Best things to do in Crete

Heading to Crete? Don’t miss these must-visit sights and attractions while you’re on your Greek Island getaway.

It’s no surprise that Crete, the biggest of the Greek Islands, also packs in a supersized list of things to do. Days out here tick off sandy beaches at spots like Chania and Rethymnon, scenic countryside at locations like Samaria Gorge, and historical highlights in their droves – Heraklion, we’re looking at you.

To help you whittle down your choices, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Crete – whether you’re craving some culture or in search of some epic scenery. Take a look and add these must-visits to your list when you plan your next trip to the island.

Poke around the Palace of Knossos

A couple of miles out of Heraklion’s city centre, the Palace of Knossos is this area’s historical big-hitter. The oldest and biggest of all Minoan palatial structures, it’s considered Greece’s most important archaeological site. Take a guided tour to really get to grips with the magnitude of the place, stopping by the throne room, royal apartments and Labyrinth. Legend has it, this is where a vicious Minotaur once lurked, and your guide will fill you in on the gory back-story.

Take a boat out to Spinalonga

The tiny island of Spinalonga has some tall tales to tell. It’s been a Venetian outpost, an Ottoman town and a leper colony – which only closed in the 1950s. Take a boat trip out from Elounda or Agios Nikolaos and you’ll be dropped at Dante's Gate, the 20-metre long tunnel that patients once arrived at. From there you can visit the old hospital, graveyard and main shopping street, as well as the island’s ruined Venetian fortress.

Explore Rethymnon’s old quarter

Between Chania and Heraklion on Crete’s north coast, Rethymnon is a bone fide best-of-both-worlds destination. On the one hand, it’s got a huge beach backed by a buzzy promenade, and a lively harbour lined with seafood restaurants serving freshly caught Cretan cuisine. On the other hand, the old town is all narrow streets, ornate mosques and Renaissance buildings – so you can get your history fix here, too.

Spend a day on Elafonisi island

Elafonisi is the place to live out your desert-island dreams. This uninhabited islet in southwestern Crete is flanked by a pink-sand beach lapped by impossibly jade waters, so it’s no wonder it’s considered one of Crete’s most beautiful stretches. But there’s plenty more to see if you can peel yourself away from the shore. Take a day-long tour of the place and you can see the rugged Topolia Gorge, coastal Chrissoskalitissa Monastery and otherworldly Agia Sophia caves.

Hike the depths of Samaria Gorge

Packed proper shoes? If you’re up for a serious hike, Samaria Gorge is Europe’s longest at 16 kilometres – so it’s a great challenge for seasoned walkers. Start at Xyloskalo staircase, which plummets 200 metres down into the gorge, and follow the route between the towering ravine walls. Hold your breath as you pass through the ‘Iron Gates' – where the 300-metre-high walls reach their narrowest point at just three metres apart. Then pull your boots off for a well-deserved dip in the sea at the end of the hike, where the beach at Agia Roumeli awaits.

Inspired to go? Take a look at all our Crete holidays and book things to do in Crete.

Or for more inspo, take a look at the best tours in Greece, best things to do in Greece and find out which Greek island is best for you.

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Author: Katie Gregory

Last updated: 09.09.2024