Greece's biggest island. Crete is a festival for the senses: wild natural beauty and thousands of years of culture, history and exquisite cuisine. Find out about Crete's top stuff to do.Lasithi Plateau
If you believe Crete looks like a large beach... well, you might be amazed. Visit the Lasithi Plateau where you can admire the views of genuine, agrarian Crete, complete of olive and almond trees. Here you will find famous irrigating windmills with canvas–there were as many as 20,000 of them in the seventeenth century! Unfortunately, they are rather uncommon nowadays, but taking a short break here is definitely one of the most amazing things to do in Crete.
Spinalonga Island
Although the island itself is extremely picturesque–the Venetian fortress and the beautiful sea panorama all around, you shouldn't forget about its rather murky past. There was a colony for lepers until 1973. Walking between ruined houses, you can feel the depressing atmosphere of isolation that followed the sick.The Palace of Knossos
Knossos Palace used to be a great capital of Minoans, ruling this portion of the globe about 3,000 years ago. Are you familiar with Minotaur's myth? According to legend, Dedal constructed a labyrinth in Knossos as a prison for Minotaur half-bull and half-man. You may be amazed to see that ruins are in such a good condition when you visit this location.KritsaKritsa is located a bit off the beaten track trails – a tiny village in the mountains, where life takes its slow Greek rhythm. This is also a great place to buy original Cretan handicrafts.
Chrissi Island
If you're close to Ierapetra or Myrtos, be sure to take a trip to Chrissi's uninhabited island. This is an exceptional location where you have the chance to see the only natural cedar forest in Europe and ... the beach filled with millions of shells!
Vai Beach
If you want to take pictures like on the Caribbean islands but still spend your holiday in Crete, go to Vai beach. It is renowned for its palms and highly fine, powder-like white sand. The beach itself is unfortunately quite crowded, but after 5 pm the crowds disappear–just in time to admire the romantic sunset!
Samaria Gorge
Walking this longest (16 km) gorge in Europe is definitely one of the most spectacular things to do in Crete. The gorge's slopes reach 500 m! At the start of the tourist season, you may have to cross the shallow stream that flows through the center of it. This is an incredible place where you can feel the true wilderness.Heraklion
Although the city itself isn't the most beautiful in Crete and looks a bit touristy, you should stop here even for a couple of hours. We were impressed by the waterfront with the Venetian Fortress. History-lovers should visit the Archaeological Museum – surprise! The majority of the frescoes you admired in Knossos are actually displayed here – which means, you saw copies in Knossos. You may also enjoy a local market, near the Morosini Fountain, where you can buy delicious olives, aromatic honey or the famous "mountain tea" straight from the producers.
Chania
Chania is the second largest city in Crete, located on the northwest coast of the island. The gateway to western Crete with an international airport and a ferry port. Chania is a unique city bearing a rich history and culture. Journey through the narrow streets of the old town that offer nostalgic images from the past and admire the beautiful architecture. Then visit the Old Venetian Harbor, the most photographed place in all of Greece that features an old lighthouse, the trademark of the city. Stop at any of the waterfront taverns and taste the exquisite Cretan gastronomy and local wine. Be sure to visit the ancient archeological sites and historic monuments along the way.
Hersonissos
This fascinating destination hosts some of the most famous resorts in all of Crete, located on the north east coast of the island. Begin your adventure at this fun filled location and visit all the sites including the Golf Club, Hersonissos Aquarium, Labyrinth Theme Park and Dinosauria Park. Stop at one of the many beach resorts where you can soak in the sun, take a swim in the crystal clear sea waters and walk in the golden sand.
Rethymno
Visiting Rethymno should definitely make it to the top of your list of "things to do in Crete." Narrow streets packed with Venetian and Ottoman architecture, mosque minarets, Greek vibes, magnificent Venetian fortress, and in the center of the town... pedestrian promenade with palm trees and beach. All in one place! Moreover, in July there is the Wine Festival here! In fact, you can spend your entire holidays not leaving this place.
Agios Nikolaos
Many people decide to spend all their holidays here. An incredibly scenic town situated on the so-called bottomless lake Voulismeni salt. Walking along the waterfront, you will have the chance to see the renowned Mirabello Bay, regarded to be the most picturesque in Crete. Agios Nikolaos looks a little less "Greek" than the rest of Crete, but it's still worth staying here for a while.
Episkopi and Petres have fervent young fans, while noteworthy in the south are the alluring beaches of Preveli, Plakia, Ligres, Triopetra and Agios Pavlos, with its huge sand dunes. In Heraklion, Malia and Hersonissos attract tourists from all over the world. Endless kilometres of golden coastline surround Ierapetra, in the Lassithi prefecture. The celebrated palm forest in Vai is one of the most spectacular sights in Crete, where palm trees embrace the golden sand, while the beaches of Elounda and those around Agios Nikolaos are not to be missed.
