Crete in autumn is the perfect time to discover Chersonissos
Greece (and especially Crete) in the middle of summer. Meh… too hot, too crowded, and Crete feels more like a youth festival than a holiday island. Especially around Chersonissos, you really don't need to be there in July or August. But as soon as autumn arrives, the party really gets going. The young people have gone home, the crowds are gone, and what remains is an island at its most beautiful.
You'll enjoy a few more weeks of sunshine, breakfast in the morning sun on the terrace, and dine al fresco in the evening. Eastern Crete, even close to the infamous Cherso, turns out to be surprisingly beautiful, and that's exactly what you'll want to discover.
Do you want to look for the sun in Crete? Then september truly the perfect month. With such a 27 degrees and with little rain you can fully enjoy the island. At the beginning of October it cools down slightly to an average 23 degrees – still lovely with sunshine – but the chance of a rain shower is a bit higher. So, during the autumn break, you might just experience a few glorious days, but a few cloudy spells or a rain shower are also part of the experience.
Accommodation
A luxury home away from home, that is The Royal Blue Resort & Spa, Villa Ippocampi On the beautiful Crete, there's a place to dream away. More tips for overnight stays find you here!
Rondom Hersonissos you'll find lots of great places to stay. Just a little clarification: Chersonissos as we know it, full of hotels, bars, and discos, is new part of the city. That new part didn't exist at all before. The real, old Chersonissos is located a few kilometers higher, uphill, and that is much more atmospheric and completely different from the modern part. Old Chersonissos is therefore a wonderfully pleasant place to stay. Piskopiano en Koutouloufari (photos above) are highly recommended. I personally stayed in Koutouloufari, which in my opinion is the most authentic and charming villageAll the villages are small, so you can see everything in half an hour. But precisely because they're so close together, you can easily spend a day wandering around and walking from one village to the next.
Chersonissos has quite a few beaches, but not all are equally charming. We go for the small, cozy beacheswith cheerful parasols, rather than the crowded, vast sandy plains. Our tip: Search for Gorgona Bar in your navigationLocated opposite the Hersonissos Maris Hotel, this spot is perfect for a delicious lunch with a view to die for.
On the beach, you can rent a lounger with an umbrella, or simply find a spot for yourself. Keep in mind that the beach is pebbled, so actually lying on your beach towel is a bit less comfortable. The good thing is: you can eat something in the restaurant, use the restroom, and there's a small supermarket across the street. Everything you need for a day out is there. relaxing day at the seaside is here within reach
Oh man, Greece and food, they're just a perfect match. Especially the mezzes. Favorite? Dolmades: vine leaves stuffed with spiced rice, so delicious! To avoid having to Google everything at the dinner table, I've created a handy overview of the most common Greek dishes. Just save it to your phone and you're all set.
When it comes to restaurants and tavernas, Crete is definitely a good choice. In Greece, the rule is often: the cozier, the better.
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Marni Village – surprisingly delicious mezzes at your own apartment complex. Not a hotspot to visit specifically for, but if you're staying here: definitely worth it.
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Monastery Taverna – Charming restaurant with good service, perfect for a night out. A bit pricey, but absolutely delicious.
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Cretan's Land – in the heart of picturesque Koutouloufari, perhaps the most beautiful spot in the village. Here you'll truly experience the Greek atmosphere, thanks to the colorful interior and typical dishes. Tip: don't go too late in the fall, as it's often nice and quiet inside.
From Hersonissos are you so in Agios Nikolaos Here you can enjoy shopping or take a stroll along the waterfront surrounding the city. Also recommended: the former leper island. SpinalongaQuite impressive to see; people once lived here in isolation because of their illness.
And the Kritsa Gorge – choose a 5 or 10 kilometer walk through this impressive gorge.Chrissi Island is a true bounty island near Crete. At Golden Beach, you can stroll along powder-soft white sand (the name is a bit misleading) and swim in an azure sea. Matala Beach Supposedly beautiful, but it's on the west side of the island. So you'll need a rental car, but hey, it's a road trip!
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