Things to do in Crete

Rethymno

Discover the old town, which is a gem of a settlement on the island, with its Venetian buildings, mosques, minarets, fountains and cobblestone alleys lined with shops, cafes, bars and hotels. You must explore Idaio Antro – one of the most important caves of Minoan worship.

Heraklion

Heraklion, the Venetian port, a lively city filled with sights, museums, restaurants, bars and hotels. Walk along the walls of the old city, and Morosini (Leondaria) Square, surrounded by important buildings; the Loggia (City Hall), Agios Titos and Armeria (armory).

Ierapetra

Ierapetra, the old town with its narrow alleyways, little harbor and famous Fortress of Kales is one of the most significant sights in Crete.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos,it is a cosmopolitan summer resort, with the mystical allure of Lake Vouliagmeni (which, legend has it, is bottomless), with numerous cafes and restaurants dotted around its shores.

Sitia

Sitia, the historic Kazarma fortress (Casa di arma) and its animated waterfront, lined with cafes, shops and restaurants, should be on your list of destinations to visit in Crete.

Elounda

Elouda is the cosmopolitan paradise of sophisticated resorts and hotels, with private beaches, pools and piers. It has the highest concentration of Greece’s five-star resort and is the top destination for a luxurious holiday.

Lassithi

Lassithi, visit the palm forest at Vai but make sure you also find time for the caves of Diktean Antro and Milatos, the island fortress of Spinalonga and the Lassithi Plateau.

Mount Ida (Psiloritis)

Mount Ida (Psiloritis)is the highest mountain in Crete. Ambitious hikers will climb to the top and be rewarded with an unforgettable view.

Cretan Events and Nightlife

Everyone knows that Greece is famous for its especially intense and multifaceted nightlife, which is not restricted to the weekends, in difference with the other European countries; the fun lasts until the early hours of the morning. Crete has the most lively nightlife of all the Greek Islands. There is a wide variety of entertainment choices, for all tastes and all ages, from wild foam parties to traditional evenings with Cretan music and dances.

Summer in Crete means “tables outside”: The guests meet the local people and everyone joins the party. After the sunset, people start gathering in “ouzo shops” and “taverns” (which are usually next to the sea or have a view to the sea) to enjoy “tsikoudia” (traditional local drink) or ouzo and special snacks. The night continues in various music halls, clubs, bars, “bouzouki” or “Cretan Lira” places (halls with live Greek or Cretan music) in the beautiful narrow streets or at the coastal zone of the island until the morning. For those who want something more relaxed, there are various art festivals and cultural events, like theatre performances, concerts with any kind of music and dance and summer cinemas.

Ierapetra’s annual Kyrvia Festival runs from July to August and features a program of cultural activities including singing and dancing nights by local folk and popular groups, special concerts by famous artists, film screenings, theatre performances and much singing and dancing in the streets of the old town.

Battle of Crete, in Hania (Chania). Hania commemorates the WWII Battle of Crete anniversary with athletics competitions, folk dancing and ceremonial events for a week at the end of May.

Marine Week, Sports in Agios Nikolaos. Held during the last week of June in even-numbered years, this celebration has swimming, windsurfing and boat races.

Carnival in Rethymno, the annual pre-Lent celebrations bring four weeks of dancing and masquerading, games and treasure hunts, and a grand street parade. Festivities usually fall around February or March.

Breaking the Waves

If you are a nature lover and you like to combine adventure and fun during your vacation, than Create is heaven. Here you will find many opportunities and a variety of activities for exploring nature and promises a unique and unforgettable experience for those who decide to explore it.

Crete of four seasons never gets boring. Hiking, cannoning, climbing, scuba diving, horse riding, trekking, caving, parasailing, windsurfing and kitesurf some of the activities that Crete offers, besides a great variety of lodging options.

Windsurfing and kitesurfing are the two most popular wave sports in Crete. One of the most important sites for wave sailing in Greece is the rocky bay Papadiokambos, also known as Faneromeni, few miles west of Sitia.

Tourists of Crete have the opportunity to escape to the magical underwater world by choosing among a large number of diving clubs.

You can also explore coasts through snorkeling, taking fishing trips or bottom-glass boat excursions.

Souda Bay and the rocky coastline from Kalyves to Georgioupolis in Chania are the most spectacular diving sites with many caves and rocky abyses.

Also in Rethymnon don’t miss a diving excursion to Skinaria beach by Plakias, the most impressive on the island is ideal for underwater exploration. Areas preferred by the diving schools are also in Heraklion and Lassithi.

You can choose also for daily boat services to many of the most famous remote beaches, such as Balos, Preveli and Agia Roumeli, or other activities like taking kayaking lessons, water skiing, pedaling or parasailing.

Sea of Colours

Greece is famous for its gorgeous beaches – swimming in crystal clear waters surrounded by the beautiful colors of the Aegean will make anyone feel new again. Crete in particular has some of the most stunning beaches in all of Greece – from small coves to long stretches of fine white sand, lagoons and inlets with shallow water leading to deserted islands and soft pink sand.

If you visit Crete, do not miss, these beaches:

Magnificent Falasarna- aquamarine sea and fine golden sand is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Crete. It is peaceful and spread out, perhaps due to its size. It’s located at the very western tip of Crete, and an easy day trip from Chania town. The view from the top of the cliff when driving down to the beach is breathtaking – you get a sense of how wild and free it still is, and why people from all over make a special trip to visit.

Among the most exotic sandy Crete beaches is Balos– raw beauty, deserted-isle feeling and boat trip to paradise, this beach is a wonderful place in Chania with crystal Caribbean-like water. This place amazes visitors with the stunning natural beauty.

Another of the most beautiful beaches of Crete is the exotic beach of Elafonissi in Chania, on the westernmost spot of Crete, as well as the long, sandy beach of Falassarna. Finding a perfect beach is not a problem for visitors, as there are nice clean beaches in Crete all around the island.

Falasarna is a short drive from Chania town, you’ll find sunbeds and umbrellas on the beach, as well as a handful of tavernas offering home-cooked meals and cold drinks.

Stavros beach – a smaller peaceful cove with amazing colors.

It has its own charm and beauty, and perfect for a calm quiet day on a sunbed – which is why it has made our top-four list! he beach sits on a small circular bay with very calm waters protected from the wind, located at the foot of a mountain and next to a picturesque harbor. The lagoon-like bay has white sand and shallow green water, and the contrast of the wild mountain with the peaceful beach makes Stavros a favorite swimming hole with Greeks and a handful of tourists in the know.

Elafonisi beach – walk barefoot through pink sand and shallow clear water across to a lovely island. The beach has clear blue water reminiscent of the Caribbean, but with rare pink sand from pink coral and shells that have been ground naturally over the years. Kissamos is located less than an hour west of Chania, and the morning boat trip that leaves Kissamos for Balos will bring you back by early evening, with enough time to drive back to Chania for dinner, or grab a bite at one of the delicious tavernas along the way.

FOOD AND DRINKS IN CRETE