Crete Golf Holidays

Why Golfers Travel to Crete

Crete sits in the southern Aegean and enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, with long, dry summers and mild winters. The golf course is open all year, and spring and autumn deliver near-perfect playing conditions.

The island has become a favourite for golfers who want quality golf without the crowds of larger golf regions. Flights from the UK take around four hours, and Heraklion airport is only around 2530 minutes from the course.

Golfers choosing golf in Crete will find:

• An 18-hole championship course with views of mountains and sea
• A true stay and play set-up, with the hotel, course and practice facilities on one site
• Excellent practice areas, including a 300m+ driving range and indoor swing studio
• Beaches, historic sites and lively tavernas a short drive away

The biggest advantage? Everything is in one place. There are no long transfers between hotel and course, which leaves more time for golf, the pool and the island itself.

The Best Golf Courses in Crete

Crete is not an island of dozens of courses, and that's part of its charm. Golf in Crete centres on one standout 18-hole layout, supported by a nine-hole resort course on the east of the island.

Crete Golf Club

Opened in 2003, Crete Golf Club was designed by Bob Hunt and is widely regarded as one of the most impressive courses in the Mediterranean. The desert-style, par 71 layout measures 6,377 yards and sits in the hills above Hersonissos on the island's north coast.

Expect firm, fast-running fairways, slick greens and plenty of elevation change. This is a course that rewards accuracy and course management over raw distance, so it suits a wide range of handicaps.

The signature 6th is a short par 3 and one of the most photogenic holes in Greece. The 11th, a short par 4 framed by the Lasithi Mountains, demands a precise approach.

Porto Elounda Golf Club

About an hour east, near the resort town of Elounda, Porto Elounda offers a nine-hole par 3 course with water hazards and narrow fairways. It's a fun option for a relaxed extra round or a short-game session, rather than the main event.

When Is the Best Time to Play Golf in Crete?

One of the main draws of golf in Crete is the long golf season.

Spring (March May)

Warm, sunny days, green hillsides and the course in excellent condition. This is peak golf season, so book tee times early.

Autumn (September early November)

Arguably the best time to visit. The sea is still warm, the summer crowds have gone and temperatures are ideal for 18 holes.

Summer (June August)

Hot and dry, with long daylight hours. Golf is very playable if you tee off early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

Winter (December February)

Mild and quieter, with occasional rain. The course stays open, but direct UK flights are fewer, so you may need to connect via Athens.

Planning a Golf Trip to Crete

A golf trip to Crete works best when you mix your rounds with the island's wider attractions. Many golfers base themselves at the Crete Golf Club & Hotel and explore between tee times.

Between rounds you can:

• Visit the Minoan Palace of Knossos, just outside Heraklion
• Take a boat trip to Spinalonga island from Elounda or Plaka
• Drive up to the Lasithi Plateau for mountain villages and views
• Enjoy fresh seafood and Cretan wine in Hersonissos or Heraklion's Venetian harbour

Our ready-made 3-night and 5-night stay and play packages are a great starting point. If you'd prefer something tailored, you can build your own golf trip and our team will put it together for you.