Top five things to do in Crete

Crete, Greece’s largest island, contains remnants from classical civilization, beautiful beaches, breathtaking mountains and an unforgettable cuisine. Crete is separated into four areas: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. Here are four great places to see in each region, plus a fifth attraction that they all share.

Samaria gorge in Chania
The region of Chania is the western most area of Crete. The capital of the region is the city of Chania, which has beautifully preserved architecture from the era of Venetian Rule—mansions, fountains and churches. The White Mountains dominate the region and form Crete’s sole national park, home to Samaria gorge. At approximately 10 miles in length, this gorge is the longest in all of Europe.

Sfendoni Cave in Rethymno
Rethymno is Crete’s smallest region. The city of Rethymno is a well-preserved blend of churches, mosques, mansions and cobblestone. It blends nicely with the area’s surrounding natural beauty. The region of Rethymno is rich in caves. Near the mountain village of Zoniana is the Sfendoni Cave, one of the most impressive caves in all of Greece, with stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Knossos Palace in Heraklion
Heraklion is the most densely populated region of Crete. The city of Heraklion is the capital of all Crete and one of Greece’s major hubs. It features one of the nation’s most important museums, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum—the greatest museum for Minoan culture in the world. Just over three miles to the southeast is the Palace of Knossos. This palace, the most important palace of Minoan civilization, was seat to King Minos, according to tradition. The palace is closely associated with the myth of Daidalos, Ikaros and the Minotaur.               

Spinalonga in Lasithi
Lasithi, the easternmost region of Greece, is also the least mountainous. Agios Nikolaos, the region’s capital city, surrounds Lake Voulismeni, which is connected to the sea by a narrow channel. The city’s many restaurants and cafes will ensure that you eat well throughout your stay. Spinalonga is a rocky islet just beyond the port of Elounda. This fortified small island has served many functions—from fortress to leper colony—over the years. In recent years, it was featured in Victoria Hislop’s bestselling book “The Island.” It should take around an hour to truly appreciate Spinalonga. But the serenity it offers will be enough to stick around even longer.

Beaches
Crete is world-renowned for its beaches. Whether you visit Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion or Lasithi, you will find crystal clear warm waters in which you can swim year-round. Located on the Gramvousa peninsula on the far northwest of Crete, you can find Balos Beach, covered in delicate white sand. The fortress island of Gramvousa lends you a beautiful backdrop for enjoying this beach to the fullest. On the south coast, Matala offers a gorgeous pebble beach with gentle winds blowing in from the ocean. It became associated with the hippie movement and that relaxed spirit lives on here. Overall, the water in Crete is so astonishing and gorgeous that you would be well advised to spend a lot of time at any of Crete’s beaches—just being near the Mediterranean Sea is an experience unto itself.