Alexandre RobertWhen the weather is nice and you want to travel a little, the Mediterranean basin is often one of the preferred destinations for travelers. Greece is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and picturesque tourist destinations in Europe.
And among all the Greek islands (Santorini, Mykonos, Kefalonia, Corfu, Zakynthos), Crete, for the multiplicity of tourist sites and activities that can be carried out there, remains a spot of choice.
Where to go in Crete during your vacations? Discover 7 must-see places!
Where to go to Crete with your family in 2023?
1. Spinalonga and Elounda: History and typical Crete
Where to go in Crete? And if you start with the island of Spinalonga and the town of Elounda, a small fishing village, with incredible colors and a total change of scenery.
To paraphrase Wikipedia:
Spinalonga is a fortress island and a peninsula located in Crete at the western entrance of the Gulf of Mirabello, opposite the town of Elounda.
This part of Crete is particularly distinguished from other tourist destinations by its rich history.
In the 19th century, the island of Spinalonga was used as a refuge for lepers. They founded their own community there. But long before this more recent period, the island had been under Turkish rule until the 18th century.
Loaded with history, Spinalonga remains today a spectacular island, facing both the Mediterranean and Elounda.
Where to sleep in Elounda?
Elounda is a fairly traditional fishing village in Crete. Nevertheless, not only are the hotels and villas on site exquisitely luxurious and tasteful, but the view is often breathtaking: full of the bay and the island of Spinalonga.
Choose your hotel in Elounda here:
Booking.com2. The Samaria Gorge: go on an adventure
To walk this path, it is important to prepare yourself accordingly:
- walking shoes
- water supply
- snack
- sun protection
The walk lasts nearly 6 hours and over a total distance of 16 km. Note that the path is not really to your advantage, so we insist again on shoes. Don’t tempt the devil!
Located in the White Mountains, the Samaria Gorge is one of the many natural wonders of the island. A place similar to our French Verdon, recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.
If you plan to go there, you will have to do it between May 1st and October 31st. The gorge is not accessible in winter because of the freezing of the river that crosses it, making the path quite dangerous.
3. Agios Nikolaos: a family stroll
If after a day of exploring you are looking for a relaxing place, this part of Crete can offer you everything you need.
With its feet on the water, in the magnificent bay of Mirabello, its port is definitely one of the most beautiful and colorful of the island of Crete.
Agios Nikolaos has the unique feature of not only being perched on several hills, but above all, of surrounding a lake, in its center: the lake Voulismeni, now connected to the sea.
A very touristic city, you will nevertheless appreciate its calm, its restaurants, cafés and other stores.
Where to stay in Agios Nikolaos?
Agios Nikolaos, as a rather luxurious but above all very dynamic destination of Crete, offers a lot of hotel possibilities to tourists (at all prices). Find out more on this map:
Booking.comWhere to go to Crete as a couple in 2023?
2. The Dikteon cave : exploration in couple
The cave of Dikteon is worth a visit. It will indeed take you some time to get there and above all, to pass by other memorable points of interest of the island of Crete, such as :
- The oldest tree in Crete, located in Krassi; it is a plane tree.
- You will also find the Mohos church and its Byzantine frescoes.
2. Chania: romantic and gorgeous city
From 1897 to 1907, Chania was the capital of Crete.
It houses the Maritime Museum and the Museum of Archaeology, an area of great wealth on the island of Crete.
Apart from the singular beauty of the city, the Mediterranean streets or its typical restaurants, the yacht trips are an activity that could well attract your attention…
Chania is also called Chania or Hania.
Where to sleep in Chania?
If you want to spend a few days in Chania, there are two possibilities. The first one: enjoy the charm of the city and sleep in the heart of Chania. The second is to look for a place to stay in the province, to enjoy its beautiful landscapes.
Make your choice here:
Booking.com3. The Palace of Knossos: History in love
It is a must for history lovers.
The Palace of Knossos, a world-famous site, are ruins whose construction dates back to almost two millennia BC.
It is the testimony of the past of the Minoan civilization. The palace of Knossos is closely linked to Minos, the same king who imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth. This palace would have been his.
A place of Greek history and mythology. A must on the island of Crete.
The 5 best beaches to see in Crete in 2023
The good thing about Crete is that there is always a beach not far from where you can be.
Here are a few that you can’t miss if you are there:
Of course, we could not conclude this part dedicated to the most beautiful beaches of Crete without mentioning the most beautiful and spectacular one: Balos Beach and its pink and white sands.
Balos is a peninsula on the southeastern tip of the island. A breathtaking beach where we recommend you to go swimming.
