I guess youโre wondering what are things to do in Crete and see this beautiful island as one of the best places to see in Greece. Crete is the largest island in Greece and one of the biggest islands in the Mediterranean. Crete is located at the edge of Greece near the African continent and Cyprus.
Our trip to Crete was incredible. We had a fantastic week exploring the island and everything it has to offer from its beautiful landscape, stunning Greek beaches and delicious food. We stayed in a 2-bedroom apartment in Travelopo in Hersonissos.
The apartment has all the amenities that we need for self-catering and a lovely rooftop lounge area where you can see the fantastic view of the Hersonissos. The location of the apartment is perfect!
Read More: Crete Travel Guide: DIY Travel Itinerary to Crete (Greece)
During our stay in Crete, we visited various places from Hersonissos like the Lasithi Plateau, Chania, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion and many more.
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Here are the various places to visit and things to do in Crete!
1. Palace of Knossos
๐Address: ฮฆฮตฮนฮดฮฏฮฟฯ
8, Iraklio 714 09, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Skip-the-Line Ticket & Private Guided Tour
๐ Ratings: 4.9 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: GD Gallery Suites
An ancient treasure in Crete. The Palace of Knossos was built a few thousand years ago in the Bronze age and was considered as one of the oldest city in Europe. This famous landmark is believed to be the seat of King Minos and was linked to the Greek mythology tales like Minotaur in the Labyrinth and Daedalus and Icarus.
The ruins of this ancient palace were restored by Sir Arthur Evans and the project lasted for a few decades. The main attraction in Knossos is the stunning ruins of red pillars and the alfresco of the charging bull.
Are you planning to visit the Palace of Knossos? Book the Ancient Palace of Knossos Tour
2. Agios Nikolaus
๐Address: City in Crete, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Boat Trip to Spinalonga with Swim Stop
๐ Ratings: 4.4 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Hotel Port 7
Agios Nikolaos is a charming coastal town in North-Eastern Crete. The town has various cafes and taverns near the little lake called Voulismeni.
If you love a bit of shopping, the bustling high street of Agios Nikolaos has all the Cretan trinkets.
Are you planning to visit Agios Nikolaos? Book the Amazonas Park and Agios Nikolaos Day Trip
3. Psychro Cave at the Lasithi Plateau
๐Address: Psichro 720 52, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Lasithi Plateau and Cave of Zeus Off Road Safari Tour
๐ Ratings: 4.9 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Dionyssos
If you love Greek mythology and adventure, Lassithi Plateau is definitely worth a visit. Lasithi Plateau is where the Psychro Cave is located.
Psychro Cave is believed to be the birthplace of the Greek God Zeus. If you are coming from Heraklion itโs just over an hour drive to the Psychro Cave. There is a little trek that you have to do to reach the cave. The descent to the cave is fairly easy but you need to be extra careful with the slippery rocks and pave paths.
You can see various stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave.
Are you planning to visit the Psychro Cave in Lasithi Plateau? Book various tour to Psychro Cave
4. Archeological Museum of Crete
๐Address: ฮฮฑฮฝฮธฮฟฯ
ฮดฮฏฮดฮท ฮบฮฑฮน, Chatzidaki 1, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Archaeological Museum of Heraklion: Guided Walking Tour
๐ Ratings: 4.8 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Domus Ariadne
If you want to know more about Crete history, The Archaeological Museum of Crete is the best place to visit. You can learn and see different artefacts from the Minoan civilization up to World War II.
It is located in the heart of Heraklion, and you can use your Crete Archaeological ticket to visit the museum for free. You can buy this ticket at any of the Archaeological sites in Crete and it will serve as your pass for all the attraction.
5. Koules Fortress
๐Address: Heraklion 712 02, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Heraklion Market & CretAquarium *Skip the line
๐ Ratings: 3.6 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Megaron Hotel
Located at the Old Port of Heraklion, the fortress was built by the Venetian during their occupation on the island. It was originally known as โRicca a mareโ or โCastello a Mareโ which means โ The fort of the seas.
During the Ottomans occupation, the Turks change the fortressโ name into โKoulesโ from the Turkish word โSu Kulesiโ means the water tower.
The Fortress has been a great strategic defence of Heraklion. The Koules Fortress now turned into a museum where you can learn all the history and importance of the fortress during the Venetian and Ottoman rule on the island.
6. Fortezza Fortress
๐Address: Rethimno 741 31, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Rethymnon City Tour
๐ Ratings: 4.5 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Palazzo Vecchio Exclusive Residence, Rethymno
The Fortezza was built by the Venetians in the 16th Century to protect the city from the Ottoman invasion. The fortress was strategically located at the top of the Paleokastro hill overlooking the city of Rethymnon.
After the invasion of the Ottoman in 1646, The original cathedral was demolished and the Turks built the first mosque in the city inside the fortress dedicated to Sultan Ibrahim Khan. The interior of the mosque still exists and the prayer niche which points to Mecca.
Currently, the Sultan Ibrahim Khan Mosque is used as an event venue in Rethymnon.
Are you planning to visit Rethymnon? Book the Rethymnon Conquered Morning Tour with Wine and Food Tasting
7. Old Venetian Harbour
๐Address: Ag. Markou 8, Chania 731 32, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Old Town Highlights Guided Tour with Street Food
๐ Ratings: 4.9 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Pandora Suites Hotel
The colourful coastal town of Chania is where the Old Venetian Harbour is located. The Old Venetian harbour resembles the Venetian island of Burano with its colourful building along its coast. The old Venetian harbour in Chania has been an important commercial and military port during the Venetian occupation on the island.
During the Ottoman occupation of the island, the Old Venetian Harbour also played an important role in securing the trade and security during the Turks reign. The beautiful mosque of Janissaries by the quays is unmissable due to its towering dome. It will give you a sense of nostalgia as a remembrance of the Old harbourโs history.
8. Samaria Gorge
๐Address: Sfakia 730 11, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Full-Day Samaria Gorge Trek Excursion
๐ Ratings: 4.6 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Paralia Guest House
One of the most favourite things to do in Crete is to visit the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountain National Park. The gorge is located on the western side of Crete near Chania.
If you are up for an adventure and outdoor, this one is for you! It is one of the longest gorges in Europe. The trek to and back around the gorge will typically take you around 6- 8 hours. There is a minimal entrance fee to the national park, to help the local government to maintain it.
Are you planning to visit Samaria Gorge? Book the Full Day Tour to Samaria Gorge
9. Day trip to Santorini
๐Address: Oia, Santorini, Greece
๐๏ธFind Tickets โ Book in Advance: Traditional Sightseeing Bus Tour with Oia Sunset
๐ Ratings: 4.5 / 5
๐๐ป Accommodation Nearby: Pezoules of Oia
You can book a day trip to Santorini from Crete. Santorini is a few hours away from Crete via fast ferry. That sail around Crete, Santorini and Mykonos. The day trip was seasonal and itโs only available from April to October.
When you visit the island, you can also check out this cute bookshop in Santorini. The day trip package includes the return hotel pick up to the Heraklion port, the return ferry rides to Santorini and the tour around different towns of Santorini.
Itโs definitely worth it! Are you planning to visit Santorini? Book the Santorini Island Independent Day Trip from Crete
I hope youโll enjoy your visit to Crete!
You can also read these other activities in Crete and a good sample itinerary around Greece.
Here are some travel tips on when is the best time to visit Greece and an awesome guide to the best Greek souvenirs that you can buy. Just in case you would need a visa to visit Crete, Greece read this helpful Schengen visa guide.
Recommended Activities in Crete, Greece:
Map of Crete, Greece
HOW TO USE THIS MAP TO BOOK YOUR RESERVATIONS:
CLICK the YELLOW MARKER OR THE DROP DOWN MENU next to the title to see the various things to do and point of interest in this guide and CHOOSE your desired preview of the map, whether HOTELS & RENTALS, EXPERIENCES, RESTAURANTS OR OTHERS. Feel free to use the filters, number of guests, and your preferred dates. You can see more information about the different attractions (the GREEN MARKERS) when you click the icons, as well as finding your perfect accommodation that will suit your budget and location. You could also book your guided tours and restaurants using the map.
Let me know if you have other awesome places to add to this list
leave it in the comment box below.
Disclaimer: Our accommodation in Crete was provided complimentary in return for an honest opinion about the place and the apartment. All other activities, expenses, images and opinions are my own otherwise stated.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ryazan Tristram
Travel Writer & PhotographerRyazan has a Bachelorโs Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management. She also has more than 10 years of work experience gained from working in the hotel and travel sectors in Asia and Europe. Her work has been featured and published in BBC, Huffington Post, Readerโs Digest, Discovery Channel, World Travel Guide, MSN, CNBC, GMA, Daily Mail UK, Lonely Planet, and many more. She is currently living in the UK as a dual citizen (British-Filipina). Join her in travelling around the UK, Europe, and beyond with a mission to promote sustainable tourism and share travel guides, travel tips, foodies, history, and culture.
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I have toured Greece mainland, not the islands yet. I was not aware they are so full of history. I am interested in Greek mythology and the birth place of God Zeus kindled my interest in Crete. Psychro Cave is in my must visit list now.
I’m glad to know that Indrani. ๐ Yes, Psychro cave was definitely worth visiting not to mention the beautiful landscape that you will see on your way up to the mountains and plateau.
This is very high on my list! I had no idea there were so many things to do in Crete to be honest. I’d love to visit the Palace of Knossos and the fortress if I visited.
Fantastic! I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Crete. Definitely the Palace of Knossos is worth visiting.
Love all of these recommendations! Greece is pretty high on my bucket list, just because all of the pictures look absolutely beautiful. Will definitely save this for when I actually make it to Greece.!
Thank you so much, Kiyoko! ๐ You will definitely have a great time in Greece as well. I would still love to go back and visit this country.
The history of Crete is so fascinating! I would love to visit, especially the fortresses. I think it’s really interesting to learn of how the names change depending on who is in charge at the time. No matter what they’re called though, you can’t deny they have beautiful views!
I totally agree! Cretan history is truly rich and fascinating. ๐
Awesome blog! Seriously, I have been to Greece before (Athens, Santorini & Naxos) but your blog made me want to book another trip back to Crete! I didn’t think it was that beautiful until I saw your photos. Wooohooo!
Thanks a lot, Mike! I would love to go back and visit more places in Greece. The country is simply outstanding!