last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Crete
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Location Map of Crete
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Among other sites from the Minoan era, such as Knossos, which remains the best known, as well as numerous beaches and seaside resorts.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Crete has no sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Agios Nikolaos
A charming tourist port on the northeast coast, nestled in its bay with small pebble or sandy beaches nearby.
A charming tourist port on the northeast coast, nestled in its bay with small pebble or sandy beaches nearby.
Bali
A small, fairly popular seaside resort with plenty of hotels, located between Heraklion and Rethymno. Scuba diving is a highlight here.
A small, fairly popular seaside resort with plenty of hotels, located between Heraklion and Rethymno. Scuba diving is a highlight here.
Gramvoussa Fortress
A must-visit during boat excursions. This is a beautiful fortress on an island near the western tip of Crete.
A must-visit during boat excursions. This is a beautiful fortress on an island near the western tip of Crete.
Georgioupoli
This village on the northwest coast of Crete has transformed into a large seaside resort.
This village on the northwest coast of Crete has transformed into a large seaside resort.
Heraklion
The capital of Crete offers a rich architectural mix, several museums, and, most notably, the Minoan palace of Knossos on its outskirts.
The capital of Crete offers a rich architectural mix, several museums, and, most notably, the Minoan palace of Knossos on its outskirts.
Hersonissos
A small seaside town east of Heraklion, focused on festive tourism with a lively nightlife and beaches.
A small seaside town east of Heraklion, focused on festive tourism with a lively nightlife and beaches.
Knossos
On the outskirts of Heraklion, this magnificent Minoan palace is the best-known and most visited ancient site in Crete.
On the outskirts of Heraklion, this magnificent Minoan palace is the best-known and most visited ancient site in Crete.
Chania
The second-largest city in Crete, located on the western side of the island. It’s a charming port with several museums and historic districts.
The second-largest city in Crete, located on the western side of the island. It’s a charming port with several museums and historic districts.
Malia
A seaside resort on the north coast near Hersonissos, also geared toward young and lively tourism. The town also features the ruins of a Minoan palace.
A seaside resort on the north coast near Hersonissos, also geared toward young and lively tourism. The town also features the ruins of a Minoan palace.
Matala
Caves and a beach for this small town on the southern coast, which was a very "peace and love" spot in the 1960s and 70s.
Caves and a beach for this small town on the southern coast, which was a very "peace and love" spot in the 1960s and 70s.
Moni Toplou Monastery
One of the main Orthodox monasteries in Crete. It is located at the eastern tip of the island, not far from the town of Sitia.
One of the main Orthodox monasteries in Crete. It is located at the eastern tip of the island, not far from the town of Sitia.
Preveli Monastery
A charming hilltop monastery with stunning views of the Libyan Sea and its beaches.
A charming hilltop monastery with stunning views of the Libyan Sea and its beaches.
Sitia
This is the easternmost city in Crete. Visitors come for its beaches, palm forest, Venetian fortress, and surrounding area, which features gorges (Richtis, Zakros) and monasteries (Moni Toplou).
This is the easternmost city in Crete. Visitors come for its beaches, palm forest, Venetian fortress, and surrounding area, which features gorges (Richtis, Zakros) and monasteries (Moni Toplou).
Sougia
This small seaside village on the southwest coast of Crete is appreciated for its tranquility, slightly off the beaten path from mass tourism.
This small seaside village on the southwest coast of Crete is appreciated for its tranquility, slightly off the beaten path from mass tourism.
Zakros
These are the remains of a Minoan city. It is reached by hiking through the gorge known as the "Valley of the Dead".
These are the remains of a Minoan city. It is reached by hiking through the gorge known as the "Valley of the Dead".
Natural Heritage
Kissamos Bay
In western Crete, the town of Kissamos and its bay offer beautiful landscapes and hiking opportunities.
In western Crete, the town of Kissamos and its bay offer beautiful landscapes and hiking opportunities.
Elafonissi
A small island off the west coast of Crete, accessible on foot. A nature reserve, it is highly popular with visitors for its beaches.
A small island off the west coast of Crete, accessible on foot. A nature reserve, it is highly popular with visitors for its beaches.
Samaria Gorge
On the west of the island and designated as a natural park, these gorges are among Europe’s most beautiful. Hiking is possible here.
On the west of the island and designated as a natural park, these gorges are among Europe’s most beautiful. Hiking is possible here.
Gorges of the "Valley of the Dead"
Hiking through these gorges leads you to the ruins of a Minoan city called Zakros.
Hiking through these gorges leads you to the ruins of a Minoan city called Zakros.
White Mountains
A rugged, desert-like mountain range in western Crete, also known as the White Mountains. Hiking is possible, particularly in the Thérissos Gorge.
A rugged, desert-like mountain range in western Crete, also known as the White Mountains. Hiking is possible, particularly in the Thérissos Gorge.
Lassithi Plateau
A pretty plateau at 900 m altitude in the east of the island, where you can see hundreds of windmills.
A pretty plateau at 900 m altitude in the east of the island, where you can see hundreds of windmills.
Akrotiri Peninsula
The area is located on the northwest coast of Crete with beaches and monasteries, including the Agia Triada Monastery.
The area is located on the northwest coast of Crete with beaches and monasteries, including the Agia Triada Monastery.
Recommended
Samaria Gorge
★★★ On the west of the island and designated as a natural park, these gorges are among Europe’s most beautiful. Hiking is possible here.
Knossos
★★★ On the outskirts of Heraklion, this magnificent Minoan palace is the best-known and most visited ancient site in Crete.
Worth a look / Other
Agios Nikolaos
★★ A charming tourist port on the northeast coast, nestled in its bay with small pebble or sandy beaches nearby.
Kissamos Bay
★★ In western Crete, the town of Kissamos and its bay offer beautiful landscapes and hiking opportunities.
Bali (Crete)
★★ A small, fairly popular seaside resort with plenty of hotels, located between Heraklion and Rethymno. Scuba diving is a highlight here.
Elafonissi
★★ A small island off the west coast of Crete, accessible on foot. A nature reserve, it is highly popular with visitors for its beaches.
Gramvoussa Fortress
★★ A must-visit during boat excursions. This is a beautiful fortress on an island near the western tip of Crete.
Gorges of the "Valley of the Dead"
★★ Hiking through these gorges leads you to the ruins of a Minoan city called Zakros.
Heraklion
★★ The capital of Crete offers a rich architectural mix, several museums, and, most notably, the Minoan palace of Knossos on its outskirts.
Chania
★★ The second-largest city in Crete, located on the western side of the island. It’s a charming port with several museums and historic…
White Mountains
★★ A rugged, desert-like mountain range in western Crete, also known as the White Mountains. Hiking is possible, particularly in the Thérissos…
Matala
★★ Caves and a beach for this small town on the southern coast, which was a very "peace and love" spot in the 1960s and 70s.
Arkadi Monastery
★★ A famous Orthodox monastery near Rethymnon, known for its splendid façade.
Moni Toplou Monastery
★★ One of the main Orthodox monasteries in Crete. It is located at the eastern tip of the island, not far from the town of Sitia.
Palaiochora
★★ A quiet town on the southwest coast of Crete with beautiful beaches.
Phaistos
★★ Built in southern Crete, it is one of the island's main Minoan cities.
Plakias
★★ A village on the southern coast with long, beautiful beaches. You can go diving here.
Akrotiri Peninsula
★★ The area is located on the northwest coast of Crete with beaches and monasteries, including the Agia Triada Monastery.
Rethymnon
★★ Seaside resort on the north coast with an old town, a fortress, and beaches.
Sitia
★★ This is the easternmost city in Crete. Visitors come for its beaches, palm forest, Venetian fortress, and surrounding area, which features…
Spinalonga
★★ This is an uninhabited fortress island located north of Agios Nikolaos.
Georgioupoli
★ This village on the northwest coast of Crete has transformed into a large seaside resort.
Gortyna
★ This is the site of an ancient city on the southern coast of Crete.
Hersonissos
★ A small seaside town east of Heraklion, focused on festive tourism with a lively nightlife and beaches.
Ierapetra
★ It’s one of the many seaside resorts on Crete’s southern coast.
Malia
★ A seaside resort on the north coast near Hersonissos, also geared toward young and lively tourism. The town also features the ruins of a…
Preveli Monastery
★ A charming hilltop monastery with stunning views of the Libyan Sea and its beaches.
Lassithi Plateau
★ A pretty plateau at 900 m altitude in the east of the island, where you can see hundreds of windmills.
Roussolakkos
★ The ruins of a Minoan city in eastern Crete.
Sougia
★ This small seaside village on the southwest coast of Crete is appreciated for its tranquility, slightly off the beaten path from mass…
Zakros
★ These are the remains of a Minoan city. It is reached by hiking through the gorge known as the "Valley of the Dead".
- Agios Nikolaos
- Arkadi Monastery
- Bali (Crete)
- Georgioupoli
- Gortyna
- Gramvoussa Fortress
- Heraklion
- Hersonissos
- Ierapetra
- Malia
- Matala
- Moni Toplou Monastery
- Palaiochora
- Phaistos
- Plakias
- Rethymnon
- Roussolakkos
- Sitia
- Sougia
- Spinalonga
- Zakros
- Kissamos Bay
- Gorges of the "Valley of the Dead"
- White Mountains
- Lassithi Plateau
- Akrotiri Peninsula
- Knossos
- Elafonissi
- Chania
- Preveli Monastery
- Samaria Gorge