17 best things to do in Crete

Crete is Greece’s largest island and the fifth-largest in the Mediterranean, stretching about 160 miles from east to west across the southern Aegean Sea. 

Because of where it sits—right between Europe, Asia, and Africa—Crete has always been at the center of things. The Minoans lived here thousands of years ago and were already building palaces with plumbing and painting vibrant frescoes while most of Europe was still figuring things out. 

Since then, plenty of others have come and gone—Romans, Venetians, Ottomans—and you can still see traces of all of them in the buildings, churches, and even the food. Here are the some of the best things to do in Crete. 
 

1. Balos Lagoon

Balos is one of those beaches you have to put a little effort into reaching, but it’s worth it. The water is shallow near the shore and shifts into a deeper blue as you walk out, with bits of pink in the sand from crushed shells. It’s set between mainland Crete, the Gramvousa Peninsula, and a tiny island called Cape Tigani.

Most people get there by hiking down a rocky trail from a small parking lot. It’s not difficult, just hot in summer, so bring water and decent shoes. Once you’re down there, you’ll wade through knee-high water to get to the beach area. It’s a calm place to swim or just hang out.

It’s especially nice for kids since much of the water is shallow, but anyone who enjoys a scenic swim or a quiet paddle will appreciate it. It gets busy in summer, so if you can, go in spring or early fall.
 

2. Palace of Knossos

The Palace of Knossos is about a 15-minute drive from Heraklion and is widely considered the center of Minoan civilization—one of the oldest in Europe. It dates back around 4,000 years, and the ruins give you a surprisingly detailed look at how advanced the Minoans were, including some that have been reconstructed to show how things might have looked.

The layout is easy to follow—you’ll walk through spaces like the Throne Room and the Queen’s quarters with dolphin frescoes still on the walls. The whole maze-like design is what gave rise to the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur.
 

3. Arkadi Monastery

Arkadi Monastery sits in the hills of Crete and carries a lot of emotional weight for Cretans. It’s a beautiful Venetian-era monastery with a peaceful courtyard and mountain views, but it’s also the site of one of the most dramatic events in Cretan history. 

In 1866, during a siege by Ottoman forces, hundreds of people—many of them civilians—chose to blow up the gunpowder stores rather than surrender. The event became a symbol of Cretan resistance and is still remembered across the island.

Walking around the monastery, you’ll see the powder magazine, now a memorial, as well as a small museum, monks' quarters, and a church with detailed iconography. The building itself is well-preserved, with Renaissance touches in the architecture that hint at its Venetian past.

It’s not huge, but it’s definitely one of the best things to do in Crete, especially if you’re interested in more recent history. The drive there also gives you a bit of a break from the coast and shows you a quieter side of the island.

4. Tour Anoskeli Olive Oil & Winery near Kolymbari

Anoskeli is a small, family-run place tucked into the hills near Kolymbari. They’ve been making olive oil here for years, using Koroneiki olives, which are known for their strong, peppery flavor. Here you can learn exactly how Koroneiki olives go from grove to bottle.

You’ll get a walkthrough of the production process and then taste the oils yourself—learning how to tell a grassy, peppery, antioxidant-rich oil from a bland one. 

They also make wine, so you can try a bit of both while you’re there. It’s a good way to slow down and get a feel for what local food production actually looks like in Crete. 
 

5. Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge is one of Crete’s better-known hikes—and for good reason. It’s a 10-mile (16 km) trail that runs downhill through a deep gorge in the White Mountains, ending at the Libyan Sea. Most people start at the top in Xyloskalo and descend through forests, abandoned stone villages, and narrow rocky passages, including the famous “Iron Gates,” where the canyon walls close in just a few feet apart.

You’ll need decent shoes and a bit of stamina—this isn’t a stroll—but the changing scenery and sense of accomplishment make it worthwhile. Keep your eyes out for the kri-kri goats, which are only found on Crete. The trail ends at the beach and ferries run from Agia Roumeli since there are no roads in or out.

6. Rock climbing at Kapetaniana

High up in the Asterousia Mountains in southern Crete, the tiny village of Kapetaniana has quietly become a go-to for rock climbers. The limestone cliffs here have over 200 routes and great views over the sea. The terrain ranges from tough challenges to beginner-friendly climbs, and it stays warm and dry for most of the year—so it’s especially good outside the peak summer heat.

If you don’t have gear or much experience, there are local guides who can help. The village is tiny, with a couple of great family-run tavernas where you can eat after your climb. 
 

7. Canyoning in Tsoutsouras

Canyoning in Tsoutsouras is one of those things that gets you out into the quieter side of Crete. It’s down south, away from the crowds, and you move through a limestone gorge with waterfalls, pools, and narrow passages that keep changing as you go. It’s not just scenic—there’s plenty of movement too: climbing, rappelling, swimming, and sliding through natural formations.

Local guides handle the safety side and provide the gear. You’ll get a full briefing, and most people in decent shape, including kids from around 12 and up, can take part.  

It takes around four hours to go from top to bottom, and it gets more interesting the deeper you go. The last stretch opens right onto the Libyan Sea, and most people end the trip with a swim in the saltwater.

8. Chania's Old Town

Chania’s Old Town is one of the best things to do in Crete if you just want to walk with no plan. It’s full of winding streets, old buildings, and small places to eat or grab a drink. You’ve got layers of history here—Venetian, Ottoman, and modern Greek—all sitting next to each other.

The harbor is the easiest landmark to start from, but if you head away from the waterfront, you’ll find tucked-away courtyards, little churches, and people still living and working in buildings that have been around for centuries. There’s a covered market that’s still used by locals for groceries, herbs, and other everyday things.

It doesn’t feel staged or overdone. It’s busy in summer, sure, but if you keep walking past the crowds, you’ll find quieter corners where the rhythm of daily life still comes through.. Even in the busy season, it’s possible to find quiet corners.
 

9. Preveli Beach

Preveli Beach has a different feel from most of the other beaches in Crete. It’s where a river meets the sea, and there’s a palm forest lining the freshwater side. You can reach it either by boat or by hiking down from the cliffs—it’s not the easiest to access, but that’s part of why it feels more relaxed.

People tend to swim in the sea for a bit, then walk upstream along the river under the shade of the palms. There are a few natural pools up there where you can cool off away from the sun.

10. Wine tasting at Douloufakis Winery in Dafnes

If you’re curious about Cretan wine, Douloufakis Winery is a good place to start. It’s in the Dafnes area, not far from Heraklion, and it’s been run by the same family for generations. They focus on local grapes like Vidiano, Liatiko, and Kotsifali—some of which you probably haven’t tried before.

The setup is simple but thoughtful. You taste a few wines while looking out over the vineyards, usually with some cheese and olive oil on the side. They’ll talk you through the process, especially if you ask questions, and you get a sense of how much they care about what they’re making.

It’s not fancy or fussy, and you don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy it. 

11. Elafonissi Beach and Kedrodasos Beach

These two beaches are down in the southwest and worth checking out if you’re up for a bit of a drive. Elafonisi has a shallow lagoon with clear water and sand that can look slightly pink from crushed shells. There’s a narrow stretch of sand you can walk across to reach the little island part, depending on the tide.

Kedrodasos is quieter and feels more tucked away. It’s about a 30-minute walk from Elafonissi and has low cedar trees and a more rugged feel. There aren’t many services at either place, so bring what you need for the day—water, food, and shade.

If you go during the summer, it’s worth arriving early. Outside of peak season, it’s more peaceful. It’s a good area for swimming, wandering barefoot, or just relaxing near the water. These are some of the best beaches in Crete.

12. Local tavernas in the Sfakia Region

The tavernas in Sfakia feel personal. They’re usually run by families who’ve been cooking the same dishes for years. A lot of them raise their own animals or grow their own vegetables, so the food feels very connected to the area. You’ll find things like cheese pies with honey, slow-cooked meats, and simple grilled fish.

Meals tend to stretch out. You’re not rushed, and it’s common for the owner or someone in the family to come chat or bring out a round of tsikoudia. The views are great too—some of the tavernas are perched above the sea.

If you care about food and like meals that feel like part of the place you’re in, this is one of the best things to do in Crete.
 

13. Cave of Zeus (Dikteon Cave)

If you’re in the Lasithi Plateau area, it’s worth heading up to the Cave of Zeus. It’s around 3,360 feet (1,025 meters) up Mount Dikti, and according to Greek mythology, this is where Rhea hid baby Zeus to protect him from his father, Cronos.

The cave stays cool all year—about 50°F (10°C)—and it’s damp, with lots of dramatic stalactites and stalagmites. There’s a small pool inside and a rock formation that’s said to be the cradle of Zeus. Myth aside, the space has a peaceful, underground stillness that feels a bit removed from the rest of the island.

You’ll need to hike about 20 minutes uphill to reach the entrance. It’s not too intense, but wear decent shoes. Along the way, you’ll get wide views over the Lasithi Plateau, especially on a clear day. It’s one of the best things to do in Crete for anyone interested in  mythology, geology, or just looking for a quiet, otherworldly break from the beach.

14. Rethymno's Venetian Quarter

Rethymno’s old town feels like it’s been lived in for centuries but is still active. Here you’ll find a narrow tangle of cobbled streets, crumbling stone walls, and wooden balconies that lean out like they’ve been watching the world go by for centuries. It’s easy to just wander—there’s no single path through it, which is kind of the point.

You’ll come across a mix of architecture—Venetian buildings, some Ottoman-era details—and plenty of little finds: courtyards, doorways, cafés, galleries, and the Rimondi Fountain that’s been running since the 1600s. The Fortezza sits on the hill above, and if you walk up, you’ll get a wide view over the town and sea. This is easily one of the best things to do in Crete
 

15. Imbros Gorge

If you want a scenic hike without the chaos of Samaria Gorge, Imbros is a good call. The trail runs about 5 miles (8km) through narrow limestone walls—some sections get tight enough that you could almost touch both sides at once.

It’s not too steep, so families and casual hikers do fine here. You’ll walk through shaded patches, pass wildflowers in spring, and maybe spot an eagle overhead. 

There’s some history here too—this route was used by Allied troops during WWII to evacuate the island. You’ll end up in the village of Komitades, where you can grab a meal or something cold to drink.

16. Spinalonga Island

You can get to Spinalonga by boat from Elounda or Plaka—it’s quick and easy. The island has a pretty heavy history. It started as a Venetian fortress in the 1500s, but most people come here because it was used as a leper colony from the early 1900s until 1957.

Once you’re on the island, you can walk through what’s left of the old buildings. There’s a hospital, a disinfection room, and a narrow little street where people used to try to live a normal life. Even though they were isolated, they built their own community here, with routines, rules, and even celebrations.

The views are stunning—the sea wraps around crumbling fort walls, and wildflowers grow through stone—but there’s a quiet weight to it all. 
 

17. Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

If you're planning to visit any of Crete’s ancient sites, start here. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion has the most important collection of Minoan artifacts anywhere, and it gives you the background to make sense of what you’ll see out in the field.

Inside, you'll find everything from early Neolithic tools to gold jewelry, but the frescoes are what most people remember. The “Prince of the Lilies,” “Bull Leapers,” and “Blue Ladies” are some of the most recognizable images from the ancient world, and seeing them up close gives you a whole new appreciation .

The Phaistos Disc is here too—an undeciphered clay tablet that still stumps researchers. Labels and exhibits are clear and in good English, so even if you’re not deep into archaeology, it’s still easy to follow. Set aside at least a couple of hours.