll also have more time flexibility.
By ferry:
Athens has three ports: Piraeus, Rafina and Lavrion. But most ferries heading to Crete will depart from Piraeus. Piraeus is the main ferry port in the Greek capital, and it is just about 15 minutes away from the Acropolis area (right on the city center) by taxi.
There are several major ports in Crete: Chania, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Rethymno, Sitia, Kissamos…The most popular connections from Athens to Crete happen year around from Chania and Heraklion, although ferry lines tend to add more routes during the summer to destinations like Rethymno and Sitia.
The Athens to Crete high-speed or fast ferry departs from Athens once daily and arrives in Chania, Crete. It only operates during the summer months, and it takes 6.5 hours to go from one port to the other. They are also twice the price of the slow ferries, so you do have to pay for the convenience.
All other non-high-speed ferries vary in time. They can take anywhere from 8.5 hours to sometimes up to 17, and they are usually overnight. It depends on how many stops they make along the way and the route they follow.
Personally, I’m not a big fan of using Greek Island ferries in the summer, especially for Crete. They tend to be super crowded, a bit uncomfortable when traveling with a big suitcase, and can take quite a lot of time to arrive at their set destination.
However in the Spring, Fall and Winter, I recommend taking the ferry since it's easier and cheaper to go island hopping and you’ll get to enjoy the striking views of the islands and the Aegean Sea.This can also be great reason to go on the ferry during the summer, if you are specifically planning to visit two or more islands on the same trip. Any comfort issues can always be solved by booking a private cabin.
A few things you might want to have in mind are that ferry prices can go to the ceiling during the summer months, especially if you're booking a cabin, bringing a car on board, and buying tickets within a short amount of time from your departure.
Not all the ferry routes work during low season (November through March) so keep in mind that if you’re visiting during these months you might have to connect via a second island in order to reach your final destination.
Best Time To Visit Crete From Athens
The peak visiting season for any of the Greek islands goes from June to September. Summer months are extremely popular in Greece, and as such prices will increase and large crowds will flow to every destination. We have visited during the end of the Spring, Summer, and winter, and I think the best month to visit Crete is May. Temperatures are in the high 70’s to low 80’s, which is plenty warm enough to head to the beach. Plus, hotel prices haven't made the crazy summer months jump yet, and crowds are definitely thinner.
Where To Stay
Both Athens and Crete have plenty of options to choose from when booking your stay in either place. From fancy hotels to wellness boutiques and housing accommodation overlooking the beach, there will always be some place fun and beautiful to stay while in Greece. Below, I’m sharing some of my favorites:
In Athens
In Crete:
Island Hopping Tips for your Athens to Crete Trip
There are many islands along the way between Athens to Crete, all of which offer unique nature, landscapes, and local culture. Choosing how many islands and which islands to hop or stop by can be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when you’re visiting Greece for less than 14 days. Regardless of the islands you choose, I assure you that you’ll have a great time, as each place is magical in its own way.
A very popular Athens to Crete Island hopping itinerary that is as dreamy as it gets is the Mykonos, Santorini and Crete trip!
Mykonos
A white and blue sign reading “welcome to Mykonos” announces to travelers that they have arrived at the paradise island known as the heart of the Cyclades. And you'll immediately be drawn to head towards the pristine white sand beaches and the oceanfront cafes and tabernas to get into some of the lively atmosphere and entertainment that embodies Mykonos all year round. The island, which takes its name from the grandson of the Greek God Apollo, is known worldwide for its celebrity sightings, its flashy luxury, and its late-night-early-morning dance parties. If you are visiting Crete and have enough time to stop by, Mykonos is definitely worth it! With a collection of amazing hotels, beach clubs, great beaches, and live DJs, the island definitely lives up to its reputation as one of Greece’s funnest vacation destinations.
There are plenty of amazing things to do and cool places to explore in Mykonos, but if you don't have too much time I recommend spending your time strolling around Mykonos towns, visiting the windmills of Kato Mili, and finally getting a cocktail or two at The Tropicana Beach Club. You’ll have the best time dancing and celebrating life there during the day!
Santorini
As you continue sailing down the scenic Aegean Ocean during your Athens to Crete trip, you'll come to Santorini. In its past, the island was a prominent Minoan civilization settlement until its fateful destruction by a large volcanic eruption around the year 1600 BCE. It's said that this event is what gave rise to the legend of Atlantis, since the eruption caused part of the island to sink into the ocean. Today, the Cyclade island is famous for its blue domes, white buildings, and the breathtaking sunsets!
While in Santorini, seek out Santo Winery in the beautiful village of Pyrgos. Here you can go on a tour of the winery nestled among the dramatic views of the Aegean ocean below. The bar-eatery-terrace is a great place to relax and unwind after a long day. A Greek wine tasting there is definitely an experience not to be missed!
If you are feeling a little more adventurous we recommend two activities: hike the Santorini Volcano or take a boat tour around the island and visit the foot of the Volcano and the nearby hot springs. This is definitely a really cool and unique experience!
Other itineraries include the islands of Naxos, Paros, and Milos, although not necessarily all together (unless you have plenty of time). If you’re here for a long trip, then the Aegean sea is truly your oyster and you could even swim from one island to the other!
Jokes aside, our recommendation is to do either Naxos, Paros, Crete, or Milos .
Just keep in mind that not only do ferry times among these destinations take longer than Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete, but these places are also less touristy than Santorini and Mykonos. So prices will be less and places might not be as crowded!
Naxos
Naxos is the largest of the Cyclades islands, yet remains one of the lesser visited and more local islands. Naxos has amazing white sands, incredible hiking paths, and centuries old Byzantine churches to explore. Some must-see things to do while in the area are: a visit to Portara (the only monument left from the Temple of Apollo), eat and drink some local food at one of the tabernas, and stroll around the Old Town.
Paros
Paros is right next to Naxos, so people normally visit both islands in the same trip since they are so easily accessible. While Naxos is famous for its sandy beaches, Paros is well-known for its unique landscape and awe-inspiring waters. The island also has a more upbeat atmosphere than Naxos and a more popular nightlife scene. A few activities we recommend to try in Paros are: sunbathing at Kolymbithres Beach, visiting the church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani, and strolling around the Parikia old town.
Milos
Milos island is filled with great Greek history and dramatic landscape, and it's another amazing place visitors can add to their Athens to Crete island hopping itinerary. The island is known for being the place where The Venus de Milo , Poseidon and the Asclepius of Milos were found, and for its Middle Age pirate just and contraband caves. Beyond the history, Milos offers visitors incredible sunset spots, natural pools, and picturesque fisherman huts. Some of the popular destinations on the island include: Sarakiniko beach, Plaka, and the nearby smaller Polyaigos Island.
Crete
At the end of their dreamy Athens to Crete island hopping itinerary, travelers will arrive at their final destination, Crete!
Crete is the largest Greek Island of them all, and one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean. It's advisable to spend at least 4 days in Crete, so you’ll have the opportunity to travel and visit the many one a kind destinations that the island offers. The gorgeous sapphire waters of some of Crete beaches are possibly among the most stunning water colors I have ever seen. The island is really somewhere that you NEED to experience for yourself!
Crete has several good sized cities: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymn, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda… All with charming alleyways and oceanfront eateries and tabernas surrounding the old town areas! Beyond the cities, the island has picturesque little towns, beautiful national parks, and incredible landscapes. The atmospheres of the smaller towns and villages throughout Crete are still very characteristic of the Greek islands, with white and blue houses and fishermen and locals walking around! There are plenty of areas to stay in Crete. If you want to experience the island to its fullest, you’ll probably have to book stays in two different places since Crete is quite big: it takes 4+ hours to go from one end to the other!
After spending 10 days exploring the island’s corners, the top towns that we recommend are: Elounda, Matala, and Chania.
Elounda is the perfect destination for those looking to relax and live that island life while also staying in an upscale place with good entertainment, great restaurants and fun things to do! Although the area is a bit off the beaten path in the east part of the island (far from some of the most popular tourist destinations) Elounda has a charm of its own and has many unique features compared to places like Chania or Heraklion.
Matala is a small village in the southern area of Crete with strong ties with the hippie community. The area has the cutest oceanfront tabernas, beach bars, and awesome entertainment.
Chania is located to the northwest of the island and is one of the most popular destinations in Crete. The Venetian harbor, the old alleyways, and the lively seaside restaurants are some of the things that make it a favorite place among visitors of Greece.
Regardless of where you choose to stay or for how long, a few things are always a must when visiting Crete: going to Elafonisi beach (the famous pink beach), strolling around Rethymnon old town, visiting the Arkadi Monastery, going to Knossos Palace, exploring Samaria Gorge, and touring the Spagnola Island.
FURTHER READINGS:
Have you ever visited the Greek Islands before? Please let us know in the comments if you did and what your favorite destination was! What were your favorite things to do? If you enjoyed our recommendations for an Athens to Crete trip, make sure to Pin this guide so you have it saved for later! If you would also like to learn more about Athens, click here. For more travel information and access to future blogs and tips, join our mailing list of family and friends below!
Besitos from Crete,
Laura
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