Least Touristic Parts of Crete – When to Visit & Where

Crete is a really big island. It’s so big that it could be its own country!

On Crete, you can find busy places with lots of fun things to do at night.

But you can also find quiet places where you can relax away from lots of people.

Quiet Places in Crete

Anissaras

Anissaras is a small, quiet place very close to Hersonissos, which is a busy tourist town in Crete.

If you want to be near the fun things in Hersonissos but sleep in a calmer place, Anissaras might be perfect for you.

Anissaras is mostly known for its luxurious villas, hotels and pretty beaches.

If you are seeking for luxurious on budget holidays near Hersonissos, check out Lithos Luxury Resort (Booking.com or AirBnB.com) in Anissaras, 8 minutes from the airport and 3 minutes away from Hersonissos and 10 minutes away from Heraklion.

The beaches here are way quieter than the ones in Hersonissos.

Some parts of the beach are sandy, and some parts have small pebbles. The water is clear and good for swimming.

There aren’t many shops or restaurants in Anissaras itself. This is good if you want a quiet place to relax. But if you want to go shopping or try different restaurants, you can easily go to Hersonissos. It’s very close – you can even walk there along the beach in about 30 minutes.

Anissaras is a good place for families or couples who want a peaceful holiday. You can spend your days relaxing on the quiet beach or by your hotel pool. Then, if you want more excitement, you can go to Hersonissos for the evening.

What makes Anissaras so special:

Even though Anissaras is quiet, there are still things to do here. You can go swimming or snorkeling in the clear water. Some hotels rent equipment for water sports like kayaking. If you like walking, there’s a nice path along the coast where you can take a walk and enjoy the view of the sea.

There’s a small church called Agios Georgios on a hill in Anissaras. It’s pretty and has nice views of the area. You might also see some ruins of old buildings near the beach. These are from a long time ago when this area was an important port.

Staying in Anissaras means you’re in a good spot to visit other places too. You’re close to Hersonissos if you want to visit water parks or go shopping. The famous old city of Knossos isn’t far away. You can also easily take trips to other parts of Crete from here.

Anissaras is a good choice if you want a mix of quiet and busy on your holiday. You can relax in a peaceful place but still be close to more exciting things to do. It’s like having the best of both worlds – quiet when you want it, and fun nearby when you’re ready for it.

Sfakia

Sfakia is a area in south Crete that not many tourists visit. It’s known for being tough and wild. The people who live here are proud of their history. They fought hard to keep their freedom for many years.

What makes Sfakia rather special:

The views here are amazing. You can see big mountains that come right down to the sea. There are small, quiet beaches that you can only get to by boat or by walking. The village of Chora Sfakion is small but has good places to eat fresh fish. If you like to hike, you can walk in the Imbros Gorge. It’s not as busy as some other gorges in Crete.

Palaiochora

Palaiochora is a small town on the southwest coast of Crete. It’s far from the busy north coast, so it’s much quieter. The town sits on a small piece of land that sticks out into the sea.

Things to know about Palaiochora:

There are beaches on both sides of the town. One side is usually calm, and the other can be windy, good for water sports. The town has a relaxed feeling. You can walk around easily and find nice places to eat. There’s an old castle on a hill that you can visit. From here, you can take boats to other quiet beaches nearby.

Plakias

Plakias is a village on the south coast of Crete. It used to be a small fishing village, but now it’s a place where people come to relax. It still feels like it’s in the 1980s in some ways.

What you’ll find in Plakias:

There’s a long, sandy beach that’s good for swimming and sunbathing. The village is small, so you can walk everywhere. You can find good tavernas where you can eat local food. Around Plakias, there are smaller, quieter beaches you can visit. If you like to hike, there are nice walks in the hills around the village.

Sitia

Sitia is a town in the northeast of Crete. Not many tourists come here. You can see how people in Crete really live. There are quiet beaches with soft sand. You can visit an old fort called Kazarma. Near Sitia, there’s a forest of palm trees called Vai. It’s the biggest palm tree forest in Europe. You can try some of the best olive oil and wine in Crete here. Sitia is a good place to stay if you want to be away from lots of tourists.

Anogia

Anogia is a village high up in the mountains. It’s far from the busy beaches. In Anogia, you can learn about old Cretan traditions. People here make music and art like they have for many years. You can see amazing views of the mountains. The food here is made with ingredients that come from nearby farms. If you like to hike, you can walk in the Psiloritis Natural Park. There’s a museum in Anogia where you can learn about how people used to live here.

When to Visit Crete

Visiting Crete when it’s busy while young hordes are roaming around can be exhausting. Here are the months you should consider visiting.

May

May is a great time to visit Crete if you don’t like big crowds. The weather starts to get warm, but it’s not too hot yet. The island is very green and pretty in May because of spring flowers. There aren’t as many tourists as in the summer, so beaches and famous places are quieter. You can enjoy walking around towns and seeing old buildings without lots of people around. The sea might be a bit cold for swimming, but you can still enjoy sitting on the beach. May is also a good time to go hiking because it’s not too hot.

September

The second half of September might be the best time to visit Crete. The weather is still nice and warm until the middle of October. The sea is clear and great for swimming. A city called Chania isn’t too crowded. There aren’t long lines to see old buildings and museums. The busy north coast still has tourists, but it’s not as crowded as in summer. There’s still a lot to do, and all the kids are back in school.

October

October is another good month to visit Crete if you want to avoid crowds. The weather is usually still warm and nice, especially in the first half of the month. The sea is warm enough for swimming because it heated up all summer. There are fewer tourists now, so you can enjoy beaches and famous places without lots of people. October is a great time to see how local people in Crete live. There are festivals in some villages where you can try local food and see traditional dances. It might rain more in October than in summer, but there are still many sunny days.

Both May and October are good times to visit Crete if you want to see the island when it’s quieter. You can enjoy nice weather and do many fun things, but without the big summer crowds. Remember, some small hotels or restaurants might be closed in these months, but you’ll still find plenty of places open, especially in bigger towns.

Tips for Visiting Quiet Locations in Crete

• If you want to visit Crete when it’s not too busy, try coming in May, June, September, or October. The weather is nice then, and there aren’t as many tourists.
• Try visiting places away from the coast. There are interesting villages in the mountains.
• Get up early to visit popular places before they get busy.
• Ask people who live in Crete about good places to go. They might know about quiet beaches or good restaurants that aren’t in guidebooks.
• Take your time in each place you visit. Don’t try to see everything quickly.

By visiting these quieter places, you can see a different side of Crete. You can learn about how people really live on the island.

You can relax on quiet beaches or in small mountain villages.

Whether you come in busy August or quieter September, you can find peaceful places in Crete if you know where to look.