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Crete is the largest of the Greek islands, stretching across the southern Aegean with high mountains, deep gorges and long coastlines on two seas. It was the center of the Minoan civilization, one of Europe's earliest, and later passed through Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman rule. Cretan identity remains strong, expressed in its music, food and hospitality.
In the west, Chania's Old Town wraps around a Venetian harbor and lighthouse, and nearby Balos Lagoon and the islet of Gramvousa are reached by boat or rough road. Elafonisi, on the southwest corner, is known for shallow turquoise water and pink-tinged sand. The Samaria Gorge is a full-day hike from the White Mountains down to the Libyan Sea. Rethymno has its own Venetian harbor beneath the hilltop Fortezza, and the Arkadi Monastery is a powerful symbol of Cretan resistance. Heraklion, the capital, is home to the Archaeological Museum, which holds the finest collection of Minoan art, with the palace of Knossos just outside the city. In the east, boats run to Spinalonga, a fortress island later used as a leper colony, and the Lasithi Plateau leads to the Dikteon Cave, associated in myth with the birth of Zeus.
Crete is large, so travelers often focus on one or two regions and rent a car. It suits hikers, beachgoers and history enthusiasts alike, and spring and fall are excellent for hiking.
WiserMap travel guideCrete Greece Chania Harbor Balos Lagoon and Samaria GorgePlan a Crete trip: Chania's Venetian harbor, Balos, Elafonisi, Samaria Gorge, Knossos, Spinalonga, Cretan food, where to stay and the best months to go.Read the guide
A lovely harbor town in western Crete with a Venetian lighthouse, an old mosque on the waterfront and lanes of colorful houses, shops and tavernas. Walk out to the lighthouse along the breakwater for views back to the town. The covered market is a good place to buy local products.
A small city on the north coast with a Venetian and Ottoman old town of lanes, fountains and minarets. Above it, the Fortezza is a large 16th-century Venetian fortress with walls, a mosque and sea views. A long sandy beach runs east of the old harbor.
A shallow turquoise lagoon with white and pink sand on the remote northwest tip of Crete. Boat trips from Kissamos port stop at Gramvousa island with its Venetian fortress, then at Balos. Reaching it by car means a rough dirt road and a steep walk down, and a fee applies.
A beach and islet in southwest Crete with shallow, clear water and patches of pink sand. You can wade across to the islet, which is a protected nature area. Take your trash with you and do not take any sand, and arrive early in summer to avoid the crowds.
A beach on the south coast where a river flows out of a gorge lined with a rare palm forest into the Libyan Sea. A steep path from the cliff-top parking lot leads down, or boats arrive from Plakias and Agia Galini. Walk upstream through the palms, and bring water for the climb back.
One of Europe's longest gorges, about 16 kilometers from the Omalos plateau down to the village of Agia Roumeli by the sea, passing the narrow Iron Gates. It is open from about May to October and takes five to seven hours. Return by ferry and bus, and wear good boots.
The largest Minoan palace site, about 5 kilometers from Heraklion, linked to the myth of King Minos and the Minotaur. Partly restored rooms, painted columns and copies of frescoes give a sense of the palace. Buy tickets online and go early, as it gets very hot.
The second largest Minoan palace, set on a hill above the Messara plain in south-central Crete, with a grand staircase and wide views to Mount Psiloritis. The famous Phaistos Disc was found here and is now in Heraklion. It is far less crowded than Knossos.
A small island with a Venetian fortress that later became a leper colony until 1957. A walk around the island passes old houses, walls and the hospital. Boats run from Plaka, Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, and the short crossing from Plaka is the quickest.
One of the most important museums in Greece, holding the finest Minoan art, including frescoes from Knossos, the bull-leaping fresco, the snake goddess figurines and the Phaistos Disc. It is in the center of Heraklion. Visit it before or after Knossos to understand the site.
A fortified monastery southeast of Rethymno with a Venetian baroque church facade, famous for the 1866 siege, when defenders blew up the gunpowder store rather than surrender. A small museum tells the story. It is a symbol of Cretan freedom, so dress modestly.
A high fertile plateau in eastern Crete ringed by mountains, once dotted with thousands of windmills, some of which still stand. Above the village of Psychro, the Dikteon Cave is said to be the birthplace of Zeus. The path up to the cave is steep and the inside is slippery.
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