Crete Gay Travel Guide

Y.O.L.O by name, Y.O.L.O by nature! The acronym, (which stands for ‘you only live once’), is the mantra that spurred Seby and I to travel the world in the first place. And boy, does this bar embrace it in all its glory! Cheap drinks, handsome bar staff, great music, and fantastic crowds all come together to create a fabulous night out. Y.O.L.O is the only gay bar on the Crete nightlife scene, but it attracts people of all persuasions and genders.

La Brasserie is probably the most eclectic gay friendly bar in all of Crete. Where else could you find cocktails, cheesecake, beer, and white chocolate souffle on the menu of a place that also puts on Latin nights every Monday? They are famous for their themed nights, especially their Friday oldies evening, where songs from the 70s through to the early 00s are played. Our personal favorite was karaoke on Tuesdays – we definitely made fools of ourselves, but we looked great doing it! 

There’s only one thing better than a beach – and it’s a bar on the beach! By day, you can sip on fruity cocktails on the daybed loungers, whilst gazing out onto the still blue waters of the bay. And by night, you can party your heart out as it metamorphoses into a club, worthy even of Manhattan standards! We danced until dawn to fabulous pop music from around the world, whilst treating ourselves to delicious (and affordable) drinks, all the while being catered to by lovely staff. 

“Did we walk into a bar or the Frida Kahlo fan club?” Seby asked as we stepped through the door of Ababa Bar. The walls are covered, ceiling to floor, in painted portraits of the legendary Mexican artist. She was known for being a bit vain, so we think she’d love this place. Once we settled in, we had a laidback evening with delicious drinks,gay friendly staff, and great Latin music. In the gallery you can buy fabulous artworks, tope bags, t-shirts, mugs, and framed paintings, all inspired by (yep, you guessed it), Frida!

The people behind The Five Restaurant don’t think of food as just another meal but as a sacred ritual. It’s no wonder their staff are so passionate about serving up such delicious dishes. From mouth-watering seafood to tantalizing falafels, The Five perfectly captures the taste of Greece in one sit down experience. What’s more is how the layout perfectly utilizes its exquisite Chania backdrop. Their tables spill out onto the beachfront, offering marvelous views of the Mediterranean waters and surrounding promenade.

Heralded as Chania’s number 1 restaurant, we took time out of our busy schedules to sample this lauded eatery in the name of research (not because of their extensive wine list…) We started with a beef tartar that was quirkily combined with quail eggs, immediately giving us a sense of how imaginative Oinoa Wine Restaurant’s palate is. We had a black angus burger for our mains, followed by a shared sorbet ice cream, each of us falling more in love with their food with each course. 

Head on over to the glossy town of Hersonissos for some quintessential Greek hospitality. Despite arriving on a busy night with dozens of families and couples to cater for, the staff at Taverna Harakas were prompt, efficient, and super friendly. The owners were out and about on the restaurant floor, making all their guests feel welcome. Their menu is jam-packed with an array of salads, seafoods, spicy meats, and veggie delights – enough to keep even the fussiest of eaters thoroughly satisfied. 

Karavi is the beach personified. With white-washed walls, surrounding Mediterranean views, sofas converted from fishing boats, and scrumptious seafood. Dining here leaves you feeling like a transfigured mermaid… Ariel wishes she could chill in a place this cool! It’s part-café/bar, part-restaurant, so you can come here for a laid-back drink or a coffee or tuck into a fabulous, locally sourced gourmet meal. They also have a pool area where you can hang out with friends and connect with new people. 

From the moment we stepped off the cobbled Cretan pathway into the Elia taverna, the owner, Nico, embraced us with open arms. By the time we’d finished, we felt like we’d made a lifelong friend. In terms of the food, it’s 10s 10s 10s across the board! No matter what dish we tried, our plates were bursting with color and flavor. We highly recommend the lamb due to its rich blend of garlic and gravy sauces. It was utterly delectable! And the backdrop of gentle street music was enough to rival the soppiest of romcom movies…

“There’s no better cure for a hangover than a walk in nature”, Seby annoyingly proclaimed as he dragged me from my recovery slumber to trek Samaria Gorge. This 10-mile trail will take you past flowering wildflowers, impressive cliffs, and jaw-dropping sea views. You’ll get tons of Insta-ready snapshots and a lifetime of bragging that you conquered the second largest canyon in Europe. The gorge is only open to the public spring through early autumn, so plan your trip accordingly if you want to undertake this ecological odyssey! You can also do a guided day trip from either Chania or Rethymnon.

In Chania’s Old Town, every street corner is dripping with history, culture, and Greek magic. By taking in the marvelous sights of the Venetian-style harbor, you’re absorbing the influences of ancient Minoan times, as well as the Ottoman Turkish period. By meandering through the cobbled streets, you’ll unconsciously take in the plethora of architectural inspirations from Eastern Europe to neoclassicism. Be sure to pop into the many shops, cafes, and restaurants to sample local delicacies and chat with the charming Cretan villagers who make up the Chania charm, or book a private Old Town tour with stops at mouth-watering street food places to get the best of ALL worlds!

You’ll roll your eyes as we say this, but Elafonisi is one of our favorite beaches in the world, and we really mean it this time. It is exactly what people picture when prompted to think of a perfect beach – plus the sand is pink! Not like, fluro pink, but there's a definite blush to be seen, which makes it quite a popular beach… this isn't a deserted place for a spot of nude sunbathing, that's for sure. But if you can make your way to Elafonisi Island (day trip buses leave from Chania or Renythmo) for the day, you'll get some unforgettable memories, and photos!

Our first ever dive was right here in Crete when we first started dating! Whether you’re a scuba rookie or have been diving for years, there are plenty of great diving spots along the Crete coastline. A must visit site, regardless of experience level, is the area along the Chania Old Town where marine live thrives. Beneath the surface, you’ll discover stone arches, volcanic rocky reefs, and marine life so vibrant, you’ll wonder why Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’ ever dreamt of leaving such a place. If you've never done it before, this is also an excellent location for learning how to scuba dive!

One of the most defining structures of the Cretan landscape, the Palace of Knossos will tickle the fancy of anyone fascinated by Greek mythology. It’s stood its ground since the Neolithic period and is home to the legend of the Minotaur (the half-man/half-bull son of King Minos). Embark on one of the many guided walking tours that take you through the palace, so you can learn all the legends and myths that surround the structure.

Spinalonga certainly has a fascinating backstory. From being raided by pirates in the 7^th century, to falling under Ottoman rule after years of Venetian occupancy, to being designated as a colony for lepers in the 20th century (yes, really), this island has seen it all. Today, the island is uninhabited, with no options for overnight accommodations. To visit you’ll need to take a boat from either Plaka, Elounda, or Agios Nikolaos. We highly recommend reading the excellent Victoria Hislop novel, “The Island” to learn more about Spinalonga’s fascinating past.

An alternative to the bustling Chania Old Town, Rethymnon (also called Rethymno) is quiet and laidback. The town is made up of tiny streets that take visitors past bistro restaurants and adorable cafes. The main street of Ruga Maistra (Venizelou Avenue) runs parallel to the sea, allowing you to take in the rush of the waves as you browse the many shopfronts. Notice how the buildings have the unique stamp of Venetian architecture, echoing how it was founded after the Venetians conquered Crete. For something totally different, you can even tour the Old Town by segway!