Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Crete, Greece

The Mediterranean’s fifth-largest island is the birthplace of Europe’s oldest civilization, flourishing around 2700 BC. To gain insight into the Minoans, one can explore Bronze Age archaeological sites scattered across the island, including the impressive Archaeological Museum located in the capital, Heraklion.

These Minoan palaces and cities intertwine historical facts with Greek mythology, evoking narratives of King Minos, Daedalus, and Icarus.

Centuries later, the Venetians significantly influenced Crete’s cities, erecting ports, walls, and fortresses that continue to stand prominently in Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno.

Beyond urban areas, the island is adorned with mountain ranges and gorges, including the remarkable Samaria Gorge, and boasts some of the most stunning beaches imaginable.

Let us delve into the best activities to pursue in Crete:

1. Knossos

A short distance south of Crete’s modern capital, Heraklion, lies the ancient capital of Minoan Crete.

Knossos refers to both the palace and its surrounding city, which had a populace of approximately 100,000 in the 18th century BC. Constructed around 3,000 years ago, the palace is associated with Greek mythology as the residence of King Minos, who commissioned Daedalus to create a labyrinth to contain his son, the Minotaur.

Knossos endured numerous calamities, including invasions, earthquakes, and the catastrophic Theran Eruption around 1625 BC. The site was first excavated in 1900 by British Archaeologist Arthur Evans, who undertook restoration of several architectural elements and frescoes.

Visitors can explore the expansive reception courtyard where the royal family would host guests, enter the Throne Room and Sanctuary, traverse a segment of the Royal Way leading to the coast, and view the Royal Apartments, which consist of four levels.

2. Heraklion Archaeological Museum

To gain a comprehensive understanding of Europe’s oldest civilization, one should visit the distinguished archaeological museum in Heraklion.

This museum houses the largest collection of Minoan artifacts in the world, organized across 20 chronological rooms.

The journey begins in Neolithic times, predating the construction of Crete’s palaces. Subsequent rooms exhibit jewelry, liturgical figurines, vases, weapons, and armor.

Complete frescoes have been transferred to this museum from various Minoan sites across Crete, along with the renowned ivory figurine of the bull leaper from Knossos Palace.

Among the artifacts, one notable enigma is the Phaistos Disc, which measures 15 cm in diameter and is inscribed with symbols arranged in a spiral pattern.

Another intriguing piece, the Arkalochori Axe, discovered in the cave of the same name, features engravings of 15 symbols.

3. Elafonisi Beach

Frequently recognized as one of the world’s finest beaches, Elafonisi Beach is an unforgettable sight.

This beach is a nature reserve linked by a channel to Elafonisi, a rectangular island renowned for its pink sand beaches and dunes.

The shallow and crystal-clear waters between the mainland and the island create a lagoon-like setting, where visitors can often walk across sandbars without getting wet.

A large natural pool allows guests to wade or relax in water that is merely ankle or knee-deep.

The combination of pristine white sand, turquoise waters, azure skies, and views of Crete’s mountainous southwestern coastline culminates in a paradise-like experience.

4. Samaria Gorge

Hiking through this majestic gorge from the Omalos Plateau is an experience that will remain etched in your memory.

The 16-kilometer trek commences at a viewing platform accessed by a winding path and wooden steps, where visitors are astounded by the towering rock walls that rise nearly 300 meters.

During the journey, the gorge narrows at a section known as the “Gates” or “Iron Gates,” where the width shrinks to just four meters.

Keep an eye out for the endangered kri-kri, a type of feral goat adept at navigating steep rock faces.

Upon reaching the end of the gorge, an additional three kilometers leads to the coastal village of Agia Roumeli, where ferries to Sougia in the west or Sfakia in the east can be boarded.

5. Rethymno Old Town

As the third-largest city in Crete, Rethymno boasts what may be the best-preserved old town on the island.

Originally fortified, the city’s narrow cobblestone streets were laid out in the 14th century, during a period when Crete was governed by the Republic of Venice, and have retained their Renaissance mansions, arches, and Catholic churches.

One structure that epitomizes Rethymno’s rich and tumultuous history is the Neratze Mosque.

Initially a Venetian church, it served as a mosque for nearly 300 years until 1925, and now operates as Rethymno’s municipal odeon, hosting regular music concerts.

Venetian monuments still standing in Rethymno include the 17th-century Loggia (also repurposed as a mosque by the Ottomans) and the Rimondi Fountain, constructed in 1629 and framed by pairs of Corinthian columns adjacent to a Gothic arch.

6. Balos Lagoon

Balos Lagoon is a counterpart to Elafonisi Beach and is among Crete’s most renowned visuals.

Located approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Chania, Balos is a popular destination for day-trippers arriving by ferry from Kissamos, located 18 kilometers away.

This lagoon is enclosed between two capes, Gramvousa and Tigani, creating a pool of shallow, turquoise water that is both breathtaking and safe for swimming.

For those who travel by road, descending the rugged escarpment is an adventure in itself, as you round a bend to discover the lagoon bordered by white sand against the rocky backdrop of Tigani.

Additionally, boat trips offer opportunities to explore the Gramvousa islands, which feature a historical fortification erected by the Venetians.

7. Chania’s Venetian Harbour

The Venetians commenced construction of Chania’s magnificent harbour in 1320, with efforts continuing for three centuries.

A mole stretches several hundred meters from the eastern end, culminating at the lighthouse, which symbolizes the city.

This lighthouse, established in the late 17th century, acquired its minaret-like shape during the Egyptian era in the 1830s.

The western section of the harbor was historically where goods were unloaded, while the more sheltered eastern area was designated for shipbuilding and maintenance.

The Arsenali, a series of dry docks and repair yards constructed between the mid-1400s and 1599, can still be observed there. The Grand Arsenal, which has served various purposes over the years—including a Christian school, hospital, and Chania’s Town Hall—now hosts the Centre of Mediterranean Architecture after post-war renovations.

8. Arkadi Monastery

Of all Crete’s significant sites, few resonate more profoundly with its inhabitants than this monastery located just over 20 kilometers southeast of Rethymno.

Allegedly established by Byzantine Emperor Arcadius in the 5th century, Arkadi Monastery is situated on a plateau surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and oaks.

The present structure dates back to a 16th-century restoration, showcasing early Venetian Baroque architecture.

During Ottoman rule, it gained a reputation for exceptional gold embroidery and a particularly rich library.

Notably, in 1866, during the Cretan Revolt, 943 Greeks (predominantly women and children) barricaded themselves within the monastery, resisting the Ottomans for three days.

This tense standoff ended tragically when the Cretans detonated their gunpowder stores, opting for martyrdom over capitulation.

The site is now a Greek national sanctuary, with 8 November, the day of the explosion, commemorated in Arkadi and Rethymno.

9. Falassarna Beach

Often rated among the finest beaches in Crete and indeed in Europe, Falassarna Beach is located on the west coast where the Gramvousa Peninsula merges with the mainland.

There are, in fact, five distinct beaches encompassing a large bay that once served as an ancient harbor.

The town’s acropolis, situated on a promontory to the north of the bay, rises 90 meters above sea level and contains remnants of wells, cisterns, fortifications, and a temple dating back to the 4th century BC. The primary attraction for sunbathers is the central beach, featuring a broad expanse of pale sand gently lapped by a clear, shallow sea, characterized by moderate surf.

Right on the beach, visitors can experience tandem paragliding, which is particularly rewarding due to the dramatic rugged hills in the background.

10. Phaistos Palace and Archaeological Site

The second largest Minoan palace on Crete, Phaistos is dramatically positioned on a rise overlooking the Messara plain in south-central Crete.

Greek mythology associates this site with Radamanthus, the brother of Minos.

Phaistos is also the origin of the enigmatic Phaistos Disc, prominently displayed in the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, representing a settlement that dates back to Neolithic times and flourished around 1700 BC when the fourth iteration of the palace was constructed atop the ruins of its earlier versions.

This city thrived for 17 centuries and was masterfully designed to complement its natural surroundings.

Stand on the original paving stones of the main courtyard, built over an ancient sanitation system, and admire the uninterrupted vistas of the plain.

11. Lake Voulismeni

This unique body of water is surrounded by boats, cafés, and restaurants in the eastern town of Agios Nikolaos.

Lake Voulismeni is no longer entirely a lake since a channel was established in 1870, linking it to the town’s harbor and the sea.

The deep, dark waters reveal a maximum depth of 64 meters despite the lake’s width of only 137 meters.

A local legend suggests that the lake is bottomless, but this is a myth.

Visit for a coffee during the day to watch the fish below, or dine riverside in the evening while enjoying the reflections on the water.

During the Saturday night preceding Orthodox Easter, the entire town congregates by the lakeside for a fireworks display and to ignite their own firecrackers.

12. Malia’s Minoan Palace

Located east of Heraklion, Malia is a lively modern resort, but just a bit further east is Crete’s third-largest Minoan palace.

According to tradition, Sarpedon, another brother of King Minos, held his throne here.

The ruins are partially covered by a glass canopy, and since the site was abandoned at the end of the 2nd millennium BC and never reoccupied, the area remains free of conflicting later constructions.

One impressive artifact discovered during French excavations in the 20th century is a massive vase for oil or wine, standing 1.75 meters tall and capable of holding over 1,000 liters.

In its prime, the palace featured two stories and included a loggia, theater, western and central court, storage rooms, workshops, and royal apartments.

The area beneath the roof is the recently excavated hypostyle crypt, where local leaders would convene for political discussions.

13. Holy Trinity Monastery

This 17th-century monastery is nestled in the Akrotiri Peninsula amidst vineyards, olive groves, and cypress trees.

Founded towards the end of the Venetian rule in Crete, it can be accessed by a stairway that leads to a portal situated beneath a slender bell tower.

Upon entry, visitors are greeted by the tri-domed monastery church, framed by four imposing Doric columns and two smaller Corinthian columns flanking the entrance.

The architectural style of the church reflects a fusion of Greek Orthodox and Western Mannerist influences, and the interior is adorned with icons, with a dark blue ceiling accented by golden stars.

The museum on-site features a portable icon of St. John the Theologian dating back to the early 16th century, along with paintings and rare manuscripts.

Products such as wine and olive oil crafted by the monks are available at the monastery shop.

14. Lychnostatis Open Air Museum

This private museum is the creation of Dr. Yiorgos Markakis, who dedicated six years from 1986 to 1992 to constructing traditional-style houses in the village of Hersonissos.

Equipped with an audio guide, visitors can learn about Cretan folk culture, the island’s natural resources, and traditional crafts.

The museum features a distillery, a farmhouse, a wine and olive press, and workshops for weaving and ceramics, along with a merchant’s store.

Additional attractions include exhibitions of minerals and stones, a gallery dedicated to Cretan folk art, and outdoor gardens showcasing native fruits, cacti, and herbs.

Visitors in September can enjoy traditional dance performances, concerts, and workshops for grape and wine tasting.

15. Aquaworld Aquarium

A departure from Crete’s Minoan relics and majestic landscapes, this intimate attraction in Hersonissos stands as one of only three aquariums in Greece.

Aquaworld’s charm lies in its modest dimensions, combined with a passionate staff eager to share knowledge about the aquatic inhabitants and allow visitors to engage with certain species.

Most marine creatures at Aquaworld have been rescued or rehabilitated, while others are abandoned pets.

Children especially enjoy the opportunity to interact with safe reptiles such as iguanas, snakes, and a blind tortoise.