Holidays in Crete: Is the Southeast worth it?

Is the Southeast really so different from the rest of the island?

Absolutely. While the West is famous for its lagoons like Balos and Elafonissi, which are often overcrowded, the North (from Chania to Agios Nikolaos, passing through Rethymnon and Heraklion) is known for its resorts where Dutch, English, or German are spoken more often than in Amsterdam, London, or Berlin. And even though these areas have made the island famous, they are now victims of their own success: overtourism. However, if you're looking for ultra-festive, late-night entertainment, foam parties, and plenty of alcohol, you'll find what you're looking for there. This applies to both the East and Southeast of the island.

Southeast Crete: the hidden side that even Google hesitates to show you 😉

Type "most beautiful beaches in Crete" into Google. And then… Balos, Elafonissi, Chania, more Balos, always Balos. Magnificent, yes. But also as crowded as a Paris metro at 8:30 a.m.

The East is a haven for those in the know. It's a region of olive groves stretching as far as the eye can see, wild mountains, secluded coves, and, above all, authentic Cretan hospitality. In Ierapetra, you're not treated like a number, but like a guest. The hotels remain small, reflecting a more discreet, wilder, more… Cretan Crete. Welcome to Southeast Crete, around Ierapetra and Makry Gialos.

A place where you can still hear the waves, and not just selfies.

“But how do you get to this little corner of paradise?”

From Heraklion Airport

🚗 By car (the star of the trip)

A 1 hour 15 minute drive, a few mountains, a bit of sea, and lots of fun. And above all: total freedom to discover coves, secret beaches, and hidden tavernas.

🚐 By private transfer

For those who prefer admiring the scenery to negotiating with Google Maps.

🚌 By bus

That works too… but let's just say it's not the "express discovery" version.

👉 Local verdict: a car remains your best friend. And we can help you with that.

Where to stay without ending up in a massive resort?

You'll find a wide range of accommodation options, from a simple room in a private home to a 5-star hotel, and the growing number of vacation rentals.

From Ierapetra eastward to Makrygialos Analipsi, not forgetting Myrtos and Tertsa west of Ierapetra (avoiding the more industrial Gra Ligia and Stomio). These suggestions will be featured in a future "travel tips" article in upcoming issues.

Ierapetra: Lively but not hectic

The 5th or 6th largest city in Crete, Ierapetra has managed to retain its authenticity, as the primary economic activity in this region is agriculture, not tourism. Nevertheless, you can discover:

Its fishing port

Its restaurants

Its quiet bars

Evening strolls

Not another Ibiza, rest assured 😌

Makry Gialos: Zen attitude

Calm beaches

A "reading a book by the sea" vibe

Perfect for couples and families.

👉 Here, you sleep well. And above all, you sleep peacefully. Which is already a luxury.

The wind, the Meltemi… and other scary stories on the forums

Ah, the infamous Meltemi, the word that makes travelers tremble and weather forecasters buzz. But what is it, as Google says: "The Meltemi is a dry, powerful northerly wind that blows in summer (from late June to early September) over the Aegean Sea and the Greek islands. Often compared to the Mistral, it cools the air but can reach force 7-8 on the Beaufort scale, making the sea very rough and navigation difficult."

Good news:

👉 Ierapetra and Makry Gialos are on the south side, sheltered and well protected from the northerly wind.

However, it can be windy, as Crete is an island, and on an island, there's always a bit of wind. It's important, here as elsewhere, to know which areas are more exposed (this can vary from one village to another).

But rest assured, you won't spend your entire vacation clinging to a blown-away parasol.

And when it's a bit windy, we can direct you to secluded coves or a program less dependent on the wind.

That's the advantage of contacting us, and not TripAdvisor 😉

Can you swim from April to October?

Absolutely. It's worth noting that the southeast is the mildest region of Crete in winter, because you wouldn't believe it, but there can be temperature differences of more than 10°C between Chania and Ierapetra. And the temperature in Southeast Crete rarely drops below 12°C. The same is true for the water temperature, so if you're coming at the beginning or end of the season (April, May, September, October), that's yet another reason to choose the Southeast of the island.

“Okay, but what is there to do or see in the Southeast?”

Ierapetra and Southeast Crete are brimming with diverse possibilities. You'll find some ideas of what we can offer on our Excursions page.

“But… do you speak French?”

Yes, because we're French and living in Crete, and we're happy to be here 😄, but we also speak English.

Because understanding:

safety instructions

local stories

and the skipper's jokes

makes all the difference.

👉 Here, you can enjoy yourself without language stress.

And that's what makes a vacation special.

Why Southeast Crete?

Because you want:

✔️ Fewer crowds

✔️ More authenticity

✔️ Human experiences

✔️ Turquoise waters without the crowds

✔️ And memories that don't look like the ones on Instagram

In conclusion

If you want to experience things more than just see, Southeast Crete is one of the last places where you can still sit on a fishing boat and feel like the world is yours. Simplicity is the ultimate luxury here.

Without the crowds

Without the mass tourism

With sun, sea, tranquility, and smiles

👉 Southeast Crete awaits you. Discreet, genuine… and ready to surprise you.