Crete Travel Guide
The south propylaeum of the palace of Knossos, Crete. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Crete is Greece's largest island and the fifth-largest in the Mediterranean: a country in itself, with its own dialect, music and cuisine. This was the home of the Minoans, Europe's first advanced civilization: the palace of Knossos, with its red columns and bull frescoes, is the essential visit.
The Heraklion Archaeological Museum holds the Minoan masterpieces. The west belongs to Chania: the Venetian harbor, the Samaria Gorge (16 km), Elafonissi's pink sand and Balos lagoon. Rethymno's Fortezza, Phaistos, Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga fill the center and east.
Destinations in Crete
Palace of KnossosThe Minoan palace: the throne room, the grand staircase, the bull frescoes.
Heraklion Archaeological MuseumThe world's great Minoan collection: the Phaistos Disc, the Snake Goddess.
Chania Venetian harborThe lighthouse, the arsenals and the waterfront tavernas.
Samaria GorgeThe 16-km gorge through the White Mountains to Agia Roumeli.
ElafonissiThe pink-sand beach of the southwest.
Balos lagoonThe turquoise lagoon of the Gramvousa peninsula.
Rethymno FortezzaThe Venetian fortress over the old town.
Agios Nikolaos and SpinalongaThe resort town and the former leper colony island.
Koules fortressThe Venetian sea fortress at the Heraklion harbor mouth.
PhaistosThe second Minoan palace, with the Messara plain below.
PreveliThe palm beach where the river meets the Libyan Sea.
Hover a region to explore it. Click a city pin to open its guide.
Top Cities & towns in Crete
Regional food
- Dakos (barley rusk with tomato and mizithra)
- Raki (tsikoudia), the Cretan spirit
- Graviera cheese and kalitsounia (cheese pies)
Getting there
Heraklion (HER) and Chania (CHQ) have international airports. Ferries run from Piraeus to Heraklion, Chania (Souda), Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos; high-speed catamarans cross in summer.