Best Things to Do on Crete
The best things to do on Crete and top things to see include the Samaria Gorge, the Minoan Palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the towns of Chania and Rethymnon.
The best things to do on Crete include hiking the longest gorge in Europe, seeing the remains of vast Minoan Palaces like Knossos, Phaistos and Malia, relaxing in pretty waterfront towns such as Chania, Rethymnon and Sitia, spending a day or more in Iraklion with its marvellous Archaeological Museum, and seeing religious sites like the haunting Arkadi Monastery and the beautiful frescoes in the church of the Panagia Kera. And that's without even mentioning the fantastic beaches!
The best things to do on Crete include hiking the longest gorge in Europe, seeing the remains of vast Minoan Palaces like Knossos, Phaistos and Malia, relaxing in pretty waterfront towns such as Chania, Rethymnon and Sitia, spending a day or more in Iraklion with its marvellous Archaeological Museum, and seeing religious sites like the haunting Arkadi Monastery and the beautiful frescoes in the church of the Panagia Kera. And that's without even mentioning the fantastic beaches!
Here in alphabetical order is our list of the best things to do on Crete:
Aquaworld Aquarium and Reptile Rescue Centre
This lovely place in Hersonissos is an absolute delight. The animals here have all been rescued in some way, and are lovingly cared for by the owners. See the giant python, Dmitri the octopus (who can open a jar to get his lunch), the blind but contented sea turtle, and much more. Don’t just take our word for it. Read the rave reviews on TripAdvisor.
The Arkadi Monastery
Arkadi Monastery
It's a lovely drive up a twisty mountain road to get to one of the island's most important monasteries. In 1866 hundreds of Cretans were killed here by occupying Turkish forces, including many Cretan resistance fighters, and it has become a symbol of the islanders' struggle for independence. Don't miss the ossuary, where skulls and bones of those who died are preserved.
For more information on the history of the monastery, with maps, videos, and visitor information, see our separate page on the Arkadi Monastery.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos
Agios (or Ayios) Nikolaos is one of the prettiest towns on Crete, renowned for its twin harbours. It is therefore very busy too, and the crowds can detract from the enjoyment of it, but it's well worth seeing. It also has a good Archaeological Museum, and a little Folklore Museum, but its main appeal is the town itself. Visit our page on Agios Nikolaos.
Diktean Cave
We wouldn't rate the Diktean Cave as among the very best things to do on Crete, but it is certainly popular and worth it if you're in the area. See our page on the Diktean Cave.
Chania
Chania, Crete's second-largest city, is many people's favourite place on Crete, and we'd find it hard to disagree. It has a really beautiful Venetian harbour, which is the perfect place for a drink or a meal especially in the evening when it bustles with people. The town has good shopping, several excellent museums, and some of the nicest hotels and best restaurants on the island. See our separate page about Chania.
Ancient Gortina
Gortina
Gortina (or Gortys) was a Greco-Roman city and the ruins, although small, sprawl pleasantly over fields and olive groves making it a lovely spot to explore. The 6th-century church of Ayios Titos is one of the main ruins, and nearby in what is thought to have been the agora, or market, is a truly unique find. Carved in about 500BC on huge stone blocks is what was the first Code of Law to have been written down in Europe. See our separate page for more information about Gortina.
Gournia
The ruins at Gournia are interesting because they are of an ordinary working Minoan town, not one of the great palaces. The ruins are from about 1500BC and it's really fascinating to walk among them and discover the houses and workshops. get to the top of the site for a good over-view, and when you do it remember that Gournia was originally four times as big as what you see in front of you. The rest has not yet been uncovered.
Iraklion
Try to spend at least a day in Iraklion, Crete's capital, or preferably a few days. It's a lively city with plenty of things to do, including the Archaeological Museum, its Venetian harbour, the Historical Museum, the Icon Museum, several interesting old churches, and plenty of good restaurants too.
Knossos
Knossos
The Minoan Palace at Knossos is the biggest attraction on Crete, and well worth at least half a day of your time. There were once over 1,200 rooms here, and some of them have been recreated to give an impression of the scale and grandeur of the palace. The first palace was built here in about 2000BC, but that was destroyed in an earthquake 300 years later. Then an even greater palace was built, but that too was destroyed in 1450BC, possibly by the eruption of the volcano on Santorini, causing a huge tidal wave.
See our separate page about visiting Knossos for much more information, videos, and a map. See also our page on the archaeologist forever associated with Knossos, Sir Arthur Evans.
We Love Crete
For much more info on what to do on Crete, visit the
We Love Crete website, an invaluable resource.
Malia Palace
Malia Palace is Crete's third-largest Minoan Palace. It was built in about 1900BC, destroyed in an earthquake then rebuilt in about 1650BC. Its remains with a reddish tinge to the stone make a great place to wander around, and because it's usually less crowded you have more time to make sense of the ruins. See our separate page on Malia.
Panagia Kera
This little Byzantine church is one of the most famous on Crete, known for its 14th- and 15th-century frescoes. They seem to cover every inch of the walls, and make a great impact when you first walk into the church.
Phaistos
The ruins of the Minoan Palace at Phaistos (or Faistos) are just as enjoyable, if not more so, than the more famous ruins at Knossos. They're set on a hill overlooking a plain and the site is usually nowhere near as crowded as Knossos. Enjoy the central courtyard, royal apartments, the grand staircase, and the place where the famous Phaistos Disc was uncovered in 1903. This small disc was made in about 1700-1600BC and no-one has ever worked out what it's spiralling series of pictograms are meant to be, though there are several theories.
See our separate page for more information on Phaistos.
The Old Harbour at RethymnonRethymnon
Crete's third-largest town has a busy modern side to it but also a great beach and a lovely little port area. It also has a huge Venetian fortress from the 1570s, thought to be the biggest ever built, a good Archaeological Museum, a Historical and Folk Art Museum, and some smart hotels and restaurants.
The Samaria Gorge
Photo by Mike Gerrard
Samaria Gorge
Walking the Samaria Gorge, the longest gorge in Europe, is definitely one of the best things to do on Crete, and the most exhilarating. The scenery is spectacular, and while it's hot and tiring to cover the 18kms (11.25 miles), it can be done by anyone who's reasonably fit. In fact it can get over-crowded in the summer, but nothing takes away from the sense of achievement when you reach the Libyan Sea at the southern end, having started from high up in the White Mountains. See our separate page with much more information on the Samaria Gorge, and our own account of Hiking the Samaria Gorge. You might also be interested in reading our account of Hiking in Southwest Crete.
Sitia
This north-coast town is more visited by Greeks than foreign tourists and so maintains a laid-back and still-Greek feel to it. It has a lovely waterfront area with some very good eating places, and has an Archaeological Museum and a Folk Museum too. The drive to it along the coast from Ayios Nikolaos is one of the most beautiful drives on Crete.
So there you have our personal list of the Best Things to Do on Crete, but it's hard to choose as there are just so many great things to see and do on this island.
Where to Stay on Crete
Other Crete pages
Central Crete in Three Days
Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.
Where to Stay in Central Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.
Dining at Vegera
Greece Travel Secrets eats at Vegera in Zaros and finds a cheap but wonderful feast of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes cooked daily with fresh local food.
Rouvas Gorge Walk
This Rouvas Gorge walk starts and ends in Zaros in southern Crete and should take three to four hours with a distance of eight kilometres or five miles.
Keramos Studios in Zaros
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
Zaros
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Zaros in Central Crete, including what to do, where to stay, and where to eat.
Crete
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
Crete's UNESCO Sites
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.
Eco-Tourism Accommodation on Crete
The Dalabelos Estate offers luxury eco-tourism accommodation on Crete in the hills near Rethymnon with its own farm, vineyard and olive groves.
Crete’s Wildlife and Landscape
Crete’s wildlife and landscape are two of the island’s attractions, including gorges for hiking, rare raptors like the lammergeier, wildcats and ancient trees.
Ancient Gournia Minoan Site in Eastern Crete
Ancient Gournia is a Minoan archaeological site between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia in Eastern Crete where the visitor can see evidence of a maze of back streets.
Crete Festivals and Events
Crete festivals and events include Carnival Easter, Whitsun, Christmas, many other religious feast days and public holidays.
Where to Stay in Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets suggests where to stay in Eastern Crete with our favourite hotels in Zakros, Elounds, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Istron Bay, Myrtos, Neapolis.
Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets’ potted guide to Eastern Crete and why you should consider it for a holiday, including seeing Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Vai Beach and Zakros.
Eastern Crete in Five Days
How to see eastern Crete in five days, with its beaches, Minoan palaces, timeless villages, unique churches and mountain and coastal scenery.
Sitia
Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.
Where to Eat in Eastern Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.
Art Courses on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets visits Visual Arts Crete who offer accommodation and run art courses at their home and studio in the village of Kastellos near Rethymnon.
Chania, in Western Crete
Chania is the main city in Western Crete with a lovely setting and a beautiful harbour as well as several museums.
Crete Botanical Gardens
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Crete Botanical Gardens near Chania and finds a wonderland of colourful plants, trees, and flowers filling a lovely valley.
Irakleio
Crete's capital and largest city is Irakleio, also called Iraklion or Heraklion, a large and busy place with good restaurants, museums and historical buildings.
Driving on Crete
Driving on Crete is the best way to see Greece’s biggest island and here is our driving advice and some information about Greek driving regulations.
Shopping Tips for Crete
These shopping tips for Crete include advice on buying souvenirs like ceramics, icons, jewellery, leather, weavings, wood carvings, and food and drink.
Malia and its Minoan Palace on Crete
Malia on the north coast of Crete is renowned for its nightlife and beaches but also has the Minoan Palace of Malia, one of Crete's many archaeological sites.
Latest Posts
-
Athens Airport: New Curbside Pick-up Rules Take Effect June 7
In efforts to improve the passenger drop-off and pick-up experience and in view of the expected increase in international traveler arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) announced that it would… -
Study Reveals the Tourist ‘Types’ that Pick Thessaloniki for Holidays
Art lovers, active types and foodies are among the ‘travel tribes’ that select Thessaloniki, as their holiday destination, found a visitor profile study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels A… -
Greece to Protect Historic Athens Cinemas Ideal and Astor
The Greek Environment Ministry’s Central Council of Architecture (KESA) has decided to protect Athens’ Astor and Ideal cinemas designating the two historic landmarks as cultural monuments, said the Gr… -
Thessaloniki Metro Almost Ready, Greek PM on First Test Run
Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro, to serve almost 250,000 commuters a day once completed, is almost ready with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking a test ride this week. Mitsota… -
Thessaloniki Food, Nightlife Winning Over More Tourists
The nightlife and food are two of Thessaloniki’s strong points attracting more visitors to the northern port city, found a satisfaction study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels Association… -
Air Passenger Traffic to Greece Continues to Mark Sharp Rise
Passenger arrivals across all airports in Greece marked a sharp increase in the first four months of the year up by 7.4 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 and by 38.4 percent over the same period in 2… -
Greece Among Top Choices of British easyJet Flyers this Summer
British holidaymakers flying on easyJet are picking Greece this year, according to a poll conducted by the budget carrier. More specifically, according to the survey carried out on 2,000 British adult… -
Uber Launches On-demand Boat Service on Mykonos Island, Greece
Ride-hailing company Uber recently announced that it will launch a new seasonal private charter boat service on the Greek island of Mykonos. Available from mid-June to October, “Boat” will be an on-de… -
Mykonos Tops Airbnb’s Most Searched Int’l Destinations by US Travelers in Q1
The Greek island of Mykonos is the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer re… -
Greece’s Regional Airports Outdo Pre-Covid 2019 Traffic Levels in April
Greece’s 14 regional airports exceeded pre-Covid 2019 levels last month handling a total of 1.6 million passengers, said managing company Fraport Greece. More specifically, according to Fraport data…
Why not join our Greece Travel Secrets Club? As a member you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
CHECK OUT THESE COOL SANTORINI SANDALS!
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
Best Greece Guide
Of all the many guides to Greece we've seen, this is the one we recommend as best of all:
Greece Travel Inspiration
Buy our book of inspirational travel stories from our travels in Greece over the years.
Take a Look at Our Corfu Guide
FTC Disclosure : If you make a purchase via a link on this site, we may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no added cost to you. Thank you!
Latest Posts
-
Athens Airport: New Curbside Pick-up Rules Take Effect June 7
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
In efforts to improve the passenger drop-off and pick-up experience and in view of the expected increase in international traveler arrivals, Athens International Airport (AIA) announced that it would… -
Study Reveals the Tourist ‘Types’ that Pick Thessaloniki for Holidays
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
Art lovers, active types and foodies are among the ‘travel tribes’ that select Thessaloniki, as their holiday destination, found a visitor profile study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels A… -
Greece to Protect Historic Athens Cinemas Ideal and Astor
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
The Greek Environment Ministry’s Central Council of Architecture (KESA) has decided to protect Athens’ Astor and Ideal cinemas designating the two historic landmarks as cultural monuments, said the Gr… -
Thessaloniki Metro Almost Ready, Greek PM on First Test Run
May 22, 23 10:19 AM
Thessaloniki’s highly anticipated metro, to serve almost 250,000 commuters a day once completed, is almost ready with the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis taking a test ride this week. Mitsota… -
Thessaloniki Food, Nightlife Winning Over More Tourists
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
The nightlife and food are two of Thessaloniki’s strong points attracting more visitors to the northern port city, found a satisfaction study released this week by the Thessaloniki Hotels Association… -
Air Passenger Traffic to Greece Continues to Mark Sharp Rise
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
Passenger arrivals across all airports in Greece marked a sharp increase in the first four months of the year up by 7.4 percent compared to pre-Covid 2019 and by 38.4 percent over the same period in 2… -
Greece Among Top Choices of British easyJet Flyers this Summer
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
British holidaymakers flying on easyJet are picking Greece this year, according to a poll conducted by the budget carrier. More specifically, according to the survey carried out on 2,000 British adult… -
Uber Launches On-demand Boat Service on Mykonos Island, Greece
May 19, 23 11:36 AM
Ride-hailing company Uber recently announced that it will launch a new seasonal private charter boat service on the Greek island of Mykonos. Available from mid-June to October, “Boat” will be an on-de… -
Mykonos Tops Airbnb’s Most Searched Int’l Destinations by US Travelers in Q1
May 18, 23 10:58 AM
The Greek island of Mykonos is the top most searched for international destination by US travelers seeking Airbnb accommodation in the first quarter of the year, according to the Airbnb 2023 Summer re…
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
