If you are staying anywhere between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos, a visit to Lasithi Plateau is a must. You don’t have to sacrifice a day of beach-ing, half a day is more than enough, if you wake up early. Why is it a must? Well, because the landscape is spectacular. Just like its name says,… Read More Lasithi Plateau – the place of contrasts
Just 15 min away from Heraklion you will find the charming village of Archanes. You can stop here after a long visit to Knossos, as it is only a few kms away. It was an important hub in the Minoan times, as archaeology discovers recently revealed. It has an Archaeological Museum and also a Minoan… Read More Archanes Village
I have always said that the beaches from southern Crete are special. I don’t know if it’s because they are non-touristy as everyone flocks in the north or west, but they have a magical vibe. Also, on all I’ve been so far (Myrtos, Preveli, Ierapetra) they look gray from the distance, as they are pebbled… Read More Matala – a place with a unique vibe
If you are staying in Chania area, a visit to the Ancient Olive Tree is a must 😊 it is located in the village of Ano Vouves (don’t use translate for this, you will regret it), approx. 30km from Chania. The tree is said to be one of the oldest in the world that still… Read More World’s oldest olive tree that still produces olives
Just a few kilometers away from Chania, in the Souda bay, lies an impressive tribute to all those who lost their lives in the World War II to defend Crete. It was built and is preserved by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and 1527 soldiers are buried here. · United Kingdom: 862 soldiers · New… Read More Allied War Cemetery from Souda Bay
When we first arrived in Crete and stayed in Rethymno, we received a city map from the hotel and the first thing the girl from the reception circled was the Fortezza. I have read about it on several blogs and websites and that is a must see at sunset. And this is what we did… Read More Fortezza of Rethymno – a must see at sunset
Rethymno was the place where we stayed when I first came to Crete. It was love at first sight. Why did we choose it? Well, I had Balos and Elafonissi on my list, therefore we needed a place pretty close to them, as we landed on Heraklion airport (in 2020, flights to Chania were once… Read More Rethymno – the place where I fell in love with Crete
One of the most iconic places in Crete is Arkadi Monastery. Its façade appears on all tourist leaflets that promote the island, together with the beaches of Balos, Vai, Preveli and the landmarks of Heraklion (Koules), Rethymno (Fortezza) and Chania (Venetian Harbour and Mosque). Arkadi (Μονή Αρκαδίου – Monastery of Arkadi in Greek) has played… Read More Arkadi Monastery – “Freedom or Death” (Ελευθερία ή θάνατος)
Spinalonga (Σπιναλόγκα or Καλυδών – Kalydon, as it is officially named in Greek) is an island in the Elounda Bay and the second most visited place in Crete (after Knossos). The origin of the name, although it sounds Italian (spina = thorn, longa = long), has its roots in the Greek phrase στην Ελούντα (stin Elounda)… Read More Spinalonga – the last leper colony of Europe
Heraklion is the capital city of Crete and also the biggest one. Although it doesn’t have a beach (the closest one is in Ammoudara, in the west part of the city), there are many things to do and see. It has a tourist open bus that operates as hop-on-hop-off and stops at the main attractions: Knossos Palace,… Read More Things to do and see in Heraklion
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