CreteImmersion

Our method

How we verify

A piece of information is only as good as the way it was obtained. Here is how we work, and what the official sources do not publish.

On the ground, and dated

Prices, opening hours, distances and road conditions are checked on site, then dated page by page. When you read “verified in May 2026”, it means someone was there on that date — not that a figure was copied from another website.

Official sources cited

For what can't be measured by eye — bus timetables, regulations, archaeological sites, ferries — we cite the first-hand source: KTEL (buses), ODAP (site tickets), NECCA (natural areas), port authorities for sea links, and town halls. No aggregators, no hearsay.

What we take as authoritative

Between two versions of the same figure, we decide by source hierarchy: the regulation beats the press release, the press release beats the operator, the operator beats the aggregator. When a fare changes mid-season, the site manager's official grid is what counts, and that is what we republish.

Editorial independence

We don't publish sponsored articles and we sell no place in our rankings. When a recommendation contains a paid link, it's disclosed — but the order of recommendations is decided on editorial merit, never on commission. The full list of programs is on our partner-links page.

Updated every season

Crete changes: a rental company closes, a ferry shifts its schedule, a site raises its price. We revisit the sensitive pages every season and re-date the ones that move. A recent date isn't cosmetic — it's the guarantee the information is still true.

Transparency on paid links

Which partners, what compensation, and why it doesn't influence our rankings — all detailed, program by program.

See partner links Who writes this guide

Last updated : 21 August 2026

Explore the site
Plan my tripFree itinerary generator

Plan

Before you go

When to go›How many days›Budget calculator›Itineraries›

Where to stay

Where to stay (regions)›Best hotels›Heraklion or Chania?›

Getting around

Arriving in Crete

Heraklion airport›Chania airport›Ferry to Crete›

On the road

Getting around Crete›Car rental›Taxi & transfers›Traveling without a car›

By bus & boat

The KTEL bus guide›Route selector›Bus Chania airport → town›Bus Heraklion airport → centre›Bus Heraklion → Knossos›Samaria by bus + ferry›North axis & EXPRESS bus›South-coast ferries›Boat to Spinalonga›

Explore

Beaches

Best beaches›Voulisma (Golden Beach)›Secret beaches›Balos or Elafonissi?›Falasarna›Seitan Limania›

Nature & adventure

Samaria Gorge›Gorges & waterfalls›Things to do›Excursions: worth it?›Activities & tours›Boat cruises›Santorini day trip›

Culture & history

Knossos (tickets)›Spinalonga›Lato (Dorian city)›Gournia (Minoan town)›Battle of Crete›Authentic villages›

Towns & villages

All places›Heraklion›Around Agios Nikolaos›Sitia & the far east›Kritsa›Mochlos›Anogia›Archanes›Argyroupoli›Margarites›

Food & wine

Tavernas & food›Cretan diet›Wine & vineyards›Raki & kazani feasts›Photo gallery›

Essentials

Practical life

Practical info›Internet & eSIM›Opening hours›Pharmacies & emergencies›

Day to day

Market days›Public holidays›Real Talk FAQ›

Living here

Buy & invest

Property (prices)›Where to buy — 20 areas›Buy a house›Cost of ownership›Renovate & build›Golden Visa›Invest (yield)›

Living day to day

Live & invest (guide)›Relocate to Crete›Cost of living›Water: the n°1 risk›Long-term rental›

Retire & health

Retiring in Crete›Retiree taxation›Healthcare (expats)›