Crete
The largest island in Greece, Crete, is renowned for its pin-up beaches, wild natural beauty, exquisite cuisine and thousands of years of culture and history.
Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Ierapetra, Malia, Hersonissos, Sitia, Sfakia… wherever you visit, it’s an island of thousands of vibrant images, filled with an open-hearted and vivacious spirit, rich history, world-famous cuisine and hospitable people.
Pictures of heavenly Balos Lagoon in Chania have featured in travel guides and glossies all over the world, as have those of the eternally beautiful Falarsana, one of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean. And as for exotic Elafonisi, on the southwestern tip of Chania … seeing is believing.
Endless kilometres of golden coastline surround Ierapetra, in the Lassithi prefecture to the east. And the celebrated palm forest in Vai is one of the most spectacular sights in Crete, where palm trees embrace the golden sand, while the beaches of Elounda and those around Agios Nikolaos are not to be missed.
Top things to do in Crete!
Visit the top 5 archaeological sites!
- The Minoan Palace of Knossos, very close to Heraklion and famous for its legend with the Minotaur.
- The Minoan Palace of Phaistos with its beautiful views – this is where the Phaistos disk was found.
- The Minoan Palace of Malia with the living sections and higher walls to better imagine the site.
- The Roman city of Gortyna – with the impressive Law code carved in rocks.
- The Island of Spinalonga – a small fortified islet turned into a leper colony.
Discover Crete’s best beaches!
Small or large, organized or secluded, the beaches of Crete are wonderful places to spend a long day under the sun.
- Gramvousa Pirate Island, with its Venetian castle and the view of an old shipwreck.
- Balos Lagoon, with its beautiful sandy beach, the clear turquoise water of the sea and the stunning natural surroundings.
- Elafonisi, famous for its unique pink sand and rare plant and wildlife, is considered one of the world’s top beaches.
- Falasarna, with its green-blue sea and the wonderful sunset views.
- Preveli the Tropical Beach in Rethymno, a unique ‘tropical’ landscape on Crete.
- Matala the Hippie Beach, blessed with a gently sweeping sand and pebble beach.
Explore the island’s outstanding natural beauty on foot!
- Samaria Gorge, the 2nd longest gorge in Europe.
- Imbros Gorge, delve into the beauty of the second most visited gorge on the island.
Let’s experience together the best things to do in Crete!
