11 things to see & do in Crete
The largest of the Greek islands, and the one to boast the longest summers, Crete truly has something for everyone.
Once home to the ancient Minoans, Europe's earliest recorded civilisation, Crete* is steeped in thousands of years of history, ringed by a stunning coastline, and won't disappoint with its white-sand beaches and turquoise waters.
Getting to Crete: browse breaks to Greece's largest holiday island Crete with First Choice*.
1. Chania
Chania* (also known as Haniá) on the north coast is Crete's second-largest city and definitely one of the island's highlights.
Winding Venetian streets lead down to the pretty harbour, where old townhouses have been converted into hotels and restaurants.
The restaurants here are among Crete's best, and when you've finished dining, you can take a wander to admire the old city walls and ancient ruins.
2. The Old Town of Rethymnon
For romantic cobbled streets and more of the island's Venetian history, head to the Old Town of Rethymnon*. Like Haniá the main dining hub is set around its harbour, overlooking an Egyptian-built lighthouse.
It's easy to park nearby, and the 16th-century fortress is less than a 10-minute walk away, where you can watch the sunset over the town.
3. Samariá Gorge
This 10-mile gorge is reputedly the longest in Europe, stretching down to the south coast. It's a lengthy walk, taking around six hours at an average pace, but well worth it as you travel through the White Mountains and forests to finally reach Agia Roumeli, where you can cool off with a dip in the sea.
4. Beaches
Okay, so it's perhaps cheating to mention three beaches under one point, but the variety along Crete's coastline makes choosing one beach far too difficult.
Elafonisi Beach, located on the southwest corner of the island, has amazingly crystal-clear shallow waters, perfect for snorkelling, and white and pink sand.
On the northwest coast you will find the beautiful Balos Lagoon, which can be reached by ferry from Kissamos port or by car.
The drive is a slightly treacherous one up the mountains, but if you start early, you can arrive before the first ferry passengers get there. It's a steep hike down to the beach from the car park, but the views are fantastic.
The popular Falassarna Beach can be found further down the northwest coast and is often on lists of the top beaches in Europe. The sea is warm and sometimes wavy, and you'll find the ruins of the Roman city of Falassarna at its northern end.
5. Knossos
The Royal Minoan Palace at Knossos, just south of Crete's capital Iráklion, is an unforgettable sight. British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans uncovered the ruins of Knossos in the early 20th century and spent decades excavating and restoring parts of the site.
The palace once had around 1,300 rooms, and Greek legend has it that this was where King Minos kept his minotaur. You'll need at least a few hours to explore the area, and there is very little shade, so bring a hat and plenty of water.
6. Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Another must-see for history fans is the famous Heraklion Archaeological Museum, best visited after you've been to Knossos to see more of the palace and the rest of the island's Minoan artefacts.
Highlights include the Phaistos Disc, covered in mysterious symbols, and the snake goddesses: bare-breasted figurines with snakes in their hands or slithering up their arms. There's a lot to take in, so give yourself a few hours to walk around.
7. Spinalonga
Once attached to the mainland, the Venetians carved off this part of the land to create a small island to build a fort. The ruins of the fort remain, but Victoria Hislop's novel The Island about Spinalonga's past as a leper colony attracts most visitors today.
People with leprosy were quarantined on the island right up until 1957, making it one of the last leper colonies in Europe. Boats to Spinalonga run from Plaka (closest), Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, and guided tours are available.
8. Aquaworld Aquarium, Hersonissos
Aquaworld in Hersonissos is a brilliant place for a family excursion. It's not a big aquarium, but you can tell that the owners really care for the animals they look after.
You'll see all kinds of local sea life and reptiles, most of which have been rescued from unwanted homes or saved from injury. You can watch the animals being fed and even hold some of the snakes, lizards and tortoises.
9. The Cave of Zeus
Also known as the Dikteon Cave, Greek mythology says this is where Zeus's mother, Rhea, hid him from his father, Cronus, who had a bad habit of swallowing all his children in case they one day overthrew him. Bring comfortable shoes, as it's a winding uphill walk (or donkey ride) from the car park to the cave.
At the entrance, descend the slippery stairs into the cave, deeper and deeper through the lit-up stalactites and stalagmites.
Beware: Google Maps shows the cave as Ideon Andron, which also claims to be Zeus' birthplace but is hours away from the more interesting Dikteon Cave in the east.
10. Lake Voulismeni
This scenic lake in Agios Nikolaos is lined with tavernas and bars. Once known as 'Vromolimni' (stinking lake) because of its stagnant water, a 19th-century channel connecting the lake to the sea solved the problem. The best views are from the steep roads around it and a small park on the hill above.
11. Water parks
There are several seasonal water parks in Crete to choose from, open from May to October. Watercity is a 20-minute drive from Heraklion*, and Limnoupolis water park is not far from Haniá.
The popular Star Beach (with its free entry, water sports and party activities for adults too) and Acqua Plus water park are both in Hersonissos.
Weather in Crete
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  14 |
14 |
 15 |
 19 |
 23 |
 27 |
 28 |
28 |
 25 |
22 |
19 |
15 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  12 |
11 |
 8 |
 5 |
 3 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
5 |
8 |
12 |
| Sea temperature °C |  16 |
 15 |
15 |
16 |
 19 |
 22 |
 25 |
25 |
24 |
22 |
 20 |
18 |
Crete is deliciously warm and sunny in summer and much cooler with some reasonable sunshine throughout winter. Visit our climate section to learn more about the weather in Crete if you're considering it for your next holiday.
Ready to explore Crete? Don't miss the latest deals from First Choice, which offers escapes for all budgets to Crete and Greece.
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