The narrow island of Crete, the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, has a landscape inscribed with ancient Minoan history stretching back thousands of years. Discover the captivating cities along the island’s northern shores and explore the white-sand beaches that line the south coast like a string of pearls. Check out historic Venetian architecture, discover archaeological relics and travel through pristine national parks that stretch from mountaintops to pink-sand beaches.

Crete’s biggest city, Heraklion, is a sprawling metropolis with a picturesque old town along its historic port. Find out about Crete’s fascinating heritage at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum or the Natural History Museum. Make your way west along the coastline to find the breathtaking historic towns of Rethymnon and Chania. With its Venetian mansions, labyrinthine alleys and beautiful waterfront, Chania is the ideal spot to unwind and enjoy some of the island’s fantastic dining.

Explore western Crete to find the rugged beauty of the White Mountains, a gleaming mountain range that towers over the townships of the south coast. Hike down the 10-mile (16-kilometer) trail that follows the deep ravine of Samaria Gorge and reach the charming fishing town of Agia Roumeli. Catch a boat to the neighboring town of Lissos to walk among ancient ruins dating back to the 4th century B.C.

At low tide stroll to Elafonisi island where the beach has a shoreline of pale pink quartz sand. Many Cretan beaches are equipped with lounge chairs and sun umbrellas. Rent a chair and relax with expansive Mediterranean Sea views.

As you travel between townships, you’ll see pretty hillside groves of olive and citrus trees. Stop at a roadside taverna to enjoy fresh local produce and Cretan specialty cheeses. Many restaurants offer a local brandy, raki, to be enjoyed after meals.

Reach Crete by flying into the major airports in Chania or Heraklion. Alternatively, catch a 9-hour ferry from Athens. The climate is warm and dry between mid-May to October, with a peak in tourism between July and August. Visit in spring to see a flourish of wildflowers across the mountainous landscape.

Q: Should I book a car while on holiday in Crete?

A: If discovering the hidden gems around the region of Chania or elsewhere is your top priority this holiday, renting a car is a good move. With our handy guide to Cheap Car Hire in Crete, you can pick up the keys to a great set of wheels and journey around the countryside whenever you like. If you're planning to spend a large part of your time in the cities of Chania or Ierapetra, public transportation (or ride-sharing) is an excellent way of getting from A to B.

Q: Which airports can I fly in to for a holiday to Crete?

A: While there are several airports in Crete, there's a good chance you'll be landing at one of these top international terminals:

• Heraklion (HER-Nikos Kazantzakis): 1,159 international flights per month.
• Chania (CHQ-Ioannis Daskalogiannis): 274 international flights per month.

Q: What are the most popular types of hotels for a holiday to Crete?

A: Zip up your suitcase and enjoy a stay at one of the high-quality hotels. They're one of the most frequently booked accommodation. Apart-hotels, apartments and villas are also easy to find in Crete.

Q: What does a Crete holiday booking with Expedia include?

A: You can choose to map out every little detail of your upcoming getaway or let Expedia give you a helping hand with a great Crete holiday package. Hotels, flights and car rentals — we've got them covered. All that's left to do is work out the type of activities you'd like to try out.

Q: What is the best way to save money on my holiday to Crete?

A: Our packages are a fantastic way to save money on your getaway. See the world for less when you combine your Flights, Hotels and even Car Rentals through Expedia. Now's the time to create some unforgettable memories.

Q: What are the best things to do in Crete?

A: You'll have plenty of choices — Gorge of Diktamou, Volos Shelter and Kalathas Beach are some you could start with. These frequently visited landmarks are located in Chania.

If your travel itinerary features Ierapetra instead, Kales Fortress, Museum of Cretan Ethnology and Koutsounari Long Beach are all fabulous choices.

Or, for some new experiences, discover the reason why Valley of the Dead, Sitia Archaeological Museum and Xerokambos Gorge are well-liked attractions for people travelling to Sitia.