Crete.

Famous for its surreal pink sand — the colour comes from crushed coral and shells — and shallow, warm turquoise waters on Crete's southwestern tip. Multiple creators single it out as one of the best beaches in Greece, and an uninhabited island is accessible by wading just offshore.

A laid-back beach town on a small peninsula 77 km south of Chania with two distinct bays, car-free evening streets lined with tavernas and bars, and a loyal following among travellers seeking an authentic Cretan atmosphere. Both THAT GREEK GUY and Robert Polasek cover it in depth.

A lagoon of milky turquoise water hemmed by white sandbars near Kissamos, accessible by ferry from Kissamos Port or by a rugged 4WD track. The adjacent Gramvousa Island adds Venetian castle ruins and a famous shipwreck (the Dimitrios P.) to the experience.

A long arc of coarse pinkish sand with clear shallow water on Crete's far western coast, rated among the island's top five beaches by In Between Trips for its wide open space and impressive sunsets.

The Bronze Age Minoan palace complex just outside Heraklion is the second most-visited archaeological site in Greece, offering a direct window into Europe's oldest civilisation. Multiple creators recommend combining it with the Heraklion Archaeological Museum for a full day of Minoan culture.

Home to the world's finest collection of Minoan artefacts, the museum is consistently paired with a Knossos visit by creators covering the island's history. Greece Explained links entry tickets and guided tours, noting it as one of Greece's top cultural institutions.

Golden-sand beach backed by ancient cliff-face cave tombs that became a countercultural commune in the 1970s, frequented by Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens. In Between Trips delivers a full guide to both the beach and the caves' fascinating backstory.

Europe's longest gorge cuts 16 km through the White Mountains, ending at the Libyan Sea village of Agia Roumeli. THAT GREEK GUY rates it among Crete's best hikes, and Greece Explained lists it as a key day tour from Chania.

The jewel of western Crete, Chania's Old Town clusters around a perfectly preserved Venetian harbour with a famous lighthouse, mosque, and labyrinthine lanes packed with tavernas and boutiques. Greece Explained recommends basing yourself here to access day trips to Balos, Elafonisi, and Samaria, and dedicates a full video to the best hotels in the Old Town.

An easy, well-preserved gorge walk near Sfakia where walls rise 300 metres and narrow to just 2 metres — billed by THAT GREEK GUY as a superb, less-crowded alternative to Samaria that can be done almost year-round.

THAT GREEK GUY's personal pick for Crete's best-kept hiking secret — he has hiked it five times without meeting another person on the path, praising its pristine solitude and dramatic scenery.

A 30-minute drive from Chania city centre, this hike combines a dramatic fjord-like gorge, the historic Gouverneto Monastery, and the cave of Saint Ioannis the Hermit — described by THAT GREEK GUY as a place full of beautiful nature and history.

Crete's only natural freshwater lake, fed by springs and famous for its crystal-clear turquoise water, resident eels, and freshwater turtles. THAT GREEK GUY gives a dedicated guide including the mythological legend of how the lake was formed.

A cave sanctuary along the Elafonisi road requiring a climb of around 150 steps, known for impressive stalactites and stalagmites; In Between Trips strongly recommends stopping here on the drive to Elafonisi.

The remote south-coast village of Sfakia is the gateway to Glyka Nera, a pebbly beach accessible only on foot or by boat where freshwater springs bubble up through the sea floor. THAT GREEK GUY walks the coastal path through Loutro and on to Marmara Beach at the foot of Aradena Gorge.

A former Venetian fortress and Europe's last active leper colony, this small island in the Gulf of Elounda is reached by short boat ride and combines haunting history with striking architecture. Ryan Shirley calls it a 'fortress island' and Greece Explained offers a full day-tour itinerary combining it with Agios Nikolaos and Elounda.

A high fertile plateau ringed by mountains in eastern Crete, dotted with windmills and traditional villages. THAT GREEK GUY pairs it with Spinalonga on a camper-van loop of the east, and Robert Polasek's fourth Crete guide episode explores the surrounding area in depth.

The easternmost tip of Crete holds Europe's largest natural palm forest backing a sandy beach, while the fortified Toplou Monastery nearby is one of Crete's most important religious sites. Robert Polasek features both in his Sitia Geopark guide.

A dramatic beach where a palm-fringed river gorge meets the Libyan Sea, reachable by boat or on foot through the Kourtaliotis gorge. Robert Polasek covers it in his western Crete guide and In Between Trips lists it among the island's five best beaches.

Crete's highest peak at 2,456 m, Mount Ida is compared head-to-head with Pachnes by THAT GREEK GUY, who climbed both and offers a detailed assessment of difficulty, terrain, and views to help hikers choose.

A half-day guided tour stopping at a working olive mill, a traditional winery, a raki distillery, a pottery workshop, and a taverna lunch — Greece Explained calls it essential to understanding Cretan culture and food, with versions departing from both Heraklion and Chania.