Top 10 Things To Do In Crete

Santorini Secrets · 2025-07-09T06:43:26.654Z

Discussion and comments about Top 10 Things To Do In Crete. Join our community to share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with other travelers exploring Greece.

Crete is the largest Greek island, and it has by far the most available attractions, activities, tours, excursions, and the most diverse things to do. Here is the ultimate list of the best things to do in Crete to make this an unforgettable trip.

I have handpicked the ultimate list of the Best Things To Do in Crete on the list below, but what you choose to do on this large Greek island depends on your situation (a family with kids, a couple, a solo traveller, or a senior).

BEST THING TO DO IN CRETE: Visit Knossos Palace Ruins (with a guide)

Crete is an extremely diverse place, and you can easily find yourself lying on an exotic beach overlooking a snowy mountain, which might be a few miles away…

It’s also important to understand that because Crete is a massive island, the things you choose to do depend on where you are staying in Crete (western Crete, Heraklion area, or Agios Nikolaos).

READ ALSO:
Where to Stay in Crete
Best Hotels in Rethymno
Best Villas in Crete
Best Beaches in Chania
Best Things to do in Paros

VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW

Best Website To Book Best Tours in Crete: GetYourGuide

You won’t be able to do lots of things if you don’t rent a caror your means of transportation in Crete, because you will have to cover many miles

It is better if you focus on the perfection of the place you will be staying and cover most things in that part of the island: e.g., if you are staying in Chania, then try to cover things to do in Chania and Rethymno prefectures rather than going to Agios Nikolaos and spending many hours driving

If you are visiting Crete in the winter, there is no point in visiting the beaches as they will be deserted and pretty cold and windy

If you are looking to go from Crete to Santorini, you had better do it through an organised tour (this one is one of the best)

In a nutshell, the absolute best things to do in Crete are:

1. Visit Knossos Palace

Knossos Palace is one of the most impressive ancient ruins you can find in Greece

Visit the amazing Knossos Palace and explore the ancient Minoan civilisation (a guided walking tour will be very much appreciated…) – also don’t forget to visit the unique Heraklion Archaeological Museum (on Google Maps). It’s conveniently located near Heraklion and easy to get there.

2. Visit a Crete beach

Scenic view of Kalyves Bay, Crete, Greece with sandy beach, turquoise waters, mountain backdrop. — Stunning views of Kalyves bay and beach. Beautiful Crete island, Greece

Explore the incredible, famous beaches in Crete (like Balos, Elafonissi, Falassarna, Hersonissos, Malia, and many more) – if you rent a car, things will be easier… Overall, I believe that the beaches in Chania are the best on the island, but there are thousands of beaches to choose from.

3. Wander in the old cities of Chania and Rethymno

Chania and Rethymno’s old towns are full of cute alleys filled with small shops and restaurants

Wander the picturesque old towns of Chania and Rethymno, where you will find hundreds of shops, cute restaurants, and cafes.

4. Day trip to Santorini island

Santorini is the most famous Greek island, and it’s perfect for a day trip while in Crete

Take a day trip from Crete to Santorini.

5. Hike Samaria Gorge

Samaria Gorge is a National park and a UNESCO World Heritage Protected Area

Hike the unique Samaria Gorge

6. Go shopping in the old Chania Market

Chania municipality old market is full of local delicacies and amazing Cretan herbs

Go shopping in the Chania Old Local Market (on Google Maps)

7. Wine tasting and olive oil production tour

Olive oil and wine production in Crete goes back thousands of years BC

Go for a winetasting and learn the ancient way of olive oil production in Crete

8. Try the local Cretan cuisine

Escargots are considered one of the most famous and yummy Cretan delicacies

Try by any means the local Cretan cuisine (yes, snails a.k.a. “chochlioi” included…)

9. Try the local drink “tsikoudia”

Tsikoudia is the local vodka-like drink that is offered for free almost everywhere in Crete

Try the local vodka-like spirit called “Tsikoudia”, usually offered for free as an aperitif at the end of a meal

10. Visit Spinalonga island

Spinaloga Island used to be a leper colony back in the early 1900s

Visit the old leper colony of Spinalonga Island (with a tour like this)

CONCLUSION

The list of awesome things to do in Crete is endless, as the island is quite big. Unfortunately, you won’t have the time to do all of them at once, because Crete is a massive island and moving around takes time and money. So, my general advice to you is that you have to pick one area of the island and focus on that.

There are hundreds of beaches and thousands of restaurants, and cute villages you can visit. You need at least 1 week to only get a glimpse of one prefecture (Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Lasithi), so you should be careful on how you spend your time while being on this amazing island.