Top Things to Do in the Crete | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

Plan Your Travel To Crete

Places To Visit In Crete

Greek National Football Museum

Situated in the Old Town of Chania in Crete, the Greek National Football Museum houses many memorabilia of the country's national football team. The museum's main highlight is the many original jerseys worn by world-renowned players and other items like tickets to different matches, balls with autographs, photographs, a copy of the 2004 trophy, and more. Spread across 3 rooms, it houses an extensive collection of over a thousand exhibits. Some of the jerseys have been signed by well-known players like David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Pelé. The Greek National Football Museum was established by Galanolefkos Faros (the Association of Friends of the National Team) as an ode to the team’s 2004 Euro Cup victory in Portugal. One can also interact with the museum’s owner, Nikos Flekkas, who provides a museum tour which contains his collection. Read More

Crete is a paradise for trekking lovers with the ideal lush-green backdrop of hilltops and crystal-clear waters. Hiking in Crete can range from 1-4 days. And the trails are marked with at-home hotels and inns by the locals. The best season to Hike in Crete is Spring, when the weather is pleasant and the trees are blooming, you can also spot rare orchids during your spring hike in Crete. Here are the top trails in Crete for your next trip: Elafonisi Viewpoint, Sirikari Gorge - Polyrrinia Trail, Roza Gorge, Pachnes Trail and Trail Askyfou - Asfendou- Kallikratis. Read More

Kedrodasos Beach

Kedrodasos Beach is one of the most beautiful and pristine beaches in Crete. It is located southwest of Chania and a kilometer east of the more popular Elafoissi Lagoon. The juniper trees, clear turquoise waters, and sand dunes make this beach visually stunning. It is also a nudist beach that offers seclusion and privacy. The beach is a series of small beaches that are formed around the sand dunes. The main beach is 400m long and the several rocks also add charm to its beauty. Kedrodasos Beach also has a great spot for camping and the trees provide the perfect shelter from the sun. Secluded and remote, the beach has no other tourist facilities. Thus, make sure to carry water and snacks if required. The walk down from the parking lot is pleasant and directly leads to the beach. Read More

Kommos Beach is located south of Heraklion in Crete and is a scenic beach that was once part of the ancient port of Phaistos. It lies along the Bay of Messara and overlooks the picturesque Libyan Sea. One of the largest beaches on the island, it boasts of golden sand and clear turquoise water which is a treat for swimmers. The northern end is the non-nudist section, while the far end is the nudist section. The Kommos Beach has small dunes with white lilies of sand, which add to its beauty and the surrounding rock formations and mountains. The beach has sunbeds and umbrellas, ideal for sunbathing or relaxing while watching the spectacular sunset. It is also a fantastic location for photography. The beach is also known for loggerhead sea turtles that lay eggs here between May and September. A couple of restaurants and taverns around the beach offer refreshments. Showers, changing rooms and lifeguard facilities are also available. It lies next to an essential and protected archaeological site, often called Komos, dating back to the Bronze Age. A parking facility is available here. Read More

Lake Kournas is the only freshwater lake in Crete, near the village of Kournas. It is located 4km away from Georgioupolis Chania and is a popular relaxing spot. Juxtaposed against the White Mountains, the lake is famous for paddle boating and is home to some turtles. Free sunbeds are available here, and swimming is allowed. In addition, there are some cafés and restaurants overlooking the lake. There are two springs visible on the southeast bank of Lake Kournas. One of them, Mati or Amati, can only be viewed in late summer. The rich flora and fauna preserved here due to the lake being a part of the Natura 2000 provide rich biodiversity to the area. Ducks, eels, goldfish, cormorants and even some rare species of turtles are commonly spotted here. Read More

Lake Voulismeni is a beautiful lake and the most popular landmark of Agios Nikolaos surrounded by restaurants and cafes. It is perfect for hanging out and relishing the serene views either by walking around the lake or enjoying its views from the surrounding cafes and restaurants. The scenery of the lake, boats, and buildings make for good photographs. If lucky one can also spot fish and little sea turtles on the surface of the lake. During Easter, the lake becomes a cultural hub as firecrackers light the sky and effigies of Judas are burned. Called ‘The Lake’ by the locals, Lake Voulismeni is a natural feature that has been shrouded in mystery and myth for ages. From being called a bottomless lake to the legends of Goddess Athena and Artemis having bathed here, Lake Voulismeni has many tales of the past. Voulismeni which means ‘sunken’ arose from the belief that the lake was formed over a volcanic crater after the mountain top sunk in. Another name of the lake, Vromolimni which means ‘stinky’ was attributed to it when its stagnant waters gave off a not-so-pleasant smell in the mid-1980s. Read More

The Lassithi Plateau in East Crete, Greece is one of the best trips to undertake for a day. It is surrounded by the Dikti Mountains and is 850m above sea level. 18 villages are strewn across the plateau with a 23 km road linking each. You can drive or even cycle along this route. Also, you can access the plateau from Agios Nikolaos or from Heraklion. One of the most striking features of the Lassithi Plateau is the white cloth windmills that are vital for irrigation. Many of these traditional windmills are replaced today by modern technology, but they continue to remain iconic landmarks. The Psychro Cave or the Diktaean Cave is located in the Psychro village and is also called the Cave of Zeus. Located in the center of the plateau, it is believed to be the birthplace of the legendary God of Sky and Thunder soaring at the height of 1025m. Additionally, you can stopover at some of the villages to explore the attractions and culture of the region. Driving across the Lassithi Plateau and its villages is a great way to interact with the physical landscape of the region. However, it also showcases the culture of the land, as visitors can watch the locals busy in a game of tavli or can enjoy authentic Greek coffee. Read More

The ancient city of Phoenix, the harbor of ancient Anopolis and an important port in the Hellenistic and Roman periods, was located in Loutro. Loutro or Loutra, the baths located nearby and from which water was sent to Anopoli Village, gave Loutro village its name. Only accessible by foot or ferry, this village is a quaint and relaxing retreat for locals and tourists alike. Surrounded by deep forested canyons, the mountains rise up from the sea in Loreto, making it a must-visit in Crete. Read More

The second largest beach in the Agia Pelagia region in Crete, Lygaria Beach is about 420m long and is stunning with clear and deep turquoise waters. It is surrounded by rocky cliffs and is suitable for swimming and diving. There is also a professional dive school here. Showers, changing rooms, lifeguards and other facilities are available. There are rocks along the shore, so it is advisable to be careful or wear swimming shoes. Several sun beds and umbrellas are scattered across the beach where visitors can relax, enjoy views of the small boats passing by or watch the gorgeous sunset. One can climb up the rocky cliffs for mesmerising views of the surroundings, including a glimpse of the famous Panagia Ligaria monastery. There are a few restaurants, taverns and cafes on and around the beach and a few souvenir shops. There are parking facilities available here. Three roads lead to the beach - one to the parking lot, a steep one from along the side of the Agia Marina Chapel and one next to the seasonal supermarket above the beach. Read More

Malia Palace is a historical site which was once the third-largest Minoan palace after Knossos and Phaistos. It is located a few kilometres east of the seaside town of Malia. The archaeological site gives a glimpse of the structure that it used to be with a large central courtyard, a theatre and elaborate rooms. Apart from the Minoan Palace, other structures have garnered the interests of historians and tourists. There is a large area/court to the northwest called 'Agora', surrounded by several buildings. The' Crypt' area to the west, or The Hypostyle Crypt, is perhaps the most talked-about part of Malia Palace. It is a semi-underground structure with multiple doorways. There is a visitor centre that provides details about the excavations at Malia and displays models of the various buildings that were discovered. The 'Quartier Mu', a building featuring two multi-roomed properties, is another popular attraction. What survives today mainly dates back to the Middle Bronze Age, as evident from the architecture. Many artefacts unearthed at the site, such as the famous gold bee pendant and other Minoan items, are exhibited at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Read More