A Comprehensive Guide to Crete, One of the Best Places to Go in 2026 The five regions of Megalo Nisi (the big island) to know for reemerging viticulture, wellness resorts, and family-friendly rentals stacked with amenities. Stema Journeys When it comes to where to stay in Crete , Greece's largest island is the do-it-all destination of the Aegean . You come for the obvious: beaches, and the resorts that sit on them. But much more than that, Crete ticks many other boxes that make it an immersive European island getaway . And thanks to a spate of exciting new openings this year, there might not be a better time to visit than 2026. In fact, it's one of our Best Places to Go in Europe in 2026 . “​​Crete is unlike any other destination,” says Maria Passarivaki, co-founder of SteMa Journeys, a Crete-and-Athens based travel planner. “It is as if Crete has its arms stretched between too many different worlds, and you get to travel along them at once.” Yes, there’s the immense size—about 3,200 square miles.…