Lechaim
4.8
Badatz EK - Rabbinical Centre of Europe, mehadrin
Israeli - meat · €€
Analipsi 700 14, Greece
Greece
Crete
Greece's great beach island, with a cluster of kosher restaurants along the Hersonissos strip and the historic Etz Hayyim Synagogue in Chania
Photo: Nikater · CC BY-SA 3.0
Candle lighting
18:16
10/23/2026
Havdalah
19:15
10/24/2026
This week's Torah portion
Parashat Lech-Lecha
7-day weather forecast
Accurate times for the upcoming Shabbat, calculated for this destination's location
Pick a day on your trip — we'll show candle-lighting, havdalah, parsha and daily times for that week
Eruv in Crete: worth checking ahead
We don't know of an active eruv in Crete. For a relaxed Shabbat, check with the local Chabad house or community beforehand, and leave your key at reception.
Shabbat meals in Crete
Most kosher restaurants close for Shabbat, so Friday-night dinner and Shabbat lunch are at the Chabad house. Register ahead - most close bookings by Thursday.
Tip: book a stay within an easy walk of the Chabad house - for a relaxed meal and a short, pleasant stroll back.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.Shabbat in Crete? Sleep within walking distance of shul
Hotels within an easy walk of a synagogue or Chabad house, for a calm, relaxed Shabbat.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.
Jewish life in Crete
For a restful Shabbat
Recommended hotels & apartments in Crete
Available hotels and apartments in this destination, shown together with our synagogues, Chabad houses and mikvehs - so you can see at a glance what is within walking distance.
Compares prices across the major booking sites. The booking is made on the external site, not on BooKasher.
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This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.
Illustrative photoubeyonroad / UnsplashELEANA Beach Suites
About 1 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photoAparna Johri / UnsplashAreston Hersonisos Apartment
About 1 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photoLori Payne / UnsplashCentral Hersonissos Hotel
About 5 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photoTravel Adventures / StockSnapErofili Apartments
About 5 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photorawpixelGolden Beach
About 9 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photorawpixelHotel Melpo
About 9 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photoubeyonroad / UnsplashIro Hotel
About 9 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photoAparna Johri / UnsplashZorbas Hotel
About 10 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Illustrative photoLori Payne / UnsplashLyttos Beach
About 74 min walk from Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos)
Check before you go
Illustrative photoTravel Adventures / StockSnapCreta Maris Resort
About 17 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Check before you go
Illustrative photorawpixelMitsis Royal Mare
About 37 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Check before you go
Illustrative photorawpixelMitsis Selection Laguna
About 52 min walk from Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos)
Check before you go
Illustrative photoubeyonroad / UnsplashAnnabelle Beach Resort
About 39 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Check before you go
Illustrative photoAparna Johri / UnsplashAnna Maria Village
About 37 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Check before you go
Illustrative photoLori Payne / UnsplashSergios Hotel
About 14 min walk to Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos).
Near a synagogueCheck before you go
Photo: Cayambe · CC BY-SA 4.0Knossos Palace
4.3
Archaeological Site
2-3 hours
Photo: Ahanta · CC BY 3.0Old Venetian Harbour, Chania
4.7
Historic Harbour
2-3 hours
Photo: C messier · CC BY-SA 4.0Elafonissi Beach
4.5
Beach
Half day to a full day
Photo: Following Hadrian · CC BY-SA 2.0Heraklion Archaeological Museum
4.6
Museum
1.5-2 hours
Photo: Ιωάννα Κουργιαντάκη · CC BY-SA 4.0Samaria Gorge
4.7
Nature & Hiking
Full day (~13 km hike)
Plan your trip by dates and party
Stay, car, Shabbat and flights - tailored to a couple, family or group.
Guided Tours & Experiences
Guided tours, entry tickets and experiences in every destination - most with free cancellation, so you can plan ahead and still stay flexible around Shabbat and the chagim.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.Complete your trip
The next step of the trip - a car, an airport transfer and a stay, ready to book from here.
Rent a car in Crete
Compare prices across international and local rental companies at your destination - most bookings come with free cancellation.
Both sites compare rental companies - prices sometimes differ, so it's worth checking both.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.Airport Transfer to Your Hotel
Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel and back - a fixed price agreed in advance (no meter surprises), a driver waiting for you with a sign bearing your name, and no need to haggle or speak the local language.
External link - you'll get a final price quote before confirming.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.Every booking made through our links helps keep BooKasher free - at no extra cost to you. Thank you for choosing to book with us.
Before you fly to Crete
Illustrative photoClaudio Schwarz / UnsplashAttraction tickets
Book ahead in Crete - skip the ticket lines and keep more time for the trip.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.Travel Internet - eSIM
Data from the moment you land - directions to shul, WhatsApp with the Chabad house and table bookings, without hunting for a SIM at the airport.
Recommended- WhatsApp support
- 100 MB free to test at home
- Plans for 130+ countries
Help with installation and setup from anywhere in the world – by WhatsApp, phone or email.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.Compare flight prices across airlines and booking sites - the search opens from your nearest airport straight to this destination.
Search flightsAffiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.General orientation info only - visit an airline or travel agency site to search and book tickets.
Our guide
Crete is bigger than it looks: everything kosher - the Chabad house and both restaurants - is on the Hersonissos strip in the centre of the island, while the Etz Hayyim synagogue and its historic mikveh are in Chania in the west, about 160 km away by road. Chabad runs in season only, from Pesach to the end of November, and its Shabbat meals need booking in advance.
Stay in the kosher area of Crete
For Shabbat in Crete, base yourself in or near Chania's Old Town - Chabad of Crete (Chabad house listed on the site) is within walking distance from there, along with the other kosher listings for the city.
If you complete your booking there during this same visit, we earn a small referral commission from the partner - at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate link · booking through it supports the site, at no extra cost
This is an affiliate link. If you book through it we may earn a small commission - at no extra cost to you - that helps keep the site running.More about CreteTravel guides for this destination · Kosher Grocery Stores · Nearby destinations
Travel guides for this destination
Nearby destinations
More places in the region with a Jewish community and kosher food - to add to the trip.
Common questions about Crete
- Where to eat kosher in Crete?
- We list 2 kosher restaurants in Crete, with supervision, address and directions.
- Where to pray in Crete?
- There are 1 synagogues and 1 Chabad houses in Crete, with addresses and prayer times when available.
- Where to stay within walking distance of a synagogue in Crete?
- Hotels and apartments in Crete, with walking-distance-to-shul notes when we have them.
- When is candle lighting in Crete?
- Candle lighting and Havdalah in Crete are calculated for the destination and updated every week.
- Where can I eat on Shabbat in Crete?
- Most kosher restaurants close for Shabbat. Shabbat meals in Crete are hosted by Chabad of Crete (Hersonissos), with advance registration - the booking link is on this page.