The 10 most picturesque places in Crete
The wonderful Greek island of Crete is bursting with stunningly beautiful places – in our article we present you the 10 most picturesque ones!
From its gorgeous beaches and idyllic natural landscapes to its exciting cities and fascinating cultural and historical sites, Crete in Greece is one must-see place next to the next. We have found the 10 most beautiful ones for you!
1. Vai Palm Beach, Lasithi Region
The small town of Vai on the northeastern tip of Crete is the first stop on our journey through the most picturesque places on the island – not only because the beach itself boasts golden sand and clear blue water, but above all because because you will also find a very special natural attraction here: the largest palm grove in Europe. A total of 5000 date palms line the beach, provide shade and invite you to take a relaxing walk in a wonderful environment. Both the beach and the palm grove are protected and therefore only accessible during the day, but they are particularly unforgettable and definitely worth the trip!
2. Chania Old Town, Chania Region
At the other end of Crete, on the northwest coast, you will find the next dream location for your holiday in Greece: the city of Chania with its fascinating old town. You can start your sightseeing tour here at the wonderful Old Venetian Harbor from the 14th century with a restored lighthouse, before continuing to attractions such as the fortress of Firka, the church of Agios Nikolaos or the Küçük Hassan Mosque. On your way you will pass atmospheric buildings, adorned with plenty of greenery, as well as lots of traditional bars, cafés and restaurants where you can also indulge in culinary delights. And if you want to end the day in a relaxed manner, you can be persuaded to take a boat trip through the bay.
3. Matala, Heraklion region
Meanwhile, about halfway between Vai and Chania, albeit on the south coast of Crete, we come to our next scenic spot: the town of Matala. In the 1960s, Matala was considered one of the most well-known hippie strongholds. A particularly large number of young Americans refused the Vietnam War and instead moved to the cliff caves of Matala as hippies. The traces of the hippie culture have shaped the city to this day, so you will find numerous colorfully painted buildings from the hippie years in Matala. Today, Matala is primarily known for its beautiful beaches, including impressive caves in the cliffs along the coast, such as Matala Beach itself or Red Beach. Further north you come to the beach of Kalamaki, which attracts with soft, golden sand and great infrastructure. And if you want to immerse yourself in the history of the region, you can visit the archaeological site of Kommos.
4. Sitia, Lasithi region
Sitia, a few kilometers west of Vai, is another town that amazes with both its beautiful coastline and history. Unlike Vai, the place is still far less known among tourists and is therefore a small insider tip for all those who would like to escape the large crowds of holidaymakers on Crete in summer. In the port city you can see, among other things, the beautiful fortress of Kazarma, but also several exciting museums, including the Archaeological Museum and the Folklore Museum of Sitia. Meanwhile, you can sunbathe and splash in the sea at the town beach of Sitia, or you can drive a little further east to nearby Petras Beach.
5. Chrysi (Chrisi) Island, Lasithi (Libyan Sea)
The small island of Chrysi (often also called Chrisi or Chrissis) doesn’t really belong to Crete at all, but is located around 15 kilometers south of the Cretan coastal town of Ierapetra in the middle of the Libyan Sea. The island is just about five kilometers long and one kilometer wide, but is almost entirely covered by juniper trees, all of which are a full 200 to 300 years old. In addition, there are some wonderful beaches on Chrysi, which invite you to swim in the untouched nature, and two taverns take care of the physical well-being during the beach adventure.
6. Samaria Gorge and Village, Chania Region
We stay on the south coast of Crete but head west again, straight to one of the longest gorges in all of Europe: the Samaria Gorge south of Chania. The wonderful national park that surrounds the gorge is one of the most beautiful natural areas in Greece and invites you to long hikes in idyllic surroundings. The gorge itself can be hiked on a path that leads from the Omalos plateau at an altitude of about 1,200 meters along white or tree-covered cliffs and past the abandoned Samaria village to the port of Agia Roumeli, where the gorge flows into the Libyan Sea . After the strenuous hike, you can fortify yourself with regional delicacies in the small town and accommodation is also available in Agia Roumeli.
7. Ruins of Frangokastello Fortress, Chania region
Again on the south coast of Crete, around 25 kilometers east of Agia Roumeli, lies another picturesque spot on the island: Frangokastello, which includes the remains of the fortress of the same name. The castle was originally built by the Venetians in the 14th century but later fell into the hands of the Greeks and finally the Turks. In May 1828, the last major battle of the fortress took place here – a clash between the supporters of the Greek independence fighter Hatzimichalis Dalianis and the besieging Turks. To this day it is said that on the anniversary of the battle, ghostly apparitions of the Greeks who died at the time are said to be up to mischief near the fortress.
8. Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi Region
If you are looking for a change during your Crete holiday, then Agios Nikolaos is the place for you. Depending on the district, the wonderful city on the north coast of the island offers both heavenly tranquility, exciting excursions into the art and culture of the region and exciting beach adventures. At the port or in the marina you can take relaxed walks with sea views while sunbathing on the beach of Kitroplatia. In the Archaeological Museum you can learn more about the history, art and culture of the region and traditional sightseeing options can be found, for example, with the Church of Agios Nikolaos, the Panagia Vrefotrofos or the Horn of Amalthea. Finally, you can end the evening in the many bars and restaurants in the city with delicious Cretan-Greek food.
9. Old Town of Rethymno (Rethymnon), Rethymno Region
Similar to Chania, the old town of Rethymno, further east on the north coast of Crete, was built around a harbor built by the Venetians. In addition to this, a second impressive sight makes the place particularly worth visiting: the fortress or citadel Fortezza, which overlooks the city from its position on the coast. Finally, to the south of the port and fortress, there are other attractions worth seeing in Rethymno, such as the wonderful Rimondi fountain, which is also Venetian, the Neratze mosque or the church Kyria ton Angelon. You can also visit an archaeological museum in the old town of Rethymno, and we don’t have to mention that you can also find plenty of delicious restaurants, bars and cafés here that will be happy to spoil you with culinary delights.
10. Spinalonga Island, Lasithi, Gulf of Mirabello
Finally, we return to a particularly beautiful stretch of coast on Crete – or rather off Crete: the small island of Spinalonga near Plaka. The island is dominated by the 16th-century Venetian fortress of the same name and can be visited by boat, for example from Plaka. The island with the fortress initially served as an important strategic point for the defense of Crete and, thanks to its location, could be held until the early 18th century. Eventually, in the first half of the 20th century, lepers were banished here from Crete and other parts of Greece until the practice was abandoned in 1957. Nowadays, Spinalonga is a popular tourist destination that not only fascinates with its rich history but also with its unique views over the sea.
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