CORFU VS CRETE, GREECE

Greece is hands down my favorite place to travel but planning a trip is overwhelming! My husband and I spent a month traveling around Greece and reworked our itinerary a handful of times. We switched up islands as well as the amount of time we spent on each island. Lets just say, we spent a lot of time planning!

While Corfu Island and Crete Island come up in many searches for the Greek Islands, they are vastly different from one another. For starters, they’re located on completely opposite sides of Greece. While both islands are amongst the biggest in Greece, Crete is significantly larger. The landscape is also drastically different between the two islands while both are mountainous, Corfu is much more lush and green.

My goal for this post is to help you choose which island is right for your trip! To be honest, you can’t go wrong with either as both Crete Greece and Corfu Greece have so much to offer! With that said, there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding which island is best for your itinerary.

And don’t forget to pin this for later!

CRETE – As the largest island in the Mediterranean, Crete is a popular stop on a trip to Greece. Located slightly south of the Cyclades, the ferry from Santorini to Crete is approximately a two hours. Whereas trendy islands such as Paros and Naxos are less than 4 hours via ferry. The largest ferry port on Crete Island is in Heraklion. As such, you can ferry to the port in Heraklion from surrounding islands as well as Athens. There is a smaller port in Chania with a ferry line running between Athens and Chania. You can also fly directly to Crete Greece as there are a few airports on the island. The two main Crete airport are Heraklion International and Chania International. If you’re visiting one of the many islands in the Cyclades, Crete is a great addition.

CORFU – Located on the Ionian Sea, Corfu is the most northern Greek island. Corfu is one of the seven Ionian Islands. Unfortunately, I’ve had a hard time finding ferries between Corfu and the rest of the Ionian Islands. On the other hand, one of the closest cities to Corfu is Sarandë, Albania which is a quick 30 minute boat ride. Ferries run regularly between Corfu and Sarandë. There are also a handful of ferries connecting Corfu Island to Italy but, it’s a long ride. Corfu airport approximately 4 kilometers from Corfu Old Town which is well connected to Athens and many other European cities. With that said, flying to Corfu is the easiest way for most people to reach the island.

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, make sure to grab the travel planners I’ve created for Greece. There are a total of 10 templates. Eight of the templates list suggestions and travel tips for the most popular cities (or islands) in Greece. There is also a place for you to add your travel information as well as blank templates. I’ve linked them below!

CRETE – Time is the biggest wild card when choosing between Crete and Corfu. As I mentioned, Crete is the largest island in Greece, so it takes time to explore the island. In my opinion, this is the biggest factor when deciding whether or not to add Crete to your itinerary. You need at least a week to explore Crete Greece. I’ll be the first to admit, I underestimated the size of Crete! It can take 2-3 hours to get from one hot spot to another. Moreover, Crete is mountainous so it’s not always a straight shot from one city to another. There’s an unbelievable amount of things to do in Crete from charming towns to crystal clear beaches, you’ll want time to see it all. Even if you consider yourself a “quick explorer”, Crete is an exception.

CORFU – Similar to Crete, there is a ton to see in Corfu! From unique beaches to adorable small towns, you won’t run out of things to do! With that said, the biggest difference is Corfu is much smaller. As such, it’s easier to explore in a few days. You could easily spend one week in Corfu Greece however, 4-5 days is plenty.

For starters, the easiest way to travel Greek Islands is by renting a car. Before I get into the specifics of public transportation on each island, I want to mention, Greece requires foreign drivers to have an International Drivers License. If you plan on renting a car or scooter make sure you have an International Drivers License. Some rental companies will allow rentals without an International Drivers License. But, I don’t recommend this because if you get pulled over, you run the risk of a hefty fine by local authorities.

If you enjoy being on the water, consider renting a boat in either Crete or Corfu. Boat rentals are relatively inexpensive in Greece and you can rent a boat with or without a crew. I believe boat rentals are more common on the Island of Corfu but it’s a great way to see either island!

CRETE – As far as public transportation goes, buses are the best option for traveling around Crete. While it’s the best option, buses are brutal since Crete is so large. For instance, it takes over 5 hours to drive from the top of the island to the bottom. Because of this, it’s hard to do day trips in Crete if you’re relying on public transportation.

CORFU – Public transportation in Corfu is much easier since the island is much smaller. You can drive from the top of the island to the bottom in less than two hours. While I would recommend renting a car, the bus system is reliable and inexpensive especially in comparison to Crete. We stayed in Corfu Old Town and were easily able to catch a bus to coastal towns on the island.

CRETE – While Greece is known for incredible beaches, Crete beaches are the best of the best! Two of the most popular beaches on the island are Balos and Elafonissi Beach. I can honestly say, Balos is spectacular, the lagoon is gorgeous with piercing blue water. It’s kind of a pain to visit but it’s worth the trek. Set aside an entire day to visit Balos because it’s done as a tour. From Chania you’ll either drive or take a bus to Kissamos Port which is about an hour away. From the port, you’ll take a ferry to Gramvousa Island and Balos Lagoon. You’ll have time to swim and soak in the sun at each spot before returning to Kissamos. Elafonissi on the other hand is a 90 minute drive from Chania. What makes Elafonissi so special is the pink sand at the beach.

Frangokástello Beach and Sweetwater Beach are also great beaches to visit. They’re approximately 90 minutes from Chania. While these are the most well-known beaches, incredible beaches line the coast. You will not be disappointed by the spectacular Crete beaches!

Tour Information:

• Balos and Gamvousa (10-12 hours) – If you rented a car on the island, you can drive to Kissamos on your own and purchase a ferry ticket at the port rather than booking a tour.
• Elafonissi (12 hours)

I highly recommend bringing snacks and water on your tour since it’s a long day!

CORFU – The coastline in Corfu is breathtaking filled with unique beaches. Lush greenery surrounds the crystal clear water in Corfu offering picturesque views. Palaiokastritsa is amongst my favorite on the island. The beach feels secluded as it’s surrounded by a small mountainous town with a handful of restaurants. I highly recommend renting a boat in Palaiokastritsa as some of the best beaches on the island are only accessible by boat! Our airbnb host recommended visiting Chomi and Rovinia which are a quick boat ride from Palaiokastritsa. We booked a boat but it was supposed to rain so the company closed for the day. It didn’t end up raining and we enjoyed a nice day in Palaiokastritsa.

Another popular spot on the island is Sidari. The beach is okay but there are a ton of lounge chairs set up along the beach. Restaurants allow you to sit for free with the purchase of a drink or something from the menu. The reason I recommend heading to Sidari is to see Canal d’Amour which is a quick walk from town. The legend of Canal d’Amour or Channel of Love is if you swim through it you’ll soon meet the love of your life. Canal d’Amour is a site to see with unique rock formations; it’s breathtaking!

There are also a number of great beaches near Kassiopi including Avlaki. Similar to Palaiokastritsa, you can always rent a boat to check out this coastline. Chalikounas and Issos are amongst the best Corfu beaches along the southern part of the island.

CRETE – Like most islands in Greece, there are a handful of adorable towns in Crete. The most well known towns on the island are Chania and Rethymno. We visited both seaside towns and loved the colorful Venetian influence. For a more typical white washed Greek town, head to Loutro which is on the opposite side of the island. As I mentioned, if you’re arriving to the Island of Crete by ferry you’ll likely arrive to Heraklion. While there is a lot to see in Heraklion, my recommendation is to stay closer to Chania especially if you prefer small towns. While Chania is on the northwest part of the island, the location is central for site-seeing. As a bonus, the Old Town of Chania is picturesque between the Old Venetian Harbor and alleyways filled with local shops and cafes.

CRETE HOTELS:

• We stayed at an airbnb in Chania and it was perfect for our stay. Our exact airbnb is no longer available but I found another great option in the heart of the Old Town.
• If you prefer staying in a boutique hotel, Sette Venti Boutique Hotel is a great option.
• If you prefer a more traditional hotel, Hyperion Hotel & Spa is in a great location with great reviews.

CORFU – There are a lot of small towns in Corfu Greece! We stayed in Corfu Town which was built by the Venetians. It’s the largest city on the island but it’s quaint, colorful, and full of charm. At the center of the island, (give or take) it’s a great place to base yourself if you plan on doing a lot of day trips. There are a ton of fishing villages across the island but the most well known is Kassiopi. The views at Kassiopi harbor is what makes the town so special. From the harbor, you can grab a drink and soak in the view; you can even see the Albanian coast! If you prefer mountainous towns, Pelekas is a great alternative to Corfu Town as it’s a quick 13 kilometers from town.

CORFU HOTELS:

• We stayed at an airbnb in Corfu Old Town and it remains one of our places! We stayed in a studio apartment but there is also a 2-bedroom apartment available for rent in the same location by the same host.
• I’ve linked another studio located in the Old Town with great reviews.

Before I dive into the food, let me just say, this is Greece so you can’t go wrong. You’ll find typical Greek dishes including Greek Salads, Gyros, and Moussaka on both islands. Moussaka is an egg-plant or potato based dish with ground meat topped with cheese. I’m not going to lie, it sounds a little questionable but it’s phenomenal! The food is excellent on both islands but, I’m totally biased as Greek food is my absolute favorite, I couldn’t get enough of it!

CRETE – One of the most famous Creten dishes, Dakos is a staple throughout Greece. Dakos is barley rusk topped with tomatoes, olive oil, feta, and capers. It’s crunchy yet salty and delicious! Kaltsoúnia is one of the many tasty desserts to try on the Island of Crete. It’s basically a sweet cheese filled pastry although there are many different versions. You’ll also notice a number of classic Greek dishes served with Creten cheese rather than feta. If you like alcohol be sure to try some Raki! It’s not my cup of tea but it’s often served after a meal in Crete. While I’ve listed a few Creten staples, there are so many to try! I highly recommend booking a food tour or asking locals for their recommendation. Peskesi is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Heraklion and let me tell you, it’s worth the splurge!

CORFU – On Corfu island you’ll find a mix of traditional Greek dishes with an Italian flare. The Venetians occupied Corfu for about 400 years so you’ll notice a heavy Venetian influence on the island. The most famous dish on the island is Pastitsada which is slow cooked meat in tomato sauce served over pasta. Sofrito is another Corfiot staple which is veal cooked in wine sauce, garlic, and white pepper served with French fries. Kumquat liquor is the drink of the island which is similar to limoncello. Kumquats originated in China and Japan but have grown in Corfu for over 100 years. Needless to say, you can’t leave Corfu without trying Kumquats! Our favorite restaurant in Corfu Town is Taverna Ninos which is small and cozy. We also loved Abakas in the Old Town, the food is excellent and the atmosphere is lively.

It’s honestly so hard to compare Crete and Corfu as both islands have so much to offer. Some of the best beaches in Greece fill Crete’s gorgeous coastline. The island of Corfu on the other hand is lush and green with a rockier coast. Personally, I preferred Corfu to Crete. For me, a lot of this had to do with the size of Crete and the fact we stayed in Heraklion. With that said, when I think of our time in Crete, I absolutely loved it! Again, if you’re headed to the Island of Crete, stay in Chania to make the most of your time. I know I’ve said it a handful times throughout this article but can’t reiterate it enough! My love for Corfu has to do with the fact that it took me by surprise as I didn’t expect it to be so green.

Clearly I love Greece! There are so many places to see, it’s the best. If you have a favorite Greek Island, I would love to hear from you! Leave me a comment below so I can add it to my bucket list :)

Headed to Greece? Here are a few more articles to help plan your trip!

• Santorini in 3 Days
• Paros vs Naxos Island
• Basic Guide to Paros Island, Greece
• 3 Days on Naxos Island, Greece

Safe Travels,

Sarah :)

I’ve linked a few of my favorite travel essentials below.

Last but not least!

If you’re planning a trip to Greece, make sure to grab the travel planners I’ve created for Greece. There are a total of 10 templates. Eight of the templates list suggestions and travel tips for the most popular cities (or islands) in Greece. There is also a place for you to add your travel information as well as blank templates. I’ve linked them below!