Why Visit Now: Crete

Greece’s largest island, Crete, is not just vast in size; it’s also blessed with reams of unspoiled natural beauty, history and the most diverse landscapes in the country. Of course, you also have the quintessential Hellenic scenes you can expect from any Greek island, but this is somewhat amplified in Crete. Many argue that the old town of Chania — replete with bustling alfresco tavernas and colorful, cobbled alleyways — is the most beautiful in the nation.

It is also the most outdoorsy. To the west soar the White Mountains, and everyone from amateur to experienced hikers can traverse gorges, ravines, canyons and trails that end in great rewards: waterfalls, covens of butterflies, and vistas that will stay with you forever. But like any Greek island, there is no lack of history. Near the island’s capital, Heraklion, are the remnants of Knossos Palace, home of Minos and the legendary Minotaur, and Gortyna — an open-air museum where you can retrace the steps of an ancient civilization. Truly, wherever you look, Crete enchants.

1. Don your hiking boots at Butterfly Gorge

The gorges and ravines of Crete, formed of carbonate rocks like limestone and marble, are spectacular to behold. The most trodden stretch is the Samaria Gorge, which attracts thousands of visitors a year. It is also the most intense — as the longest gorge in Europe, it spans 16 kilometers.

If you’re looking for something off the beaten track and perhaps more leisurely, opt for the Butterfly or Orino Gorge. Located in the southeast of the island, near the village of Stavrochori, the 4.8-kilometer trail starts at the Koutsouras forest and winds through a smattering of waterfalls. Spot abundant wildlife along the way, including thousands of butterflies, and look out for the burned pine trees — a remnant of a 1993 fire that destroyed 70 percent of the trees in this verdant area.

2. Discover the picturesque corners of Chania Old Town 

The old town of Crete’s former capital, Chania, regularly tops lists of the country’s most picturesque villages. You can see why: from painted, cobbled streets strewn with olive trees to bustling tavernas and shops that sell the wares of local artisans, it feels like an authentic slice of Greek life.

If you’re looking for the ideal of a Greek village, you can’t go wrong with Chania Old Town. From traditional tavernas to colourfully painted houses, you won’t be able to put your camera down.

Georgios Tsichlis

Set aside a day to explore and begin at the Old Venetian Harbor. Jostle for a spot at one of the lively alfresco cafes, and peer at the Firka Fortress, which was built by the Venetians during their occupation in the mid-16th century. Later, take in the spectacular sunset at the famous Venetian Lighthouse, located about a 20- to 25-minute walk from the harbor.

While it is no longer operational today, it is a listed archaeological site and is believed to be one of the oldest lighthouses in the world. Finally, wind down at one of the best restaurants in town, Tamam. Boasting fresh local produce, Tamam serves up traditional Greek fare with a kick of Eastern influences to represent the town’s Ottoman history.

3. Tickle yourself pink at Elafonissi Beach

Renowned for its spectacular pink sand, which was created by thousands of fragments of shattered seashells, you won’t have seen anything like Elafonissi Beach. The lagoon was a well-kept secret until it was named one of the world’s best beaches in 2014. Still, it is worth the long journey and crowds thanks to its warm, shallow waters and incredibly soft, fine sand. But Elafonissi Beach is more than just a haven for sun worshippers; it is also home to more than 100 rare plants and wildlife, some of which cannot be found anywhere else.

While it may be world famous for its pink sand, Elafonissi Beach also boasts some of the rarest plants and wildlife in the country.

Stefano Zaccaria

There are sea daffodils with spiky white petals and the androcymbium rechingeri flower, which blooms here in the winter and is not found anywhere else in the world. Keep an eye out for the loggerhead sea turtle too, an endangered animal that inhabits the lagoon. If you see one, give it a wide berth, as they’re a protected species.

4. Seek the approval of Dionysus   

The Cretans love a party, or a glendi. Roughly translating to a village “fete,” they are often held after a wedding, though this isn’t always the case. Music is at the center of a glendi, and in the halcyon days of yore, the party could go on for days, leaving lyre players with swollen and bleeding fingers. It’s a tamer affair these days, often ending at… well, dawn.

Immerse yourself in Ancient Greek culture by seeking out a Cretan glendi, where you can dance the night away.

Alexandros Michailidis

They tend to be ticketed events, and you can get a sense of when one may be happening by popping down to the village square and speaking to a local. There will be food, flowing wine, live music and, most importantly, dancing. The Cretans take the latter very seriously, with each town having its own specialty. Chania, for example, is known for its intricate sytro, or dragging, dances.

5. Trace historical roots  

To reflect its historical and cultural importance, Crete has a wealth of museums and galleries. If you want to get a sweeping overview of the region, head to The Archeological Museum in Heraklion — the largest of its kind in the island. Here, you can get an intimate look at artefacts that belonged to the ancient Minoan civilisation, including insights into their everyday life, like their sartorial choices, work patterns, parties and more. 

Located nearby is the Museum of Christian Art, held in the newly renovated church of St. Catherine of Sinai, which was built in the 13th century. It’s worth visiting even if religious art isn’t your thing — curators have done a fantastic job of mixing some of the island’s most precious Byzantine paintings alongside notable western Renaissance art. 

6. Traverse the Heraklion wine trail 

It’s rare to go wrong with a glass of Greek wine — rarer still is to find a dud along the Heraklion wine trail, a top wine producing region in the country. It’s vast, and wine tours are a dime a dozen, but you can find some gems, even if you don’t shell out for a private tour. 

Oenophiles, rejoice. The Heraklion wine trail in Crete is one of the finest wine growing areas in the country.

Carolyn Hinton Hutchins

Located in the mountainous region of Dafnes, just a few miles out of Heraklion is Daf Winery. Having been in the family for 117 years, it is now run by the granddaughter, Ferneiki, of the original winemaker. As well as well-priced wine tastings and pairings, you can also take cooking classes where you’ll learn to make Cretan classics using locally-sourced ingredients, including fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs, straight from the hands of the Douloufaki farmers. 

7. Bike amidst the windmills 

For a once in a lifetime experience, head up to the Lassithi plateau — home to dozens and dozens of old white-sailed windmills, nestled amongst the Greek countryside. The windmills, with their wooden bases and fabric sails, were once rumored to be in the 10,000s. They were erected in 1890 by an ingenious young engineer called Emmanouil Papadakis, who came up with the idea to harness the wind in order to irrigate the land. While many are now out of service, it still feels like an area untouched by modernity. 

You’re unlikely to see a sight like the Lassithi Plateau again. There were once allegedly 13,000 windmills, all serving a vital role: keeping the land of eastern Crete fertile.

Sergey Kelin

You can reach the plateau via a hair-raising ride up through the Dhikti mountains from Heraklion or Agios Nikolaos. It can be a challenging walk due to a lack of clear paths, so one of the best ways to see the scope of the area is via bike tour. Crete Bikes run a day tour of the area, stopping at the Monastery of Vidiani and the village of Mochos — both worth a visit in their own rights. 

8. Explore Roman ruins  

Many get their history fix at Knossos Palace — but if you’re keen to avoid crowds and get a true  sense of how the Greeks lived centuries ago, head to one of the country’s largest archeological sites: the ancient town of Gortyna. Referenced in the Homeric poems and inhabited since Neolithic times, Gortyna was a pivotal town, becoming the capital of Roman-era Crete, with a population said to be around 100,000. 

Step back in time at Gortyna — an ancient town that played an integral role in Roman-era Crete; so much so, that it was referred to by Homer.

Dmitry Naumov

It was excavated in the late 1800s, and you can now wander around the vast site, walking — quite literally — in the footsteps of those who lived there in the lush Messara Valley in ancient times. History buffs should look out for a wall that bears the inscription of the Law of Gortyn, said to represent the earliest known Greek law, dating from the early fifth century B.C. Stop at the Byzantine Basilica of Agios Titos too. After a lengthy restoration, it is now regarded as one of the finest early Christian churches in the country.