Best shore excursions when you cruise into Crete

Sophie Chichester

Sophie Chichester

Crete cruise excursions deliver dollops of ancient history, sandy beaches and traditional villages on a Greek island sailing; just remember to pack the SPF50 if you go in the summer.

Minoan frescoes, Archaeological Museum Heraklion, Crete
Minoan frescoes, Archaeological Museum Heraklion, Crete © Garrett Ziegler - Flickr CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Crete, slung in the Aegean Sea under Greece and Turkey, is the largest of the Greek islands and a popular port of call on Grecian voyages. Snow-capped mountains, undulating olive-tree-covered hills, ancient ruins and over 1,000 km of breathtaking coastline; this idyllic spot has it all. So bring your swimming cossie and good walking shoes on a stop here.

Ruled over by successive empires, including the Arabs, Ottomans and Venetians, the island's capital boasts fortified walls encircling historic palaces, medieval monuments and archaeological treasures.

Today, there are fascinating museums, top beaches and plenty of places to sample super fresh seafood as you time travel back 5,000 years to the Minoan period. The Bronze Age civilisation spread throughout the Mediterranean before mysteriously collapsing (a huge volcanic eruption is the going theory). It's said to be the inspiration for Atlantis; possibly.

Getting to Crete: find great value itineraries to the eastern Mediterranean with Marella Cruises*, which offers exciting excursions from Heraklion*, its port of call.

Arriving in Crete

All cruises to Crete call at Heraklion and there's certainly nothing romantic about your arrival. The port of Heraklion* is large and modern, so be prepared to hop on a shuttle to access the main terminal from more distant piers.

Heraklion Harbour from the Venetian fort
Heraklion Harbour from the Venetian fort © Gatsi - Adobe Stock Image

Once at the passenger hub, you can choose to walk the 15 minutes to the old town or join one of your cruise line's shuttles to within the Venetian walls where most key sites lie, except the Minoan palace at Knossos.

Crete can be explored unaided if you wish to steer clear of groups. The buses here are easily navigable and taxis are readily available, but for ultimate ease join a cruise excursion*. Let's have a look at some of the highlights to see on a cruise to Crete.

Knossos

The UNESCO site of Knossos is the iconic palace of the Minoan civilisation and the most famous ruins on Crete. Covering over 20,000 sq metres, it's the largest and oldest of all Minoan palatial structures.

In its heyday (after the original palace was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 BCE), elaborate Knossos* reflected the height of Minoan prosperity driven by trade in such resources as oil, wine and wool.

The palace's layout became increasingly complex after its reconstruction, inspiring the Labyrinth myth: according to the legend, King Minos of Crete ordered the construction of a maze to retain his son, the Minotaur, who was half bull and half man. Eventually, the creature was killed by celebrated Greek hero, Theseus. Phew.

Forget any ideas of rolling out your ball of yarn to explore this maze, however; it doesn't exist now and most likely never did then.

A restored section of the Palace of Knossos
A restored section of the Palace of Knossos © Jaroslav Moravcik - Adobe Stock Image

Indeed, a lot of what you can see at Knossos is ruined, with most of the remaining structures thanks to (arguably fanciful) reconstruction by Arthur Evans, the erstwhile director of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. Evans extensively excavated the archaeological site in the 19th century and didn't hesitate to impose his own ideas.

Nevertheless, the palace's red columns made from inverted cypress trunks, the intricate frescoes of marine life, people and mythical creatures plus its sophisticated water management systems do highlight the advanced Minoan civilisation. The resident (live) peacocks add a touch of flair, too.

Look out for the Throne Room with its alabaster throne, gypsum benches and a griffin fresco, symbolising the kings' association with justice. This legacy lives on in the white marble replica throne at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Book an excursion and your guide will bring the fascinating history of this ancient world to life; going it alone will likely not, comprehensive signage is not Greece's strong point.

Arolithos

You can explore further afield on a cruise excursion. The village of Arolithos, up in the mountains, captures the essence of old Crete - despite only being built in the mid-1980s to preserve and celebrate Cretan culture.

Wander through cobbled streets lined with authentic artisans, including ironsmiths, potters and weavers. Visit the Museum of Rural History & Folk Craft, showcasing pottery and fine crafts, and browse shops offering a wide variety of traditional items. Get your caffeine hit in a village kafeneio (coffee house) before heading back to your ship.

Agios Nikolaos

The coastal beauty of Agios Nikolaos (or "Ag Nik" if you're one of those visitors) is often likened to St Tropez. At its heart lies beautiful Voulismeni Lake, a "bottomless" saltwater marvel connected to the sea by a narrow channel. According to mythology, goddesses Athena and Artemis once bathed in the deep dark waters (no promises you'll morph into a deity if you dip these days, though).

The lake is framed by dramatic crimson cliffs and lush greenery, with pine trees above. A stone path leads to the lake's southern edge, where a harbour bobs with colourful fishing boats.

The town itself is home to archaeological, folklore and natural history museums as well as preserved Byzantine churches, a buzzy marina and pedestrian-friendly streets. Spend free time ogling boutique shops or picking up souvenirs (totally fine if they're all for you).

Kritsa

Just 10 km southwest of Agios Nikolaos, nestled on the foothills of Mount Kastellos, you'll find the mountain village of Kritsa. It's variously dubbed the "most iconic" and "most picturesque" village in Crete, and it's certainly one of the oldest.

If it looks familiar that's because it's served as the backdrop for numerous movies and documentaries filmed in Greece, including Jules Dassin's 1957 drama He Who Must Die and the 1975 TV series Christ Recrucified.

Panagia Kera Byzantine church near Krista
Panagia Kera Byzantine church near Krista © Gatsi - Adobe Stock Image

Expect pretty cobblestone alleys, blooming courtyards, traditional coffee houses and local shops hawking embroidery, art and handicrafts. Surrounded by olive groves (some of the most ancient in Greece, no less), Kritsa produces a renowned olive oil celebrated for its distinctive peppery flavour and low acidity; and yup, you can taste some.

A short distance from the ancient Doric city of Lato, Kritsa thrived through Byzantine and Venetian times and, today, you can explore landmarks such as the Historical and Folklore Museum, the 15th-century fresco-adorned Church of Panagia Kera and the impressive Havgas Gorge.

Elounda

Elounda*, a scenic coastal village to the north, is tucked along a lagoon-like bay and flanked by some of the island's most luxurious resorts. The harbour is still home to traditional salt-encrusted fishing boats and day-trippers can check out the attractive shops, bars and tavernas that extend along the 200-metre stretch of sandy municipal beach.

Elounda's history dates back to the ancient city of Olous and the ruins, visible under the sea, make the bay a prime spot for snorkelling. Nearby, you can explore early Christian basilica mosaics and the (on the paltry side) archaeological site of Naxos on Mount Oxa. But you are rewarded with splendid views of Mirabello Bay from the top.

For beaches, there's Driros Beach (a 15-minute walk away), Plaka and the shores around Istron. The star attraction here, though, is the historic islet of Spinalonga, a former leper colony, accessible by boat from Elounda.

Spinalonga

Spinalonga, a small rocky islet off the northern coast of Crete, is steeped in history and evocative charm. Originally fortified in antiquity to protect the (aforementioned) ancient city of Olous, it later became a key stronghold during the Venetian era, with impressive bastion-style defences constructed in the late 16th century.

The island endured a turbulent past, serving as a refuge during the Cretan War, a base for rebels resisting Ottoman rule, and eventually a thriving Muslim settlement in the 19th century.

Spinalonga, the former leper colony
Spinalonga, the former leper colony © Gatsi - Adobe Stock Image

In 1903, it was repurposed as a leper colony: up to 1,000 Greeks were quarantined on Spinalonga, enduring harsh and deplorable conditions in its early years. If you're interested, Victoria Hislop's 2005 bestselling novel The Island makes for a fascinating, and moving, read.

Abandoned after the cure for leprosy was discovered in the fifties, Spinalonga* was declared an archaeological site in 1976 and is now a poignant tourist destination.

You enter through the same 20 metre-long tunnel that arriving patients once used, leading to a 1-km trail winding past remnants of the settlement, including a church, the disinfection room, the hospital and the cemetery.

A cruise excursion will include a guided tour of this "island of tears" before taking you back to (cheerier) Elounda. Have some mini pies and meatballs to lift your spirits.

Climate in Crete

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
Sea temperature °C

The above guide shows the climate in Heraklion. Find out more about conditions across the island in our complete guide to the climate in Crete.

Ready to cruise into Crete? Browse the latest offers on sailings with Marella Cruises.

Marella Cruises: All inclusive as standard

More about Crete

Crete by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Sophie Chichester

Sophie Chichester

Posted on Thursday 5th December 2024 in: Cruises Europe Marella Cruises

Back to top

Explore holidays in the sun for less

More holidays

Airport parking

More parking

Airport lounges

More lounges

Related posts

Back to Travel inspiration Top ^