What to see in Crete?! That´s not an easy question to answer as this largest Greek island has so much to offer: you won´t believe it till you visit it yourself! Just keep this in mind: in Crete, you can find everything you need for a perfect vacation. No matter your personal holiday choices and preferences! History geeks, nature lovers, beach aficionados, photography freaks, family

A perfect Greek Island vacation: Crete
Why visit?
Here´s a short recap of all the things you´ll find in Crete: the impressive Minoan sites, the iconic places from Greek Mythology, the most romantic fishing villages, a few challenging hikes, some spiritual churches, unique historical fortresses, unmatched paradise beaches, breathtaking views, and even a few lonesome places to hide away from the rest of the world.
Not to mention the local cuisine: I packed with me several tight-fitting dresses and ended up sucking up my stomach all the time. Get yourself some stretchy pants and oversized dresses, we only live once!
So, what to see in Crete?! – Unless you’re into a lazy beach getaway, your mission should be visiting as much of Crete´s epic sights as you could possibly manage.

Crete´s iconic historical sites
You might think that there are actually many impressive Greek Islands out there, what makes Crete so special?
First of all, with a population of more than 600,000, Crete is the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean. Add to this the very special place Crete has in the Greek Mythology: an island was the birthplace to the King of the Gods – the almighty Zeus. And as if it would not be enough – Crete was once the
Also read: Top Experiences to Fall in Love with Greece
Besides, you already know how much I try to avoid visiting the same place twice. There are way too many destinations on my ever-increasing travel bucket list. Well, Crete is the first one on my “revisit list”, cause there were so many places we just couldn´t cover. No way you can do it all in a week!
But before we start with “what to see in Crete” list, I´d love to share with you my little secret safe heaven…
Where to stay?
Crete has surprised me with reasonable prices for apartments and restaurants (unless you go for the biggest cities and the most touristic sights). We’ve chosen a place called Yannis Retreat in Kato Zakros.
This place is amazing for those of you seeking to hide away from the rest of the world for a few days. Also, it is quite a drive to get there. Especially as driving in Crete is all about sharp turns and mountain roads (not quite as rough las the Masca road in Tenerife, but still it slows down your sightseeing plans significantly). I honestly did not expect the high mountains within the range of Cretan landscapes.
However, driving around towards the less touristic areas is the only way you could get an authentic taste of the island.

Finding a Save Heaven: Yannis Retreat in Kato Zakros
Let me share with you more details from our stay. The owners of Yannis Retreat were very friendly and left us a welcome basket with local seasonal products. In general, it felt like we were visiting friends. The retreat had around 6-7 houses, each one with a small kitchen(+fridge), bathroom, balcony-terrace. The territory was full of plants, fruit trees, hammocks, and greek decorations.
A beach (with no sand though) was within a 5-minutes walking distance. There were several very local restaurants on the coast: all of them had deckchairs. If ordering lunch in one of them, you´d be offered to use those for free all day long. Not to mention a lunch would hardly cost us more than 35-40 euros (for 2), including fresh fish (different every day, depending on what the fishermen brought), homemade wine, local fruits, and salad… everything was homemade and so delicious.

Crete has many family-owned places with lovely hosts and budget-friendly prices. Although the most lonesome and romantic ones are normally far away from the main sights: you´ll need to set up your vacation priories from the very beginning! If your goal is sightseeing, a place like Yannis Retreat is too far away from everything. You can definitely escape and relax for a few days, but keep in mind those mountainous roads I´ve already told you about!
We stayed several days in the small village of Kato Zakros because we really wanted to see the less touristic side of Crete. Then a few days near Heraklion and Chania to visit some of the main sites.

Places not to miss: What to see in Crete?
1. Samaria Gorge
A must stop and one of the most impressive natural wonders on the island of Crete. Samaria Gorge is about massive rocks separated by crystal waters, where you can hike through one of the longest gorges in Europe!

2. Heraklion
Heraklion is one of those big touristic island capitals I normally try to avoid. However, history geeks, an Archaeological Museum here is a must! It´s one of the top places in the world to view Minoan art.
Also read: The impressive Roman mosaics in Cyprus
You might have heard of the world´s archaeological marvel – Phaistos Disc. It is covered on both sides with symbols and archaeologists still can´t claim with all certainty what´s on it! There are lots of debates, but no official announcement on the meaning till the present day! Phaistos Disc is displayed in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion – come and try to read it yourself!
Also, don´t miss the 16th Century Fortress of Koules. For now, the historical site is closed for entry, but you can still have a look at the structure from the outside.

3. Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is such a lovely little town, mainly because of its picturesque Lake Voulismeni – a small lagoon in the heart of the city, used as a small harbor for the fishing boats. Here, we had a lovely lunch with views and did some souvenir shopping.

3.Vai Beach
I haven’t seen that many palms together since the Palm Grove (Palmeral) of Elche. Some claim the famous Bounty advert was filmed here. Not sure about that – I’ve heard of at least 4 perfect beach locations where it was filmed. But who cares?! – Vai Beach looks like the place from Bounty advert – it´s all that matters!
Also read: The land of never-ending summer – A Guide to Cyprus
A huge palm forest nearby is quite impressive. You could also buy some local bananas – the tastiest I´ve ever had, by the way. Sorry to state the obvious:

5. Knossos Palace
Archaeology and history lovers can´t miss this place: Knossos Palace – Europe’s oldest city and the most important
Many people get disappointed here because they expect to see the famous Minotaur´s Labyrinth from Greek Mythology. But the labyrinth itself has never been found and there are other possible locations for it, like the cave complex near Gortyn. However, a famous British archaeologist Arthur Evans, who excavated the site between 1900 and 1935, believed the labyrinth was located in Knossos.

6. Preveli Beach
More palms on the radar! Don´t miss a chance to climb down and visit Preveli Beach. It might not be the first place to pop up when you start researching what to see in Crete. But it´s such a unique location!
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Preveli Beach is surrounded by a palm forest and there´s a small stream running through the center out to sea.

7. Chania
One of the prettiest Cretan harbor cities, Chania´s Old Town is the best place to wander around in search of unique shops, local restaurants, souvenir shops, and traditional taverns! Don’t miss the Venetian Lighthouse and some epic sunset views!

What´s left for the next visit?! More travel ideas
As I’ve already mentioned, there’s so much to see and do on Crete that it is hard to see it all in a week or two. It´s like one week in Greece – never enough, but perfect to kick off and start getting to know the culture, food, and history!
Here I leave you more places we considered to visit, but simply had no time to cover everything we wanted. Crete really has so much to offer, whether you’re a nature or history lover, or even if you plan a simple laid-back beach vacation, – you’ll have plenty of choices. One way or another, you´ll have a good reason to come back!
More beaches: Tersanas, Seitan Limania, Falasarna, Stavros, Elafonisi, Kedrodasos, Agia Fotia, Agiofarago.
More hikes&nature: Imbros Gorge, Lake Kournas, Balos Lagoon, Melidoni Cave
More historical sites: Spinalonga Island, Holy Trinity Monastery, Sacred Monastery of Arkadi, The Cave of Zeus Crete (also Psychro Cave or Dikteon Cave).
More fishing villages: Loutro, Sissi, Chora Sfakion, Makrygialos.
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This post is linked up with The Weekly Postcard and Feet Do Travel
Lovely place; I would love to visit!
Thanks! It´s so peaceful, I´d love to go back one day!
Your pictures are absolutely stunning! They all look like postcards. My favorites are the ones of the ocean and the cliffs where you can’t tell where the ocean ends and the sky begins. I’ve only been to Athens and Mykonos and would love to explore more of Greece. Crete looks like it needs to be on the top of the list!
Thank you, Emily! Crete is so beautiful – you, probably, can´t take a bad pic when there … I dream to come back one day
Crete is just too beautiful for words. It looks like an absolute dream!
Thanks, Kasie! It is so beautiful indeed!
the place looks so beautiful! no wonder it is your fave trip 🙂 Anyway, just dropping by to say hello all the way from the Philippines! I hope you can drop by my blog too and follow along if you like. Have a nice day! 🙂
xoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net
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Thanks, Rae! You have a great blog – glad to connect 😉
Oh wow, it looks like such an incredible place to visit! every photo you took is beautiful 🙂
Hope you had a lovely week and have a nice weekend ahead of you 🙂 We went out for dinner yesterday and I’m catching up with a blogger friend today so it should be fun! 🙂
Away From The Blue Blog
Thanks so much, Mica!
Crete is such a gorgeous place. Wow, I didn’t know that this town is such a significant place for history! Love how there are so many greenery around town. I really need to book a trip out here sooner than later.
exquisitely.me
Crete is so beautiful and full of history! It´s such a perfect vacation spot!
Crete looks so beautiful and full of history! It seems like the perfect vacation spot. I’d love to visit Heraklion even if it’s too crowded.
It really is a perfect vacation spot: Heraklion has many amazing historic sites to visit!
Crete looks so beautiful through your eyes! I’ve never been there. I’ve only been to Rhodes. Great photos.
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Thank you! Rhodes is also beautiful though!
These pictures! I want to travel sooo badly now!
-Kate // http://www.classyandkate.com/how-i-read-50-books-in-one-summer-and-2018-list/
Thanks, Kate!
I can see why this is one of your favorite trips! Looks so amazing!
http://www.jessicabroyles.com
Thanks, Jessica!
this summerI plan on visiting the island so this post came super handy.
Thanks for sharing.
xx
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/
Thanks, Zorica!
I would love to visit here! Thanks for all the information and beautiful pics!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine!
Wow I can see why this would be one of your favourite trips ever. Crete looks absolutely GORGEOUS!!
xox Kirsten // http://kirstenwendlandt.com/must-see-the-canadian-opera-companys-anna-bolena/
Thank you, Kirsten!
Crete is so beautiful! I loved reading this post
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Thanks, Annick!
Wow. A beautiful place to visit! I will add this to my bucket list.
StyleSprinter Blog by Katya Bychkova
Thanks, Katya! Such a beautiful island indeed!
Always a bummer when a hotel accommodation doesn’t turn out what we expected as it can really make or break a holiday! #FeetDoTravel
So true!
Crete sounds amazing, so going to have to add it to my ever-growing list! I love the mix of mountains, beaches, and ruins. Glad you found such an amazing place to stay. Pinning this post for future reference, thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Thanks, Anisa! I´d love to travel back there one day – such a wonderful island!
I always vote for accommodations that are more authentic, family owned, and often off the beaten path. This retreat you stayed at while visiting Crete sounds just up my alley even though it may be a bit more far removed from the major tourist sites. Sounds like you had a wonderful time there.
Authentic family-owned accommodation really might change your impression of the country! It´s my favorite type of stay!
I’ve been to Mykonos two years ago and loved it. Creta looks amazing and I can’t wait to visit it.
#TheWeeklyPostcard
Thanks Sandra! Mykonos is also so charming!
Crete captured my heart many years ago, and have visited every year for the last 16 years. BUT last Oco]tober my dreams came true – I moved out here, In the winter you see the other side of Crete, – olive harvesting, overloaded trucks with bags of olives driving the roads, the sounds of the factories pressing the olives for the oil. Raki making,:the local clear brandy where people congregate with their grape skins left from the wine making , to a BBQ where one family makes the raki. There is also the pruning of the olive trees. often cut to provide fuel for the wood burning stoves everyone has.
In the villages, the sheep are herded through the streets from the high pastures to safety. Little Christmas fairs pop up with decorations and gifts for the season. The church bells are heard more often calling people to prayer. New Year comes complete with fireworks and celebrations. January and February see the rains, but Rethymno carnival still takes place – three hours of parading students, dressed up, often drinking beer on the way and generally having a good time. March and April see the paintbrushes coming out ready to prepare hotels, tavernas etc for the coming tourist season. I love it!
Crete must be such a great place to live all your round! I wish I could visit in the offseason next time to experience everything you talk about – olive harvesting, raki making, local celebrations! Thanks so much for your comment! It is so inspiring to read more local insights about the places I loved!