Which is more suitable for a trip to the sea - Rhodes or Crete? We will tell you where it is better to relax in 2021. Find out about the cost of tours, beaches, weather, attractions and prices for holidays in the Greek islands.
Tours
To travel to Greece without hassle, it is enough to buy a ticket. Let's compare the cost of tours to Rhodes and Crete in the high season of 2021 for two people for 7 nights, with a flight from Moscow.
Crete. Cheap tours are offered from November to April. For tours without meals in hotels 1-2 *, they ask from 33 thousand rubles. In summer, the cost almost doubles.
Find out about the best hotels in Crete.
Prices of tours to Crete in 2021, in rubles:
| 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 |
Rhodes. In the low season, vouchers to Rhodes are sold from 33 thousand rubles without meals and from 37 thousand rubles with breakfasts. For this money, tourists are accommodated in 2-3 * hotels.
Find out about the best hotels in Rhodes.
Prices of tours to Rhodes in high season 2021, in rubles:
| Hotel type | Price, ₽ | Example |
| Hotel 1-2 * | from 46,000 | Tsambika Sun |
| Hotel 3 * | from 54,000 | Fortuna |
| Hotel 4-5 * | from 97,000 | Oceanis park |
What to choose. Tours to Rhodes and Crete cost about the same. In low and high season, there are vouchers to both islands. At the height of summer, when many tourists rush to the sea, holidays in Rhodes and Crete are cheaper than in any other resort in Greece.
Beaches and sea
Crete. A picturesque island in the Mediterranean Sea, ideal for beach activities. Crete has rocky, pebbly and sandy beaches. Many of them have been awarded the Blue Flag for their cleanliness and environmental friendliness. There are long sandy beaches with a gentle entrance to the sea in any of the four resort regions of Crete, so it is better to relax here with a child.
Rhodes has a coastline of 220 km. It is also famous for its excellent sandy, pebble and rocky beaches. From the west, it is washed by the cool and windy Aegean Sea - excellent places for surfing and sailing. But in the east there is a calm and warm Mediterranean Sea - it is better to relax there with a child. Most of the resorts are located on the east coast.
Where is better. Crete or Rhodes - in terms of a beach holiday, they are the same. All Greek beaches are municipal, which means that admission is free. There are well-developed beach areas near the resorts, while in the distance there are great places for a secluded getaway.
In Crete and Rhodes, the sea water is very clean. Vacationers are offered many water activities - boat trips, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, banana rides and jet skis.
Weather and climate
Both islands lie in the warm Mediterranean climate zone. Even in winter, the temperature does not drop below + 10 ° C. Where is it warmer - Rhodes or Crete?
Crete. The territory of the island is large, so the weather in its different parts is different. The second half of summer is very hot + 35 ... + 38 ° С. In the fall, the winds that blow from the north subside, and there are almost no waves on the north coast. Weather in Crete by months >>
Rhodes. Summer in Rhodes is also sultry and dry, with almost no precipitation. But this island is located to the east. Storms are less frequent here, and the air temperature is 1-2 ° higher than in Crete.
What's better - Crete or Rhodes? Both islands are famous for strong winds. In the height of summer, sea breezes bring freshness and raise high waves. It is better to relax with a child in Crete or Rhodes in June or September, when there is no sweltering heat on the islands. During these months the temperature is quite comfortable for walking + 24 ... + 26 ° С, and the sea is warm + 22 ... + 25 ° С. The weather is changeable in October. Although the sea water is still pleasant for swimming + 23 ° С, the wind from the sea intensifies and it starts to rain.
Vacation prices
Let's compare the main vacation costs. Where is the cheapest vacation in Greece - Rhodes or Crete?
Accommodation prices. Accommodation in Crete is a little cheaper. The slight difference in price arises because Crete is a large island. There are many housing offers, the competition is stronger, and the price range is higher.
Most of Crete's comfortable and all inclusive hotels are located in the north. In the south, there are many budget apart-hotels, guesthouses and private houses. Rhodes guarantees a luxury holiday. There are many 5 * hotels on this island, and even 3 * hotels have their own restaurants and swimming pools.
Prices for a double room in Crete and Rhodes during the peak tourist season 2021:
| Crete | Rhodes | |
| Hotel 1-2 * | 30€ | 30-40€ |
| Hotel 3 * | 35€ | 45€ |
| Hotel 4 * | 50€ | 65€ |
| Hotel 3 * | 110€ | 150€ |
| Guesthouse | 25-40€ | 25-45€ |
Food prices. Meals are cheaper in Crete than in Rhodes. The average bill in an inexpensive cafe for one person is 10 €, and in a restaurant, excluding alcohol - 20 €. Some establishments prepare budget set meals for 12-14 €. For this money, you will be served salad, grilled meat and wine. The cost of food in Rhodes is 10-12% higher.
Excursion prices... Day trips by bus, walking and sea travel are offered everywhere. A sightseeing tour of Crete with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum and Heraklion costs 30 €, a jeep safari - 63 €. In Rhodes the popular tour "Meeting of Antiquity and the Middle Ages under sail" costs 48 €, and the excursion "All the sights of Rhodes" - 60 €.
Transport rental prices... Car rental in Crete is a little cheaper - from 15-20 € per day. In Rhodes, a car rental is paid from 20-25 € 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.
Greece is a country with a rich culture, and many historical sights have been preserved on its territory. Where are more interesting monuments - in Crete or in Rhodes?
Crete. There are so many ancient buildings and ruins on the island that it will not be possible to see everything in one trip. Tourists love ancient ruins, fortresses, beautiful Christian monasteries, the ancient cities of Chania and Rethymno.
Rhodes. The island has preserved beautiful ancient buildings of Lindos, Kamiros and stone knightly forts. See the historical part of the capital of Rhodes and visit the powerful Rhodes fortress. What to see in Rhodes →
What's better to choose to explore the culture - Crete or Rhodes? You won't be bored on the islands. Everywhere there are archaeological sites, interesting museums and medieval fortifications.
But there are more natural wonders in Crete. Rhodes boasts only the Valley of the Butterflies, the Prasoniti Peninsula and the Seven Springs. Crete also has the exotic Lassithi plateau, the famous Dikteyskaya cave, the freshwater reservoir Kournas and deep picturesque gorges. For this reason, Crete is preferred by outdoor enthusiasts.
Where is it better - in Crete or Rhodes
The Greek islands are about the same in terms of conditions and cost of rest. Prices for tours to Rhodes at any time of the year are slightly lower. If you are a solo traveler and want to save some money, choose Crete. The largest Greek island benefits from housing, food and car rentals. In addition, the choice of accommodation in Crete is greater.
The difference between Crete and Rhodes is the time it takes to get to the desired resort. The flight from Moscow to Rhodes takes about 4 hours, and to Crete - 4.5 hours. Rhodes is more compact, there is only one airport, so the road to the resorts takes an hour and a half. There are two airports in Crete. Charters are only accepted in Heraklion. A transfer to nearby resorts will take from 30 minutes to an hour, and the trip to Chania will take about 3 hours.
Where is it better to go with your child - to Crete or Rhodes? Both islands are good for traveling with children. There are comfortable beaches everywhere, good family hotels and a lot of entertainment. Holidays with babies are good in early summer or the first half of autumn, when it is not so hot in Greece. In Rhodes, many hotels are geared towards tourists who come from the UK and Germany. Animation in Russian is more common in Crete.
To save money, rent an apartment and cook your own food.On both islands, the cost of food in stores is almost the same. Inexpensive vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and seafood are sold at farmers' markets, which in Greece are called likes.
