What to choose for vacation - Crete or Corfu? Let's compare holidays on the Greek islands in 2021. Beaches, weather and attractions, prices for tours, hotels, food, excursions and transport rental.
Tours
Greece is easy to get to with a tour. Let's compare prices for tours to Corfu and Crete during the high season of 2021. The cost is indicated for two people for 7 nights, with a flight from Moscow.
Crete. Inexpensive tours are available during the low season - from November to April. The cost of air travel with accommodation in hotels 1-2 * without meals starts from 33 thousand rubles. In the summer months, prices almost double.
Prices for tours to Crete in the high season of 2021:
| Hotel type | Price, ₽ | Example |
| Hotel 1-2 * | from 62,000 | Minoas |
| Hotel 3 * | from 66 000 | Agrabella |
| Hotel 4-5 * | from 73 000 | Creta Suites |
Corfu. The island is located to the north, so the holiday season starts later and lasts from June to the end of September. In the off-season, vouchers to Corfu are sold from 34 thousand rubles without meals and from 39 thousand rubles with breakfasts.
Prices for tours to Corfu in the high season 2021:
| Hotel type | Price, ₽ | Example |
| Hotel 1-2 * | from 60,000 | Alexandra Resort |
| Hotel 3 * | from 80,000 | Bintzan Inn |
| Hotel 4-5 * | from 96,000 | Ionian Princess Club Suite |
Where is better. Tours to Corfu and Crete in budget hotels cost about the same. Accommodation in luxury hotels in Corfu is more expensive. The fact is that the small island is aimed at travelers with prosperity and belongs to the elite resorts in Greece. All conditions are created in its hotels to fulfill every whim of tourists.
Beaches and sea
Corfu. The northernmost of the Greek islands has a coastline of 251 km, and it is washed by the waters of two seas - the Ionian and the Adriatic. Corfu is also good for a beach holiday, but there are no long beaches like Crete. There are fewer sandy beaches in Corfu, but there are many comfortable bays that are sheltered from the winds.
Crete. The big island in the Mediterranean Sea is appreciated by beach lovers. Crete has long stretches of coastline covered with sand or pebbles and picturesque rocky coves. Many of the island's beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag. All Cretan resorts can boast of comfortable beaches for children.
Where is better beaches and sea - in Crete or Corfu? In general, they are about the same. In Greece, all beaches are clean, comfortable and free. The recreation areas at the resorts are comfortable: they have paid loungers and umbrellas, changing rooms, toilets and showers.
There are many water attractions on the shore for children and entertainment for adults. Vacationers enjoy sailing, sea fishing, snorkeling, diving, parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat rides. Scenic wild beaches are easy to find on both islands.
Where is the sea cleaner - in Corfu or Crete? In the Mediterranean, Ionian and Adriatic seas, the water is clean and transparent. Sea urchins are found in shallow waters, so watch your step carefully and swim in special shoes.
Weather and climate
The weather in Greece is determined by the mild Mediterranean climate. Where is it warmer - in Crete or Corfu?
Crete. The island is located in the south of the country, so the holiday season in Crete starts in April and lasts until October. In summer, the air temperature rises to + 35 ... + 38 ° С. Already in June, the hot sun dries up the land and vegetation. For July and August Crete, yellow, gray and brown colors are typical. Throughout the warm season, sea breezes blow, and they raise waves off the coast. Weather in Crete by months >>
Corfu. The picturesque island of Corfu, or Kerkyra, is called green. The climate in this part of Greece is more continental. Summers in Corfu are mild. The real heat comes only in July and August, but the temperature rarely rises above + 30 ... 33 ° С. Weather in Corfu by months >>
Where is better. If a dry climate is important, it is better to go to Crete. Those who do not tolerate the summer heat will be fine in Corfu. In June and September, it is equally good to relax in Crete and Corfu, especially with a child. At the beginning of summer and during the velvet season, the air temperature is favorable for walking (+ 22 ... + 26 ° С), and the sea is comfortable for swimming + 22 ... + 25 ° С. In the off-season - late autumn, winter or early spring - it is more pleasant to relax in Crete. Corfu is humid and rainy during the low season.
Vacation prices
Before traveling, it is important to decide on the main costs. Where is the best and cheaper vacation in Greece - in Corfu or Crete?
Accommodation prices. Crete is a large island with a developed tourist infrastructure. There are more hotels here, and they cost a little less than in Corfu. If you are looking for an all inclusive vacation, look to the north of the island. The south of Crete is more suitable for budget tourism. Although Corfu belongs to the elite resorts of Greece, in addition to luxury 4-5 * hotels, there are many inexpensive mini-hotels, apart-hotels and guesthouses on this island.
Prices for a double room in Crete and Corfu during the peak tourist season 2021:
| Crete | Corfu | |
| Hotel 1-2 * | 30€ | 40€ |
| Hotel 3 * | 35€ | 45€ |
| Hotel 4 * | 50€ | 75€ |
| Hotel 3 * | 110€ | 200€ |
| Guesthouse | 25-40€ | 40-50€ |
Food prices. Food in Crete is cheaper than in Corfu. The average bill in a cafe for one person is 10 €, and in a restaurant - from 20 €. Many Greek taverns offer set meals for 12-14 €. Meals in Corfu are 10-15% more expensive.
Excursion prices... Crete is a popular tourist destination. There are a variety of land and sea excursions on the island, which cost from 30 €. Corfu is significantly inferior in size to Crete. There are fewer tours around this island, and prices start at 39 €.
Transport rental prices... Car rental in Corfu costs from 25 € per day, in Crete it is slightly cheaper - from 20 € per day.
Sights
Look for author's interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster sites. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Most tourists are not limited to beach vacations, but travel around the islands with pleasure. Where is it better and more interesting - in Crete or Corfu?
Crete. This is a real mecca for lovers of archeology and antiquity. There are so many historical and natural monuments that vacationers spend several vacations in Crete to see all the fortresses, monasteries and cities.
Corfu. One of the main attractions of the island is its capital, Kerkyra. The Venetians had a great influence on the development of the city. Walk along narrow streets and spacious squares, see the Old and New Fortresses, go to the ruins of the ancient city - Paleopolis.
There are over 800 churches and monasteries in Corfu. There are many olive groves and citrus plantations in the south of the island. Tourists come here to see the beautiful Achillion Palace, admire the rocks and coves in Paleokastritsa and see the expanses of Corfu from Mount Pantokrator.
What's better. There is plenty to do on both islands. Crete and Corfu are famous for archaeological sites, museums, medieval fortresses and ancient temples.
Where is it better - in Crete or Corfu
The Greek islands are almost the same in terms of conditions and cost of rest. Prices for tours to Corfu are slightly higher. This island is popular with parents with kids and elderly wealthy travelers who want to spend their holidays in comfort, without noisy parties. Crete is geared towards active tourists, young people and families with school-age children.
Independent tourists looking to save money choose Crete for cheaper hotels, food and excursions.
Where is it better to go with a child - to Crete or Corfu? Both islands are good for traveling with children. Both Crete and Corfu have sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea and well-warmed shallow waters. However, there is much more entertainment for children in Crete.
What should nature lovers choose - Crete or Corfu? It is difficult to give an unequivocal answer to this question. Corfu is famous for its lush vegetation and does not fade so much in summer. But there are many natural monuments in Crete - picturesque gorges, protected reserves and parks. Here you can see the largest juniper forest in Europe and centuries-old Lebanese cedars.
