Map of Crete Guide
This Map of Crete Guide shows where Crete’s main towns, beach resorts and tourist attractions are, and how to get around between them. Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and one of the most southerly.
A map of Crete shows a long, narrow island at the southern edge of Europe, with the Cretan Sea, part of the Aegean, to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south. Beaches line both coasts.
Map of Crete Guide: Explore Top Destinations
Crete’s top destinations are its 5 main towns: Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra. Each town is the base for exploring its own region, and the sections below list what each one is known for.
Chania – A Blend of History and Beauty
Chania, on Crete’s western side, is known for its Venetian harbour, lined with colourful old buildings and cobbled streets. Its main sights are listed below.
- Old Town: Wander the narrow alleys filled with cafes, boutique shops, and remnants of Venetian architecture.
- Agora Market: The covered market sells local produce, olive oil and Cretan herbs.
- Balos Beach: Balos, west of Chania, is famous for its turquoise lagoon and white sand, and takes some effort to reach.
Rethymnon – A Charming Mix of Cultures
Rethymnon’s old quarter mixes Venetian and Ottoman buildings, and the town has a relaxed pace. Its main sights are listed below.
- Fortezza Castle: The 16th-century Venetian fortress overlooks the sea and the old town.
- Rimondi Fountain: The Venetian fountain stands in the heart of the old town.
- Beaches: Rethymnon has a long sandy town beach that runs east along the coast.
Heraklion – Crete’s Bustling Capital
Heraklion is the island’s capital and largest city, with major historic sites alongside modern shops and services. Its main sights are listed below.
- Palace of Knossos: Just outside Heraklion, this ancient Minoan palace is Crete’s most famous archaeological site.
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum: The museum holds the main collection of finds from the Minoan civilisation.
- Koules Fortress: The Venetian fortress guards the entrance to the old harbour.
Agios Nikolaos – Seaside Sophistication
Agios Nikolaos, on the east coast, is a lively harbour town built around a small lake. Its main sights are listed below.
- Lake Voulismeni: The lake in the town centre is ringed by cafes and restaurants.
- Elounda: The resort a short drive north is known for its luxury hotels and sheltered beaches.
- Spinalonga Island: The small island off Elounda has a Venetian fortress and was once a leper colony.
Ierapetra – Crete’s Southern Town
Ierapetra, on Crete’s south coast, is quieter than the northern towns. It is known for its warm weather and quiet beaches, and its main sights are listed below.
- Old Town: Wander through the historic streets and see the Ottoman mosque and Venetian fortress.
- Chrissi Island: The uninhabited island, a boat ride from Ierapetra, has sandy beaches and clear water.
- Local Tavernas: Small family-run tavernas serve traditional Cretan food.
Map of Crete Guide to Crete Tourist Attractions
Most maps of Crete mark the main tourist attractions, such as the Samaria Gorge, Lake Kournas, the Palace of Knossos, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Lassithi Plateau and Vai Beach.
Historic sites on the map include Spinalonga Island, which ended its long history as one of Europe’s last leper colonies. Spinalonga is also the setting for the bestselling novel The Island by Victoria Hislop. The Monastery of Arkadi, important for both religious and historical reasons, is another popular attraction.
The main towns of Crete, from Kissamos Kastelli, Chania and Rethymnon to Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia and Ierapetra, are all marked on Crete maps and give a real flavour of the island.
Map of Crete Guide to Beaches
Crete’s beaches run from the tiny island of Elafonissi in the far west to Vai Beach in the far east. The south coast has small resorts and fishing villages such as Loutro and Matala, which draw many visitors each year. On the north coast, the busiest beach resorts include Malia, Stalis, Hersonissos, Platanes near Rethymnon and Platanias near Chania.
A map of Crete marks all the main beach resorts, from Kissamos in the far west to Sitia in the east. The south coast villages of Ierapetra, Makrigialos, Agia Galini, Matala, Plakias, Loutro, Sougia and Paleochora each have their own beaches.
Crete’s coast has beaches for families, water sports and quiet days. Our guide to The Best Crete Beaches sorts them by type.
On the north coast near Chania, the resorts of Maleme, Platanias and Agia Marina and the Apokoronas fishing villages of Kalyves and Almyrida are all marked on Crete maps.
Central Crete has the popular resorts of Georgioupolis, Rethymnon, Bali and Sissi. Further east lie the busy beach resorts of Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia, with Elounda, Agios Nikolaos and Istron Kalo Horio towards the eastern end of the north coast.
Map of Crete Guide to Resorts
Crete’s beach resorts range from party towns to quiet villages. The 4 resorts below show the range: lively Malia, upmarket Elounda, family-friendly Hersonissos and traditional Kalyves.
Malia – For Party Lovers and Beach Fans
Malia is Crete’s main party resort. It draws young visitors who want a lively beach holiday.
- Nightlife: Clubs and bars keep the town buzzing well into the early hours.
- Beaches: The main beach is long and sandy.
- Activities: Water sports include jet-skiing, parasailing and boat trips.
Elounda – Luxurious Seaside Relaxation
Elounda is known for its upmarket resorts and views over the bay to Spinalonga.
- Hotels: Elounda has many luxury hotels and spas.
- Beaches: The beaches around Elounda are calm, with clear water.
- Spinalonga Island: Boats run the short trip to the former leper colony.
Hersonissos – A Family-Friendly Favourite
Hersonissos combines family attractions with a lively town, so it suits visitors of all ages.
- Aquaworld Aquarium: The small aquarium and reptile rescue centre suits families with young children.
- Beaches and Harbour: The beaches are sandy, and cafes line the harbour front.
- Shops and Tavernas: The town has traditional tavernas and modern shops.
Kalyves – A Cretan Village by the Sea
Kalyves is a quiet seaside village in the Apokoronas region, a short drive east of Chania. It suits visitors who want a relaxing holiday with a taste of Cretan village life, away from the crowds of the big resorts.
- Sandy Beaches: Kalyves has 2 sandy beaches with shallow water, good for families and swimmers.
- Traditional Tavernas: Family-run tavernas serve Cretan dishes made with local fish and produce.
- Local Shops: Village shops sell olive oil, herbs and honey from nearby farms.
- Slow Pace: Kalyves has a slow, laid-back pace of life.
Nearby Attractions: Kalyves makes a good base for day trips. Chania’s old town and markets are close by, and so are the Apokoronas villages of Vamos and Almyrida.
Family-Friendly and Scenic Spots
Crete’s family-friendly and scenic spots include a gorge walk, a lake, a pink-sand beach, an old town, an aquarium and a botanical park. The 6 places below suit different ages.
1. Samaria Gorge – A Long Gorge Walk
The Samaria Gorge suits families with older children or teenagers who are used to long walks. The path winds through one of Europe’s longest gorges, past huge rock walls, and walkers may spot the rare Cretan kri-kri (wild goat).
- Length: 16 km (10 miles) – plan for about 4-6 hours of hiking.
- Difficulty: Moderate, so it suits children who can handle longer walks.
- Highlight: The “Iron Gates” are a narrow pass between towering cliffs.
2. Lake Kournas – A Peaceful Day by the Water
Lake Kournas, Crete’s only natural freshwater lake, is a good place for a relaxed family outing. The lake sits among hills, and pedaloes can be hired for a gentle ride on the calm water.
- Activities: Paddle boating, swimming, and picnicking by the lake.
- Kid-Friendly: The water is shallow near the shore, where younger children can paddle.
- Tavernas: Family-friendly tavernas around the lake have views over the water.
3. Elafonissi Beach – Pink Sand and Shallow Water
Elafonissi Beach is known for its pink-tinged sand and shallow turquoise water, which make it a favourite with families. Children can splash safely in the clear, warm shallows.
- Shallow Water: Young children can play safely in the shallows.
- Facilities: Sunbeds, umbrellas and food stalls make it easy to spend a full day.
- Scenery: The pinkish sand and clear water make it one of Crete’s most photographed beaches.
4. Rethymnon Old Town – History and Charm
Rethymnon’s Old Town makes a relaxed family walk with some history along the way. Its cobbled streets, Venetian buildings and small shops are easy to explore on foot.
- Treats: Plenty of cafes and ice cream shops line the old streets.
- Sights: Fortezza Castle, the Rimondi Fountain and the narrow alleys are the highlights.
- Shopping: Souvenir shops and craft workshops let children pick a keepsake.
5. Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre – Hands-On Fun
Aquaworld in Hersonissos is a small, family-run aquarium and reptile rescue centre, popular with younger children who love animals.
- Hands-On Experience: Kids can touch and hold certain reptiles under supervision.
- Educational: Learn about marine life and reptiles native to Crete and Greece.
- Rainy Days: Aquaworld is an indoor visit for a cloudy or wet day.
6. Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete – Nature and Wildlife
The Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete, near Chania, suit families interested in nature. The park has a wide variety of plants and trees and some animals.
- Easy Walks: The paths are well-maintained, making it easy for children to explore.
- Seasonal Plants: Discover Cretan flora along with exotic plants from around the world.
- Interactive Learning: Kids can learn about Mediterranean plants, herbs, and how they’re used in traditional Cretan life.
Getting Around Crete
Getting around Crete is easiest by hire car, and a good map still helps. Many car hire firms offer sat nav, but a paper map is useful in remote areas where the signal can be unreliable.
International and local car hire firms operate at the airports and in the main resorts. Book ahead for July and August, when demand peaks.
Car hire firms that operate in Crete include the 3 companies listed below.
- Auto Union Rent a Car: a Greek car rental company with branches in Crete.
- Rental Center Crete: a local Crete car hire company, operating since 1975.
- Kafetzakis Car Rental: a Heraklion car hire company, operating since 1977, that delivers cars to Heraklion Airport and port.
Choosing a Paper Touring Map of Crete
A good paper touring map of Crete shows village, town and landmark names in both the Greek spelling and the anglicised version. Cretan place names have several English spellings, such as Kalyves and Kalives, so the dual names make places easier to find. Walkers, cyclists, birdwatchers and nature lovers should look for a map at a scale of around 1:160,000 that marks the E4 European path. Our guide to the E4 hiking trail across Crete describes the route.
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