In the archipelago of Greece sits the gorgeous island of Crete, which is the largest of the many islands there. It’s a place with an incredible history, as it was owned by the ancient Minoans for centuries, with the natural defenses of the waters allowing them to rule separately from the rest of Greece. Today, Crete is an incredibly popular place to visit, and attracts people all over the world with its pristine beaches, historical architecture, and incredible hikes. So join Viewcation, as we present: Best Things to Do in Crete, Greece
Elafonisi Beach
If the notion of a ‘challenging’ beach seems like a strange thing to pitch, we get it. But Elafonisi is a gorgeous spot that you’ll lovd being at, provided you are okay with a little bit of a tricky time getting there, as well as having to fight a bit to find a spot that isn’t super crowded. But we think it’s totally worth it. To get to Elafonisi Beach, you’ll have to drive through some pretty windy roads that twist through some impressively narrow mountain terrain. So you’ll want to take it slowly. But it’s a gorgeous drive, so you’ll enjoy the scenery as you go. Once you arrive, you’re likely to see that many others have made the same trek down to Elafonisi. So you might be a little daunted by the masses. However, don’t fear. Most people set up their blankets and umbrellas close to the parking lot. If you’re willing to do a little walking away from the car, to either the east or west, you’ll quickly hit some spots that are far less inhabited. (And another great way to beat the throngs of people is to plan your trip during the off season, which is October to April.) All that being said, there’s a reason that so many people go there, and brave the challenging trip down. It’s a truly stunning beach that offers a gorgeous view of the blue waters of the Mediterranean from the sand that has a slight pink hue. Many consider it not only the finest beach in Crete, but perhaps all of Greece. While there, you can also escape the crowds further by swimming over to a small island just off the coast. There you’ll be able to check out an old lighthouse as well as a chapel. And it’s teeming with a ton of native plants.
The Palace of Knossos
The Minoans were the inhabitants of Crete until sometime around the 14th century, and the Palace of Knossos stands as perhaps the best symbol of their technical building abilities. It’s a gorgeous building that boasts huge columns and picturesque frescoes, after it was restored in the early 1900’s. When you add to it the mythological relevance of The Palace – it was said to have been where King Minos kept his mythical creature, the Minotaur – it’s not hard to understand why it’s become perhaps the biggest tourist attraction in all of Crete.
And while it might seem like getting a glimpse of an ancient ruin will be a cool, albeit short activity, you’ll actually be better off setting aside some good time to explore it. It’s a fairly large attraction and you’ll likely find yourself wandering around inside it quite a bit. Plus there are guided tours that you can take, which will allow you to learn about the history of the site, the mythology surrounding it, and more. Since it’s a popular site, expect there to be crowds. Though hitting it up early in the morning will help with that. You can get there very easily from Heraklion, since it’s only a few miles to the south, and public buses go along the route from the city center to the Palace regularly. The hours change with the season, and it’ll only cost 6 Euros to enter the site.
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The Heraklion Archaeological Museum
If you visit the Palace of Knossos, it’s highly recommended that you pair it with a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. In fact, you can by a pass for 10 Euros that will get you entrance to both sites. The museum is a great extension to the Palace, as it hosts an extensive collection of Minoan era art. There are 20 rooms filled with pieces from the Minoan, and they are arranged chronologically, so you’ll literally feel like you’re travelling forward in time with the Minoans as you walk from room to room. There is a huge range of items, from jewelry and vases, to weapons and religious figurines. The museum actually covers a range of 5000 years of the art from this civilization. Some of the most popular items are a small statue depicting the Snake Goddess, as well the Arkalochori Axe. The Latter was found in the Arkalochori cave and had 15 symbols inscribed on it that have yet to be decoded. The same can be said for the Phaistos Dick, which is a clay tablet with similar unsolved symbols on it.
Old Town Rethymno
Strolling around Old Town Rethymno is a fantastic way to feel like you’re been transported back to the 11th century. It’s a seaside area that is packed with architecture form the Venetian Renaissance as well as some splashes of old Turkish flair, and funneled through are narrow alley ways and charming streets. The neighborhood was clearly not originally meant to be visited by tourists, since the alleyways and streets tend to be a bit confusing. You might find it a little hard to get your bearings while wandering around. But one aspect that will help you is that the Venetian Fortezza (which we’ll talk about next) and the harbor are two easily spot-able landmarks, and you can get your bearings again. Plus the town isn’t overly huge, so you’ll figure out where you are in no time. Of course, many visitors to Old Town Rethymno actually enjoy getting a little lost, since it’s such a charming little area to explore. It’s located in the northern side of greater Rethymno, and you can walk from there to downtown Rethymno as well.
The Venetian Fortezza
As we mentioned before, one of the highlights of Old Town Rethymno is the Venetian Fortezza that sits on top of a hill above the town. It was originally built by the elites of Venice, who owned the island in the 16th century. They envisioned it as a fortress that would fend off Ottoman Empire invaders. But that turned out to be in vain, as the Ottomans easily conquered the site about a century after it was built.
But regardless of how effective it ended up being against a foreign invader, the Fortezza still stands today, and is a really cool attraction to visit. Inside are not only a Greek Orthodox chapel that was built in the late 19th century, but also a Mosque left by the Ottomans. It hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year, with the highlight being the annual Renaissance Festival. One great option is to head there during the late hours of the afternoon. The crowds will have started to clear up, and you can stay and watch the sun as it sets over the Mediterranean. And if you do end up there in the afternoon, be sure to bring protection from the sun, as there is nothing providing shade atop the hill, so it can actually make the Fortezza a little trick to see without hats and sunglasses. It’ll set you back only 4 Euros to see the site.
Samaria Gorge
When it comes to unforgettable moments from a trip to Crete, waking the ravine of the Samaria Gorge is right near the top. Beginning at the Omalos Plateau, the path through this stunning Gorge winds you down and across for about 10 miles to a little village called Agia Roumeli. You’ll pass through walls of rock on either side of you that stretch 1600 feet in the air. At one point, the path narrows for a section known as the Iron Gates. In this stretch, the gorge is only a few feet wide. As you walk, and check out the incredible stone walls and other scenery, you’ll also get a chance to check out the Kri-Kri, which is a type of wild goat that can literally climb the sheer rock faces. It’s quite the spectacle. Once you hit the end of the gorge, you’ll have another 2 miles to finish up and hit Agia Roumeli. Form there, you’ll be able to catch a ferry to Sougia or Sfakia to continue your trip.
It’s definitely a longer activity, as people tend to take between four to eight hours hiking the gorge, depending on their speed and hiking abilities. But regardless of the speed you pick, you’ll be best trying to get going early in the morning to beat the crowds. The hike itself is challenging, though not for only advanced hikers. You’ll want sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and some snacks for the journey. And, like most activities in Crete… plenty of sunscreen!
Now it’s time to hear from you. Have you ever been to Crete? Do you plan to go? Let us know in the comments section below. And before you go, make sure to give this video a like, and subscribe to Viewcation if you haven’t already. Click the bell icon to stay updated on all our latest content.