Regional Guides

The short answer is the northwest. The wider Chania region, and above all the Apokoronas area just east of it, holds the island's densest concentration of foreign residents, with Rethymno, the Heraklion area and Agios Nikolaos in the east forming the other established clusters. The pattern is no accident: international residents settle where year-round amenities, an airport and a community of fellow arrivals already exist, and each wave makes the next one easier.

Discover Crete's distinctive cultural identity shaped by ancient Minoan heritage, warm philoxenia hospitality, and unique island traditions. From communal dining customs and village festivals to strong family bonds and community celebrations, Cretan culture blends Orthodox traditions with centuries of Venetian and Ottoman influences.

Crete offers a wide range of places to stay, from lively cities to relaxed coastal towns. Whether you prefer culture, beaches, nightlife, or convenience, each area of the island has its own character. The best choice depends on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Crete is one of the easiest places in Europe to keep children happy, partly because of what it offers and partly because of how it treats them: Cretan culture puts children at the centre of life, and a family walking into a taverna will find the kids welcomed rather than tolerated. The island's range does the rest. Here is what actually works with children, organised by type of day, with the honest caveats most guides leave out.

For an island of its size, Crete is well served by public transport along its main routes. The KTEL bus network connects the major northern cities reliably and affordably, and reaches many popular destinations during the summer. The picture is different in the mountainous interior and along the south coast, where services thin out and a car becomes more practical. This guide covers what to expect and how to plan around the network's strengths and limitations.

Crete is not an island that shuts down after dinner. The two main cities, Chania and Heraklion, both have active evening scenes, but they feel nothing alike. Knowing the difference saves you from ending up in the wrong place for what you actually want.

In a word: no, and for most people who fall in love with the city, that is precisely the point. Chania offers some of the most atmospheric evenings in Greece, built around a Venetian harbour, candlelit alleys and music drifting out of buildings that have stood for centuries. What it does not offer is the sunrise club culture of Mykonos or Ios. If you are weighing up Chania as a holiday destination, or considering a home in the area and wondering what your evenings would look like, here is an honest picture.