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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Cretan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Crete produces some of the finest olive oil in the world. Look for PDO-certified early harvest (agoureleon) oil from Kolymvari or Peza regions — the most prized for flavour.
Where: Heraklion 1866 Market, Chania Municipal Market, estate shops in Kolymvari
Cretan Thyme Honey
World-renowned for its distinctive aromatic flavour. Bees feeding on wild thyme, herbs, and pine produce rich amber honey with extraordinary depth.
Where: Local markets, specialist honey shops, roadside farm stalls
Dictamnus (Dittany of Crete) and Wild Herbs
Dictamnus cretan is a medicinal herb unique to Crete's mountains, prized since antiquity. Also available: malotira (mountain tea), sage, oregano, and wild thyme.
Where: Cretan markets, herb shops, mountain villages, pharmacies
Cretan Wines
PDO wines from local varieties: Vidiano white, Kotsifali red, and Malvasia sweet. The Peza, Archanes, and Dafnes appellations are the most acclaimed.
Where: Peza Union winery, Lyrarakis winery, wine shops in Heraklion and Chania
Raki (Tsikoudia)
Crete's beloved grape marc spirit — clear, potent, no anise flavour. Best in small-batch artisan form in hand-painted bottles. Also: rakomelo (with honey), herb-infused versions.
Where: Cretan markets, liquor shops, direct from local distilleries
Cretan Cheeses
Graviera — mild, nutty, PDO hard cheese similar to Gruyère; excellent vacuum-packed for travel. Anthotyros — fresh soft whey cheese eaten with honey for breakfast.
Where: Heraklion 1866 Market, Chania Municipal Market, local delis
Ceramics and Pottery
Hand-painted Minoan-inspired bowls, plates, and vases plus traditional utilitarian earthenware. The village of Margarites near Rethymno is Crete's pottery centre.
Where: Margarites village (Rethymno), old town craft shops in Chania and Rethymno
Leather Goods — Sandals and Boots
Crete's old leather-working tradition. Chania's Odós Skridlof ('Leather Street') has workshops making boots, sandals, bags, and belts. Custom sandals made within hours.
Where: Odós Skridlof (Leather Street), Chania Old Town
Woven Textiles
Traditional Cretan weaving (yfantiki) produces geometric-patterned tablecloths, runners, and bags in reds, blues, and creams. Authentic handwoven pieces from village cooperatives.
Where: Kritsa village near Agios Nikolaos, Anogeia village, women's cooperatives
Carob Products
Crete is one of the world's largest carob producers. Carob syrup, powder, and chocolate are popular natural alternatives to sugar and cocoa.
Where: Local health food shops, markets, specialty stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Heraklion 1866 Market (Odós 1866)
The historic covered market street of Heraklion named after the 1866 uprising. The best one-stop food shopping destination in Crete — olive oil, honey, herbs, cheeses, and spices.
Chania Municipal Market (Dimotiki Agora)
Built in 1913 in the shape of a Greek cross — one of the finest market buildings in Greece. Butchers, fishmongers, cheese sellers, olive oil merchants, and herb stalls.
Heraklion Saturday Laiki (Farmers Market)
A roaming street market where local farmers sell seasonal vegetables, fruit, olives, and regional specialities directly. Far cheaper than tourist-oriented shops.
Rethymno Street Market
A lively weekly market near the municipal park selling local produce, clothing, and household goods. Good for Cretan food products at market prices.