Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea, an island of extraordinary diversity where ancient civilizations, rugged mountains, fertile plains, and some of Europe's finest beaches converge. Home to the Minoan civilization, Europe's oldest advanced culture, Crete offers millennia of history alongside world-class natural beauty.
Luxury hotels
Five-star and palace properties.
Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas
The most iconic luxury hotel in Greece, Elounda Beach has welcomed royalty and celebrities since 1971. Private bay, thalassotherapy spa, six restaurants, and bungalows with private pools overlooking Spinalonga.
Blue Palace Elounda
Architecturally spectacular hillside resort with infinity pools, Thalassa Spa, and private villa suites carved into the cliff above the Gulf of Elounda.
Kapsaliana Village Hotel
A completely restored 16th-century Cretan hamlet amid ancient olive groves. Thirteen exquisite suites in authentic stone buildings. Adults-only. Estate dining using organic produce.
Casa Delfino
A 17th-century Venetian mansion in Chania's Old Town restored to museum quality with 12 individually designed luxury suites.
Daios Cove Luxury Resort
A private cove resort where cliff-carved suites and villas cascade to the sea, with ESPA spa, sea-to-table dining, and total seclusion.
Fine dining
Michelin-starred and chef-driven restaurants.
Peskesi
The finest Cretan cuisine in Heraklion — elevated traditional recipes using entirely locally sourced ingredients in a restored mansion. Exclusively Cretan wine list.
Avli Restaurant
Award-winning fine dining in a lush courtyard in Rethymno old town — one of the most romantic restaurant settings in Crete with outstanding Cretan cuisine.
Thalassino Ageri
The finest seafood restaurant in western Crete, in a converted waterfront warehouse east of Chania harbour. The freshest Cretan sea fish, sea urchin, and grilled octopus.