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Crete is the most important of the Greek islands and is known for its beautiful seashores, turquoise waters, and year-round good climate.
Being dwelling to waves, mountains, a posh historical past, and scrumptious gastronomy, it may be actually onerous to determine what issues to do in Crete.
However don’t fear, in the event you’re undecided what points of interest to take a look at, we’re right here to assist. On this information, we’ve shared our high points of interest in Crete in addition to some hidden gems. We’ve additionally shared some sensible ideas for visiting Crete that can assist you benefit from your trip.
Is visiting Crete price it?
However first, is it price it to go to Crete? The quick reply is, completely! Crete is a really totally different atmosphere from the remainder of Greece.
It has some scrumptious Greek meals, loads of vineyards and wineries to discover, and naturally, essentially the most lovely seashores.
We discovered the locals to be pleasant and the small villages have a relaxed vibe.
Finest Issues to Do in Crete
If you happen to’re on the lookout for the most effective issues to see and do once you go to Crete, check out the under ideas!
1. Uncover Crete’s Previous within the Minoan Palace of Knossos
The second most visited archaeological website in Greece (after the Acropolis in Athens), the Minoan Palace of Knossos is a must-see place once you go to Crete.
Knossos is Europe’s oldest metropolis and was dwelling to the mysterious Minoan civilization that lived on the island hundreds of years in the past. At the moment, a lot of town is in ruins, however you may nonetheless see the remnants of buildings and roads.
In accordance with Greek Mythology, the palace was dwelling to the well-known labyrinth of the Minotaur.
Attributable to its reputation, the palace could be jammed in any given season. Because of this, it’s a good suggestion to go to early within the morning or at sundown, this fashion you received’t solely keep away from the crowds however the scorching solar of the island.
You’ll be able to simply attain the archaeological website by bus from the middle of Heraklion (bus quantity 2, ticket €1.50).
2. Take a look at the Capital, Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Because you’re already in Heraklion, try the landmarks on the town. Begin with a stroll alongside the previous port to achieve the Koules, the magnificent Venetian Fortress that stands reverse the Mediterranean sea.
Then, transfer in the direction of the middle of city, strolling alongside 25 of August Avenue. It is going to take you just a few minutes to get to the busy Liontaria Sq..
Right here, cease for a cup of Greek espresso and check out certainly one of Crete’s scrumptious pastries, bougatsa. Bougatsa could be stuffed with goat cheese or custard, and it’s scrumptious with a drizzle of native honey on high.
Additionally within the space, pay a go to to Saint Titus, a former mosque reworked right into a church when the Ottoman Empire ceased its rule on the island.
3. Go Again in Time within the Hippie Caves of Matala
The easiest way to go to such a giant island is to journey by automobile. Driving on Crete is pretty simple in the event you comply with some primary guidelines.
If you happen to drive south from Heraklion, it is possible for you to to spend a day on the unbelievable seashore of Matala which is thought for its caves the place an enormous neighborhood of hippies used to stay in the course of the seventies.
If you happen to’re within the temper for a hike, comply with the indicators till you attain Pink Seashore, about 20 minutes from Matala. It is a hidden naturist seashore with reddish sand and pristine waters. It’s additionally a good spot for snorkeling.
4. Discover the Alleys within the Outdated City of Chania
Arguably certainly one of Crete’s most lovely cities, Chania is on the northern coast of Crete, about 2.5 hours from Heraklion. You’ll be able to journey from Heraklion by bus (ticket €15.10).
Chania boasts an impressive previous city with cobblestone pedestrian alleys, distinctive Venetian mansions, and a surprising previous port with one of many oldest lighthouses on the earth.
Among the many greatest issues to do in Chania, don’t miss a go to to the mosque of the Janissaries, the previous Jewish quarter and its 15-century synagogue, or the church of Agios Nikolaos.
Agios Nikolaos is a really peculiar church. Inside its courtyard, it’s doable to see not solely a bell tower but in addition a minaret. In truth, in the course of the Ottoman rule of the island, most spiritual buildings on the town have been reworked into mosques.
5. Spend a Day on the Pink Sand Seashore of Elafonisi Seashore
Elafonisi is an impressive vast shore on the Southwest coast of Crete. To get to Elafonisi seashore you may journey by bus from Chania (ticket €9.00) or drive by way of the spectacular gorge of Topolia.
The shores of Elafonisi are recognized for the distinctive pink sand in addition to for the shallow lagoon, splendid for households with youngsters.
The shades of blue of the ocean are merely beautiful and distinction with the cruel mountainous panorama of the island.
Elafonisi is in a reasonably remoted space, there are a couple of seashore bars the place you may get the fundamentals, nevertheless it’s all the time a good suggestion to pack sufficient drinks and lunch.
6. Trek Alongside certainly one of Europe’s Longest Gorges: Samaria
Outside adventures have a spot of their very own on Crete. There are spectacular mountain ranges on the island with peaks reaching greater than 2000 meters.
The area of Chania is dwelling to the White Mountains, which counts over 15 spectacular ravines
Essentially the most well-known of them, the gorge of Samaria, connects the Omalos plateau, within the north of Crete to the Agia Roumeli, a small village on the southern coast of the island, on the Libyan sea.
The hike alongside Samaria is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Crete.
The trail is about 13 kilometers lengthy and it takes about 5 hours to cross. It’s certainly one of Crete’s hottest points of interest, with hundreds of vacationers visiting every summer season.
7. Hike All the way down to Balos Lagoon and Seashore
One other seashore it is best to go to throughout your Crete holidays is the unique seashore of Balos, on the acute west of the island.
The seashore has typically been described as Crete’s Caribbean and for good motive. The white sand and distinctive emerald coloration of the ocean give the lagoon an unique feeling.
Nevertheless, a visit to Balos isn’t solely concerning the seashore. The journey additionally features a drive alongside an notorious dust highway on the sting of a cliff, in addition to a 20-minute hike which could be very tiring in summer season.
Nevertheless, irrespective of how troublesome the highway is likely to be, it’s certainly one of my favourite issues to do on the island. The views of the calm, shallow lagoon are a fantastic reward as soon as you permit the highway behind.
If you happen to don’t really feel like driving, it’s additionally doable to go to Balos with a day cruise that departs a number of instances a day from the close by metropolis of Kissamos.
8. Take an Insane Street Journey down the Mountains
There are a number of spectacular drives everywhere in the island. If you happen to take pleasure in winding mountain roads and breathtaking cliffs, driving on Crete could be an unforgettable expertise.
A few of the most scenic drives are those that take you from the north of Crete to the south, passing by way of a really rugged panorama
The highway between the villages of Kapsodasos and Kallikratis, for instance, is taken into account to be probably the most harmful roads on the earth, with 11 kilometers of steady hairpin turns with a precipitous descent in the direction of the ocean.
Keep away from it in the event you undergo from vertigo!
9. Take pleasure in Cretan Gastronomy
Crete is a paradise for foodies! The Cretan weight-reduction plan principally consists of contemporary seasonal merchandise, that produce easy and wholesome tasty dishes.
The highest-quality additional virgin olive oil produced on Crete is the principle staple of native gastronomy. It’s used on salads, to cook dinner and bake, and even on freshly baked bread as a fast chunk, with some contemporary oregano on high, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Regardless of being an island, nonetheless, stewed or grilled goat and lamb are much more standard than fish.
Different native delicacies embody cheese, each aged and tender, honey, and quite a lot of greens and fruits reminiscent of grapes, figs, and oranges.
10. Style Crete’s Olive Oil in a Monastery
Crete is the second largest producer of olive oil in Greece. The island has greater than 30 million olive bushes, a few of them over 3,000 years previous.
There are two predominant olive tree varieties rising on the island and so they produce very small olives which might be in a position to stand the dry, scorching summers of Crete.
The style of the native olive oil may be very concentrated, fruity, and generally even spicy.
A few of the greatest olive oil comes from the native monasteries. Within the area of Lasithi (east Crete), Toplou monastery produces a number of the very best quality olive oil in Greece.
If you happen to’re staying on the west coast, as a substitute, you may style genuine Cretan olive oil within the historic monastery of Agia Triada.
11. Snap a Selfie above Seitan Limania Seashore
The lightning-bolt form of Seitan Limania put this seashore on Instagram not so way back and made it a well-known place to go to in Crete.
Seitan Limania is a seashore with pretty troublesome entry that includes a zigzag highway and a hike down a steep hill.
The seashore isn’t organized, so it’s higher to take with you all the pieces it’s worthwhile to spend the day. Keep in mind that the cove is topic to sturdy currents so it’s not all the time protected for unskilled swimmers.
12. Check Your Dancing Abilities with Pentozali
Crete is a land the place customs and traditions are just about alive, and dancing is likely one of the issues that locals and guests alike take pleasure in essentially the most in Crete.
Pentozali is the normal Cretan dance that you could witness throughout festivals and native celebrations everywhere in the island.
Regardless of pentozali actually that means “5 steps”, the dance is a mix of 10 totally different steps wherein totally different dancers take turns to place their abilities to the take a look at with jumps and sophisticated figures that comply with the rhythm of the Cretan Lyra, an historic musical instrument with Byzantine origins.
13. Study Concerning the Leper Colony of Spinalonga Island
There are a variety of issues to do on Crete once you journey to the east of the island. Near town of Agios Nikolaos, it’s doable to go to the island of Spinalonga.
This small, fortified island could be visited in lower than an hour and it’s well-known for its turbulent previous as one of many final leper colonies of Greece, which closed its doorways in 1957 when a treatment for the illness was found.
At the moment, you may take a ship from the seaside village of Plaka and uncover the Venetian fortifications of Spinalonga.
As you cross the doorway tunnel, you’ll uncover the world the place the sufferers lived an remoted however affluent life.
Their retailers, their deserted homes with gardens, the church buildings, and the hospital of Spinalonga.
14. Get Misplaced within the Outdated City of Rethymnon
Rethymnon is one other necessary metropolis of Crete, situated between the areas of Chania and Heraklion.
In all probability the best-preserved Venetian metropolis on Crete, the previous city of Rethymnon has a captivating previous port with a lighthouse and several other tavernas lining the promenade.
Within the previous city, you may go to a number of the most spectacular minarets of Crete, lovely mansions with Turkish balconies, and the stays of the star-shaped Venetian fortress or Fortezza, situated on high of a hill overlooking the ocean of Crete.
Rethymnon has a number of fascinating museums, such because the Archaeological Museum and the Historic and Folklore Museum the place it’s doable to find out about conventional native crafts, reminiscent of pottery and embroidery.
15. Spend the Evening in a Mountain Village
Those that wish to expertise an genuine Crete vacation spot mustn’t miss a visit to any mountain village on the island.
Essentially the most conventional villages are recognized for various causes, some have performed an necessary position within the battles for the liberation of the island, whereas others produce distinctive crafts or staple merchandise.
One factor is for certain, although, time appears to have stopped nonetheless. Life may be very easy within the mountains, and there’s nothing like certainly one of these villages for these desirous to loosen up throughout their Cretan vacation.
16. Go to the Historic Arkadi Monastery
Essentially the most well-known monastery of Crete is Moni Arkadi, within the area of Rethymnon. It’s a gorgeous fortified constructing, with a baroque church and beautiful gardens.
Again in 1866 a whole bunch of locals sought refuge from the Turks contained in the monastery however after weeks of siege, they determined to commit suicide as a substitute of surrendering.
This occasion performed a key position within the last liberation from over 200 years of Turkish occupation of the island, resulting in Crete’s unification with Greece.
At the moment, traces of that battle are nonetheless seen within the partitions of Arkadi.
But, regardless of its tragic previous, this is likely one of the most lovely and peaceable buildings you may see on Crete Island.
17. Sail to certainly one of Crete’s Smaller Islands
There are a couple of lovely islands surrounding the coast of Crete. If you happen to’re staying within the area of Lasithi, it’s doable to take a ship and sail to the uninhabited island of Chrissi.
Also called Gaidoruronisi or the island of the donkeys, Chrissi is a really small island off the southern coast of Crete, on the Libyan sea, simply an hour away from the coastal metropolis of Ierapetra.
Chrissi island hosts Europe’s largest juniper tree forest, a uncommon tree typically confused with cedars. It’s a protected reserve, not more than 2 km vast and seven km lengthy.
There are a couple of totally different bays, the closest to the pier is Chrissi Ammos, nonetheless, it’s normally crowded with daytime guests arriving from Crete.
For a extra remoted expertise, head to the east of Chrissi Ammos. Right here, the seashore of Kataprosopo is an ideal spot for snorkeling and it’s normally abandoned.
Keep in mind that it’s not doable to spend the night time in Chrissi, there aren’t any resorts, retailers, or something!
A number of canteens promote meals and drinks on the seashore however they’re fairly overpriced. It’s not a foul thought to pack a light-weight lunch for the day.
The boats to Chrissi depart day by day from the port of Ierapetra if the climate circumstances enable.
If you happen to actually wish to go to this abandoned island, it’s smart to guide a couple of night time in Ierapetra, simply in case you encounter sturdy winds and the boat to Chrissi is canceled for the day.
18. Drive across the Lasithi Plateau
The 23 km highway that circles the Lasithi Plateau is a unbelievable drive that you could take pleasure in throughout your Crete trip.
The plateau stands about 805 meters above sea degree and has nice views of the mountains and the fertile plain under.
When driving across the space, it’s a good suggestion to find any of the 18 villages of the plateau, probably the most well-known is Psychro, recognized for the magnificent Cave of Zeus.
In accordance with the parable, that is the place the place the God Zeus, born on the island, was raised by a goat whereas his mom was attempting to cover him from his father, Chronos.
The cave is made from a number of chambers with lovely columns of stalactites and stalagmites. In accordance with analysis, this is likely one of the many historic Minoan locations of worship of Crete.
Right here, archaeologists have discovered spiritual figures and different objects linked with historic spiritual rituals.
19. Go Wine Tasting in certainly one of Crete’s Wineries
Once you go to Crete, you can’t depart the island with out first tasting one of many 13 distinctive grape kinds of the native winery.
A really previous wine press discovered within the wine area of Heraklion proves the island’s lengthy historical past in winemaking, an business constantly lively since a minimum of way back to the Bronze Age.
At the moment, there are over 35 wineries open to the general public the place you may style the wines of Crete.
If you happen to love reds, go for the kotsifali and the liatiko varieties. If you happen to want the whites, as a substitute, positively strive the vidiano selection, one of many oldest white grapes, often known as the rising star of the native varieties.
20. Drink a Shot of Tsikoudia
Not all the pieces is wine on Crete! Tsikoudia, also referred to as raki, is Crete’s hottest drink and a transparent expression of native hospitality.
Even in the event you’re not a lot into sturdy drinks, likelihood is that you’ll expertise all the pieces about raki from day one on the island.
Raki is an area distillate, with a reasonably excessive alcoholic gradation (about 45 levels), served in any given restaurant or taverna as a complimentary deal with on the finish of each meal.
It’s normally paired with contemporary fruit or a small dish of yogurt and honey, additionally on the home, and it’s the proper excuse to be taught your first phrases in Greek (Gia mas! Or Cheers!), make a toast, and interact in pleasant dialog.
21. Take a Day Journey to Santorini
Since most of Greece is island, you’ll discover ferries function frequently to lots of the close by islands. When you have time and have seen all the opposite high points of interest in Crete, a day journey to a close-by island is an effective way to spend a day.
A preferred day journey from Crete is to the island of Santorini, which is known for its sunsets and romantic ambiance. The winding streets are lined with whitewashed buildings with iconic blue roofs, and there are views of the ocean from each nook.
It takes two hours by ferry to get from Crete to Santorini.
From Santorini, it’s simple to get to the Greek island of Mykonos, in case you propose on doing any extra island hopping in your trip.
22. Hit the Bars in Malia
Malia is a surprising, coastal city with a harbor and boutique retailers. Within the day, it’s quiet and cosy, however at night time, it involves life with vibrant bars, golf equipment and stay music venues.
You’ll discover the nightlife scene on The Malia strip to be fairly loopy, and it’s not for everybody.
It’s a well-liked place to go to for college college students, bachelor and bachelorette events, and anybody trying to go wild.
23. Go to Samaria Gorge Nationwide Park
If you happen to love climbing, make sure to try the Samaria Gorge hike. The 9.0-mile point-to-point path goes from close to Lakki, Crete and finishes in Agia Roumeli.
It’s a surprising path with spectacular vistas and plush surroundings. You hike by way of the middle of the gorge and are surrounded by dramatic limestone cliffs, lush greenery and even cross by a river.
It’s a troublesome hike and might take 14 hours to get from one facet to the opposite, although many individuals simply hike a bit of it earlier than turning again.
24. Wander Across the Venetian Harbor of Rethymno
One other historic city in Crete is Rethymno which is thought for its harbor and lighthouse.
The previous harbour of Rethymno, often known as the Venetian Harbor due to the city’s commerce enterprise with the Venetians, is a quaint, historic harbor in northern Crete.
The harbor circles round a bay stuffed with small fishing boats. You’ll discover many eating places with al fresco eating right here, and it’s a fantastic place to go to for sundown.
On the finish of the harbor is Rethymno Lighthouse, which was constructed within the 1830s.
You should definitely try the remainder of the Outdated City of Rethymno when you’re there. On the hilltop is Fortezza, a star-shaped, Sixteenth-century citadel that provides unbelievable views of town.
Across the city, you’ll discover many boutique shops promoting native crafts like textiles and ceramics.
25. Discover the Birthplace of Zeus
Crete is well-known for being the birthplace of Zeus, the God of Thunder and the Sky in Greek mythology. Zeus is the god of all gods and dominated because the King of Mount Olympus.
Although the precise location of Zeus’s delivery has been below debate, it’s thought to have been certainly one of two caves within the mountains of Crete.
The Ideon Cave, which is situated on the tallest mountain in Crete is likely one of the thought-to-be places. The second is The Dikteon Cave, on Crete’s southern coast.
Each caves are fairly unbelievable and have spectacular rock formations and caverns.
FAQs About Sights in Crete
Right here’s what folks normally ask us about visiting Crete…
What’s the climate like in Crete?
The island has very lengthy, scorching, and dry summers, whereas winters are typically quick with gentle temperatures. Some areas have little or no rain in the course of the yr.
The most effective time to go to is within the shoulder seasons of October and November and April and Could.
How huge is Crete?
Crete is the largest island in Greece, it might take you from 4 to six hours to journey from the west coast to the east.
The island is split into 4 totally different areas; Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, and Lasithi, all of them price seeing.
From mainland Greece, it takes 8-11 hours by ferry from Athens.
What number of days in Crete is sufficient?
We advocate you spend a minimum of every week in Crete to essentially see all of it. If you happen to don’t have that a lot time, then 5 days is an efficient sufficient period of time to go to Crete.
Last Ideas on Issues to Do in Crete
So there you may have it, these are the most effective points of interest in Crete for any customer! As you may see, there’s a lot to see and discover in Crete.
For extra concepts about issues to do in Crete, Greece highlights, planning info, lovely photographs, and sensible maps that can assist you plan your travels, try ZigZag On Earth’s eBook: Street Journey Information to Crete.
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