The largest Greek island, Crete, is visited by more than 5 million tourists every year. They come to behold the beauty of the island’s pink-sand beaches, traditional coffeehouses, lofty mountains, and buzzing nightlife. Crete is where the first evolved society in Europe was born and home of the Minotaur legend. Moreover, the island was invaded several times during history, and the area’s Byzantine architecture, Turkish bathhouses, and Venetian fortresses are some of the living proofs of those invasions. However, locals in Crete got over the dark past a long time ago, and they’re more focused on living their lives by holding fantastic parties and enjoying the most delicious food that one can ever wish for. Those include locally produced olive oil, home-grown vegetables, and fat snails gleaned in the mountains.
Here’s How To Spend The First Day During A Trip To Charming Crete
Crete is the largest island in Greece, and visitors will need a car to get around and explore the region. At Heraklion Airport, people can easily find a car rental office. However, booking a car in advance is advisable, particularly during high seasons when rental prices become too high. Moreover, bargaining is essential to get the best possible rental rates. For instance, one should expect to pay around €28 per day if they intend to keep the car for more than three days.
The first attraction to witness when visiting Crete is the iconic centrally-located Heraklion Museum, where visitors will have the chance to see the Malia bee pendant, Minoan frescoes, Kamares tableware, and other archaeological wonders. Moreover, visitors can enjoy a cool ice frappé at Heraklion Museum before heading to Knossos Palace. Here, people will learn about the island’s history and Minoan civilization. Next, moving to the villages of Archanes, people can enjoy a delicious lunch at Kritamon restaurant.
- Recommended: It is highly recommended to taste the maggiri meal at Kritamon restaurant. The dish consists of fresh pasta served in a meaty broth, mixed with white anthotyros cheese.
- Cost: A guided-tour ticket at the Knossos palace costs €7 per person.
A Splendid Afternoon In Marvelous Crete
The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is also a must-visit during a trip to Crete. Fans of the literary giant can also see his tomb in Heraklion’s hilltop cemetery. Next is the time to hit the less crowded areas of Crete and head to the eastern side of the island. People will reach Lasithi’s capital which is full of beautiful shops lining its streets and is home to the tavern-surrounded circular lake, Voulismeni.
Driving to Elounda, travelers can hop on a boat to go to the island of Spinalonga, which was featured in the novel, The Island, for Victoria Hislop. Back in Elounda, visitors can enjoy dinner at the Ferryman, the tavern overlooking the glittering bay of the area.
- Recommended: When dining at the Ferryman, people are advised to order the baked lamb, the feta-flavored aubergine scones, and the crusty home-baked carob bread.
At night, a party at Heraklion’s bars is a must. It is worth trying a raki-based cocktail at Stone Project, a bar frequented by hip Herakliotes. Later, the night can be ended with a party at Nyn Kai Aei, a warehouse-style music venue that sees fantastic performances by Cretan music stars.
The Marvelous Adventures Of The Second Day At Crete
Visitors to Crete are recommended to skip their hotel’s breakfast and enjoy instead a gourmet walking tour offered by Crete Urban Adventures, where they will have the chance to taste the most savory cheese samples in the local market, the yummiest custard pies, and try the tastiest local snacks offered at the hole-in-the-wall kafeneions. After the most delicious breakfast that one can ever ask for, visitors to Crete can continue to the beach-line coast of Rethymnon, where they can enjoy a refreshing swim. They can later walk through Rethymnon’s streets, home to Venetian fortifications, beautiful mansions, and a 16th-century citadel.
Next on the list comes the beautiful coastal town of Giorgioupoli, where visitors can behold the natural beauty of this area and the rare striped terrapins bobbing on Kournas lake. Taking a boat from Hora Sfakion to Agia Roumeli, people can enjoy a hike to Samaria Gorge. Shopping comes next in the marvelous city of Chania, which boasts, behind the Venetian harbor, an intricate network of shopping streets. However, restaurants there must be avoided as those are tourist traps. It would be better to enjoy a dinner at one of the city’s best venues, Chrisostomos, and indulge in a wood-oven slow-cooked Sfakian fare.
- Recommended: It is recommended to enjoy a dinner in Chania’s Splantzia district at The Well of the Turk restaurant. A fabulous party can be attended later at Mylos club on the sands of the nearby Platanias beach.