Crete: The Don'ts of Visiting Crete, Greece

[@ad3rinto]

This is brilliant. Just arrived at Chania yesterday. Went to dinner and ordered a dish for everyone. The food could have fed our party three times over. Oh, the food here is amazing

[@NF971]

Crete here! You could be the island's tourist ambassador! Greetings!!!

[@jarosawklejnocki6633]

There are ruins of 4 Minoan palaces in Crete, in addition to Knossos, also Phaistos, Malia and Kato Zakros. Although Knossos is the most famous, it is also crowded with tourists. Moreover, the archaeologist who examined it, Arthur Evans, reconstructed it according to his own visions, which, even though more than 100 years have passed, are still considered controversial. The palace in Malia is poorly preserved and virtually invisible, it can only excite archaeologists. The coolest one is the one in Phaistos, I highly recommend it, it made a greater impression on me than the one in Knossos. The famous Disk of Phaistos also comes from here (also in the Archaeological Museum in Heraklion), with the mysterious, still undeciphered linear script "A". The ruins of the palace in Kato Zakros are hidden under the water, but you can see them by climbing a little to the hills picturesquely located above this charming village (in a remote place on the eastern coast of the island). In Kato Zakros there is also the famous Gorge of the Dead, a bit like a miniature of the Samaria Gorge - a shorter and less tiring walk than Samaria.

[@YousifNur]

I went to Crete a month ago - I wish this was released earlier! Seriously though, I can say that this video is very accurate based on my week on the island..

[@TheCritter001]

My GF and I visited on a cruise and had a blast, going back next month just to Crete. The people were nice and welcoming in Greece , unlike what we experienced in Denmark - would never go back especially to Copenhagen

[@vmanias]

I live in crete, and i laughed so much with “DONT OVER ORDER”! 😂😂😂❤️

[@theodwrosparaskakis5656]

Τhis guy create a video , with probably the most awful beach in the backgroud

[@alisonbrown2614]

@@theodwrosparaskakis5656 Yes. A pity he didn't go to Balos! And 'don't over order'? It's very difficult not too, even if one night you order half the amount from the night before! But one good thing is that it's very difficult to get a bad meal.

[@defenderavenger8609]

Love listening you talking and talking about everything that I crave to know. Thank you!!!

[@shanhad1572]

I love your picture of Salavantes. One of our favorite restaurants in (nearby) Chania. Great video.

[@georgechilidis8446]

I enjoy your travel videos you’re an amazing tour guide and historic knowledge. I’m so glad you have returned in Crete my hometown I was born in Agii Apostoli, Chania 4 km from where you’re standing at 0:12 Kalamaki. I live in Montréal Canada over 59 years and visit Chania in September-October every year the last 20 years.. I recommend you visit Hora Sfakion, Chania just over the white mountains great people I go for a week very historic of the 2nd world war .enjoy your stay 🐬

[@tomburke5311]

I’ve used the buses to get around Crete while on holiday, and they worked ok. It’s a bit chaotic at the bus stations, and a bit of a scrum sometimes, but they worked. I generally stayed in Chania, and made bus trips to Rethymno, Heraklion, and Paleochora.

[@edwardedward8139]

Crete has a wonderful feel to it. Was stationed there 81 to 83 and vacationed there in 92. Hania looks much different now than in 81. I lived in Hersonossou. by 92 when I vacationed there it was much more developed than even in 81. I have wonderful memories of the time living there and my vacation was great. rented a motorcycle the first week and we made friend with a British couple and the four of us rode down to St Nicks and back to Hersonisos. Then I rented a mini-moke and we drove to the other side of the island and stayed over night. If I were to retire, I could be happy there.

[@cketts8128]

Crete is wonderful 😃….particularly Knossos & Heraklion for history. Please try the local food….it’s outstanding! And Cretan honey is the best 😂🧡💚🇬🇧

[@seamantrade7919]

i love this guy!!!

[@Milther2]

Excellent video as always Mark!❤ Eating truly is a hazard in Crete! A couple of don'ts I would love to add. DON'T be surprised by lack of lamb gyros. In the USA, lamb gyros are the norm. In Crete, it's almost always pork or chicken. DON'T expect to see Kri Kri (Cretan Ibex). They are very rare, and usually only spotted in national parks. DON'T be scarred by the skin you will see on the beaches. Thongs are in style for all women of all ages, speedos worn frequently by men, some toplessness by women, naked children, and full frontal nudity on the south side of the island. DON'T be disappointed if you can't find free parking in town, especially Chania and Heraklion. Locals struggle to park too, so either pay for parking for short stops in town, or just take a taxi. Finally, DON'T misjudge distances between Chania, Heraklion, and Sitia. They are 2-5 hours apart by car, so don't have a 5am flight in Heraklion when you are staying in Chania, unless you are prepared for a €200 taxi. Cheers from Χανιά!

[@ΚΙΡΑ1990]

Lamb gyros make ONLY THE MUSLIMS(Turks etc), because they don't eat the pork.

[@All_in_for_JESUS]

I've been to Crete last year and I really loved it ❤

[@ND-wp4qk]

I kind of wish this had been out earlier, having just returned from Crete. I liked it, but did not love it and have thought about not returning. However, having watched this, I may do so and maybe visit Chania. I was not as enamoured with the food as I thought I would be and we tried to avoid the overly touristy places to eat. I actually enjoyed driving in Crete and very quickly picked up on how it was done, however people should be aware of the smaller city roads and even the mountainous terrain. But all in all, if you are careful and abide by how people use the road, it is not all that difficult to pick up on. The fortress at Heraklion was a good visit I enjoyed and the people working there were lovely. All in all I felt Crete to be a very safe place to be visiting. But it certainly goes to show how one persons experience can be completely different to another’s. For example, we stopped in a small town whilst on a drive and went to a small cafe and it was just an awful, unfriendly experience. However, other reviews of this particular place were positive. Fundamentally a country is where people live, work and are getting on with their lives and do not exist just for the visitors to their place. But yes, would I visit Greece again? Definitely. I have been before to other places in Greece and had wonderful experiences and loved it so much. Would I specifically visit Crete again? This is debatable and at this moment, I am not so sure.

[@billmeret]

Yeah, Crete absolutely rocks! Gramboussa, Best restaurant in Crete. The foods is off charts, and so are the reviews. All so the hippie town of Matala very popular in the 60s and still popular today

[@aelisedas]

Fifth time in Crete. My tip: hit up the local street markets for the freshest, most incredible produce! And to meet the wonderful farmers that grow it.

[@ColtonRMagby]

I never go swimming without a quick-dry shirt on. If may be a fishing shirt, but it dries quickly, and that's great for swimming because you can make a short trip to a nearby restaurant and be dry before you get there.

[@dimi4009]

@@ColtonRMagby why you swim with a Shirt?

[@ColtonRMagby]

@@dimi4009 I have a keg instead of a pack.

[@WDH59510]

Don't forget to take plenty of water. Heraklion last August was a furnace.

[@woltersworld]

And keep hydrating. So true how hot it gets.

[@sonydav356]

Going in a few weeks, can’t wait!

[@IhtishamNawaz-o1t]

Enjoy❤

[@fuoridalsentiero]

This video is so helpful! We appreciate the tips about local customs and what to avoid to steer clear of common tourist mistakes. The advice on respecting the local culture and traditions is particularly important. Thanks for sharing these insights.👍👍👍

[@panoskeramidas396]

I want to coment that you have great content and i would say very acurate information! Peple listen to that man he is spot on

[@vasilisplaitis2509]

Lovely video, although I would love to hear a shout out about the old town of Rethymno and its Venetian - era fortress of Fortezza! Also, Phaestos is also s fantastic place to visit (south of the Heraclion region)

[@Vagkit1]

Funny you drop this video. I'll be in Crete in one week. Playing their golf course! Thanks for the insight❤

[@Lucysmom26]

There is a dog rescue shelter I support on Crete that I want to visit. The rough plan is to book in April or October/November so I can enjoy some sun and heat in the midst of the Canadian winter. Thank you for this video, I'm super excited to try the food!

[@annapiperaki8199]

Takis shelter? Don't forget Jutta shelter also, ( while on Crete )

[@Lucysmom26]

@@annapiperaki8199 Yes, that's it! I didn't realize the other shelter took visitors, so I would like to see them as well. It seems Ierapetra is on the non-touristy part of the island but honestly I'm OK with that and just want to relax, eat good food and pet loads of dogs. Probably also cry if I meet Takis, ha ha!

[@Innocent3882]

Amazing scenario

[@sharonconnolly7811]

Crete is amazing!!!!!!!

[@travelberries3]

I have never been to Crete but loved this video thanks for all the info ☺️

[@RehanSaab-v4v]

Mind blowing 😎

[@joshlunt7827]

Great video! Love Crete ❤

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, awesome video

[@Spain-t5x]

Fabulous

[@fesch4354]

Crete is beautiful. Besides Dakos and other delicious foods, I really recommend trying snails.

[@elizabethbaxter54]

oh yes-my most favorite dish found on Crete!!

[@annapiperaki8199]

@@elizabethbaxter54 How were they cooked " boubouristi " ? That is fried with flour and rosmarie

[@elizabethbaxter54]

@@annapiperaki8199i remember they were lightly fried with rosemary. delicious!

[@annapiperaki8199]

@@elizabethbaxter54 Then we call them " boubouristi"

[@elizabethbaxter54]

@@annapiperaki8199thank you! they certainly are wonderful.

[@AfzalAzam-f1x]

Wao amazing

[@MisbhaParveen-n5r]

Awesome

[@alirazamalik459]

Fantastic video

[@ahmd5]

Nice video, thanks. How about a hotel review!

[@AtifKhan-fw5jd]

Outstanding 😍

[@iqrafatima4739]

Amazing 😍

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

Crete will not disappoint.

[@irshadbibi1515]

Great ❤

[@SehrishNaz-v5l]

Good❤

[@TahiraSaleem-g1c]

Good information

[@misbahrazzak3014]

Very good

[@FewTechOfficial]

Good

[@IrshadJani-m6e]

awesome❤

[@tyxeri48]

I would make a different suggestion concerning renting a car! Do rent a car only if you are a good driver! If you are a frightened or a clumsy driver, please don't do it! People need to go to work, they don't need drivers who cause jams or ride the white line and stay there. Statistically more accidents in Crete are caused by tourists on the bad Cretan roads. Therefore, alternatively, there are good transportation and tourist services to enjoy the island !

[@heathermichael3987]

I’m an excellent driver, we also chose a private driver to stay out of the way of they people of Crete.

[@Crosshatch1212]

I have been a few times always hire motorcycle will do same this yr n bounce round the islands ,

[@BinishAhmed-e4l]

👍👍

[@BinishAhmed-e4l]

❤❤

[@Angela-t7y]

Nice 👍

[@cmiguel268]

I went to Crete once. It was fabulous. The Cretins were very friendly. Went to see the Minoan palace. How the minions built the palace so many thousands years ago is unbelievable.

[@tayyabakamranwasimiqbal9176]

Nice

[@David-vt3hn]

Crete, this was mentioned in the film The Guns of Navarone with Gregory Peck.

[@shozabmirza5054]

Nice❤

[@aestheticvibes1517]

nice work

[@blindpanthervlogs]

Nobody does octopus like the Greeks. I had some Greek octopus when I was in Tarpon Springs Florida, and it was amazing.

[@heathermichael3987]

It would be nice to have a list to explore, I’m not renting a car , we went with a private driver . Mostly because I’m scared for my family and I don’t want to offend the people of Crete. The balance was private driver.

[@SharonFoster852]

I love Crete. Been there twice for hiking tours and thankfully didn't have to drive.

[@johnnymartinjohansen]

You're wrong about breakfast. At least on the western part of the island, there are many restaurants serving breakfast, either Greek or English/Continental. And you can get full lunch or dinner all day. But you're correct about the food in general - it's soooooooooo good :)

[@KoRnBaKo]

Greece is great, I was in Athens in May. Crete is on the cards too, along with other Greek islands. Hopefully in 2025!

[@AyeshaArslan-j1w]

nice

[@Mukanimou]

Funny about sharing meals. Greek never get a meal for themselves. It always a variety of meals shared amongst everyone. Well, that is my experience with my Greek family and all my time spent there.

[@Ibraheemmalik-kj1do]

Goodman😊

[@MirzaZahid-q4x]

Good beautiful ❤

[@petrabrook1998]

What sort of time would I need to get to Knossos to miss the coaches etc.? 😊

[@johnjohannesjuan]

I'm critical of your advice on using those paid beach seats & umbrellas. Greek beaches are fundamentally public. But there are so many operators that all but fully cover beaches with their seats and make them quasi-private. This is a form of shady appropriation of public poperty that must be stopped. By using their paid seats & umbrellas, you support those actors. And even if tourists are willing to pay, many locals are not and this is effectively driving them off their beaches, at least the nice and clean ones.

[@missmonkeymind708]

As a local Greek, you are half right. We too enjoy the Sunbeds, umbrellas and services that are provided and don't want them to disappear. The problem is when access to the beach is prohibited unless you use and pay for those Sunbeds. Legally, a certain percentage of every beach needs to be sunbed free and accessible to people to lay there towel in the sand, without any cost. We have a problem when this isn't available, or when the services are outrageously overpriced like in certain islands or hot spots in Athens. It's understandable that a business needs to make money in order to be sustainable, just as long as life for us locals is sustainable as well 😊

[@johnjohannesjuan]

@@missmonkeymind708 Thank you for the clarification. I was in Poros some time ago and the sunbed situation there wasn't so nice any more. Do you know if the local municipalities at least get a cut of the sunbed revenue?

[@missmonkeymind708]

@supaschwamal the beaches are public property which can get rented out to private businesses. The municipality decides who gets the contracts and receives rent each year from said businesses. Sometimes in the countryside or islands where there are very old property lines which go up to the sea, the businesses might be completely privately owned

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@missmonkeymind708 there is no legal anything in Greece.

[@NathanielMoore-i4u]

@heathermichael3987 I found your comment really helpful. Where do you hire a private driver from? What's the approximate cost for a day? We will be staying in Chania for a week in September and I would like to avoid the hassle of driving.

[@Iusuallydontcommentbut...]

Pls do Corfu as well?!🙏🏼😊

[@johnny1334]

Please make a video in Naples, Italy!

[@MiaHessMusic]

I have one of those SPF swim shirts? I bet that would help. What is the best time to go to Crete? Is there a shoulder season where it's not so croweded or hot?

[@woltersworld]

May and september. And i got one of those shirts now. So much better

[@MiaHessMusic]

@@woltersworld I'm so glad!! Your channel is wonderful!

[@wendybonilla1893]

Hi Walter do you think its good idea to go to santorini om autumn the end of October and beggining of November ?

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

Forget those places, Crete offers far more.

[@JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers]

Wendy we visited Santorini the beginning of November it was fabulous! Low cost accommodations and we didn’t have the crowds. The weather too was beautiful! Highly recommend. We have been to Crete several times and also highly recommend. Have fun! ~Cara

[@wendybonilla1893]

@@JohnandCaraRetiredTravellers thank you so much.

[@gillianfrances]

You need a sunhat Mark & sunglasses

[@Vanessaa78768]

Hi, have you considered coming to Bulgaria since it is close to Greece?

[@fiedelmina]

the Samaria gorge was overtouristed already 30 years ago when I was there. It can only be worse not.

[@ΔημητρηςΓεωργακακος]

We don't serve chicken pilaf at weddings. It's made by boiling lamb meat and then we boil the rice in the juices of the meat. When it's ready we add butter made from sheep's milk.

[@courseware1241]

He has never had it. Just blabbers away and half of what he says is wrong. He butchered Agios Nikolaos every time. But the original Γαμοπίλαφο is made exactly as you described but from goat not lamb.

[@DarthLenaPlant]

I mean, if it's too hot, you simply CAN'T even really eat. On our greek holidays my mom and I would just drink coffee and eat some pastry or fruit in the morning and maybe some yoghurt and cucumber for lunch.

[@amberalihamdani3278]

💕💕💕

[@Tramptraveller]

❤❤❤❤

[@andreimihaesi]

DON'T pass on visiting the south coast if you rent a car. Going to Plakias, Preveli Beach and the waterfall gorge on the way there may be your trip highlight!

[@Toobaurooj-u6h]

👍

[@hassansabeehmufti4191]

❤😊❤

[@joshlunt7827]

*throw 20:26

[@GutnarmEVE]

re: rental cars. while it's by no means as bad as, like, drunk lobster-red russians racing their rented SUVs over an island in Thailand, you'll have to be aware of the fact that in a touristy location, most of the other rental cars (and bikes!) on the road are also driven by fellow tourists. meaning, you don't just have to adapt to the local driving style for yourself, you'll also have to take into account the general incometence of most of the other drivers that don't. (it's like driving in the USofA as a European, realizing 99% of the other drivers must've got their licenses just earlier today. just in a slightly different, yet still unsettling, way)

[@daphnelovesL]

Ever visit Ohird North of Macedonia? Beautiful and not expensive and great people.

[@AgathaLOutahere]

Skip Chania and stay in Rethymnon. Chania is just another annoying Greek city jam-packed with tourists which is reflected in the attitude of some of the locals such as the curt and dismissive KTEL ticket sellers. Skip Samaria and go to Agia Irini gorge. Easier yet still very impressive. During my three hour hike in Irini I passed at most ten other hikers (on a weekend no less) and for long stretches I had the gorge to myself. It also has toilets and water taps so no worries.

[@steve6375]

The toilets are always a problem in Greece. The secret is to consume plenty of olive oil with your food. Then you don't need much toilet paper and you will have a much easier time. This is why the Greeks don't understand when tourists complain about the toilets - because the Greeks eat the local food and lots of olive oil - not KFC, pizza and burgers!

[@TJR93]

@8:15 Wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun.

[@mellozappa583]

Loutro!!

[@hannoizitty]

It must be mentioned, that Heraklion Airport is one of the worst airport experiences in Europe - especially when departing! HER is running way over its capacity and it shows...! And they are not investing a single cent in maintaining that place, as the replacement is already being built. So if you fly in & out of HER, be prepared for a wild experience!

[@Mixos_place]

when I was young and impressionable, the Nordic women turned chocolate and our friends from the U.k turned into lobsters(RED).

[@lantran8967]

Except it is so expensive 😢

[@patrickburns8033]

I have lived on Crete since 2010, it is NOT expensive.

[@Mixos_place]

9 euro for a sunbed? In summer 2023 they asking 25 euros for each one so that's 125 for the 5 of use. Yes no thanks I can go and eat at 2 tavernas for that money.Its not been tight its making your dollar go further.

[@AlanRPaine]

Where were you? In Paleochora we paid €10 for two beds and a parasol for all day.

[@douglas2510]

An American saying the meals are large 😅

[@daphnelovesL]

please if you hire a scooter/moped wear a helmet. A old school mate didn't and had an accident he went from Olympic table tennis to Paralympic table tennis. He was on the Dutch team so go to Olympic.

[@goread5544]

“Did McDonalds inspire you to go insane with the amount of food” 😂😂😂 Love you but that must be the most American thing I’ve ever heard 🤣 No - that’s how Greeks have always been for centuries 😂

[@ofoufoutos7110]

DONT call it konosos

[@2104dogface]

Just don't Drop in unexpected like the German FJ's did back 1940's

[@114BW]

What's wrong with you Wolter. Not a word about Rethimno?😢

[@courseware1241]

Does he know it is on Crete? I highly doubt it.

[@coolpiraterapstar]

Don’t call them Cretins?

[@daphnelovesL]

Dear Mark why do you wear a t shirt and a polo shirt?