Adjoining a glorious sandy beach, the Simpson Collection @ Artemis is the perfect setting for a relaxed week away whether you're travelling as a couple in spring or autumn, or with children and teens in the school summer holidays. Enjoy beachfront dining at the hotel's celebrated restaurant, or wander into charming Makrigialos, just a short stroll along the sand

You’ve seen it in the press and probably assumed it’s in the Indian Ocean, but a closer look reveals it’s at the north-western tip of Crete. And if you want to make a visit to Balos Bay your holiday highlight, there’s nowhere better to stay than The Kissamos Estate; 8 luxurious villas with private pools and spectacular views towards the island of Gramvousa.

The island’s second largest city is an energetic hub, and the Old Town is a delightful melting pot of colourful markets, boutique shops, excellent restaurants and atmospheric bars. The Venetian harbour is a highlight but wander through the maze of back streets to immerse yourself in the real character of the place. For a luxurious family holiday within easy striking distance of the many attractions on offer, Villa Vereniki and Villa Asteriskos tick all the boxes.

There are an increasing number of prize-winning vineyards in Crete and Greek wines are deservedly taking their place on the international stage. We highly recommend a tour of this excellent family-run winery servicing all aspects of the wine-making process, from vine to bottle. Enjoy some of the outstanding results with a complimentary tasting and a bite to eat at the end of your tour. Book as part of our Experience More programme.

Greek Easter is the most important religious event in the calendar and nowhere honours its traditions better than Crete. If you’re keen to experience the celebrations, join us at Arosmari Village Hotel on 7 April 2026 for a week of walks and excursions designed to help you Discover Cretan Easter.

Simpson Travel has strong family connections to Crete, and we know that it delivers for all ages and stages. Our spacious and sumptuous family villas are the perfect base for exploring this fascinating island known for its impressive antiquity and beautiful coastline. Home to ancient ruins and dramatic mountains as well as a coastline stretching more than 650 miles, there’s no island quite like it in the Mediterranean.

With over 400 gorges to explore, Crete attracts its fair share of hikers. The Samaria Gorge is the longest and most famous, with the promise of a refreshing dip in the warm waters of the Libyan Sea for all who conquer it; but there are shorter, less frequented options all across the island. To escape the crowds, you can’t beat the gorges in the east of the island including the majestic Zakros Gorge, the mysterious Toplou Gorge and the astonishingly picturesque Pefki Gorge. For a hike that even your teens will like, consider Richtis Gorge near villa Chameleon on the edge of delightful Mochlos.

Often overlooked, the island capital Heraklion is an authentic Greek city; enlightened, forward looking and brimming with energy. It has a remarkably cultured heart, with an astonishingly good selection of restaurants and cool cafés, or visit the fascinating archaeological museum, home to the finest collection of Minoan artefacts in the world. The city is well worth a visit in its own right but certainly one to consider on your way to or from the airport. Or why not add a 3-night stay at Kerasia to your holiday; our Partner Hotel is just a half-hour drive away and a visit to Heraklion with entrance to the archaeological museum is included in the price (also see Knossos below).

Our Signature Villas are all about enjoying the very best that Crete can offer. With ten of our prestigious Signature Villas on the island, this is your cue to indulge friends and family with luxury accommodation, superb facilities and our renowned personal service, which begins as soon as you get in touch with us. From an elegantly restored waterfront warehouse to a villa with private tennis court, treat yourself to some proper pampering, Cretan style.

Jonathan Peat is a qualified European Mountain Leader who has been hosting escorted walks in Greece, France and Spain for more than 30 years. The son of a Greek mother and Scottish father, he grew up in the UK and Greece and in 1990, was instrumental in setting up the walking programme for Simply Crete. He lived on the island for many years, developing a special affinity for its culture, natural history and proud tradition of hospitality and we are delighted that he is returning to lead our programme of Walking Holidays in Crete. His abundant knowledge affords our guests insights into aspects of the island that often go unseen, and his enthusiasm for the Greek language ensures a warm welcome from the locals wherever he goes.

The Palace of Knossos is by far the most famous of Crete’s numerous attractions - and for good reason. The largest of the Minoan palaces, it was the epicentre of the island’s thriving and highly sophisticated civilisation more than 3,500 years ago. It’s well worth hiring a guide to help you contextualise the extraordinary scale of the place and if you want to avoid the crowds and the heat it’s best to arrive early, or in the late afternoon. Kerasia also deserves a mention under ‘K’: set in the beautiful rural hills behind Heraklion, our Partner Hotel offers a tranquil haven with easy access to the capital and Knossos. All stays of 3 nights or more include a welcome dinner with wine, a private half-day guided tour of Knossos and a visit to Heraklion Archaeological Museum with lunch.

It can’t be overstated: Loutro is heavenly. This magical spot feels both sleepy yet animated, civilised yet untamed, unpretentious yet exclusive. Only accessible by boat or on foot, it’s a car-free paradise of white-washed buildings set around a magnificent bay in south west Crete. Base yourself at Porto Loutro and an unspoilt world of hidden coves, formidable caves, tiny chapels and long forgotten ruins awaits... you won’t find anywhere else quite like it - in Crete or beyond.

Mochlos is a charming tucked-away village with a wealth of character and a surprisingly upmarket selection of cafés and tavernas wrapped around its little beach. Leaving the main thoroughfare connecting Heraklion to the east, a winding road transports you down to the coast; a picturesque descent through a rural Mediterranean landscape that remains unspoilt by large tourist developments and retains its uniquely Cretan feel. Once discovered, this enchanting enclave is not readily forgotten and luxurious villas in these appealing surroundings are not easy to come by. For couples, we recommend Mochlos Waterside and for families, Mochlos Harbour View is a contemporary 3-bedroom villa with spectacular views across the shoreline.

The northeast corner of Crete has an identity all of its own; and is much more sparsely populated than other parts of the island. That said, the regional capital Sitia is a buzzy and compelling little place with an appealing array of inexpensive restaurants and cafés lining the harbour front. Travel further east to the palm fringed beach at Vai to really appreciate the diversity that Crete offers. Stay at Villa Isidora to discover this delightful part of the island in style.

On 28th October every year, Crete (and the rest of Greece) celebrates the moment in 1940 when Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas said a firm 'Ohi!' ('No!') to Mussolini's demand to allow Axis troops into Greece. This lead to Greece entering World War II in a heroic stand against fascism, and it's marked today by parades, and remembrance in Crete and across the whole country. Interested in this period in Cretan history? Check out Abducting a General, by Patrick Leigh Fermor, or The Cretan Runner, by George Psychoundakis for some topical holiday reading.

Pefki is a very special village in the hills above Makrygialos in southern Crete. There’s a fascinating museum charting its agricultural history and an excellent taverna at the heart of the narrow pedestrian streets with spectacular views across the sea. Set amongst its narrow streets, Pepper Tree Cottage sparkles amongst the maze of whitewashed houses, their walls weathered by the centuries. The scent of wild herbs fills the air and the only sounds are the soft chatter of the locals or the distant goat bells rising from the olive groves beneath.

Crete has always inspired great storytellers, from Byron to Kazantzakis, Leigh Fermor to Hislop. Quotes about Crete and its people are numerous in literature but we particularly like this one: 

“I knew that no matter what door you knock on in a Cretan village, it will be opened for you. A meal will be served in your honour, and you will sleep between the best sheets in the house. In Crete, the stranger is still the unknown god. Before him, all doors and all hearts are opened.”

Nikos Kazantzakis

Rethymno lies in the very heart of Crete; a coastal city blessed with harbourside dining, beautiful beaches and vibrant summer festivals. Students lend a lively atmosphere in term time, yet Rethymno retains much of its authentic beauty and charm in its cobbled back streets and romantic archways. All visitors are warmly welcomed, including the majestic loggerhead turtles which appear regularly on the beaches around Rethymno in the summer. Stay at the Oak Tree Villas for beautifully high-spec villas, just a 15-minute drive from Rethymno.

The island of Spinalonga has a long and extraordinary history dating back to Venetian times; its dominating fortress built in 1579 was designed to defend this part of Crete from attack. But the island is most famous for its recent history as Europe’s last remaining leper colony at the start of the 20th century. It’s well worth a visit if you’re staying at any of our Villas in the Gulf of Mirabello and Southern Crete, or if you’re travelling to the east from Heraklion.

According to Greek mythology, the mighty Titans were the original rulers of Earth before the Olympians succeeded them, and it seems quite natural that any deity would choose a spot as splendid as this one to reside. Our Titans - Villa Kronos and Villa Rhea - sit on a hillside near the entrance to Souda Bay, commanding wide views across its calm blue depths to the Akrotiri peninsula on the opposite side. This area is a long-term favourite with Simpson Travellers, with a wealth of sites and activities within walking distance or a short drive

Legend has it that the Greek Muses are the goddesses of literature, science and the arts. In Hellenic times, the goddess Urania became associated with astronomy, and a stay at any of our adult-only Muses Beach Villas in Far East Crete would certainly satisfy the most avid stargazers. Just behind beautiful Kouremenos Beach and close to Palekastro, this is a delightfully unspoilt part of the island, ideal for a relaxing break à deux. Urania is the closest to the beach, with uninterrupted views across the bay.

Vamos is a scenic village in western Crete and home to our ever-popular adult-only Arosmari Village Hotel. A hub of creativity, it inspires artists and musicians and boasts a rich cultural scene throughout the season. In addition to our walking holidays, we're delighted that Greg and Kate Mosse will be returning here for another inspiring week of creative writing and some fascinating insights into the world of bestselling fiction. All are welcome, from novice to more experienced writers, 11 - 18 August 2026.

The White Mountains (Lefka Ori) of western Crete deserve a mention in their own right. Snow-capped in spring, they form the dazzling backdrop to one of our flagship Simpson Hotels, GK Beach. During the summer, the icy water from the mountains runs down into the warm sea and the current allows swimmers to pick their ideal temperature for bathing. Head west along the sand for cool, head east for warm. There aren’t many beaches with such a refined thermostat!

In the far south east of the island, Xerokambos is definitely one of the more remote island destinations. It’s a beach lovers paradise; if pale golden sands, gin-clear water and escape from the masses are your thing. There are a couple of low-key tavernas too, but the main reason to come here is for the natural beauty and castaway appeal of the place. Stay at Villa Kambos for the best view of the bay, just a 5-minute stroll from the beach.

Yamas means so much more than ‘cheers’; it’s the Greek salute to good health - obligatory when raising a glass of Ouzo or the local Raki. It would be rude not to!

According to Greek mythology, Crete was the birthplace of Zeus. Two caves high in the mountains contest the honour of being known as the birthplace of the greatest god of ancient Greece: the Dikteon Cave in the Lasithi Plateau and the Idean Cave on the highest mountain in Crete, Mount Psiloritis. Both are popular tourist spots, so it pays to arrive early in the height of summer.

HOLIDAYS IN CRETE