Travel Guide Crete

Palace of Knossos

Twenty minutes from Heraklion lies Crete's most famous building, the Palace of Knossos. According to tradition, the palace was the seat of King Minos, son of Zeus and Europa, in the period from 2000 to 1300 B.C. Knossos is also associated with the myths surrounding the bull-man Minotaur, for whom the master builder Daidalos is said to have constructed a labyrinth so complex that he and his son Icarus could only find their way out by flying.

Arthur Evans began excavating the approximately 1,4000 rooms in 1900, some of which must have been up to four storeys high. Together with the central courtyard of the palace, where games and processions probably took place, the excavation site provides an interesting insight into the progress of mankind 4,000 years ago.

Palace of Phaistos

Less than an hour from Heraklion, in the south of the island, lies the second most important archaeological site in Crete, the Palace of Phaistos. A place for those particularly interested in culture, as only the ruins of the palace with the remains of stairs, squares and walls can still be found on the site. Anyone expecting to see ancient ceramics, jewellery or the famous Phaistos Disc should visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. All the excavations are documented there. However, if you want to search for traces of Greek history during your holiday on Crete, a visit not only to Knossos but also to Phaistos is an absolute must!

Ruins of Gortyna

The ruins of Gortyna are considered one of the most extensive excavations in Greece, which you will find near the palace of Phaistos. Although the city of Gortys (also known as Gortyn or Gortyna) is where the apostle Paul preached and the oldest stone-carved legal text in Europe was found, the archaeological site is little known among tourists. Yet the site bears witness to 6,000 years of history, which can be traced in the remains of the Basilica of Titus, the Odeion and the Code of Law.

Outside the archaeological site, surrounded by olive groves, there are also ancient ruins that tell of the Roman occupation. If you have a little more time, you should also visit the surrounding archaeological sites: the mysterious villa in Agia Triada or the over 2800-year-old olive tree and the vaulted tomb of Kamilari.

Arkadiou Monastery

The Arkadi Monastery, located 23 kilometres southwest of the city of Rethymno, has a deep significance for Cretans. It played a prominent role in the struggle for independence from the Ottoman Empire. As a memorial plaque on the eastern wall reminds us, 1600 people are said to have died in 1866 during the siege of the monastery and after a violent explosion. In this sense, the Arkadi Monastery, which is now a national monument on the island, is also an important cultural and historical site that you can visit on your round trip. The monastery also houses a museum with a large collection of coats of arms and relics, icons and pontificals!

Samaria Gorge and National Park

The Samaria Gorge (also known as Samariá Gorge, Greek Φαράγγι Σαμαριάς or Φάραγγας) in the White Mountains in the south-west of the island. At 13 kilometres and 1200 metres in altitude difference, it is the longest gorge in Europe and you should pack your hiking gear for it! There are two ways to explore the gorge and the surrounding national park - a short and a long route. The longer route should only be taken by hiking enthusiasts, as it has a few challenges in store.

The trail leads to the Xyloskalo wooden steps, the Agios Nikolaos rest area, the village of Samaria, the "Iron Gate" and the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. On the way, you will cross steep and narrow hairpin bends and hike along the sometimes slippery riverbed and between high rock faces. If you want to take the long route, you should spend the night in Agia Roumeli to explore the area extensively. The tour is 18 kilometres long and takes around five to seven hours. Alternatively, you can take the shorter, less arduous route. You can take the ferry to Agio Roumeli, from where you walk a total of 6 kilometres to the "Iron Gate" and back again. It is important to be quiet on the tour so as not to frighten the wild Kri-Kri goats, which could even cause rockslides.

Elafonissi Beach

If there is one motif in Crete that is known almost worldwide, it is Elafonissi. The lagoon landscape of the same name in the extreme south-west of the island has been voted one of the most beautiful beaches in the world several times and visitors not only get over the long journey but also the enormous crowds when they see this paradise. At the latest when walking on the fine, pink sand, stress and hectic are forgotten and you just want to dive deeper into this oasis of colour. The highlight is that you can walk from Elafonissi beach across the sandbank to Elafonissi Island and walk to the western end to visit the lighthouse and chapel. The island is a nature reserve where botanists can enjoy over 110 plant species!

Lefka Ori

Crete is known for its incredible mountain landscapes - including the Lefka Ori mountain range (Λευκά Όρη in Greek). As the mountains are covered in snow until late spring and the light reflects off the limestone peaks in summer, the mountains are also known as the White Mountains. Only a few roads lead to the White Mountains: the road to Omalos, which also leads to the Samaria Gorge, and the road to Chora, which passes through the Askifou plateau. However, to climb more metres of the 2453-metre-high mountain, you have to walk. Many tourists hike up to the Omalos Plateau at 1000 metres above sea level or to the Samaria Gorge, which is just one of the 50 gorges in the mountain range. If you climb even higher, beyond the centre at an altitude of 1800 metres, you will only find areas that are reminiscent of deserts and lunar landscapes. Unique in the northern hemisphere, the White Mountains should also be on your bucket list for your holiday in Crete!

Lake Voulismeni in Agios Nikolaos

There are many myths surrounding Lake Voulismeni (Greek: Βίμνη Βουλισμένη, Limni Voulismeni) in Agios Nikolaos: The goddess Athena is said to have bathed in the lake, which according to legend is bottomless and connected to the island of Santorini, several hundred kilometres away. In fact, the lake has a considerable depth of 65 metres, which is due to an earthquake that also shook the surface of Lake Voulismeni.

Today, the lake is a popular attraction in the centre of Agios Nikolaos, as it is surrounded by a long promenade with numerous tavernas and bars. Tourists will find countless opportunities to enjoy themselves at any time of day or night. A special experience is the annual Orthodox Easter festival, when the locals also gather around Lake Voulismeni to light the Easter bonfire. The lake, with its colourful fishing boats and impressive rock and mountain formations in the background, is also one of the most famous photo motifs.

Palm beach of Preveli

The region of Preveli on the south coast of Crete is crossed by the Megalopotamos River, which converges to form a lagoon-like lake. The river, which carries water all year round, favours the growth of the impressive Cretan date palm. The region around the palm beach of Preveli reflects the extraordinary landscape of Crete like no other bay. If you want to enjoy the marvellous view over the region, you have various options: hiking through the surrounding mountains or floating on the lake on pedal boats, canoes or stand-up paddles. If you don't want to explore the palm-lined beach on your own, but with a tour guide, you can travel to the beach on excursion boats from Plakias or Agia Galini. Alternatively, you can take a hire car along the well-maintained road to Preveli Monastery, park in the convenient car park and descend into the bay of Preveli via a sometimes steep serpentine path. Either way, you will be rewarded with extraordinary views! After the excursion, tavernas in the neighbouring bay of Amoúdi invite you to relax.

Lassithi plateau

The Lassithi Plateau (Greek: Οροπέδιο Λασιθίου, Oropedio Lasithiou) is also a popular excursion destination when exploring the mountainous landscapes of Crete. A circular road runs around the plateau, which stretches across the extreme eastern edge of the island, connecting the twenty surrounding villages. This makes it possible to drive north or north-east from Neápolis or Mália on relatively well-maintained roads.

Many tourists make a detour to the village of Psichro, where the famous Dikteon Andron cave is located. According to Greek mythology, Zeus, the highest of the gods, was born in the cave. The small villages such as Avdoú or Goniés, which are bordered by the steep rock faces of the Dikto Mountains, are also worth a visit. Steep paths lead to Ambelós, the entrance to the plateau. From here, and especially from the highest point Spathi, you have an unforgettable view over the plain and the mighty mountains!

It is a good idea to book a hire car for the tour. This way you can explore eastern Crete at your leisure - stopping off at monasteries, churches and windmills in the original villages.