Use this overview to see how Crete connects to the rest of Greece by sea. Crete's ports sit along the north coast, with one important western gateway at Kissamos.
Crete's ferry ports
- Heraklion — the busiest port; overnight links to Piraeus and seasonal Aegean routes.
- Chania (Souda) — overnight links to Piraeus; the gateway to western Crete.
- Kissamos (Kasteli) — western port used for some seasonal Aegean services and Balos/Gramvousa day cruises.
- Sitia and Agios Nikolaos — smaller eastern ports with seasonal links.
The core mainland links
The backbone is Piraeus (Athens) ⇆ Heraklion and Piraeus ⇆ Chania, both running overnight, daily, all year. Plan the details with the complete ferry guide and book on the ferry tickets page.
Choosing your port
Fly or sail into the port nearest your plans: Chania for the western beaches and gorges, Heraklion for Knossos and central Crete, the east for Elounda, Spinalonga and Vai.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which ports does Crete have?
The main ports are Heraklion and Chania (Souda) on the north coast, plus Kissamos in the west and smaller eastern ports at Sitia and Agios Nikolaos.
Plan with us: browse Crete region guides, compare ferries to Crete, reserve a car with a local Crete agency, or ask our AI trip planner for a custom Crete itinerary.
