Chania

Situated on the westernmost side of Crete, and as atmospheric as it can be, the city and the region of  Chania is an amazing place with amazing natural sceneries, unique cultural monuments and divine beaches with turquoise waters. Dominated by the peaks of White Mountains, and with an endless coastline hosting some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and mountain villages rich in tradition and heritage, Chania has something for everyone. 

Top things to do

Stroll around the colorful streets of Chania’s old town, one of the most beautiful parts in Crete, with its amazing monuments including the Lighthouse, the Grand Arsenal, the Küçük Hasan mosque and the Kum Kapi 

Enjoy the sunset from Kastelli hill

Dive in the crystalline waters of Falasarna and Elafonisi beaches as well as Balos lagoon - undeniably, some of the most beautiful beaches in Greece. Both of them are 60 kilometers from the city, but it surely deserves the trip!

Samaria Gorge, one of the longest in Europe, is a paradise for hiking lovers - it is a five-hour hike that promises an unforgettable experience

Visit picturesque villages including Paleohora and Hora Sfakion with its traditional Cretan character, the impressive castle of Frangokastello in the homonymous village, and the divine waters of Loutro village

Visit a Cretan winery and taste traditional Cretan raki

Heraklion

Crowned as the capital of Crete, the city of Heraklio is a vibrant city stretching over the northern part of the island. Home to the almighty Knossos Palace where the Minoan civilization flourished, the wider region of Heraklio is full of surprises; from the majestic Venetian Koules fortress and the scenenic streets of the old town, to the hippie style beach of Matala and the magnificent vineyards of the southern part, the region of Heraklio surely deserves a visit! 

Top things to do

Discover the seaside city of Heraklion and visit its lovely monuments including the church of Agios Titos, the impressive Loggia where the City Hall is housed, as well as the Morosini Square with the lions’ fountain

Explore the Koules Castle, one of the best preserved Venetian fortifications in Europe that was built in the 16th century - from its top you can enjoy panoramic views

Visit the Knossos Palace, the most important social and religious center of the Minoan Civilisation - an impressive archaeological site that was excavated and restored thanks to archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans  

Visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, one of the most important museums in Europe, that exhibits artifacts from the history of Crete covering five thousands years

Visit the Natural History Museum of Crete includes five departments (Zoological, Botanical, Anthropological, Palaeontological - Geological and Mineralogical) and showcases the unique natural environment of the Mediterranean region in a very impressive way 

Dive in the crystalline waters of Ammoudara beach, just 5 km from the city

Have a wine tour at the vineyards in the southern part of Heraklio 

Rethymno

Often described as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Greece, Rethymno is a beautiful city. Byzantine buildings, Ottoman mosques and Venetian mansions blend in a peculiar way. In the countryside of this region in Crete, there are great monuments of nature and history travelers can visit. From gorges and streams on the foothills of Psiloritis Mount, palm trees and lush green vineyards to endless beaches off the Libyan sea, Rethymno is a world of destinations for nature lovers. 

Top things to do

Wander around the old town of Rethymno with its beautiful monuments including the Rimondi Fountain, the Venetian Loggia, the Fortezza, the Municipal Garden, the Great Gate and the Mosques

Discover the Preveli Palm Forest, a natural monument of extreme natural beauty and a designated place of special beauty under the European Network Natura 2000 - it is quite interesting to visit the forest through a 4 hour hike in Kourtaliotiko Gorge that passes through enormous rock formations and rich vegetation!

Visit the Monastery of Arkadi, one of the most important monasteries in Crete, and a symbol of freedom during the Cretan Revolution in 1866, when the besieged inhabitants sacrificed themselves instead of surrendering to the Ottomans. It has been recognized as a European Monument of Freedom by UNESCO

Visit the traditional village of Anogia - set on the foothills of Psiloritis Mountain, this village is known for its old Cretan dialect, the preservation of their traditions and customs as well as for its rich musical tradition! 

Explore the Fortezza of Rethymno, one of the most impressive fortifications in Crete, which was built in the 16th century to protect the city against pirate invasions. 

Lasithi

Situated on the easternmost side of Crete, the region of Lasithi hosts landscapes of unspoiled nature with fertile valleys, impressive gorges and magnificent beaches. Its capital, Agios Nikolaos, is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in Crete spreading around the lovely bay of Mirabello. 

Top things to do

Wander around the city of Agios Nikolaos built on the northernmost spot of Mirabello bay. Characterized as one of the most beautiful cities in Crete, Agios Nikolaos is the perfect place to stay in order to discover the region of Lasithi!

Discover the uninhabited island of Chrissi that has been declared as a protected area of intense natural beauty and a wildlife refugee from the European Network of Natura 2000- hosting sceneries of exotic natural beauty, it is surely an unforgettable experience to visit it! 

Drive through the amazing landscapes of Lasithi Plateau - covering a surface of 50 square kilometers, the plateau is home to 18 villages built on the foothills of the mountains and are connected through a long circular road! Don’t miss the windmills, the trademark of Lasithi Plateau!

Visit Toplou Monastery, a historical Cretan fortified monument that served as a refugee in the years of the Cretan resistance. Its museum showcases a very interesting collection of icons and engravings - don't miss it!

Dive in the spectacular waters of Vai Palm Forest, the largest natural palm forest in Europe, and it is a protected area of natural beauty!

Visit the Spinalonga Fortress on the homonymous islet situated in the Mirabello Gulf - you can reach it with a short boat trip from Elounda. The island was fortified by the Venetians in 1579, while it also served as a refugee in war times followed by the Ottoman occupation. After 1905, when Crete was freed, Spinalonga served as a leper colony.