The best periods to visit the Island are, June or September, even late May or early October: Crete has become an island on overload during July and August (it is also very hot!). Getting there: The overnight ferry from Piraeus is still the purists' way to go, but the hour-long flights give you more time for activities. 

The following selection of destinations is designed to fill 5 to 7 days allowing for a mix of activities and even time for collapsing on a beach at the end of the day. 

• Heraklion is a must, what with its archaeological museum and nearby Knossos. 
• An excursion to Phaestos and its associated sites could occupy most of a second day; if you don't need to see that second Minoan palace, we recommend you move on to Chania or Rethymnon.
• The walk through the famed Samaria Gorge requires one long day for the total excursion.
• Those seeking less strenuous activity might prefer a visit to Agios Nikolaos and its nearby attractions. None of these trips require a car, as public transportation or tour groups are so frequent. 

At some point, however, you might want to rent a car (although definitely not in the cities or towns)—this allows you to leave the overdeveloped tourist trail and gives you access to countless villages, spectacular scenery, beaches at the end of the roads, and lesser known archaeological, historical, and cultural sites.

Crete Guide

Heraklion