This trip was in collaboration with Jet2holidays
The island of Crete is one of Greece’s most well known destinations, with golden beaches, dramatic mountain landscapes, and quaint villages full of history and charm. If you’re planning a sunny escape to the Greek islands, a stay at Dream Village in Hersonissos should definitely be on your list. In this article, we’ll take you through our unforgettable trip to Crete, highlighting the incredible things to do in and around the area. We’ll also share more about our relaxing stay at the beautiful Dream Village apartments. Let’s dive into this Crete travel guide and uncover the hidden gems and unmissable experiences of this iconic Greek island.
Perched in the hills above Hersonissos, Dream Village offers peaceful surroundings with panoramic sea views and easy access to the lively coast below. The apartments are spacious and comfortable, with private balconies perfect for sunset drinks. The pool area is clean, quiet, and ideal for relaxing between adventures. We loved the warm hospitality and the short walking distance to traditional Cretan villages like Koutouloufari and Piskopiano.
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Dream Village Crete – A Hotel Overview and the Best Things to do Nearby
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Starting off the Journey
Arriving at the airport
We arrived at Glasgow Airport in plenty time before our flight to Crete. If you are driving to Glasgow Airport, it is worth noting the drop off fee is £7 for 10 minutes. There is also parking available at Glasgow Airport if you wish to use it when heading off on one of the many cheap holidays Jet2 has to offer.
If you are getting one of the many flights from Glasgow that leaves early in the morning or arrives late at night, you might want to consider staying overnight at on of the nearby hotels at the airport. We live nearby to Glasgow so it was simple enough to just leave from home.
Checking In
The Jet2 check in area is at the furthest right area of the airport departures at Glasgow Airport in Terminal 2. The check in area was empty as we arrived 2 hours before our scheduled departure at 16.35. We had a lovely chat with the staff who checked in our baggage, chatting about the different Greek islands that we loved, Crete will be number 10 for us! In saying that, there are many flights from Glasgow Airport with Jet2 daily so we would recommend arriving early before your flight as check-in can get busy. If you have an early morning flight it is worth looking into the free Twilight Check-In service that Jet2 offer. This is available for morning flights if you check in 24 hours before departure.
The security queue is another area that you will need to factor in time for as you never know how busy it will be. We passed through security relatively quickly and having the new scanners at Glagsow Aiport we didn’t even need to take out our liquids which made it even smoother. When we arrived through, we had a bite to eat and a drink before making the walk to our gate. Soon enough, we were on our way to Crete!
The Flight from Glasgow to Crete with Jet2holidays
A very scenic flight later, soaring over the Austrian alps and the turquoise water of the Aegean Sea whilst enjoying many food and drink items off the trolley, we arrived into Heraklion Airport, Crete in Greece.
The flights to Crete from Glasgow are 4 hours 10 minutes and it went by quickly and was very smooth. There are 2 airports on Crete as it is a large island. Heraklion Airport on the eastern side of the island and is the closest airport to Koutouloufari where we were staying. If you are staying on the west of the island you may choose to fly into Chania. Heraklion Airport was easy to navigate and after we collected our luggage we headed outside to look for the Jet2 Holidays team who told us what bus we were on. It was after 11pm by the time we got there so we were very pleased to hear we were only 30 minutes away and the second stop on the bus.
Arriving at Dream Village
The friendly staff at Dream Village welcomed us to this beautiful 3 star hotel in Koutouloufari which sits nestled in the hills above the busier town of Hersonissos. After a short check in, we were shown to our room. It was very hot in Crete when we arrived and we were in for a couple of hot July days as they were experiencing an extreme heat wave. So we paid extra for air conditioning in our room which was €8 per night.
Although smaller in scale compared to larger resorts, Dream Village has a lovely layout with whitewashed apartments, winding stone paths, and flowering gardens. There are 34 rooms spread across 5 low-rise buildings over two floors, connected by stone pathways and terraces. With no elevators, it retains an intimate, village-style layout and it felt lovely and intimate.
We stayed in a one-bedroom apartment at the top of the complex with a balcony overlooking the sea and surrounding hills. The room was clean, spacious, and well-equipped with a kitchenette, air-conditioning, and plenty of storage.
What to Expect at Dream Village
- Swimming pool with panoramic views
A peaceful outdoor pool with sun loungers and umbrellas, perfect for cooling off after a day of exploring. - Pool bar serving drinks and snacks
Enjoy a cold drink or light lunch on-site, with. - Spacious apartments and studios
Options for couples or families, many with sea-view balconies and self-catering facilities. - Walking distance to traditional villages
Just a short stroll to Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, and Old Hersonissos, where you’ll find excellent tavernas and a more local feel. - On-site parking
Ideal if you are hiring a car and heading out on road trips. - Friendly, local atmosphere
With a smaller number of rooms and a relaxed vibe, it never felt crowded or noisy.
Best Things to Do Near Dream Village
During our trip to Crete we rented a car from a local rental – MotoXperience which sits right beside Dream Village. It cost €210 for a medium car for 4 days including insurance and this was really handy for getting around, especially when the temperatures were so hot it was nice to get a good bit of air conditioning when we were out and about. On our list of things to do we include some spots that can be visited by foot, or by car depending on your preference.
Explore Traditional Villages
Koutouloufari, Piskopiano, and Old Hersonissos are 3 of the nearby traditional villages, full of winding alleyways, charming cafés and restaurants, and gift shops. We enjoyed getting up early and going for a walk around these villages before the peak of the sunshine.
Beach Day
Hersonissos beach front is a great place to spend the day in Crete. The seafront is lined with restaurants overlooking the sea and small gift shops selling Greek souvenirs.
We enjoyed our afternoons on the beach, swimming in the sea and soaking up the sun. In July the sea temperatures were warm but still felt refreshing in the heat of the sun. The prices of sun loungers vary and some of the restaurants will serve you food and drinks on the sun loungers. We chose to lay our towels out on the sand as the sun loungers were quite busy during July.
There are so many delicious places to eat along the seafront. We had tzatziki and greek salad every day and it was so fresh and delicious. You just couldn’t beat the views that we were enjoying our lunch with!
If you are looking to rent a car ahead of your trip to Crete, you can do so here.
Palm Beach Club
We spent one of our afternoons in Crete at Palm Beach Club in Hersonissos. There are beds and sun loungers for rent or you can enjoy a bite to eat in the restaurant. We enjoyed some cold drinks in the pool and it was the perfect way to cool down on a summers day.
Explore Heraklion
Heraklion is the bustling capital city of Crete and a great place to spend the day immersing yourself into the local culture and history.
Palace of Knossos
The most iconic archaeological site in Crete, Knossos was once the heart of the ancient Minoan civilisation. Here you can learn about the legendary labyrinth of King Minos and learn about the myth of the Minotaur.
Tip:
Go early or late to avoid crowds and the midday heat. Consider hiring a guide to truly appreciate its fascinating history.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Home to one of Europe’s most significant collections of ancient artefacts, including the famous Phaistos Disc and treasures from the Palace of Knossos.
Tip:
Purchase a combined ticket for Knossos and the museum for better value and convenience.
25th August Street & Lions Square
The main pedestrian street of Heraklion, buzzing with life, shops, cafes and restaurants. At its heart is Lions Square, home to the famous Morosini Fountain.
Tip:
Enjoy bougatsa, a traditional pastry from one of the local bakeries while soaking up the cities atmosphere.
Agios Titos Church
This beautiful church dates back to the Byzantine era and houses important religious relics. A peaceful place to spend some time amidst the city buzz.
Boat Trip to Dia Island
The sailing trip to Dia Island from Heraklion offers a relaxing day on the crystal-clear waters of Crete’s coastline. Departing from the charming Venetian harbour of Heraklion, you’ll cruise aboard a comfortable sailing yacht towards the pristine, uninhabited Dia Island. The specific tour that we did only had space for 8 guests so it was a great intimate tour.
The boat anchors in a secluded bay and you’ll have ample time for swimming, snorkelling, paddleboarding. Or if you wish to, you can stay and board and simply soak up the Mediterranean sun on deck.
Whilst at anchor, the friendly crew serves a delicious, freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch along with drinks, all included in the price of your tour ticket. The food that was served was some of the most delicious we had all trip.
After lunch, the boat sets sail back to Heraklion.
Before You Leave for Crete
Before you set off on your way to Crete, there are a number of things you’ll need to organise to ensure your trip goes smoothly and is enjoyable from start to finish. These include deciding what to pack, where to stay, and choosing the best travel insurance for your trip to Greece. We’ll cover all of this in detail below.
How to Get to Crete
Getting to Crete is straightforward, with several convenient travel options. If you’re arriving from abroad, the main airport serving the Heraklion region is Heraklion International Airport (also known as Nikos Kazantzakis Airport), located just a short drive away from popular holiday areas like Hersonissos. Upon landing, you can reach your accommodation easily by taxi, pre-booked transfers, or by renting a car directly from the airport.
Alternatively, if you’re already in Greece, you might consider taking a ferry to Crete from Athens or other Greek islands. Regular ferry services run between the port of Piraeus (Athens) and Heraklion, offering a scenic and relaxed journey across the Aegean Sea.
Once you’ve arrived on Crete, the island has an excellent network of local transportation options such as taxis, public buses, and rental cars, making it easy to explore the vibrant towns, peaceful villages, and stunning natural landscapes at your own pace.
Where to Stay in Crete
In this post we share our experience at Dream Village which we would really recommend. There are a number of other accommodations across the island to suit your preference.
What to Pack for Your Trip
What you need to pack for Crete will rely highly on when you make your trip there. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and rainy days. During the Summer, you are pretty much guaranteed nice weather with temperatures ranging from 20-35 oC. The hottest months are July and August, so these will be the most popular for a Summer holiday.
During the winter months in Crete, the rain will become more frequent and the temperatures will drop to between 10-20 oc. If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Crete is very strong, especially during the summer months. Apply a lot of suncream regularly to prevent a nasty burn from ruining your trip. We use this specific sunscreen to protect us as it is not as oily and irritating as other sunscreens.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Crete, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
TOP TRAVEL TIP
If you are looking for a good bag for hand luggage, we use the Wandrd Bag PRVKE 41L allowing us to carry our camera equipment safely when flying. If you are looking for a smaller backpack, The Nest by Tropicfeel is one of the most comfortable bags I have ever owned and perfect for hand luggage when travelling and a day bag on your trip.
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Trip
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, our guide to our stay at Dream Village in Crete. If you are visiting this incredible place and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, Let us know in the comments below!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience visiting this stunning island.
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