City: Crete
Top Things to do in Crete
Top Hotels in Crete
- 1. Candia Park Village
- 2. Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa
- 3. Creta Maris Beach Resort
- 4. Mitsis Laguna Resort & Spa
- 5. Kiani Beach Resort Family All Inclusive
- 6. Stella Palace Resort & Spa
- 7. Angela Studios & Apartments
- 8. Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection
- 9. Village Heights Resort
- 10. Asterion Suites & Spa
What to do and see in Crete, Greece: The Best Nature & Parks
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. Kouloura Beach
2. White Mountains (Lefka Ori)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By trailscouting - Greece, null
Location Western Kreta (Crete) 60 kilometers in length, from west to the east and 38 from north to south occupy most of the Chania and part of Rethymnon perfectures. The White Mountains, or Lefka Ori, or even Madares, as called by locals, deriving from the ancient word "madaros" that means deserted - barren! How better one could describe this huge massif, the largest on the island and its highest summit of Pachnes (2.453 m). The heart of this imposing range includes the Mountain Desert, where more than fifty peaks named Sori (piles), reminding of cones, exceed the altitude of 2.000 m. Dolines, reminding of upturned cones are formed at the foot of Sori peaks. This creepy and haunting landscape is a unique geological formation in the entire northern hemisphere. Hiking in the White Mountains requires fitness, experience and a good sense of orientation.
3. Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,418 reviews
Aquaworld - Crete's first Aquarium - opened in Hersonissos in 1995 - near Bus Stop 20. It features local sea life and reptiles from Crete and from all around the world. Most of the animals are rescued or are unwanted pets which have found a new home at Aquaworld. Our philosophy is simple - bring people and animals closer together and, inevitably, people will begin to respect and care more about the animals! YOU MUST WEAR MASKS TO VISIT!
Reviewed By CLAIREDERBY1 - Derbyshire, United Kingdom
Easy to find and in walking distance from my hotel the palmera hotel. Friendly and informative staff. Aquarium small but well kept. Reptile area very good and staff very helpful. Was also able to hold a snake. Well worth a visit for 8 euro. I would definitely recommend
4. Samaria Gorge National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,241 reviews
Believed to be one of the most scenic national parks in Europe, this gorge stretches more than 10 miles to the south coastal region and offers many hiking trails.
Reviewed By KatrienS955 - Ghent, Belgium
As the guidebook stated, as well as the brochure from the travel agent, this is a medium difficult hike. Doing it the standard direction, downhill, you start with a steep decline over a mostly rocky path. A walking stick might help for those not used to walk rocky mountain paths. The part in the national park is 13 km, the last 3 km to the Libyan sea is a paved path and easy. If you do it downhill, it is not a very arduous hike. Along the route there are plenty of water fountains, resting places quite a few with benches and 5 toilets, so in that sense it is a luxurious hike. The scenery is very nice, especially the narrow parts of the gorge. Try to find a group that starts early, as it is hot at the bottom of the gorge, making the hike more difficult. Also, the earlier, the fewer people you meet. I did large parts without seeing any other hiker. Our group had 1 guide who started the hike about half an hour after us, and mopped up those in problem, which did not happen in our group. He gave very good information about the hike as well as some times by which to ideally leave the larger resting places. Note that you do not need to hurry to catch the boat, as that leaves only at 17:30. At the end of the hike you can take a refreshing swim in the sea. Just know that the dark grey pebbles are very hot, even with a towel between you and the pebbles. There are parasols and strand beds for rent. If you do it from Chania, it will be a long day, as the boat takes an hour and then there is another 1h30 drive back.
5. Spinalonga (Kalydon)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,603 reviews
Reviewed By minalaki
If you are visiting Crete, do not miss Spinaloga! It holds centuries of history on a small island - from first antic inhabitants, Venetians building fortifications, to Otoman inhabitants and the leper colony, Spinalonga bursts from different and moving stories. It's easy to get there, taking a bus from Agios Nikolaos to Plaka, which both ways is less than 6 eur. Then, at Plaka, you take a boat to the island, which is 10 eur both ways. Entrance thicket to the island is 8 eur. And when you're there - learn, explore, enjoy! We went early, we were at the island before 10 am, so it was peaceful and almost empty. We went alone, without a guide and a group, since we wanted the freedom to wonder around and explore by ourselves, but guides have so many interesting stories that it might worth going with a group. An hour is just enough for a tour around the island, there are some tables with stories and facts about Spinalonga around, and book guides inside the suvenir shop, so that can be helpful if going on your own. Also, tv series The Island, based on the book, can be a good help in understanding how people lived there, in the former leper colony. Experience is absolutely amazing.
6. Elafonissi Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,358 reviews
Reviewed By Caligaltraveler
We rented a car from Chania and took this amazing drive to the countryside. The drive was quite long but so scenic and amazing. We stopped along the way and enjoyed the roadside vendors. Bought some delicious olive oils and olives. The eateries along the way were small, authentic and affordable. Once we arrived at the beach we were stunned. The water was crystal clear with no rocks or seaweed. You could wade out quite far before it got deep so this would be a very safe beach for kids. The beach sand was soft and clear of any debris and the colors of the water turning pink as the waves crashed really was spectacular. A must see and one of the highlights of our trip!
7. Balos Lagoon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,155 reviews
Reviewed By marcotL403QV - Rome, Italy
The most beautiful beach in Creta (together with Elafonisi) and famous for its wild nature, with turquoise waters and white sands turning to amazing shades of pink in some places. Waters are shallow, perfect for kids and lovely for grownups too. A legendary lagoon is also worth stopping by. Beware the boats throwing thousands of tourists in the middle of the day, although that is a very practical way to reach the place without going by car on a bumpy road. Ferries go back and forth from Kissamos port, but there are multiple trips during summer time, so I’d recommend to take the earliest trip available and then move to the island of Gramvousa nearby when the beach gets too crowded !
8. Matala beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,158 reviews
Reviewed By 79jelenap
Absolute must see when in Heraklion or Rethimno region, as this beach has so mich to offer. First, the beach itself - sandy, shallow water just for couple of meters, followed by clean, blue, calm see where you have a wide bay to swim around. At the very beach beside sunbeds and umbrellas there are trees in which shade you can spread your towel and hide from the midday sun. Then there are several cliffs from which you can safely jump and dive into water, that is neither hot nor cold. Further you will see the caves that used to be Minoan graves and later shelters of those who wanted peace and solitude. Last but not least, there is wonderful, picturesque village with market, shops, restaurants and bars where you can savour local flavours and dishes. It is live and vibrant the whole day long :) this beach is absolute winner this year.
9. Imbros Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 755 reviews
Reviewed By makalu8000 - Toronto, Canada
This is a easy two hour hike through a beautiful gorge. Entrance ticket 3 Euros. Just take good walking or running shoes and water. It gets really hot in the gorge so be prepared. This is not that busy and not crowded like Samaria Gorge. We noticed a lot of people struggling with the loose stones and the trail, but it is really pretty easy. It took us just under two hours and we took it easy. At the end you get accosted by taxi drivers at the various tavernas offering to take you back to the starting point. You can do this or walk back through the gorge. Recommended activity for Crete!
10. Richtis Gorge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 455 reviews
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
