The Best Greek Islands to Visit From Crete
Although Crete is too big to explore in a single vacation, nothing compares to island hopping in Greece. Therefore, here are five suggestions for Greek islands to visit from Crete. No matter your taste, at least one island on this list can be your next love at first sight. Ready to discover it yourself? Let’s roll!
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From Crete to Santorini: The Most Instagrammable Spot in Greece
If you are after the best possible setting for your sunset photo, look no further than Santorini. Also known as Thira, the island is famous for the caldera, its unique open-sea lagoon created by past volcanic activity.
This site is one of the most photographed places in Greece, so remember to take your camera with you. The east side of the caldera is full of cute towns and small villages that offer a panoramic view of the volcano and the sunset. If you are wondering which to visit first, Fira and Oia are the most famous settlements among tourists in Santorini.
In between the two, Imerovigli village stands on the highest point of the Caldera cliff, about 300 meters above sea level. Thankfully, no matter where you go in West Santorini, the view over the caldera is breathtaking.
Remember to bring a good pair of sneakers to explore Santorini at its best. You will walk a lot, and the island’s rocky terrain makes walking better than driving.
And if you are up for a challenge, you can hike from Thira to Oia. Throughout the journey, you will have the entire caldera at your feet.
Although the island’s west side gets the most attention, visit east Santorini too. Hot springs and picturesque villages create the ideal conditions for a honeymoon or wedding you will never forget.
Between the Aegean Sea and the rugged peaks of Vouno mountain, Perissa and Kamari are two settlements with black sand beaches, whitewashed houses, and a relaxed seaside nightlife.
From here, you can also take a catamaran cruise and sail around the island for an experience you will long remember.
How to Get from Crete to Santorini
The easiest way to travel from Crete to Santorini is by ferry from Heraklion port. The route operates during summer and offers one to two daily crossings. Depending on the type of boat you board, it can take anywhere from two to six hours.
Although more costly, it is worth opting for a speedboat that completes the route in less than two hours (1.50 h with Power Jet Seajets). In summer, ships also leave from Chania, Rethymnon, and the port of Agios Nikolaos.
The earliest Crete to Santorini ferry departs from Heraklion at 8 am and arrives at the port of Athinios at 10 am. The latest ferry from Heraklion departs at 8.15 pm and arrives in Santorini around 2.30 am.
Another quick way to get to Santorini from Crete is by air through the airports of Chania or Heraklion. Although there is no permanent air route, it is worth checking out if affordable direct flights are available during your stay in Crete.
From Crete to Karpathos: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Destination
Another island that is worth every bit of your attention is no other than Karpathos. Directly south of Rhodes, the island of Karpathos makes for a great excursion off the beaten track from Crete to the Dodecanese.
Not only will you love its sandy beaches with crystal-clear emerald waters, but you will also have the chance to explore the unspoiled terrain that makes it a top destination for beach lovers.
Take the breathtaking Apella Beach, for example. It is a sandy enclave of water in a picturesque bay that will leave you breathless with its beauty. The same applies to the beautiful beaches of Kyra Panagia and Agios Minas, to name just a few.
Yet, beaches make just a speck of what Karpathos can offer. Age-old settlements, ancient ruins, strong traditions, customs, and an extended list of ancient sites all come together to create the perfect setting for the ultimate holidays in Greece.
Karpathos is quite off-the-beaten-path. Although more and more tourists discover this often-overlooked island in the shadows of Rhodes and Crete, Karpathos has not lost its appeal and is one of the best places for an all-Greek holiday.
The main town of Pigadia is full of traditional restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops that come to life in the summer months to cater to your every need. The laid-back charm of Karpathos’s capital is evident all around, and the same applies to the entire island and its coastline.
However, you don’t need to stay on the shores to appreciate Karpathos’s beauty. You can just as quickly head to the mountains and explore the unique vibe of traditional settlements with a rich history, such as Olympos.
It wasn’t long ago when Olympos had no electricity and no road whatsoever to the rest of Karpathos.
Although that is no longer the case, this mountain village retains its traditional charm and offers visitors an experience they will never forget.
How to Get from Crete to Karpathos
The best way to travel from Crete to Karpathos is by ferry from Sitia to the Dodecanese islands.
The ferry company Anek Lines operates this route at least once per week, with an average sailing duration of five hours.
If you are not near Sitia, you can also board the same ferry from Heraklion, which takes 8 hours to complete.
The company Aegeon Pelagon operates the ferry boat Prevelis that covers the route Sitia-Karpathos with a sailing time ranging from 4 to 6 hours, depending on the port of arrival.
Accommodation in Karpathos
Spending at least a few days in Karpathos is a great idea, as it will give you a quiet vibe and allow you to experience the island’s traditions.
From Crete to Paros: The Island with a Hundred Beaches
Known for its phenomenal beaches (among the best in Greece) and whitewashed Cycladic villages, Paros offers many things to do. Many consider it the best Greek island, the one that has it all.
The harbor village of Naoussa, with its hundreds of fishing boats, and the old town of Paros, with its renowned boutiques in the neighborhood of Parikia, are the two most visited settlements on the island.
However, if you get to Paros, make sure to also get to the mountainous village of Lefkes and wander around its narrow cobblestone alleys. With its great views, the landscape around Lefkes is just out of this world.
Thankfully, plenty of beaches will be nearby no matter where you stay on the island. To name just a few, Krios Beach and Livadia Beach are two sandy enclaves of water right near the center of Parikia.
Similarly, Piperi and Monastiri beaches are within walking distance from Naoussa. In short, there is a beach around the corner wherever you are. However, the most popular and idyllic beach of Paros is Kolymbithres, a quiet cove dotted with sunbeds only 15 minutes away from Naoussa.
Although most beaches in Paros are calm and shallow, there are also spots where water sports conditions are ideal. You can try windsurfing at Santa Maria Beach and New Golden Beach.
During your visit, make sure to also head to Antiparos island, which is only a 20-minute boat ride away (even less if you depart from Pounda port). Yet, the most popular day trip from Paros is a cruise towards Pantenonisia, a small cluster of islands known as Blue Lagoon. Sailing around Blue Lagoon is an experience you do not want to miss.
How to Get from Crete to Paros
Although there is no direct route from Crete to Paros, you can still take one of the multiple ferries that reach the Cyclades from Crete.
And that applies to routes from both Heraklion and Chania. For example, the Seajets ferry company connects Heraklion with Paros up to 7 times weekly (sailing time is 3 hours and 50 minutes). >> Click here for tickets. For more details, check out this article.
From Crete to Ios: the Island of Entertainment
A few miles south of Naxos and Paros, Ios is an affordable Mykonos alternative to partying. It has become one of the most popular islands in Greece for a good reason. The nightlife here is wild and crazy.
It all started in 1980 when hippies from Crete first headed to the virgin beaches of Ios.
Today, the island is full of bars and clubs, popular with people in their twenties, especially Australians, Irish, and Brits.
Most of the night fun occurs in Chora Ios, the island’s capital. Built on hilly terrain, the whitewashed town of Chora turns from a peaceful settlement during the day into an all-can-happen disco at night.
No matter how many nights in a row you visit Chora, you will experience something new every time.
All-night partying in Ios is legendary and attracts thousands of party lovers every summer. Bars, cocktails, and pulsing music make the epitome of the ultimate island entertainment.
Apart from Chora, another popular spot for partying is Mylopotas Beach, located near the capital. Not only is this the most visited beach on the island, but it offers a great variety of upbeat beach clubs.
Like most beaches on Ios, Mylopotas is a great place to relax and enjoy the Aegean’s crystalline waters and white sand.
If you are after a quieter location away from the crowds, pick Manganari Beach, accessible by car and boat. Manganari is full of small, sandy coves, adding a sense of seclusion and uniqueness. A few nearby diving spots offer the chance to explore the richness of underwater life.
How to Get from Crete to Ios
The ferry route that connects Crete with the Cyclades also passes through Ios. The quickest crossing would be taking the SeaJets ferry from Heraklion to the Cyclades. You can reach Ios in less than three hours. >> Click here for tickets.
From Crete to Gavdos: Crete’s Best-Kept Gem
If the above islands sound too far, make no mistake and head to Gavdos. You don’t need much time to get there. It will only take two hours to reach this tiny island from the port of Paleochora in south Crete.
Although it’s only 32 square kilometers, Gavdos Island will feel like a large island to explore even when it isn’t since many places can only be reached on foot. Its natural landscape is full of small shrubs, pines, and the most junipers you can find on the southern beaches of Crete.
Speaking of location, did you know that Gavdos is the southernmost island in Europe? It is closer to Africa than Athens itself! Gavdos’s unique location also means it is the single region with the most hours of sunshine in Europe!
In other words, you don’t need to worry about weather conditions here. Just bring enough sunscreen, a hat, and lots of positive vibes, and I guarantee you will fall in love with the island in no time. Despite the low levels of rainfalls that Gavdos experiences during the year, you could never find a greener island at that altitude.
The reason? Two rivers appear during winter, so make sure Gavdos is full of pine trees and vegetation that will leave you breathless. Of course, those rivers dry out during summer, when the temperature hits 40 °C on average. That’s okay, though; we can’t have everything.
How to Get from Crete to Gavdos
The easiest way to get to Gavdos from Crete is to board the ferry from Chora Sfakion. There, you can find the most weekly trips to Gavdos.
Remember that the best time to visit Gavdos is from June to September, and the ferry frequency decreases dramatically during those months. However, note that those schedules can change too often, so check beforehand. The same applies to the ferry routes from the coastal seaside villages of Sougia and Paleochora. >> Click here for tickets.
Bonus 5 More Greek Islands Near Crete Worth a Visit
Despite Crete being quite remote and lonely, almost at the edge of the Aegean, there are several islands you can visit departing from Crete.
Some of the islands are off the coast, quite close to Crete. Those are Gavdos, which is already mentioned above, but also…
- Chrissi
- Imeri Grammvousa
- Spinalonga
- Dia
- Koufonisi
- Kythira
- Antikythira.
Chrissi Island, just like Gavdos, is on the southern coast of Crete. It is an uninhabited slice of heaven you can visit in a day.
You can depart from the port of Ierapetra or Makrigialos on the southern coast of Lasithi and spend a fantastic day on one of the most exotic islands in the Libyan Sea.
Other nearby islands are Imeri Gramvousa, which you can visit by cruise when heading to Balos Beach, and Dia Island, right opposite Heraklion, both on the northern coast. Dia can be visited with a day trip, and it is a great destination for swimming, fishing, and having a fun day at sea.
Also on the north coast, the small islet of Spinalonga is an island off the coast of Crete that is ideal for a half-day trip. The former leper colony is now an archaeological site and a popular destination. Koufonisi is another very small island near the southern coast of Crete, opposite Makrigialos, a charming coastal village close to Ierapetra.
It resembles Chrissi’s exotic atmosphere, but no trees protect you from the sun. In Koufonisi, you will fall in love with the dunes, the paradisiac beaches, and the crystal clear sea. >> Click here for the latest information about day cruises to Koufonisi.
Kythira and Antikythera may take longer to visit, but they are worth the trip. They are located between Crete and the southern Peloponnese, at the junction of the Aegean, the Ionian Sea, and the Sea of Crete.
Boats depart from the port of Kavonisi in Kissamos (West Crete). The sailing time is about 4 hours. According to the legend, Kythira is the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love… so who could escape falling in love with the island?
>> Click here for tickets from Crete to Kythira.
>>Click here for tickets from Crete to Antikythira.
Although nothing can beat island hopping in Greece, don’t forget to make the most of your holidays in Crete.
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Greek Islands to Visit from Crete
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.
I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.
