Travel
Getting to Crete, where to stay, what to do
Getting to Crete
The closest airports are Heraklion (HER), about 1 hour from the villa, and Chania (CHQ), about 1 hour 15 minutes away. Both work well, so choose whichever has the best flights for you.
From the United States
There are no direct flights from the U.S. to Crete, so you will connect through a European hub. These airports have good onward connections to Heraklion or Chania:
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Amsterdam (AMS)
- Munich (MUC)
- Copenhagen (CPH)
- Zurich (ZRH)
- Warsaw (WAW)
- Paris (CDG or ORY)
- Athens (ATH), with many short daily flights to Crete
We recommend avoiding London Heathrow (LHR) if possible. Connections there often involve terminal changes, extra security screening and frequent delays.
Your first stop in Europe is where you go through passport control, and lines can be long. Allow at least 2 hours for your connection and book both flights on a single ticket so your bags are checked through.
From Germany
Many German airports offer direct seasonal flights to Heraklion and Chania from spring through fall, with flight times of about 3 hours. If there is no direct flight from your city, connect through Athens, Munich or Frankfurt.
Passports & entry
- U.S. citizens do not need a visa for Greece. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your travel dates.
- The EU now registers non-EU travelers with fingerprints and a photo at their first European airport (the Entry/Exit System). Expect a few extra minutes at passport control.
- The EU also plans to introduce ETIAS, a short online travel authorization for U.S. citizens. It may be required by May 2027. Please check the official EU ETIAS website before your trip and only apply there, not through third-party sites.
- German citizens only need a valid ID card (Personalausweis) or passport.
Getting to the villa
We strongly recommend renting a car. It is the easiest way to get from the airport to Rethymno and to explore the island.
- Compare prices on Check24 or DiscoverCars, and choose full insurance with no deductible.
- Most rental cars in Greece are manual. If you need an automatic, book early, as they sell out.
- U.S. drivers need an International Driving Permit (IDP) along with their U.S. license. You can get one at any AAA office for about $20.
- Please do not drink and drive. On the wedding night, use a taxi or the shuttle, or simply walk if you are staying nearby.
If you prefer not to drive, you can pre-book a private airport transfer or take a taxi. Ask your hotel to arrange one for you.
Where to stay
The villa is in Skaleta, a relaxed seaside area about 12 km east of Rethymno town with a Blue Flag beach. There are many hotels and vacation rentals within walking distance of the villa. Here are a few we recommend:
Vacation rentals
Airbnb and Vrbo have many apartments and villas in Skaleta and nearby Stavromenos. Renting a villa together with friends or family is a great way to save money.
Prefer town life?
Rethymno's Old Town, with its Venetian harbor, restaurants and shops, is about 15 minutes by car.
Late May is the start of the busy season. Please book by the end of 2026 for the best choice and prices.
Choose rates with free cancellation when possible.
We suggest staying at least Wednesday to Sunday (May 26 to 30) so you can enjoy all three events and recover from the trip.
Things to do
Crete is the largest Greek island, full of beaches, mountain villages, gorges and 4,000 years of history. If you can, stay a few extra days. Here are our favorites, with approximate drive times from the villa.
Close by
Day trips
Taste Crete
Try dakos (barley rusk with tomato and feta), kalitsounia (small cheese pies), boureki, fresh grilled fish, local olive oil and honey, and raki (also called tsikoudia), often served free after a meal. Fun fact: gamopilafo, a rich "wedding pilaf," is served at traditional Cretan weddings.
