20 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN CRETE

It is the largest island in Greece, home of the mythical minotaur and a few beaches that fall in love with even the coldest heart. And that delicious meal. Why does the teleport still not exist? Earth, swallow me and spit me in Greece! Ok, I calm down and tell you the Top 20 things to see and do in Crete. Here we go!

Our advice is to rent a car to tour the island, buses are virtually non-existent. Remember that it is the largest in Greece, so you won't be able to take advantage of it in one day. In fact we believe that the essential minimum (and we fall short) to travel to Crete is 3 days. If you have 7 or more, much better.

1. The place of entry to start a trip through Crete will be its capital: Heraklion. Although it is not one of the most striking cities of the Greek islands, it spends a couple of hours to explore the streets of its historic center, its small squares and some of its most significant buildings, such as the fortress of Koules, the Cathedral of Agios Titos or The Cathedral of San Minas. Here we tell you what to see and do in Heraklion. And if you arrive by cruise, this tour may interest you.

2. Learn more about the Minoan civilization. If there is a place to do it, it is precisely Crete, the place where this civilization was born, the oldest in Europe. One of his best-known legends took place here, we speak obviously of the legend of the minotaur. Today you can visit the Knossos Palace, a few km from Heraklion, where the labyrinth of the minotaur was according to Greek mythology. If you decide to go you can visit it for free (admission is € 15, free if you are under 18 and live in the EU). If you don't want to queue, here you can buy the ticket with audio guide (in English).

3. After Heraklion, the second city in importance and in inhabitants in Crete is Chania (Chania). If the previous one can leave the traveler indifferent, this is a real wonder. Get lost in its streets, find charming corners, feel in Greece, Turkey and Italy at the same time…. Ohhh, really, don't miss it for anything in the world. From Heraklion bus station (Bus Station A) there are frequent buses to Chania, in 3 hours (about € 15). They leave every hour from 05:30 to 21:30 (that is, at half past), here you can see the schedules.

4. At the end of the peninsula that extends north of Chania we find the small Seitan Limania Creek, which reminds a little of the well-known Shipwreck Beach of Zakynthos Island. There is only one negative point: the current can be very treacherous and can play tricks on you. If you bathe, do it with caution. Tip: take booties since the beach is pebbles and the way down to it is quite chunguillo to do it in flip flops.

5. We have already reached the chicha of Crete: its beaches. And we continue with what many claim to be the most beautiful beach in Crete: Elafonisi, which takes its name from the island that is right in front of it, which you can walk to. It is famous for its pink sand (which acquires these shades thanks to the remains of small shells) and for its cool turquoise waters. Arriving is not as easy as you would expect, but with your nice stroller ... you will reach any corner! Eye: the beach is usually very windy so do not forget the glasses (you will end up looking like a croquette, but a croquette with glasses is cooler).

6. Another of the beaches where you can have a good dip in Crete is the Balos beach, for us, the most impressive. You have to pay € 1 to park, but the road that goes from the parking lot to the beach is a pass, so it won't sting you anything. And after sweating the fat drop, you will have your reward: in front of you an unforgettable panorama will be shown. Eye: do not forget a bottle of water, the slope is quite steep and the solace of Crete, especially in summer, does not forgive. Sometimes there are places that offer to climb the hill with donkeys, please do NOT do it, always remember to be a responsible traveler.

7. A good alternative is to make a boat tour from the port of Kissamos, we recommend that you stop at Laguna de Balos to take a bath and also visit the beautiful island of Gramvousa. More info and book here.

8. If you are a trekking madman and on each trip you are looking for the best paths to stretch your legs, in Crete there is one that surely fits you: a route of about 16 km that runs along the Samaria Gorge. Eye: only open from May to October and enter costs € 5. It starts over 1,000 meters and ends at the seaside. That said it seems sucked, but our friend Marta from the blog Rojocangrejo did it and ended up walking like Chiquito de la Calzada the following days ... So if you are not in good shape (or do not know how to say "when attacking") think twice XD. Here you can see his experience. You have the option to do it for free, or on this tour from Chania.

9. To explore the east of the island, a good idea is to stay in Agios Nikolaos and base here. It is a fairly tourist town that, however, offers quiet and authentic places. In addition, about 15 km from the center is the Voulisma beach, beautiful, accessible and perfect for all travelers (children included).

10. One of those historical places, which they saw as Crete passed from one hand to another during their occupations, was the Spinalonga Island (Kalydon), in the beautiful Gulf of Elounda, a few kilometers north of Agios Nikolaos. Although originally it was not an island, but it was the Venetians who literally cut this promontory to separate it from Cretan soil, and built an almost impregnable military fort above. It was the last Venetian stronghold in Crete, before it became an Ottoman domain in 1715. During the 20th century it hosted a leper colony for more than 50 years (until 1957), one of the last in Europe. You can visit on a tour from Agios Nikolaos.

11. If you like picturesque villages, write this name: Rethymno (Rethymno). It is the third city by importance of Crete, after Heraklion and Chania, but do not be fooled by statistics: Rethymno has little to envy the others. You will especially love its historical center, super careful, with flowers everywhere and palaces with Venetian courtyards.

12. The Archaeological Site of Gortina It is one of the best preserved and most interesting of Crete. It is located in the southern part of the island and offers a trip to the past thanks to the remains of an important Minoan settlement and its subsequent development in Roman times. Admission is € 6.

13. Did you know that the island of Crete lived its particular Hippie movement? In the late '60s many young people arrived on the island and settled in the caves that are around the Matala Beach, which today is much less hippie but certainly worth a visit.

14. Although on an island with so many great beaches it is not necessary to look for other alternatives ... we never disgust going to see other islets in the surroundings. In this case we recommend a day tour to the island of Chrissi (Khrysí), south of Crete. The color of its sea has nothing to envy to the Maldives themselves! To arrive you just have to take a boat from the port of Yerápetra, i / v costs € 25 and the journey is about an hour. Here you can reserve your place. In Chrissi you will not find any business, so take with you everything you need (and don't get dirty!).

15.To keep remembering that you are still in Greece, leave until Lutró (Loutro), the typical Greek village, with its white houses and blue doors. Also, if that is not enough, it is right in front of a rocky beach, with super blue waters. It is cute!

16. No need to go to Mykonos to enjoy the iconic windmills So typical of Greece. In Crete you must cross the Lasithi plateau to be able to contemplate them. Due to the large amount of wind this area of ​​the island receives, in the past the mills allowed to produce enough energy to irrigate the fields.

17. A curious place to visit in Crete is the Kournas lake, with its cold waters of different shades of blue. For € 5 you can rent a boat and take a ride around it, or just make a quick stop on your roadtrip to take some photos or eat at one of its restaurants.

18. The Arkadi Orthodox monastery It is one of the most interesting religious buildings in Crete, so to have a very complete trip you have to visit it. In Romanesque and Baroque style, it rose during the time of Venetian domination. Later it was rebuilt after having been destroyed by the same inhabitants of the town who, before seeing how the Turks took it, blew up the powder magazine so as not to fall for the enemy.

19. They say that Crete is half hollow ... and that is that the island has an incredible amount of underground caves. One of the most important is known as Zeus Cave, a world of stalactites and stalagmites that is far from the typical image of Crete. Cool! The entrance to the cave costs € 6.

20. Take advantage of your stay in Crete to try some of the typical dishes of Greek cuisine, one of the tastiest we ever tried. In addition the prices are not excessive and the products will be fresh and of quality.

20 + 1. Take a ferry and continue touring the Greek islands: there are many and each has its own charm. And look at this post if you want to know what else to see and do in Greece.

* Here you can see the ferry routes and buy your tickets

Here we leave you a map where you will find the location of the places to visit in Crete:

Have we forgotten something what to see and do in Crete? Surely, so we will have to explore this beautiful island of Greece again. You have been? What do you think about it?

* Photocredit: Shutterstock

Video: Crete Island - Best Places to Visit in Greece HD (April 2024).