56 Things to do in Crete
Crete, Greece
Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean with a surface area of 8,312 km². Despite its vast size, it has only 650,000 inhabitants.
Over the millennia, several civilizations, making it a place rich in culture and mythology. In fact, it is famous for being the home of the ancient Minoan civilization, known as one of the oldest in Europe.
In addition to this cultural interest, the island boasts incredible beaches, several of which are recognized as some of the best in the world. If you enjoy mountains, there are some routes around the island's highest peaks (2456m!). You also shouldn't miss the hikes through the gorges, notably the popular Samaria Gorge, or the charming Greek villages.
Here is a list of things to do in Crete depending on your interests:
Beach plans
Most beaches in Greece are not fine sandbut small pebbles. Even so, they are very beautiful, and although they may not be the most comfortable you've been to, they are totally worth it for the color of their waters, surrounding sea caves, or simply their quietness. However, in Crete, there are also several beaches with sand as fine as those in the Caribbean.
1. Elafonisi beach
Elafonisi Beach is a vast stretch of fine sand that the sea separates into two sandbars. In addition to the great visibility and the color of its waters, the pinkish hues of the sand stand out due to the thousands of tiny shell fragments it contains.
2. Balos Lagoon
Balos Lagoon is one of the most popular beaches in Greece and in the whole planet due to its crystal clear waters and its fine grained sand. It's always on the list of the best beaches in the world alongside Elafonissi, so you can't leave Crete without visiting this beach.
3. Glyka Nera beach
Glyka Nera, also known as Sweet Water beach, is a 300 m long gravel beach, with crystal clear waters that stand out for their deep blue color. The impressive cliffs boarding it rise straight up from the beach and reach a height of up to 500 m above the sea level. Its name comes from the clear fresh and potable water springs, in fact, you can see bubbles coming out from the rocks while snorkeling.
4. Kedrodasos beach.
Kedrodasos is a spectacular beach in Crete located in the southwest, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Chania, and just a 10-minute drive from Elafonissi. Typically, people head to Elafonissi without knowing that this other beach exists. However, in recent years, its popularity has increased.
It is mostly frequented by locals. The beach has white sand and clear water. Unlike Elafonissi, it features a wooded area with twisted juniper trees that provide shade.
5. Preveli beach
Preveli beach is a beach in the south of Crete, quite popular thanks to its palm grove and the mouth of the Megalo Potamos River into the sea. It is also worth noting the crystal-clear color of the sea. All of this creates an incredible landscape.
6. Triopetra beach
Triopetra Beach is a 1.5 km long beach that is known for its unusual rock formations and crystal clear water.
The beach is made up of small stones rather than sand. The most interesting thing of this beach are the rock formations at the further end of it. They are 3 huge rocks worth to watch from land as well as snorkeling.
7. Agios Pavlos beach
Agios Pavlos is a small village located in southern Crete, 1 hour from Plakias and 1 hour 10' from Rethymno. There you will enjoy the incredible beach at the foot of the dune, impressive sea caves , or a curious geological formation called apoplystra among other attractions.
8. Vai beach
Vai is a very popular sandy beach located on the remote easternmost coast of Crete. Its endemic palm trees and crystal clear waters make it an enchanting place that is worth the ride.
9. Matala beach
Matala Beach is located in the hippie village of Matala. In the 1960s, a hippie culture was established in the town, and many backpackers came from all over the world. Currently, the streets painted with colorful drawings, as well as the restaurants, create a different atmosphere in Crete.
10. Kritama beach
Kritama is a fine-grained sandy beach tucked behind a small cliff. The challenging access keeps it unknown and remote, ensuring its beauty remains untouched. The special feature of this beach, besides its remote and quiet nature, is the rocks of the cliff, as they contain clay. You can mix them with water and enjoy a natural mud bath.
11. Voulisma beach
Voulisma is a very popular 700 m long beach made of soft fine grained sand. However, the easthest part of the beach is covered by big stones. The narrow strip of sand and the crystal clear water make it a picturesque beach. However, in the high season It’s full of people.
12. Marmara beach
Marmara Beach is a small pebbly beach located 4 km west of Loutro. The sea caves are its main attraction, but also the landscape with the Aradena Gorge in the background is also noteworthy.
13. Agiofaraggo beach
Agiofaraggo beach is a gravel beach located at the end of a gorge. Its remote location keeps it away from mass tourism and crowds. It’s mostly frequented by locals.
14. Itanos beach
It is a small sandy beach (with some areas covered by stones), much less popular than Vai, making it an excellent alternative during the high season.
15. Voulolimni lake
Voulolimni natural pool is a crater connected to the sea that creates a natural salt lake. The rocks around it offer a good protection against the waves and wind, giving the impression of being in a pool.
16. Klisidi beach
Klesidi is a trent gravel beach that is hidden between rocky walls so if you don’t pay attention, you might pass by it without even noticing. Water is turquoise and has a special shimmer when the sun hits it. Nearby, you also have Damnoni Beach and Ammoudi Beach.
17. Kalypso beach
It is a picturesque place where you can find a small beach (30 square meters) and cement platforms with sunbeds and umbrellas. In addition to the vertical rocky walls next to the beach, one of the highlights of the location was a beautiful hanging bridge that used to connect this wall with the sunbed area. This bridge is not there anymore, so do not rely on the photos you see on the internet.
18. Skinaria beach
Skinaria Beach is protected by vertical rock walls. It stands out as one of the best places for snorkeling in the south of the island
19. Plakias beach
Plakias boasts a 1.3km long beach. Alongside it, there are several bars offering drinks and services such as loungers and umbrellas. At the end of the beach lies one of the cultural and natural landmarks, the Paligremnos wall.
20. Souda beach
Souda Beach is also a great place for snorkeling due to the abundance of marine life you can find. The Greek canteen is worth noting, where you can enjoy traditional Greek dishes.
21. Plakaki beach
Plakaki beach is a very unknown spot near Chora Sfakion. The rock formations divide the small beach into three even smaller beaches that stand out for their natural beauty.
22. Fragkokastello beach
Fragkokastello Beach is a great place to relax. The most notable feature is a rock barrier in the sea, making it an interesting spot for snorkeling, as well as the castle located right next to the beach.
23. The beaches in Bali
Bali is located 35’ by car to the east from Rethymno. There you’ll find several small sandy coves where you can relax and swim. Additionally, from some of them, you can swim to several sea caves.
24. Ilingas beach
Ilingas beach is located between Glyka Nera and Chora Sfakion. It is 2 km away, so you can easily reach it by walking. There, besides the Greek tavern and the beach bar, you can rent a kayak to explore a beach nearby and several sea caves.
Mountain and gorge plans
Crete is home to many gorges where you can hike. In several of them, you even have the possibility to swim in some pools throughout the year.
25. Samaria gorge
Samaria is the largest gorge in Europe and one of the most emblematic spots in Crete and in Greece. Actually, the Samaria Gorge National Park and Olympus National park are Greece’s only UNESCO natural sites. It’s a descent of 16 km, with an elevation gain of 1.250 m.
26. Aradena gorge
Although it may be overshadowed by Samaria, it has a lot to offer and is even a more adventurous alternative to Samaria itself. The variety of narrow and dry sections, areas covered by abundant trees and a quite adventurous part with steep ladders and ropes make it a very enjoyable and unique hike.
The length of the hike is 5 km,and will take you around 2-3 hours. The cliff is 150 m high, and the total elevation lost throughout the journey is 600 m.
27. Cascadas Kourtaliotiko
The Kourtaliotiko waterfalls are a series of waterfalls located at the bottom of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge surrounded by a truly enchanting landscape. A unique characteristic of these falls is that they have an abundant stream of water all year long, even when the rest of the canyon is dry in the summer, as it is supplied by an underground spring of water.
28. The white mountains - Pachnes
The white mountains of Crete are a mountain range that has more than 50 peaks above 2000 meters. The tallest one is Pachnes (2453m), which is the second tallest mountain in Crete (only 4m lower than Psiloritis). The white colors and the landscape in general leave an unforgettable view on a sunny day.
29. Patsos gorge
Patsos gorge is a beautiful gorge generally overlooked by the tourists where you can enjoy adventurous hikes and birdwatching as well. Along the trail, you can also find a mystical chapel, very popular among the locals. It's a fairly short hike.
30. Richtis gorge
Richtis Gorge is one of the few gorges in Crete where water flows throughout the whole year. In addition to this, It hides one of the most colorful and beautiful waterfalls in Greece.
Richtis Gorge is one of the few gorges in Crete where there is water all year round. It also hides one of the most colorful and beautiful waterfalls in Greece.
There are several routes, the quickest and easiest being from Richtis Beach. It will take you about 30’ to reach the waterfall.
31. Psiloritis mountain
It is the highest point in Crete, only 3 meters above Pachnes (2456 Vs 2453). There are several hikes around it, including one to the summit.
32. Kournas lake
It is a freshwater lake located in a mountainous setting surrounded by hills, where you can take several hikes. Additionally, you can relax and swim in the turquoise-colored lake.
33. Mili gorge
Mili gorge is located only a few kilometers away from Rethymno, which makes it convenient for a half day excursion in the nature. The gorge is 2.5 km-long with a height difference of about 200 meters. On average, it takes around 2 hours to walk it both ways (but it can last longer if you decide to explore the area).
34. Imbros gorge
It is an 8km (one way) hike along a rocky path with a height difference of 600 meters. Along the hike, you will see several interesting rock formations, a dry landscape that turns into a pine tree forest, and an incredibly narrow passage.
35. Avlaki gorge
It is located next to the Gouverneto Monastery. Along the gorge, you’ll find the Arkoudospilio Cave (here), the ruins of the Katholiko Monastery, and the Katholiko Bay.
Visit the main cities
There are several cities in Crete, each with its own unique style and attractions. Some offer the vibrant life of a city, while others are more peaceful and relaxing. What we can say for sure is that all of them have something special.
36. Visit Heraklion
Heraklion is the capital of Crete. It boasts a rich history spanning millennia, serving as a cultural and economic hub that seamlessly blends its ancient heritage with a modern, dynamic urban life. You can stroll to the lighthouse, explore the Venetian port, or wander through the narrow streets of the surrounding areas.
37. Visit Chania
Chania, with 108,000 inhabitants, is the second largest urban center in Crete after Heraklion. It is considered by many to be the most beautiful city on the island due to its colorful narrow streets and its Venetian architecture.
38. Visit Rethymno
Rethymno is a smaller city compared to Heraklion and Chania, yet it is quite charming and cozy. Here, you can visit the Venetian fortress, stroll through the historic center, and explore the port among many other places to appreciate the Venetian architecture.
39. Visit Agia Galini
Agia Galini is a picturesque coastal village located on the southern coast of Crete, in the region of Rethymno. It stands out for its traditional charm and relaxed atmosphere, attracting visitors seeking an authentic experience unlike the busier cities such as Heraklion or Chania. In fact, the name "Agia Galini" translates to "Holy Tranquility."
40. Visit Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful city in Crete located in the north. Despite being the fourth largest urban center in Crete after Heraklion, Chania, and Rethymno, it has only 11,000 inhabitants.
41. Loutro - The Beautiful Greek Village in Crete
Loutro is a small seaside village, with white and blue houses and taverns that give it a unique charm. Also the big cliffs rising up directly behind it stand out in the background. It’s said that it was the location of the ancient city of Phenicia.
42. Visit Chora Sfakion
Chora Sfakion is in a somewhat remote region compared to other areas like Chania or Heraklion. It is a much more local, isolated, and wild place (it is known as the Texas of Greece). In the area, you will also find less touristy but very enjoyable spots.
Cultural and alternative plans - Singular places
Besides all these beach and mountain plans, in Crete, you will find many museums where you can learn more about ancient civilizations such as the Minoan. Also noteworthy are the several monasteries and caves that were important places in historical events such as the Cretan revolt against the Ottomans.
Additionally, you can engage in other alternative plans such as diving or visiting more unique places:
43. Knossos palace
The Palace of Knossos is one of the most important archaeological sites of the Minoan civilization, considered one of the earliest civilizations in the world. It was built around 1900 B.C., and almost nothing remains in its original state. Several areas are closed to the public, and those still standing are not the original ones.
44. Archeological Museum in Heraklion
In this museum, you will find more information and relics from the Minoan civilization. You can easily spend 2-3 hours exploring the various exhibits in this museum.
45. Spinalonga Island
Spinalonga is a fortified island with a land surface of about 10 hectares. It’s located less than 1 km from the coastal village of Plaka, in the East of Crete. Even though the islet boasts a long and rich history dating back to ancient times involving the Venetians and the Turks, its principal cultural interest lies in the contemporary period. Indeed, the island hosted one of the last lepers’ colonies of Europe, which was left by its last residents in 1957.
46. Melidoni Cave
In ancient times, the Minoan civilization used it as a place to worship Talos, the bronze giant guardian of Crete. There are also some inscriptions that date from the late Hellenistic period (100 AC).
More recent is what happened in 1820. 370 women and children and 30 warriors hid from the Turks in this cave. After several months of resistance, the Ottomans obstructed the entrance of the cave with flammable materials and started a fire, leading to the death by asphyxia of the civilians and warriors entrapped inside. In the main room there is an ossuary containing the bones of the victims of the tragedy.
47. Arkadi Monastery
Arkady is an Orthodox monastery founded in the 13th century and recognized as a national sanctuary in honor of the Cretan resistance. It’s one of the most important monasteries of the country, standing as a national symbol, not only in Crete but in the Greek territory as well.
48. Rural open-air museum: Lychnostatis
It is a privately owned museum that has been created over the last 30 years. In it, you can learn more about Cretan folklore, its nature, and environment. You can find it here (location).
49. Katholiko Monastery
It's one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, believed to have been founded in the 6th century AD by a Christian hermit named John.
It lies in a remote gorge surrounded by cliffs (exactly here), so to reach it, you have no choice but to descend half of the ravine on foot.
50. Sfendoni cave
Sfendoni cave is the most visited cave of the area, and is also the one with the largest area open to visitors. It’s full of stalactites and stalagmites of different colors following their mineral composition.
51. Komolithi - Clay pyramids in Crete
Komolothi is a very particular landscape lost in the middle of nowhere. They are soft white clay pyramids that emerge from the ground and rise several tens of meters, creating a unique scene.
52. Cretaquarium - The aquarium of Crete
The Cretaquarium houses a wide variety of marine species that inhabit the waters around Crete as well as the rest of the Mediterranean. If you are interested in marine fauna, this is an ideal alternative plan for both adults and children.
53. Dive in Crete
Crete is mainly known for its spectacular beaches. However, beneath the sea, it also offers a unique exploration experience. Diving is an activity that is gaining increasing popularity on the Greek island, so if you are enthusiastic about the marine world, you cannot leave the island without diving.
54. Boat trip to Gavdos Island
Gavdos is known for its natural beauty, pristine beaches, and peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. It is also a destination where many young people go camping.
The trip to Gavdos is a must-do if you are in the area. You can take a ferry early in the morning, spend 4-5 hours exploring the island, and return. There are several departures a day, and ticket prices are usually around €55 (round trip). You can check schedules and purchase your tickets on the Anendyk website.
55. Boat trip from the southeast of Crete: Chrisi and Koufonisi
In the southeast of Crete, boat excursions are also organized to two remote islands. These are Koufonisi and Chrisi. On these islands, you can enjoy a day at the beach on a remote island with completely crystal clear waters.
Boats to Koufonisi depart from the port of Makry Gialos, while those to Chrisi depart from Ierapetra.
56. Eat like a horse in a Greek tavern
What to say about Greek cuisine! One of the best, healthiest, and most varied in Europe! In Plakias, you'll find plenty of taverns que ofrecen un sinfín de platos vegetarianos como Dakos, Zucchini flowers o Gemista hasta Apaki, meatballs o parrilladas de carne. No te pierdas los pita gyros!
As you can see, there are many different plans you can make in Crete. If you have any recommendations, please leave them in the comments, it will be helpful to other readers!
