Discovering ancient civilisations is one reason why our Europesure Travel Insurance clients – whether UK citizens, British expats or other residents of Europe – buy one of our English travel insurance policies. This year marks the 125th anniversary of remarkable ancient civilisation discoveries in Crete, so that could be the place to which to head, to see these for yourself.
Once you’ve tucked one of our English travel insurance policies away in your hand luggage, you can visit Crete with confidence. Your policy will let you explore to your heart’s content, whether you fly to Greek’s largest island and arrive at either Heraklion International or Chania International airport, take a ferry from the Greek mainland, or visit Greece on a cruise.
Get English-language travel insurance quickly
It is wise to get a Europesure English-language travel insurance policy as soon as you book. Crete is not immune to natural disasters that could disrupt your plans. It is in an earthquake zone and has suffered various tsunamis during its history. There is also the risk posed by wildfires, which could impact accommodation and travel plans. Being forearmed with travel insurance protection makes sense.
Emergency situations in Crete
Another important step is that of noting the emergency number 112 - the one to call, if you need help on the island. You should also register for English alerts from the Greek emergency communication service and enable your phone to accept such emergency alerts.
Another good reason to ensure you remember to buy one of our English travel insurance policies, wherever you live in Europe, is that Crete is an island. Should you fall ill, you might find that the care you need is on the Greek mainland, or further away. If that’s the case, the cost of getting you to that care facility would be significant.
Things to see and visit in Crete
Once you have the protection umbrella of travel insurance and are ready to explore, there will be much to see in Crete. You may be staying in a popular luxurious resort such as Elounda or Agios Nikolaos, a lively location such as Malia, Stalis or Hersonissos, or perhaps in Chania. It may be that you wish to mainly stick to your hotel and resort, or explore further-afield with a car. In both cases, some attractions may be high on your must-do list.
The first is the Palace of the Knossos. It was here, at the Palace of Minos that Sir Arthur Evans made a 1900 discovery that opened up a window into life in the Mycenaean economy. His discovery of thousands of clay tablets told us much about the trading, craftsmanship, foods and workforce of Mycenaean times.
Track down the Minotaur
The Palace of the Knossos is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It is also the place at which to get on the track of the Greek legend of the Minotaur. It is here where, according to legend, King Minos kept the terrorising Minotaur in his legendary labyrinth, until Theseus slayed it. A self-guided audio tour takes you around the site, pointing out key areas of interest and there are a variety of assets to purchase to bring things to life for the kids too. If visiting in the peak summer months, try to plan your tour of the site early, to avoid suffering the intensity of midday and afternoon heat.
A joint ticket can also be purchased for the Palace of the Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum in Heraklion, which in 2025 costs €25. The museum is home to artefacts from the Knossos Palace, including some of Evans’ tablets. Other things will catch the eye as you explore 5000 years of history from Neolithic to Roman times. This includes the Bull’s Head, made from steatite and adorned with shell, rock crystal and red jasper, and also the Statue of the Snake Goddess.
Other things to see in Crete
But Crete is very much about the present and not just the past. That may take you to charming towns such as Rethymno Old Town, with its narrow passageways, Turkish influence and Venetian Fortezza that failed to repel Ottoman invaders.
There’s also the Samaria Gorge National Park, set amidst the White Mountains and with one of the largest canyons in Europe. Then there is Elafonisi beach with its pink-tinted sand, which makes it one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece.
Driving, motorcycling and hiking in Crete
Access to some of these places is not easy. Winding roads and hairpin bends might punctuate your trip. If hiring a car, check it is in good condition and that you are confident enough to drive it. The same is true of a motorcycle. If hiring one, ensure you wear a helmet. If not, you could be fined and your licence could be seized. Do also remember, if driving or riding in Greece, that the legal alcohol limit is lower than that in the UK.
If visiting these places on foot, as part of a hike, it is essential to make provision for the heat, particularly in summer. Plan any activity for times when it is as cool as possible, do not undertake anything too arduous and make sure you have sun protection. That could be special UV clothing, a sun umbrella, plenty of suncream and a good supply of water. You should make sure you have a fully charged phone, to contact others, if in difficulty, and do not walk alone. Allow others to keep tabs on you and make sure your footwear is robust.
You should also be prepared for inclement weather, with waterproof clothing, should a storm hit. If not visiting at the height of summer, layer up with your clothing suitable for different temperatures. However, never set out without checking weather conditions first. Do also check your travel insurance policy covers your hiking activity. If you have an English travel insurance policy from Europesure, it is very easy to check.
The mountain areas of Crete can be difficult to navigate and signage poor. Wifi signal can also be an issue. Download any maps you need, before you make your journey.
Swim and water sports’ safety in Crete
If staying by the sea, there is another important step to take. Check out the terms of your English travel insurance policy and see which water sports are covered. It can be tempting to just literally wade into Crete’s sea-based activity programme but that could catch you out. You also need to exercise good sea swim safety caution.
One tip here is to use a facility to help you adjudge which beaches and water sports’ facilities will be safe. The Safe Water Sports platform will allow you to do this, investigate the situation at 3400 Greek beaches, and decide whether a water sports centre is a good operator.
Follow your own instincts too. Review equipment and assess whether it seems safe. Check that a full safety briefing is given. Make sure there is someone, other than the driver, in the tow boat, if you are engaging in a water sports’ activity needing such a tow boat. Is there someone on shore observing what is happening at sea? Has someone registered all of your details and checked your age. To hire a jet ski in Greece, you must be aged over 18.
Staying safe in Crete
Beyond this, take precautions that will protect your health. This includes good anti-mosquito measures and ensuring you do not leave food or drink in a situation where it could be spiked. If you are with friends, make sure you stick together at night and can contact each other, if separated, via a means such as a What’s App group. Do not walk back to your accommodation alone.
Protect your belongings, to safeguard yourself from the pickpocketing risk, and do not carry large amounts of cash.
Cultural rules and local laws in Crete
Other than this, follow some local rules, such as dressing modestly, if visiting religious sites, and not bathing topless on beaches near promenades and town centres. Do not use the OK sign formed by thumb and index finger, as this is offensive in Greece.
Do not engage in rowdy behaviour or drink to excess. The latter can also invalidate your insurance policy, as can dangerous behaviour such as balconing. Drug usage results in major penalties in Greece. Some fancy dress costumes can also be deemed offensive, so be cautious when partying.
Do also remember it is an offence to take photos or videos of militarily sensitive installations and buildings and also border areas. Get a receipt for anything you buy and, if travelling on public transport, make sure you timestamp your ticket when getting on board.
Always carry your passport with you but do take a copy of the photo page, which you leave in a safe place elsewhere. Your passport will also need to be valid for at least three months after your date of stay.
Do all of this and you should be able to relax, tuck into your souvlaki and loukoumades and enjoy Crete’s sunsets without any issues at all. And, should the worst then occur, you should be able to call on the help of your English-written Europesure Travel Insurance policy and allow it to step in and help.
