Things to do in Crete, Greece: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas

October 19, 2021 Agatha Simes

Crete (Greek: Κρήτη, Kríti ['kriti]; Ancient Greek: Κρήτη, Krḗtē) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus, and Corsica. Crete and a number of surrounding islands and islets constitute the region of Crete (Greek: Περιφέρεια Κρήτης), one of the 13 top-level administrative units of Greece. The capital and the largest city is Heraklion. As of 2011, the region had a population of 623,065.
Restaurants in Crete

1. Ecologiko Parko Giouchta

Archanes, Crete Greece
Excellent
92%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 12 reviews

Ecologiko Parko Giouchta

2. Reptisland

Melidoni, Crete 740 52 Greece +30 2834 020477 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/Reptisland/?ref=page_internal
Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 499 reviews

Reptisland

Reptisland is a unique place of 250m2 with a variety of more than 40 types of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, turtles and even a Crocodile. A place for the whole family to watch, photograph, touch and learn about the magic world of reptiles. Dont be afraid the uknown just get to know it.

Reviewed By howarde57

Never had an interest in reptiles...until I went here, what an amazing place. The owner is such a nice guy who describes the reptiles and encourages hands on, absolutely enjoyable & highly recommended .. now do I want a pet Gecko or Bearded dragon ????

3. Richtis Gorge

Exo Mouliana, Sitia, Crete 723 00 Greece http://www.visitsitia.gr/en/activities/SitePages/view.aspx?nID=58
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 455 reviews

Richtis Gorge

Reviewed By Winkmeister

First of all don't park at the top of the main road , go down the track to the starting point at the bridge , the road is narrow but passable I have drove down worse roads on Crete, the road track is about a mile long so your cutting out a fair walk for nothing and it's steep on the way back up , stating from the bridge make sure you go under not over but it is clearly marked with red and yellow marking every 50 metres, the first 20 minutes is fairly easy just a small stream with stepping stones to negotiate and a small track, it is a bit damp in places but I did it with no problems in trainers , I would not recommend flip flops , as you come to 2 old houses it's starts getting a bit trickier with a little bit of rock climbing and further distances to jump across the streams , some places you will have to slide on to your bum to slide down the rocks , there is many beautiful places with nature and mini waterfalls and deep fresh water pools , there are metal staircases on the highest points to help your decent , after the steps there are a few challenging large boulders you need to take you time getting over , continue like this until you reach the wooden balcony with the steep stairway leading you down to the waterfall , you can see the waterfall from the wooden staircase , at the bottom of the stairs it's about a minute walk to the magnificent waterfall , it's beautiful to look at , there is a picnic bench there for you to enjoy a snack , we got to waterfall about 11am there were about 6 people there sat at the bench resting , there is a fresh water pool under the cascading waterfall , my wife went straight into the pool to cool down under the waterfall and she did see a eel about 4ft long off to the right hand side of the pool but it did not attemot to go any where near her and stayed under the rock , apparently there are 2 in there , I got in shortjy after stayed in the pool for a good 10 mins and had no problems , we also did the extra 30 mins extra hike to the beach , it's not as challenging but there are some tricky bits however I'm not going to judge as we bumped into alot of older people doing to beach to the waterfall route , the beach is just rocks with a shaded tree picnic area , and there is also drinking water , we did not swim in the sea on this day as it were quite rough , we also had the beach to ourselves , it were nice to reach the waterfall for a second time on our way back up from the beach to have a final soak and cool down before the return trip back to the car , it were 28 degrees on the day we did it , there are shaded areas on the hike but when it opens up you do feel the heat , I cooled down in rock pools on the way back up , just take plevty of water and you will have a fantastic time , I would recommend this gorge it's amazing , it took us 1 hr 20 mins from the main road to the waterfall , the whole day took us 5.5 hrs but it's worth it , you can do it quicker by stoping at the waterfall and not going to the beach

4. Kourtaliotiko Gorge

Koxare to Asamotas Road, Agios Vasileios Municipality, Crete 740 60 Greece
Excellent
66%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 310 reviews

Kourtaliotiko Gorge

A long and pleasant walk along the gorge through breathtaking scenery, past waterfalls, fountains, deserted chapels and monasteries, to an authentic palm beach at Preveli. You can even catch a glimpse of a lammergeier if you are lucky. Watch out though for slips and trips - stout shoes essential.

5. Biotopoi Nature Park

Kastelakia, Rethymnon, Crete 741 00 Greece +30 693 682 0900 [email protected] http://www.biotopoi.blogspot.com
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 166 reviews

Biotopoi Nature Park

The Park has the concept of a rich biodiversity ecosystem of Crete. The visitors are guided though the rich wild vegetation of the park with the plants of Cretan traditional cookery, the aromatic medical herbs, the beautiful wild flowers from Crete and a lot of animals that live in this ecosystem. Crete with 10% endemic species gave a reasonable target to create this non profit park, to show the exotic flora and fauna of our island.

6. Topolia Gorge

Minoa Pediada South of Topolia Village, Chania Town, Crete 734 00 Greece
Excellent
50%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 139 reviews

Topolia Gorge

Opolia Gorge.

7. Archelon Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece

Old Town Marina, Rethymnon, Crete 741 00 Greece +30 694 043 3211 [email protected] http://Www.archelon.gr
Excellent
73%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
4%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 67 reviews

Archelon Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece

Since 1983, the primary objective of ARCHELON, the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece has been to protect the sea turtles and their habitats in Greece through monitoring and research, developing and implementing management plans, habitat restoration, raising public awareness and rehabilitating sick and injured

Reviewed By LucaVos - Emsdetten, Germany

Archelon is a greek non-profit NGO, almost entirely run by a bunch of inspiring volunteers which dedicate their free time during nesting and hatchling season from May to October to save the sea turtles of Crete! You should visit their Kiosk at the Venetian Harbour, they will happily answer all your question and give you lots of information about the sea turtles. To support their cause you should make a donation, buy one of their cute souvenirs or even sponsor a turtle! Or even become a volunteer yourself! Definitely an interesting visit, go and educate yourself and see how you can help.

8. Agion Panton Faneromenis Gorge

Selakano, Crete Greece
Excellent
33%
Good
67%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

Agion Panton Faneromenis Gorge

9. Rouvas Gorge (Agiou Nikolaou)

Zaros, Crete 70002 Greece http://www.eleonas.gr
Excellent
66%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

Rouvas Gorge (Agiou Nikolaou)

10. Walk With Donkeys

Anatoli, Crete 72200 Greece +30 697 608 8547 [email protected] http://Www.walkwithdonkeys.com
Excellent
89%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
11%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Walk With Donkeys

We are a rescue centre and sanctuary for neglected donkeys and horses and mules. We also have dogs and cats, all rescues. We welcome visitors to come and meet the animals, pet them, groom them or even take one for a walk. We do not charge a fee but do require a donation towards the rescue work we do. We are a registered charity. We have a small gift shop . We advise that people call first to arrange a time to visit as we are sometimes called away from the sanctuary. We are closed between 1300 hours and 1700 hrs and closed on a Monday The road o th sanctuary is a track which some people may not wish to drive down. It is possible to park at the church and walk.

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