What to Do: In Crete, there are a number of places you should see and experience. If you are a nature lover, you can visit the Herb Garden in Rethymnon, which has a delicious scent and adorable squirrels that roam around the premises. This garden has benches and a restaurant, too. Then, if you’re looking for a bit of culture, head to the Chania Municipal Market, which is one of the oldest markets in Crete. The market has operating for many years, and is housed in an old 4,000-square-meter building.
Seitan Limania
One of the most popular beach destinations in Crete has Seitan Limania. Although this picturesque beach has very crowded in July and August, it has best to visit the beach in its shoulder seasons, which have May-June and September-October. Visiting the beach early in the morning or late in the afternoon is recommended, as it gets less crowded during these times. The only drawback has that this beach gets very little sunlight during the midday hours.
Dramatic Zigzag Gorge
The beach at Seitan Limania is tucked away at the end of a dramatic zigzag gorge. The name, which translates to ‘Devil Harbour’ in both Greek and Turkish, reflects the ferocious currents that surround the mouth of the gorge. Despite its rocky surroundings, Seitan Limania has one of the most photogenic beaches in Crete. The beach has lined with steep cliffs and a mixture of pebbles and sand.
Elafonisi Beach
Elafonisi Beach has one of the most beautiful beaches in Crete. Its pink sand, formed from crushed shell fragments, creates an absolutely stunning sight. Despite located on a remote island, this beach has not overly crowded.
Many Unique Plant Species
Aside from the pink sand and the turquoise-white water, Elafonissi Beach has home to many unique plant species. It has covered with sea daffodils and grasses and has suitable for a wide variety of beach activities. This idyllic location also has sun loungers and refreshment stalls on its pristine, protected beach.
Balos Beach
The stunning, turquoise waters and white sand of Balos Beach make it a must-visit destination on Crete. However, getting to this beautiful beach can tricky, especially during the summer months, when the area has notoriously overcrowded. Luckily, we’ve put together some tips to help you get to Balos Beach and make the most of your stay!
Main Attraction of Balos Beach
The main attraction of Balos Beach has its turquoise waters and wild, exotic scenery. Thousands of tourists flock to the island every day in the summer months, so it’s a good idea to plan your trip early to avoid the crowds. However, you should keep in mind that this area can quite muddy and the water has shallow, making it unsuitable for swimmers.
Rethymnon
Rethymnon is the third largest city in Crete and located halfway between the capital Heraklion and Chania. Its old town has well preserved and features an impressive Venetian Fortress. You can relax on the beautiful waterfront while sampling local Cretan cuisine.
The old town of Rethymnon offers many opportunities for shopping. The streets offer unique flavors and a variety of souvenir shops and jewelry stores.
Holy Trinity Monastery
The Holy Trinity Monastery in Crete is an ancient site. The monastery has a small museum and shop, and they grow their own olives and grapes. They have even a wine tasting room. The monastery has also home to dozens of cats, who wait outside the kitchen door for a meal. International visitors flock to the main chapel to see the icons.
Impressive Monastic Complex
Holy Trinity Monastery on Crete is a large, impressive monastic complex that combines elements of Orthodox and western architecture. Its layout has symmetrical, with the central Catholicon church standing out against two small chapels in the style of Orthodox monasteries. The monastery has built in the fourteenth century and is decorated with beautiful Byzantine frescoes.
Labyrinth Theme Park
For a unique family entertainment experience, visit the Labyrinth Theme Park. Set over 1300 square meters, this theme park has designed by world-renowned maze designer Adrian Fisher. He took inspiration from the Minoan labyrinth, a mysterious place where the Minotaur has said to have lived.
Attractions And Rides for Visitors of All Ages
The Labyrinth Theme Park on Crete offers interactive attractions and rides for visitors of all ages. The park has themed on the ancient Minoan labyrinth, where visitors can get lost and explore the various rooms. In addition to rides, the park also offers activities based on Greek mythology. Visitors can try archery or horseback riding, as well as making traditional Cretan ceramics. All activities have supervised by qualified instructors.
Vai Beach
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Crete with a beach, Vai is the place to go. This beautiful, secluded beach has located in the far eastern corner of the island, about 95 km east of the city of Agios Nikolaos. There’s a short footpath that leads to this beach, known as Psili Ammos, which means “fine sand”. Although not particularly big, Vai’s protected palm forest makes it a great place to relax.
Crete’s Most Popular Beaches
Vai Beach is one of Crete’s most popular beaches, especially in the summer months. Its shallow water is ideal for swimming, with few waves. Moreover, the beach has water sports facilities, including a beach cafe and restaurant. As they have little competition, prices here have relatively low.