Have you heard? Eurosummer is over, it’s all about eurofall now. With temperatures reaching into the mid-70s and the water still warm from August, Crete—Greece’s southernmost and largest island—shines on well into autumn. And without the crowds of the peak season, visiting Crete in the fall is a relaxed experience that makes you feel like a local.The stunning island ought to come with a disclaimer—warning: may cause jaw to drop repeatedly. Its geological features feel otherworldly (Google Seitan Limania, Elafonissi, or Balos for proof). And because it doesn’t close down at the end of the summer, like many of the country’s holiday-focused islands, it has its own unique feel, culture, and foods—and plenty of year-round residents who would be glad to show you all of the above with pride. Crete also boasts several important ancient archaeological sites, one of Greece’s largest cities (Heraklion), and one of its most charming (Chania, with its iconic Venetian port), as well as two airports, with a new one set to open in 2027.While Crete has long been known for its award-winning beaches and history, and has been appreciated as the special place that it is, it has recently undergone a luxury glow-up. A gorgeous JW Marriott opened last summer in Marathi, just outside Chania near the airport. In June 2026, a new flagship Hilton opened in Old Town, boasting sea views and a private pool in every room. There were also three luxe openings near Kissamos this year: Tella Thera, Ikos Kissamos, and The Revery. And Greece’s first Rosewood location, the Blue Palace, is set to open in 2027.So whether you’re seeking Crete’s Old World charm or its new luxury side, here are the musts to check off your list while you’re there.What to SeeOld Venetian Port of ChaniaNurPhoto//Getty ImagesNo trip to Chania is complete without a wander around its gorgeous Old Venetian Port. The 14th-century port is lined with colorful buildings and has a fortress and lighthouse. It’s easy to wander the adorable, tiny cobblestone and stone-paved alleys and gawk at the historic, pastel-pink, yellow, and orange buildings, many billowing with fuchsia bougainvillea, for hours. If you’re up for some shopping, I recommend Haris Cotton and DoDos Perfume Shop.Balos and ElafonissiKayla Webley AdlerBalos and Elafonissi are Crete’s most famous beaches for a reason. You don’t necessarily have to visit both, as they have their similarities (though each is totally worth seeing!), but you simply must visit at least one if you spend any amount of time in Crete. Balos is reached by boat or by car (along a dirt road full of potholes and goats that is not for the inexperienced or low-riding rental cars); once there, regardless of how you arrive, you must take in the view from the cliff at the top overlooking the beach below to truly appreciate the jaw-dropping setting. Down below, you’ll find warm, shallow turquoise water, hints of pink sand, as well as a cantina and beach chairs and umbrellas for rent.Elafonissi, voted Tripadvisor’s No. 1 beach in the world in 2025, is just as awe-inspiring with pops of pink, black, and white sands and tranquil, super low and clear water. Go early, if you can, to snag a prime lounger, and be sure to take a walk and explore all of the corners of Elafonissi—each cove looks a little different from the next. (Follow your fellow beachgoers across the shallow water to a seaside path to be sure you reach the almost hidden far end, where the most amazing splashes of pink and black sand await.) The drive there and back from Chania through the jaw-dropping Topolia Gorge is worth the journey alone.Glyka NeraKayla Webley AdlerAs Greece’s southernmost island, most of the development and industry in Crete is on the northern side of the island, leaving its southern coast blissfully untouched and even more pristine. Crete is long but narrow, so it only takes about two hours to drive over the beautiful White Mountains to reach the south. I’ve enjoyed weekend trips to both Paralia Lakkes (eat at Kioni Taverna) and Triopetra (stay at the nearby Agios Pavlos Hotel, which hosts yoga retreats and has a bar with hammocks). But my very favorite place on the southern coast, and one you simply must visit, is Glyka Nera (which means “sweet water” in English).Glyka Nera Beach is reached only on foot or by ferry, so drive to Sfakia to park your car, enjoy a delicious Sfakia pie, and hop on the ferry for a short ride. There you’ll find dramatic cliffs framing the most stunning water on planet Earth. The bay is fed by freshwater springs, giving it its unique patchwork of blue hues, and it’s so clear you can swim out 50 feet and still see all the way to the bottom. If you want to extend your visit, you can hop back on the ferry and head to Lutro, a tiny, charming beachside village where you can rent a room, or head back to Sfakia, where you can also get a hotel for the night. While you’re in the area, you can also hike the nearby Samaria Gorge.Same Los Angeles Marble TopNow 25% OffSame Los Angeles Marble BottomNow 25% OffSolei Sea GiselWhere to EatSalisViki TsatsampaLocated in Chania’s Venetian Port, Salis offers farm-to-table fare and inventive takes on well-known Greek dishes like its deconstructed pastitsio, peas and pancetta pilafi with graviera foam and spearmint, and spanakopita with unripe grapes. The open-air restaurant is owned by the same family behind Manousakis Winery (also worth a visit), so the wine list is so extensive that—even though Salis is arguably best known for its exquisite cuisine—it bills itself as a wine bar. Also be sure to check out its sister restaurants Maimi, an artist studio slash café in Koum Kapi serving up pizza and meze, and Abla, a casual souvlaki spot in the harbor.Costas CafenionKayla Webley AdlerOne of the best parts of any Crete road trip is stopping off at village restaurants along the way. There are so many charming spots, but one that sticks in my mind most is Costa’s Cafenion in Maza. The small restaurant in a tiny village (home to just 100 residents) is located across the street from a 750-year-old church (ask Costas for the key and he’ll let you take a peek inside). There’s no menu at the restaurant, but with everything home-cooked and prepared daily, you can safely put yourself in the chef’s hands. Bonus: You might even be serenaded by Costas at the end of the night. Another great option for some Greek charm that’s a little more upscale: On your way back to Chania from Balos or Falasarna (another must—but check the forecast; it’s best on a day without much wind), take a short detour to stop off at Gramboussa Restaurant for Cretan staples, meats cooked over a fire, and produce picked fresh from its on-site garden.Bougatsa IordanisKayla Webley AdlerBougatsa is a traditional Greek pastry made with phyllo dough and custard. Bougatsa Iordanis in Chania has been selling the famed pastries for over 100 years. It puts its own Cretan spin on the pastry, filling it with mizithra cheese and topping it with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. Enjoy one in the morning with some coffee before hitting the shops in the harbor (I suggest Haris Cotton, DoDos Perfume Shop, and Garofalaki Katerina). And for less traditional but equally delicious baked goods, also check out Red Jane, which is known both for its red marble interior and its koulouris (sesame bagels), chocolate-filled croissants, and baklava swirls. Come early if you want to try any of the above.Everlane The Seersucker Tube TopNow 60% OffEverlane The Seersucker Pull-On ShortNow 70% OffAlémais Splash Appliqué Crochet Tote BagWhere to DrinkOnar Seaside LoungeManos Tzougkarakis & Mike DoundoulakisThe hottest spot to laze the day away near Chania is Onar Seaside Lounge, which opened in summer 2025 and completely transformed what used to be a quiet plot of grass with a smattering of beach chairs into an expansive, boho-chic beach-party lovers’ paradise. Perched high above Loutraki Beach, with a fantastic view of the sparkling azure sea below, Onar boasts two restaurants and three different lounge areas: casual seating near the beach, umbrellas and daybeds in the middle section, and a VIP area with private cabanas that include cozy sunbeds and amazing views. Arrive by land or by sea, courtesy of Onar’s private dock, where you can dock your boat while enjoying the vibes. The cocktails are tasty, and the menu is a mix of Greek favorites, delicious sushi rolls, and fresh seafood. And if you just can’t tear yourself away, you can stay the night at its newly opened Seaside Residences.Zamana Beach ClubCourtesy of Domes Zeen ChaniaZamana is the beach club located at the Domes Zeen Hotel in Chania, but it is open to non-guests, too. Reserve your bed and umbrella on the beach (I recommend a chair in the front row, which costs about €5 more than the other rows and is absolutely worth it) and enjoy the soft sand and clear blue waters all day while sipping on spicy margaritas. Order a smash burger, the best burger in Chania, hands down, according to a local (and I have to agree). When the sun starts to set, make your way up to the lounge area, pull up a plush cushion, and enjoy the view with a cocktail. Then, after dark, it’s time to find your table at the restaurant to enjoy Zamana’s inventive takes on Cretan classics.Monogram RoastersG. AnastasakisGreeks take their coffee very seriously. Coffee shops, known as kafenias, are called “small parliaments” because of their history as important social and political gathering places. Upon landing in Crete, I make a beeline for the nearest freddo espresso. But when I want a really good cup, I go to Monogram, a fifth-generation roaster that has three locations in Chania’s Old Town. It goes out of its way to source sustainable green beans and roast them using the latest technology, so each cup is a perfectly balanced blend of acid and sweetness.Taller Marmo One-Shoulder Swimsuit and Cover-Up SetChristopher Esber Jo Flip FlopNow 30% OffWhere to StayJW Marriott Crete Resort & SpaCourtesy of JW Marriott CreteJW Marriott pulled out all the stops when crafting its first resort in Greece. The expansive property is breathtaking, set on 100 acres of coastline. The hotel includes 160 guest rooms, suites, and villas—the majority with private pools—a handful of restaurants, a bar, a spa, a fitness studio, and several infinity pools, including those specifically for children and for adults. But despite its size and all the amenities on offer, the design (by Athens-based architecture studio Block722) is so well integrated with the natural surroundings that the hotel blends seamlessly into the sloping hillside that rises out of the Aegean. The sunken lounge areas near the lobby were especially inviting and serene, perfect for enjoying a frappé in the morning or a raki by night. The thoughtfully designed property also nods to local history by incorporating elements that hearken back to the pavilions of ancient Greece, and the landscaping is similarly contextual, with olive and carob trees, lavender, and thyme.Guests can enjoy a range of dining options managed by SWOT Hospitality—an open-fire taverna (Anoee), seafood (Õnalos), Italian (Fayi), poolside bites (Suncti), and cocktails at Eēxis, which boasts a cocktail program created by Line Athens (No. 6 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list). Also not to be missed is Anoseas Spa, where in addition to enjoying a treatment, you can soak your stresses away in a large hot jetted pool.Domes Zeen ChaniaCourtesy of Domes Zeen ChaniaI knew within moments of checking into Domes Zeen Chania that I’d never want to leave. The luxe resort is centered on the Greek concept of “ef zeen,” or slow living/the art of living well—and it shows. The minimalist design, natural textures (rattan, timber, etc.), and local art add to the tranquility, as do the quiet zones sprinkled around the property. There are dreamy villas with private pools, large patios, king beds with sea views, and palatial walk-in showers and enormous bathtubs, and spacious, light-filled bungalows with 270-degree views. The stylish resort also includes an enormous palm-lined swimming pool, fine dining at Enino Restaurant, and day parties and delicious bites at Zamana Beach Club.Domes Noruz ChaniaCourtesy of Domes Noruz ChaniaJust 10 minutes down the road, you’ll find another beautiful Domes property: Domes Noruz Chania. This design-forward, adults-only boutique hotel offers the best of both worlds: It’s located right on one of the nicest sandy beaches in town, walkable to many restaurants, and a 20-minute drive from Chania’s Old Port. The beachfront has comfy beach loungers and crystal-clear water, while the dreamy hotel has two pools and 83 lofts and suites, each with a heated freshwater plunge pool, private pool, or outdoor heated Jacuzzi. When you’re on dry land, you can eat everything from local Cretan classics to sushi at the resort’s restaurant and bars, enjoy a Pilates or yoga class by the sea, and relax at Soma Spa.Prada Linen Blend Duffle BagNow 40% OffVeronica Beard Teagan Raffia Straw Bucket HatAndine Anzu Lace-Trimmed Pointelle ChemiseBeauty PicksM.ph by Mary Phillips Underpainting Face Highlight & Contour PaletteThe M.ph palette condenses multiple steps into a sleek, compact case. 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