Crete All Inclusive Holidays 2026/2027

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the only one with a 4,000-year-old civilisation buried under its soil — Europe's oldest — and our Crete holidays cover everything from Minoan ruins to the pink sands of the south coast.

Why Visit Crete

Few holidays to Crete disappoint, because the island is really several places at once — fortress harbours, palm-backed beaches, and mountain villages where lunch runs to three hours. We list properties along the family-friendly north coast around Heraklion and Rethymno, the quieter beaches near Chania in the west, and the wild south around Plakias and Matala. Direct Crete holidays from Ireland make it one of the simplest Greek islands to reach without a connection, so your week can be ruins one day and a sun lounger the next, with no compromise on either.

Flight Time to Crete

Crete suits families chasing shallow water and waterparks just as readily as couples after harbourside dinners and empty hiking trails, and it has the space to keep both happy without anyone compromising. Flights from Dublin reach Heraklion in around four hours, with seasonal departures from Cork and Shannon, so you can be on a beach the same afternoon you leave home. The island's two airports also mean you rarely face a long transfer once you land.

How Long to Spend in Crete

Most of our customers settle on seven nights, and it fits Crete well — time for a day at Knossos, two or three different beaches, and a gorge walk without feeling rushed. The season stretches from late April into October; July and August run hottest and busiest, while June and September are the value sweet spots for couples. For holidays to Crete 2026, booking by late winter secures the best north-coast hotels before the Irish school-holiday weeks fill, and shoulder-month travellers tend to find both the prices and the temperatures easier.