Crete Travel Guide

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Crete

Ancient site of Aptera © GNTO

The island of Crete is equipped with more tourist facilities than any other Greek island, which is fair enough because it is the largest. The reason why thousands of foreigners visit Crete each year, however, is not so much for the traditional Greek island experience, as for investigating the remains of the archaic Minoan culture that flourished here thousands of years before Christ. Some parts of the island have been overpowered by tourist resorts and massive hotels, but fortunately Crete does still allow for exploring endless beaches, numerous villages, remote mountains and some natural curiosities like caves and gorges for those who take pains to avoid the 'madding crowds'.

The famed Minoan archaeological sites, particularly the palace of Knossos and Phaistos, are vast and can take a great deal of time and effort to fully explore and appreciate. There are numerous other sites of interest as well, and not all related to the Minoan era. Crete has experienced thousands of years of habitation and has a complicated and diverse heritage, including years of Roman, Venetian and Turkish rule, that have all left their mark.

As one experienced traveller reportedly said: 'there is lots to see on Crete, and a lot not to see.' The best of Crete for those who do not want an in-and-out package style visit can be found on the east and west tips of the island, areas that have retained most of the island's traditions and natural beauty, as opposed to the northern coast that has been harshly overdeveloped. Gateway to the island is the large, modern city of Heraklion, which is anything but an island idyll, but a vital commercial centre.

Resorts

See our separate guides to the following Crete holiday resorts: Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, Malia, Rethymnon and Hania

Attractions

Lobster © RinzeWind

Crete Aquarium

Featuring a wonderful array of marine life, the Crete Aquarium features a fantastic variety of reptiles too, such as Loggerhead turtles, Balkan Green Lizards, Skinks, gheckos and snakes, guaranteed to keep the little ones captivated. Interesting fish such as Scorpion Fish, groupers eels, octopus... see full details

Heraklion Archaeological Museum © Chris 73

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

A visit to the Minoan palace at Knossos should be complemented with a visit to the wonderful Archaeological Museum in Heraklion. Thousands of artefacts depicting the intriguing Minoan culture are on display, from magnificent bull-headed drinking vessels to the mysterious Phaistos disk inscribed with... see full details

Crete Museum © jorge-11

Historical Museum of Crete

This museum deals with Crete's more modern history and highlights the islanders' long battle for independence from the early Christian times to the present day. Exhibits include some Cretan folk art, and the Medieval and Renaissance collection contains the only painting on Crete by... see full details

Lido Water Park © www.lidowaterpark.com

Lido Water Park

A must for all families on vacation in Kos, especially with young children, Lido Waterpark gives provides wonderful games, activities, sun, fun and more. Featuring water rides, slides such as the Gigantic wave pool, the Kamikaze, Multi lane and the Black Hole. There is... see full details

Limnoupolis Water Park © www.limnoupolis.gr

Limnoupolis Water Park

A fantastic place to take the kids during the heat of summer while on holiday in Crete, the Limnoupolis Water Park offers a fantastic rides, slides, wave pools and more for children of all ages to enjoy. Those wanting a more relaxing experience... see full details

The Palace of Knossos

The Minoan palace at Knossos, covering an area of 215,278 square feet (20,000 sq metres), is one of the world's greatest sightseeing experiences. It consists of four wings, arranged around a rectangular central court. The palace originally had many storeys, was built of ashlar... see full details

Excursions

Gortyna

The remains of Gortyna to the south of Heraklion tell a later tale than that of the other archaeological sites in Crete, particularly the important inscribed stones, known as the Gortyn Law Code, dating back to the 5th century BC: a complete code... see full details

Monastery of Arkádhi

Situated about 14 miles (23km) south of Rethymnon, the Monastery of Arkádhi is something of a national Cretan shrine. During the 1866 rebellion against the Turks the monastery became a refuge for Cretan insurgents and their families. They were surrounded by the Turks and... see full details

Phaistos

South of Heraklion lies Crete's second most important Minoan archaeological site, the Palace complex of Phaistos, considered by many to be a finer example of Minoan architecture than Knossos. The west propylon, the monumental entranceway to the palace, is particularly impressive, and the ceremonial... see full details

The Samaria Gorge

It is an arduous trip but well worth it to see one of the great natural wonders of Europe, the Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains in western Crete. From the top of the gorge it is a 10-mile (16km) hike through the... see full details

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