The 12 things to do in Crete

Visit the Crete: what to do, what to see? Discover the essential things to do during a trip to Crete!

It’s simple, Crete has everything! It is the largest island of Greece and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. Here you can admire the remains of great civilizations and impressive mountain landscapes, explore beautiful beaches, fertile valleys or steep gorges, and take part in the rich gastronomic culture of the island.

Crete is a small universe full of beauties and treasures and you will probably need a whole life to discover them. But if you only leave for a few days, here are the best places to visit in Crete.

1. Marvel at the Gorges de Samaria

Via a walk 16 km , Gorges de Samaria x—in the southwest of Crete in the prefecture of La Canée—are among the longest gorges in Europe. The beginning of the walk to yloskala ("the wooden steps") is just above the plateau of Oralos, very high in the white mountains "Lefka Ori" ( 1,250m altitude).

The throat is normally open every year 1 May to 31 October According to the weather. She is closed in winter given that the mountain river that passes through the gorge makes the places dangerous and impractical. Count it. 5 - 6 a.m. for this long walk. Provide good shoes because the trail is difficult and rocky. The promenade ends at the seaside of Libya in the small coastal village of Agia Roumeli .

2. Discover the Palace of Knossos

Crete was the center of the oldest civilization in Europe in 7,000 before Jesus Christ, while Crete was the center of the oldest civilization in Europe. Minoan civilization prospered between 2,700 and 1,450 before Jesus Christ. Knossos is the largest of the still preserved Minoan palaces. It is considered the center of the Minoan civilization. The Minoan palace and the ancient site of Knossos are just south of Heraklion.

If you come to visit the Crete, Knossos represents a pre-required decision. Legendary residence of the king Minos — supposed to be the origin of the mythical maze that held the Minotaur — the palace was excavated and partially reconstructed by the British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans en 1900 . The entire site includes the palace of Knossos, the Petit Palais, the Royal Villa, the Maison aux Fresques and the tomb.

3. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

To visit the Archeological Museum of Heraklion, it is to browse 2 floors and 27 exhibition rooms, telling the History of Crete. The visit takes place in chronological order and by thematic, from Neolithic to Roman times.

The collections are developed thanks to modern exhibition techniques, and audiovisual equipment, for a real immersion.

Count 2 to 3h visit and avoid going there in the middle of the season (July/August). So favor the months May, June, September and October For example. Know that the museum visit is often .

4. Discover the Lassithi Plateau and the Dikteon Cave

The Lassithi plateau is a huge fertile plain, covering about 25 km2 in the Dikti mountains. Hundreds of white mills, traditionally used to irrigate the mosaic of green and yellow fields composing the fertile plateau, now serve the relics of the past for the most part.

The plateau of Lassithi is the highest inhabited plateau of Greece (800m). The visit of this beautiful mountainous region must include stops to picturesque villages of Krasi with its giant plane tree on the village square (the oldest tree of La Crete), and Mokhós where the church of the Panagia has icons and Byzantine frescoes.

The impressive Dikteon Cave (Grotte de Psychro), legendary birthplace of Zeus, is located at a height of 1 025m above the beautiful plateau of Lassithi. We reach the narrow entrance of the cave by a steep path during the 20 minutes Walk. Once inside, follow the steep slope of 60m to reach an underground basin and different rooms with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

5. Make a boat ride

After taking advantage of the white sand of the Cretoises beaches and the ocean view, there is another must not miss under any pretext: the boat ride! Indeed, with the boat rental in Crete , you offer unforgettable memories of a day to sail on a translucent water, to admire an unsuspected underwater world.

With or without a boat permit, you can go to the collision many surrounding islands , to discover a lush nature in an inimitable calm. You can also call on the services of a skipper, who will snatch them best spots to swim in peace.

6. Take the wide direction of Spinalonga Island

Spinalonga is a small island off the coast of Elounda. His story is amazing. The building was built in 1579 when the island was under Venetian domination. The island passed into the hands of the Turks in 1715 and remained under the domination of the Ottoman Empire until 1898, when Crete became an independent state.

From 1903 until 1957 Spinalonga was used as a Léproserie . The island’s patients received food, water, medical support and social security payments and created their own community. Some of them even got married.

Today, there are only the ruins of these houses on the island. The sunny stones and the blue of the sea at a loss of sight create an intriguing atmosphere that makes you want to know more about the lives of those who lived there. Elounda and its gulf are very popular with a high-end clientele staying in luxury hotels.

7. Getting to Dia Island

Located a few kilometres north of Heraklion, island of Dia is the largest island on the coast of Crete. According to the legend, the legendary Zeus would have pertrified a gigantic lezard with the idea of devouring Crete, creating the island of Dia.

Archaeology enthusiasts will be delighted to find several vestiges of the Minoan era. You can also enjoy an idyllic trip aboard a sailboat, scuba diving and even fishing!

8. Walking around the old town La Canée

Cane is located in the northwest of Crete, 160 km of Heraklion. The main attraction is the magnificent old town of La Canée (also spelled Chaniá or Hania) with its Venetian port lined with cafes and restaurants, and its boring paved streets. Rich in history, La Canée is on the ancient site of Kydonia which flourished during the Roman period, before becoming later the capital of the State of Crete (1897-1907). Visit the Archaeological Museum Halidon Street and the Maritime Museum to the westernmost point of the seafront.

Take the time to explore alleys , you will be amazed to see the jewels you will discover: beautiful Venetian buildings with cafés and restaurants, designer craft shops, weaver workshops, booters on the street of leather, and rows of shops selling Cretan knives carved by hand at Maheradika.

Flip east around the port in front of the multitude of fishing boats, yachts and pleasure boats. Here the seafront is lined with excellent fish taverns. Continue to the right along the dam towards the beautiful lighthouse. You can also make one walk in calèche .

9. Make a safari in 4×4

Are you looking for adventures? Do you want to discover the diversity of landscapes and the many points of interest spread throughout the island in an atypical way?

Opt for an original exploration of the center by landing in a 4×4 for a fantastic safari leading you through typical small villages. Good memories guaranteed!

10. Fun at Acqua Plus Water Park

Do you want to spend a day full of fun with family or friends? Rendez-vous à l’ Acqua Plus Water Park ! This water park, located 30km from Heraklion, is one of the most popular in the island. With more 50 attractions different, it ensures a day rich in emotion and far from boredom.

Small plus: the park is divided into 2 sections . One for adults, with strong sensation slides, and another for children.

11. Go to Lake Kournás

Located between La Canée and Rethymnon , Lake Kournás is the only natural freshwater lake in Crete and is surrounded by lush vegetation with the white mountains in the backdrop. A number of taverns border the shores of the lake, and you can swim or rent a pedal boat in the summer.

A few kilometres from Kournás Lake, the village of Kournás is located Argiroupolis . This pretty village is built on the old Lappa site and consists of 2 parts: superior and lower of the village. Visit the waterfalls at the bottom of the village and then visit the Roman necropolis of Lappa, the remains of the Roman baths, and the aqueduct in the upper part of the village.

12. Preaching on the beaches of Cretoises

No matter where you stay in Crete, you are never too far from a beautiful beach. The beaches Elafonissi and Phalassarna, as well as Balos lagoon in the La Canée prefecture are superb. If you visit the east of Crete, the beach Kolokytha is only accessible by boat from Elounda.

How do I go to Crete?

From France

The plane is obviously the fastest and cheapest way to get to Crete. If some companies pass through Athens, many offer direct flights to Athens Heraklion airport from major French cities (Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Paris...), especially in summer. Count about 3 hours to reach the Greek island.

To find a cheap ticket for Crete, it is best to get ahead of it and use a flight comparison as Ulysses .

From Athens

Are you staying in Athens? You can reach Crete by ferry. Many shipping companies offer the crossing and you will necessarily find the one that best suits you. Among them, you will find Anek Superfast or Golden Star Ferries . To avoid spending hours comparing routes, feel free to use Direct Ferries which will offer you the best crossings.

From the airport to the centre

If you wish to reach the centre of Crete as soon as you arrive at the International Airport of Heraklion Níkos-Kazantzákis, there are several options available to you:

• By taxi

The airport is only 5 km from Heraklion, and you will quickly reach the centre. The taxi is the fastest way to do it. However, the rates are fairly high. Count 20€ for 10 minutes travel.

• By bus

With tickets to 0.75€ the driveway, the bus is the most affordable option. However, it is not the most practical. The airport does not have a bus stop, you will have to walk a little to reach stops near the main road. We'll have to count. 35 minutes travel.

2 bus lines link :

• line 1 ;
• line 178 ;

How to move to Crete?

By bus

The most economical solution is to move by car. The great cities of the island such as La Canée, Heraklion or Rethymnon are very well served by public transport. Count about 8€ to reach Rethymnon from Heraklion (for 2 hours) and 12€ to go to La Canée (3h drive).

Within the same cities, you can also take buses but know that you can easily visit the city centers on foot.

By car

If you wish to be completely free of your travels during your stay in Crete, you should be advised rent a car . You can travel from east to west at your convenience, and at an affordable price. However, know that the minimum age for driving in Crete is 21 years .

Where to stay in Crete?

Who says to stay in Crete, says to find housing worthy of this name. So, in which city accommodation in Crete ? Of course, there is Heraklion. Being the capital of the island, it will be easy for you to find a place to sleep during your stay. If you want to settle in some more typical villages, set the course on the western part of the island or the south coast and its galo-Roman remains.

On the type of accommodation, do not hesitate to use Compare hotels to find the hotel room that will best match your expectations. And if you want something more atypical, opt for a Airbnb ! From the traditional villa to the studio with sea view, you will find the place that makes you dream!

Did you ever visit the Crete?