Crete Travel Blog

The Tiny Book is your one-stop travel blog to plan the perfect holiday in Crete and the rest of Greece.
The Tiny Book focuses on travel on the Greek island of Crete, so that’s the biggest section of the blog. There, you will find the best and most thorough articles & guides to help you plan a visit to Crete.

latest on The Tiny Book

Makrigialos, Crete: Complete Guide by a Local

Makrigialos Crete: Ideal destination in the southern coast of Lasithi, in Crete, to enjoy amazing [...]

Visiting Preveli Monastery: An Insight into Cretan Culture and Spirit

Peveli Monastery: Discover one of Crete's most important spiritual sites with this complete guide to [...]

Panormos, Crete: Complete Guide by a Local

Discover everything there's to know about the village of Panormos, in Crete to experience the [...]

Malia’s Minoan Palace: Tips to Discover the Archaeological Site of Malia in Crete

Check out this thorough guide to visit the Archaeological Site of Malia. Tips, detailed info [...]

Bali, Crete: Complete Guide by a Local

Discover the best things to do in Bali Crete to enjoy a fantastic holiday on [...]

Sougia, Crete: Complete Guide by a Local

Discover the village of Sougia, on the southern coast of the Chania region in Crete, [...]

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Therisos Gorge: Complete Guide by a Local (A Fantastic Day Trip From Chania!)

Discover the beautiful Therisos Gorge, the White Mountains canyon that's closest to Chania town and [...]

Where to Have the Best Breakfast in Heraklion

Breakfast in Heraklion? Early wake-up call in the capital of Crete and looking for a [...]

About the tiny book

In the last 10 years, The Tiny Book has grown to become one of the biggest collections of guides and articles to plan the perfect trip to Crete, my favorite Greek island, the place where I live and that I love to show to travelers with unique guided experiences.

Inside The Tiny Book you will find free resources to explore the most popular corners on the island, but also all those lesser-known places that not everyone knows about simply because they don’t live here!

I want to help you discover the island through the eyes of a local yet keeping that pinch of wonder and surprise typical of an island that never ceases to amaze you!

Welcome to Crete!

Crete Travel Blog

I’m Gabi Ancarola, journalist and travel writer, working to bring readers closer to their dream vacation in Crete. After living in Italy for 22 years, I moved to Crete about 6 years ago where I now spend most of my time exploring this stunning island.

It’s my mission to share with you insider tips and ideas to plan your Crete escape, promoting local, authentic experiences and slow, independent travel

What sets me apart…

As a permanent resident, I bring an insider’s approach through the eyes of a foreigner, writing accurate, useful, and super thorough travel guides.

If you also enjoy adventures, the adrenaline of driving unknown roads, or if you adore heavenly beaches, then you’re at the right place. Here, you’ll find the best travel guides about Crete…

Are you ready? Let’s go!

Crete Travel Blog

THE TINY BOOK has been awarded
Best Travel Blog – Greece 2022.

EVERYTHING ABOUT CRETE

The four regions in Crete:

Where to stay in Chania

CHANIA

Crete Travel Blog

HERAKLION

Crete Travel Blog

RETHYMNO

Lasithi region in Crete_ Best day trips to discover this unique, untouched area in Crete island.

LASITHI

Most read articles about Crete:

These are some of the most read articles in the blog.
Since I moved to the island, most of my articles focus on the best things to do in Crete, what places to visit, where to go and where to stay on the island.
Here you will find the best Crete travel blogs and every article I ever wrote about the island!

CITIES ~ TOWNS ~ REGIONS

Samaria Gorge - Gorges in Crete

CHANIA AREA

Splantzia Neighborhood in Chania, Crete

CHANIA OLD TOWN

Crete Travel Blog

RETHYMNON TOWN

Heraklion at night, Crete

HERAKLION TOWN

Crete Travel Blog

AGIOS NIKOLAOS

Port of Sitia, Things to do in Sitia

SITIA

Crete Travel Blog

IERAPETRA

things to do in Kissamos, Crete

KISSAMOS

Crete Travel Blog

BALì

Crete Travel Blog

LOUTRO

GREECE - CRETE - PALEOCHORA PACHIA AMMOS

PALEOCHORA

things to do in Sougia, Crete

SOUGIA

Crete Travel Blog

PANORMOS

GREECE - CRETE - LASITHI PLATEAU

LASITHI PLATEAU

Archanes, village in Crete

CHARMING VILLAGES BY REGION

Crete Travel Blog

MORE TOWNS & VILLAGES IN CRETE

CRETE'S BEST BEACHES

Crete Travel Blog

ELAFONISI

Where to stay in Crete for Beaches - vai beach

VAI BEACH

Balos Beach, one of the places to visit in this 10 days in Crete visit.

BALOS

beach, sea, caves, Matala, Crete

MATALA

blue sea, Falasarna, Crete

FALASARNA

Vai Palm Beach, Crete

TOP BEACHES

Greece -Crete - Chania - Stavros Beach

AKROTIRI

Crete Travel Blog

NUDIST BEACHES

falasarna beach, Crete

CHANIA BEACHES

Best beaches in Heraklion / Matala Beach

HERAKLION BEACHES

GREECE - CRETE - RETHYMNON - CALYPSO

RETHYMNO BEACHES

XEROKAMPOS - CRETE

LASITHI BEACHES

SITES ~ NATURE ~ ATTRACTIONS

Knossos Palace, Crete

KNOSSOS

Greece - Crete - Phaistos Pithoi

PHAISTOS

Malia's Minoan Palace

MALIA

Crete Travel Blog

MORE SITES

Crete Travel Blog

MONASTERIES

Hiking to Balos

HIKES

Imbros Gorge Crete

GORGES

Beach and coastal road, Crete

ROAD TRIPS

GREECE - SCUBADIVING

SCUBA

Crete Travel Blog

WATER SPORTS

safari in crete

SAFARIS

Festivals in Heraklion, Crete

FESTIVALS

FREE RESOURCES TO DISCOVER CRETE

Questions about Crete

CRETE FAQs

Crete Sea and beach

TIPS

Crete Travel Blog

BUDGET

AIRPLANE. SKY - SUNSET

GET TO CRETE

ROAD CRETE

DRIVING

GREECE - CRETE - CHANIA - OLD TOWN

ACCOMMODATION

Cretaquarium - Crete

FAMILIES

GREECE - GREEK FOOD

CRETAN DIET

PRACTICAL GUIDES FOR CRETE

In this section, there are more detailed guides to find exactly what you’re looking for to plan your perfect trip to Crete.

MORE CRETE GUIDES
Crete coast

Or keep exploring the blog and find many more articles about Crete!

READ ALL MY ARTICLES ABOUT CRETE!

TRAVEL GUIDES

Take my travel guides with you (in your smart phone) to discover the best of Greece together!
These guides are practical, affordable, and updated.…. but the best part of it, is that they’ve been written by a local who knows what you are really looking for.

Crete Travel Blog
Crete Travel Blog
Crete Travel Blog
Crete Travel Blog
Crete Travel Blog
Crete Travel Blog
Crete Travel Blog

Heraklion City Guide soon online!

BUY THE DIGITAL GUIDES
ARE YOU GETTING READY FOR CRETE?

Yes?! Well, you’re in the right place to be! In this blog you will find all the info you need to plan the perfect holiday to the island.
Overwhelmed about the planning and don’t know where to begin? Start by heading to this 50 Things to Do in Crete article. It is a super helpful resource to plan your trip, knowing exactly what to do region by region!

Want to discover Chania region?

Check out my digital guide to West Crete!
Get your copy for only $6.99!

Balos Beach, Crete, winter landscape
50 Unmissable things to do in Crete!

Find Accommodation in Crete

BEST HONEYMOON HOTELS IN CRETE

In this area of The Tiny Book, you can find dozens of accommodation guides to find the right place to stay in Crete. The hotel and rental home guides are divided by areas, activities, interests, and a lot more. There are also hotel reviews, and incredible tips to find the best place to stay in Crete!

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN CRETE

Subscribe to the blog!

Crete Travel Blog

Sign up for my newsletter with news about the island get all the right info and tips straight to your inbox. My emails will only reach you periodically, so there will be no spam!

Subscribe to The Tiny Book!

A TASTE OF CRETE

Crete Travel Blog

Missing Crete? I know the feeling. That’s why we’ve created this section on the blog!
I want to help you find, and learn how to recreate and prepare the most delicious Cretan recipes at home.
And I’m sure that those unique flavors that you’ve tasted on the island will help you fight the travel blues.

MY CRETAN RECIPE: A TASTE OF CRETE!

Discover Greece

Head to this section to discover the best things to do in Greece, travel guides divided by destinations, activities, and great places to see.
These are the most popular articles about Greece.

How to get from Heraklion to Santorini - Santorini

SANTORINI

Crete Travel Blog

MYKONOS

Crete Travel Blog

ATHENS

Best beaches in Thassos

THASSOS

GREECE - CORFU - PALEOKASTRITSA (1)

CORFU

Crete Travel Blog

NAXOS

PAROS, PAROIKIA

PAROS

Crete Travel Blog

SIFNOS

Crete Travel Blog

ANTIPAROS

Crete Travel Blog

PATMOS

Crete Travel Blog

AEGINA

Greek landscape, houses on a hill, boats - Hyra island port

HYDRA

GREECE - LIPSI ISLAND - PORT - BOATS

LIPSI

Paxos Island, Greece

PAXOI

Crete Travel Blog

ISLANDS NEAR CRETE

BEST PLACES IN GREECE FOR KIDS

MOMMA LOVES GREECE

READ MORE ABOUT GREECE!

THE MEDITERRANEAN

Before moving to Crete, I spent more than 20 years living in Milan, Italy, so you will find plenty of guides about my second home!

Of course, I also leave Crete from time to time to explore some of my favorite Mediterranean destinations. I also enjoy leaving Crete for short weekends away in Winter. So in this section, you will find some of the best destinations around the Mediterranean, as well as super useful winter guides!

Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

ITALY

Crete Travel Blog

CYPRUS

Crete Travel Blog

FRANCE

Best summer destinations in Spain - Santiago de Compostela

SPAIN

Best things to do in Morocco in one week

MOROCCO

Crete Travel Blog

TURKEY

Winter in Rome

WINTER BREAKS

Koh Panghan with kids

FURTHER AWAY…

READ ABOUT OTHER DESTINATIONS!

More Resources to Discover Greece

Crete Travel Blog
WHAT TO PACK TO VISIT GREECE
Balos - Crete travel tips
FACEBOOK PRIVATE GROUP
READING A BOOK AT THE BEACH
BOOKS TO VISIT GREECE
port, houses, Venetian Harbor Chania
JOIN MY CHANIA TOURS

INSPIRATION

Things to Do in Crete
Things to Know about Crete
Experiences in Crete
Beaches in Crete

ABOUT

About Gabi
Contact me
Work with me
Press & Privacy

Are you coming to Crete any time soon?

Get in touch and let me know!