A Summer Escape to Crete, Greece

Arrival & Relaxing at Creta Maris Beach Resort

After arriving in Crete later in the day, we checked in to Creta Maris Beach Resort and decided to spend a relaxing afternoon enjoying everything the resort has to offer.

Located in Hersonissos, Creta Maris is a five-star beachfront resort designed to resemble a traditional Cretan village. It offers direct access to a 250-meter private sandy beach, multiple swimming pools, beautifully landscaped gardens, a luxurious spa, and several restaurants and bars, making it an ideal place to unwind after a flight.

We spent the rest of the day soaking up the sun on the resort's private beach before getting ready for dinner.

Dinner: Mademi Restaurant

In the evening, we had dinner at Mademi, one of the resort's signature à la carte restaurants. Inspired by a modern Cretan steakhouse, it specializes in premium locally sourced Cretan meats alongside international cuts of beef, lamb, pork, and chicken. With its elegant atmosphere and excellent wine selection, it was the perfect place to end our first day in Crete.

A Day Trip to Santorini

Day two was definitely the busiest—and probably the most tiring—of our trip. We decided to take a day trip to Santorini, even though I would personally recommend saving it for a separate trip if you have enough time. Santorini deserves more than just a few hours. But honestly, I kept thinking, "Who knows when I'll be back?"—so we decided to go for it.

The ferry departs from the port in Crete and takes approximately 1.5 hours to reach Santorini. I highly recommend checking the ferry schedule in advance and arriving early, as missing your departure can completely change your plans. Once you arrive, you'll find mini buses that connect the port with different parts of the island, making it easy to explore the main villages and viewpoints.

Lunch at Volcano Blue

For lunch, we chose Volcano Blue, and it turned out to be an excellent choice. The restaurant offers spectacular caldera views, generous portions, and delicious Greek cuisine.

Just like every other day during our stay in Greece, we couldn't resist ordering a traditional Greek salad. We also tried seafood bruschetta, fish soup, grilled Dorado, and one of Santorini's local specialties—a tomato cheesecake. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

After lunch, we visited Santorini's most iconic photo spots before heading back to the port. Since this was only a day trip, we had to keep an eye on the time to make sure we didn't miss our ferry back to Crete.

After returning to Crete, we ended the day with dinner at Alatsi, another outstanding à la carte restaurant at Creta Maris Resort.

Located in one of the resort's most peaceful seaside corners, Alatsi specializes in Aegean seafood cuisine, prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The elegant setting, candle-lit tables, panoramic sea views, and carefully curated wine list make it one of the most romantic dining spots in the resort. If you're a seafood lover, this restaurant is definitely worth reserving in advance.

Travel Tip: Double-check your return ferry schedule and leave plenty of time to get back to the port. If you miss the last ferry, you'll most likely have to spend the night on the island.

Exploring Rethymno & Plakias

On our third day, we joined a guided tour and headed to Rethymno, one of Crete's most charming and historic towns. Known for its picturesque Venetian harbor, colorful old town, and impressive fortress, Rethymno beautifully blends Venetian and Ottoman influences, making it one of the island's most fascinating places to explore.

We spent some time wandering through its narrow streets before doing a little shopping. If you're looking for authentic souvenirs, this is a great place to buy locally made olive oil products, natural cosmetics, herbs, and handmade gifts.

On the way, we stopped at a small local roadside taverna on the Agios Ioannis – Agios Vasileios road. We ordered grilled kebabs and, of course, another delicious Greek salad. To finish the meal, we tried a traditional fried dessert that reminded me of lokma—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and served with syrup.

Our next stop was Plakias Beach, one of southern Crete's most famous beaches. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and crystal-clear waters, Plakias is known for its long sandy coastline and relaxed atmosphere. It's the perfect place to take a break, enjoy the scenery, or simply unwind by the sea.

After returning to the hotel and getting some rest, we headed out again in the evening to explore Hersonissos Harbour, the liveliest nightlife area in Hersonissos. Filled with restaurants, cafés, beach bars, and clubs stretching along the waterfront, it's the perfect place for an evening stroll.

We ended the night at Kahlua Premium Beach Bar, enjoying the beautiful sea views, relaxing atmosphere, and warm summer breeze before heading back to the hotel.

Luxury Hotels & Elounda Evenings

After checking out of Creta Maris, it was time to continue our journey to another part of Crete. Before heading to our next hotel, we stopped at Nana Princess Suites, Villas & Spa for lunch and a tour of the property.

Nana Princess is one of the island's most luxurious boutique resorts, offering elegant suites and private villas—many featuring their own heated pools or wellness facilities. The resort is known for its exceptional service, contemporary design, and exclusive atmosphere. Depending on the season and room category, rates generally start from around €600–700 per night, while the most luxurious villas can cost several thousand euros per night.

We also enjoyed a wonderful seafood lunch at one of the hotel's restaurants. Everything was beautifully presented, fresh, and full of Mediterranean flavors, making it one of our favorite dining experiences of the trip.

Although we would have loved to stay there, we continued our journey to Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel, our next accommodation. Perched on a hillside overlooking Mirabello Bay, this adults-only boutique hotel offers breathtaking panoramic sea views, modern rooms, and a peaceful atmosphere—perfect for those looking for a relaxing escape.

After checking in and enjoying the spectacular view from the hotel, we took a short 10-minute taxi ride to Elounda Harbour for dinner. We chose one of the local waterfront tavernas, where we enjoyed authentic Greek dishes at very reasonable prices. The combination of fresh seafood, warm hospitality, and the charming harbor atmosphere made it the perfect way to end another unforgettable day in Crete.

Local Flavors & An Authentic Cretan Night

We started the day slowly, enjoying a relaxing morning at the hotel before heading out for lunch.

About a 15-minute drive from the hotel, we discovered Vritomartes Restaurant Tavern, a traditional seaside taverna known for its fresh ingredients and authentic Cretan cuisine. Everything we ordered was delicious—from the grilled kebabs and refreshing watermelon with local cheese to our now-daily Greek salad. The simple, homemade flavors and beautiful sea views made it a wonderful lunch stop.

After returning to the hotel for a short rest, we got ready for one of the highlights of our trip—an unforgettable Cretan Night in the traditional mountain village of Kato Karouzanos, located about 1–1.5 hours from our hotel.

These evenings are very popular in Crete and can easily be booked through local tour operators or directly from many hotels. Kato Karouzanos is a family-run venue that has been preserving Cretan traditions for decades, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into the island's culture through food, music, and dance.

Before dinner, we were welcomed into a traditional Cretan home, where we learned about local customs and watched how traditional Cretan cheese is made. There was also a small shop where visitors could purchase homemade olive oil, honey, herbs, local spirits, and other regional products.

The evening continued with an open buffet dinner featuring traditional Cretan dishes, followed by a lively folklore show with live music and traditional dances. But the best part? Before long, the audience became part of the performance. Guests were invited onto the stage to learn the dances alongside the local performers, creating an atmosphere that was fun, interactive, and full of laughter.

If you're looking to experience the real spirit of Crete beyond its beaches, I highly recommend adding a traditional Cretan Night to your itinerary. It was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip.

Day 6 – Sailing Around Spinalonga & Exploring Agios Nikolaos

We started the day with one of the highlights of our trip—a sailing yacht cruise departing from Agios Nikolaos Marina.

If you're planning to do something special while visiting eastern Crete, I highly recommend this experience. Most 5–6 hour sailing cruises around Mirabello Bay, including Spinalonga Island and the famous Blue Lagoon (Kolokytha Bay), typically cost around €120–170 per person for a shared cruise. Private yacht charters usually start from €500–700, depending on the yacht, season, and group size.

Our route took us past the historic Spinalonga Island, a former Venetian fortress and one of Crete's most iconic landmarks, before reaching the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Blue Lagoon, where we stopped for swimming, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery.

Lunch was served on board and was included in the cruise, along with a selection of refreshing drinks. Spending the afternoon surrounded by endless shades of blue while sailing through Mirabello Bay was one of the most relaxing experiences of our trip.

After returning to Agios Nikolaos Marina, we spent the evening strolling through the charming harbor. With its waterfront cafés, boutique shops, colorful fishing boats, and lively atmosphere, Agios Nikolaos is the perfect place for a leisurely evening walk and a wonderful way to end the day.From the marina, we made our way up to the viewpoint overlooking Lake Voulismeni, one of Agios Nikolaos' most iconic landmarks. Surrounded by cafés and colorful streets, the lake offers beautiful panoramic views and is the perfect place for a leisurely walk. We stopped for some ice cream, explored a few local boutiques, and simply enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the town.

On our way back, we came across a hidden local gem called Coral Restaurant, a family-run taverna operated by twin brothers. We decided to stop for lunch, and it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. The traditional Cretan dishes were incredibly flavorful, freshly prepared, and served with genuine local hospitality. If you happen to pass by, it's definitely worth making a stop.

Later that day, we checked into our final hotel—Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas.

Located on the shores of Mirabello Bay in the exclusive village of Elounda, this legendary five-star resort is considered one of Crete's most prestigious luxury hotels. The property features elegant rooms, suites, and private villas, many with their own pools and direct access to the sea. It is especially known for its secluded beaches, exceptional service, award-winning restaurants, and peaceful atmosphere. Depending on the season, room rates generally start at around €500–700 per night, while the resort's luxury villas can exceed €2,000–3,000 per night.

My friend and I stayed in one of the resort's beautiful villas, and it was truly unforgettable. The spacious design, complete privacy, and breathtaking sea views made it the perfect place to relax and enjoy our final days in Crete.

Day 7 – A Slow Day Before Heading Home

For our final day in Crete, we decided to slow down completely and spend the entire day at Elounda Beach Hotel & Villas before our journey home.

Nestled on the shores of Mirabello Bay, the resort is one of Crete's most iconic luxury hotels. It offers two private sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, beautifully landscaped gardens, several outdoor pools, a world-class spa, tennis courts, and a wide range of water sports. The peaceful atmosphere makes it the perfect place to unwind after a week of exploring the island.

One of the highlights of the resort is its excellent culinary scene. Guests can choose from several restaurants, including Argonaut, serving Mediterranean and international cuisine by the sea, Blue Lagoon, famous for its Japanese and Peruvian Nikkei dishes, Dionysos Gourmet Restaurant, offering fine dining with elegant Mediterranean flavors, and Kafenion, where you can enjoy authentic Cretan and Greek specialties in a traditional setting.

We spent the day relaxing on the resort's private beach, swimming in the crystal-clear sea, enjoying the sunshine, and taking in the breathtaking views of Mirabello Bay. Before leaving, we had one final meal at the resort, making the most of our last few hours in Crete.

Looking back, ending the trip with a completely relaxing day was the perfect choice. After days filled with road trips, boat cruises, historic towns, and unforgettable experiences, it was the ideal way to recharge before heading home.