Four things to do in Crete

There are few places in Europe where you can find such and amazing mix of cultures and landscapes in such a tiny little space. The island of Crete is packed full of history dating back thousands of years, rivaling places such as Rome and Athens. It has some of the best beaches in the entire Med that despite tourism remain pristine and beautiful. It has a rugged mountainous interior forming a heaven on earth scenario for outdoor enthusiasts with skiing in the winter and hiking and mountain biking in the summer. All this in an area roughly 28 times smaller than Britain.

But how do you cram everything into just seven days? In fact, once you’ve taken into account arrival and departure days and at least one day to do nothing but relax on the beach or by the pool, you have just four days left to sample the best Crete has to offer. Here are four must see things to see and do on the largest of the Greek islands.

See ancient civilizations

Way back in 2600-1150 BC, Crete was home to the Minoan civilization, a sophisticated Bronze Age culture that built palaces, tombs and sacred sites and it even had a large navy. They were later superseded by Mycenaean’s from Greece and the Romans. The best places to explore this ancient history and the cultural remnants of a unique civilization are Knossos, Phaistos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

The remains at Knossos are alive with legends and myth. It is here that Prince Theseus supposedly killed the Minotaur in its labyrinth. There are only ruins to see, but the atmosphere is such you can imagine ancient civilizations living here.  

Experience amazing nature

The Samaria Gorge is 14km long and 1250 metres deep. It is part of a large national park of the same name and is one of the most outstanding gorges in Europe. It is a tough hike, particularly the last 3kms but well worth it for the views and overwhelming sense of achievement.

Seek out adventure

The Ha Gorge on the eastern side of Crete is popular with canoeists, white-water rafting lovers and rock climbers. The waters are wild and forceful, and the sheer cliffs, up to 300 metres high, make for challenging climbs with exhilarating views.

Taste something new

20% of Greece’s wine is grown in Crete and most of that is from the Peza area south of Heraklion. There are numerous vineyards allowing you to taste your way around the region, sampling the best wines of the season.

We have a growing selection of Crete holidays to choose from with a variety of hotel options so you can explore and relax in equal measure.