Is Crete Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Crete is generally a safe place for solo female travelers. The local people are friendly and respectful, there is a strong police presence and plenty of well-populated, well-lit areas. However, as with any travel, general safety precautions should be taken, especially when traveling alone, including not walking alone during the night in less crowded places and keeping an eye on your belongings.

Safety rating

4 /5

Based on 7 experiences

4.5 /5

Based on research and crime data

Safety overview

Safety at night:Safe

Crete is generally safe to navigate at night as a solo female traveler. The locals are friendly, and the crime rate is relatively low. While always staying alert and exercising common sense is important, most areas in Crete are well-lit and populated even during the night. It's also beneficial to familiarize yourself with the area during daylight hours before wandering alone at night. Most issues come from minor scams or pickpocketing in busy areas. Always respect local customs and be aware of your surroundings.

Public transportation: Safe

Public transportation in Crete is generally quite safe. Buses are the most common way to navigate the island, with frequent and dependable services available. Bus drivers are usually friendly and helpful, even if you are a foreigner or not fluent in Greek. It is important to note that, like any location, it’s still necessary to take normal safety precautions such as keeping an eye on your belongings and staying aware of your surroundings while using public transportation. Ticket inspections are frequent, being caught without a valid ticket could result in a heavy fine. Nighttime services may be less frequent or nonexistent in some areas, but taxis are available as an alternative.

Street harassment: Low

Crete is a generally safe destination for solo female travelers. The local populace is warm, inviting, and respectful. While isolated incidents of street harassment can still occur, they are not commonplace and are far from the norm. As always, it's important to be vigilant and take precautions, but the Cretans are usually hospitable and mindful of your space.

Petty crimes:Low

Crete is generally a safe place, including for solo female travelers. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing or purse-snatching do occur, especially in tourist-heavy areas, but they are not pervasive. Always staying alert and mindful of your belongings can further reduce the risk. Remember that while it's largely safe, no place is completely immune to crime.

Tap water:Safe

Tap water in Crete is generally considered safe to drink and upholds European water safety standards. However, due to the high mineral content in some areas, it might have a different taste. For sensitive stomachs, it's advisable to purchase bottled water.

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Travel experiences

Overall rating

4.2 /5

based on 7 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

4.6/5

Safety

4/5

Food

4.6/5

Budget-friendly

4.2/5

Solo travel experience

I went to Crete last July and it was amazing. Stayed near Chania for 5 days and rented a car. Balos Lagoon was amazing. I also hiked the Samaria Gorge which was incredible. Also did Elafonisi Beach, but honestly, it wasn’t super impressive after Balos.

Posted: May 22, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Crete was my first real big solo trip. It’s amazing in so many ways! Great food, people watching, beaches, Elafonisi, cooking classes, kind people, etc. I found in Chania there were more amenities for tourists that had offices you can stop by and book tours.

Posted: May 19, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I recently took a 19-day trip to Crete, spending 7 days in Ammoudara, Heraklion and 12 days in Rethymno. I would recommend skipping Heraklion and going to Chania and Rethymno instead. Ammoudara is close to the beach and has good connectivity to the airport and city centre, but as a solo female traveller, I felt very unsafe. Even in broad daylight, men would stop and stare, catcall, honk, and get on the footpath to stare in my face. I never experienced physical assault, but it was still very uncomfortable and I was unable to venture out after 10 PM. Other solo female travellers I spoke to had similar experiences. I have visited 6 Cycladic islands, Athens, Chania and Rethymno solo before and never felt unsafe, so I believe this kind of behaviour is limited to Heraklion and Ammoudara.

Posted: May 19, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 2/5
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Solo travel experience

Went to Crete in July and it was amazing. Beautiful beaches, great food, and good wine. I stayed in Chania for 5 days and rented a car to explore the area. Highly recommend Balos Lagoon and the Samaria Gorge hike.

Posted: April 23, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Crete was amazing. I went last fall. So much history that is so different from mainland Greece, plus Knossos, the ancient palace that gave birth to the legend of the Minotaur and the labyrinth. It was super ultra-safe on Crete. If you're a history buff Crete will satisfy you.

Posted: April 11, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

I was in Greece last September and I fell in love with the country's history, culture, food, architecture, and people. Crete was fabulous, with lots of history, wine, olive oil tours, and awesome beaches. I highly recommend using Chania as a home base. Lots to do on the west side of the island. And it has such a beautiful Venetian port.

Posted: April 10, 2023
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5
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Solo travel experience

Crete was really beautiful. I went to Chania for 4 days and it was amazing. Went on some spectacular day trips to Balos beach and Elafonisi beach, along with some other gorgeous spots along the way and did a beautiful 4h hike in Samaria Gorge. The downtown area of Chania is absolutely amazing. During the day it's fun to get lost in the narrow, winding streets and at night it comes to life even more with their night markets. Bonus was watching the sunsets there - they were bright orange. Highly recommend a visit.

Posted: November 26, 2022
Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5
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