Luxury Crete Holidays 2023/2024

Crete is one of the largest Greek islands in the Mediterranean, best known for its beaches and ancient history. As the centre of Europe’s first advanced civilization, the island is home to some of the most popular historical sites in Greece. Holidays to Crete include visits to the Minoan archaeological sites, old harbours, dramatic gorges, popular cities, and great beaches. Listed among Europe’s best beaches, the famous Elafonisi Beach in Crete is a must-visit. It is connected to a protected nature reserve and adorned by pale pink sands and shallow waters. Don’t miss Balos Beach with its beautiful blue lagoon — a perfect location to enjoy during your luxury Crete holidays. Plunge into Crete’s history in the city of Heraklion and learn about Europe’s first advanced civilization, the Minoans, who lived here for 2,000 years from the 3rd millennium BC. They were overrun by the Mycenaean civilization, and the island was later invaded by the Romans, Byzantines, Andalusian Arabs, Venetians, and Ottomans, only to become a part of Greece at the beginning of the 20th century. When it comes to the most important archaeological sites on Crete, you shouldn’t miss the Palace of Knossos near Heraklion. This is believed to have been the residence of king Minos, the legendary ruler of the Minoans, where the famous labyrinth of the Minotaur was located. Crete is well connected to European cities, so browse our collection of Crete holiday packages 2023 to find the best deals on Crete flights and hotel rates. You just need to choose whether to visit Agios Nikolaos first, with its scenic bays and beaches or Chania and its charming 14th Venetian port.