10 essentials: what to see and do in Crete (Greece) in 5 days

Crete It is the largest island in Greece and one of the most interesting places to visit on a trip to this country.

In reality we can say that it is a destination in itself.

There is so much to see and enjoy in Crete, be it the cities, beaches, museums, monasteries, archaeological sites or mountains, which we can spend many days before minimally completing its tourist possibilities.

Where is Crete and what is it like?

On the map, Crete has a length of 250 kilometers, but when push comes to shove it's as if he had many more.

Any route is lengthened to surround mountains and gorges. There are some coastal stretches where it has not been possible to lay a road.

All of this tells us about a rugged relief and a nature that, in some parts, but not all, is quite well preserved.

En Crete arose the Minoan civilization, probably the oldest in Europe.

This inheritance can be known in museums and archaeological sites, but the story is also seen in the roman footprint, Byzantine, Arabic, venetian y ottoman.

The set is a big island, full of natural and cultural attractions, with vibrant cities and quiet beaches where we will always find opportunities to enjoy according to our tastes.

Essential places to see and visit in Crete

We have selected some of the places that, beyond a vacation in a beach resort, must be taken into account when organizing a sightseeing trip on the island of Crete.

Heraklion, capital of Crete

La capital of Crete It is the main entry and exit point of the island.

Heraklion It is a city with a relaxed atmosphere and a historic center that preserves the imprint of its Venetian past, such as the market, fortress in the Old Port  and walls.

The gastronomic and hospitality offer makes it a good base for exploring different places in the central area of ​​the northern Cretan coast.

En Heraklion you have to visit the Archaeological Museum, where more than five millennia of history is reviewed.

Here we can find many of the masterpieces of the Minoan civilization, since the frescoes from Knossos al Phaistos disk and sarcophagus of Hagia Triada.

Knossos Palace

Located about five kilometers from Heraklion, the Knossos Palace is main archaeological center of Crete and one of the most important in all of Greece. Logically it is one of the most visited.

In this place some of the best-known Greek myths materialize, such as the labyrinth, the minotaur and Ariadne's thread.

Some structures discovered during archaeological excavations at the beginning of the 20th century have been partially reconstructed, and therefore what is seen are not original constructions.

Rethymno, Venetian heritage in Crete

Like other Cretan cities, Rethymno preserves part of its Venetian and Ottoman heritage to create a very attractive set.

The Lonja, which is now occupied by the official shop selling excellent reproductions of archaeological pieces, is probably the most important Venetian building in all of Crete. It has been recently restored.

Strolling through the old neighborhood you discover the small venetian port (occupied by fishermen), palaces, fountains, mosques and churches.

Dominating everything is the Fortress, the Venetian fortress, truly immense and imposing.

Chania, second city of Crete

Chania It is the second most important city in Crete and can also be a good entry route to the island.

Su historical Center, protected by walls and with a good port, it is an interesting complex that combines Venetian, Turkish and neoclassical architecture.

In the so-called outer port, the old Mosque of the Jenízaros, which now functions as an exhibition hall.

The walk along the sea between the mosque and the Firkas Tower and Bastion of San Salvatore It is a delicious tour of an old Mediterranean port of brightly colored houses, where there are now plenty of restaurants with their terraces on the street.

Samaria Gorge and southern coast of Crete

Inaccessible from late autumn to early spring, the Samaria Gorge es one of the longest canyons in Europe.

Lovers of good walks can travel by bus from Chania but also Omalos and then walk through the entire gorge, which flows directly into the southern coast of Crete, in Agia Rumeli.

In this part of the coast there is no road so you have to take the boat to Chora Sphakion, from where you can return to Chania by bus.

Another option is to do that coastal stretch on foot. In Agia Rumeli There are accommodation and restaurants open during the tourist season.

Piso Preveli Monastery

The mountains also plunge abruptly into the sea elsewhere on the south coast.

In summer this area is very visited, but out of season it seems like the end of the world.

El Piso Preveli monastery looks out at libyan sea from this natural balcony, and the ruggedness of the terrain serves for its defense.

The monastery is from the 17th century and is probably not the most attractive in the world, but its location is truly superb.

The place played a prominent role during the World War II and the resistance against the Germans.

Before arriving, at the edge of the road there is a monument with statues of a monk and a British soldier.

A short distance away there is a large parking lot from which you can go down a path to the Preveli beach.

It is one of the most curious in Crete since it is located next to the mouth of the Megapótamos river, which descends through a gorge and flanked by palm trees.

On both the way and the return you pass the ruins of the old Kato Preveli monastery, which was devastated by the Germans.

Phaistos, great Minoan palace

El ancient settlement of Phaistos, residence of mythological king Rhadamantis, brother of Minos, is located in the shadow of the Mount Ida, the highest mountain in Crete.

As in Knossos, the main structure of Phaestos de minoan era is a Grand palace.

Not being rebuilt as in Knossos, we must use our imagination to complete it.

However, the grand staircase, carved in part on the living rock, is the most impressive entrance to any Minoan palace known.

Here the call was discovered Disk of Phaistos, one of the most mysterious archaeological finds in all of Greece.

Matala, from the Roman cemetery to the hippies

In ancient times, Matala It was the port of the Minoan city of Phaistos. Later the Romans also made use of its sheltered bay.

The place is also related to the episode of abduction of Europa by Zeus.

Matala, with its good beach, became very popular in the 60s of the last century when it was one of the favorite enclaves of tourists. hippies who enjoyed the heat (“The wind comes from Africa", sang Joni Mitchell), the beach and the starry sky.

Perhaps they enjoyed more things in this, at that time, remote place.

In those years they formed a fairly large colony that lived in the artificial caves that the Romans had carved to use as burial sites.

This ancient roman cemetery It is the only visit of Matala, but it provides a different view of the place.

Panagia Kera, Byzantine frescoes

As is easy to imagine, in Crete there is a great abundance of churches and monasteries. Many of them are interesting to visit.

One of the most attractive churches is Panagia Kera, which is located about eight kilometers from Agios Nikolaos. There are more churches with the same name in Crete.

It is worth visiting because it houses one of the best sets of byzantine frescoes of the whole island.

The central nave, the oldest, is from the 13th century, and some paintings are from that time.

There are many scenes of the Gospels, Old Testament and life of the Virgin.

The church is located among olive groves in a quiet enclave.

Island of Spinalonga

Spinalonga It is a small island just a short distance from the coast.

Due to its peculiar conditions, it had a certain strategic importance to control the entry of the Mirabello Bay and the Venetians built a fortress in the 16th century.

Being uninhabited, during the first half of the 20th century the island functioned as a leper colony, one of the last in all of Europe.

There are boat trips from Agios Nikolaos, Plate y Elounda.

Lasithi plateau and windmills

La Lasithi plateau It is a curious plain completely surrounded by mountains. Although it is not, sometimes It seems like it is the bottom of a gigantic crater.

It is a relatively extensive area with about 20 villages, where it is estimated that in Venetian times there must have been 20.000 windmills, of which a few now remain as a souvenir.

The most visited place is Psyhro, the town from where you access the Dikteon cave.

This cave occupies an important place in Greek mythology since it is said that Zeus.

There he remained hidden to prevent Cronus, his father, will devour him.