Some travelers may prefer planning a vacation in a familiar location in order to avoid any surprises, but a great pleasure in traveling is adventure and the element of surprise, thus visiting unfamiliar destinations has a lot to offer. One of these destinations is the island of Crete (or Cyprus), which is the largest Greek island in the Mediterranean. This island offers an impressive array of scenic natural destinations, as well as the cultural dimension of Greece in general.
On this list, find great sights on Crete.
Table of Contents
Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge National Park, is the most famous in Crete and one of the largest in Europe. Its trail covers 18 kilometers of stunning landscapes, and on your way you can take a look at distinct types of endemic animals, such as Cretan Badger or Spiny Mouse. Although it is difficult to complete this hike during the warm summer months, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Libyan Sea at the end of your trip.
Elafonissi
Elafonissi is a small paradise on earth, blessed with natural beauty, pure shallow water and beautiful sandy beaches. In some places, the sand looks pink, taking on this unusual color from thousands of broken shells. Ilafonisi is a great destination for all ages and interests, and it is an amazing place where you can spend the day enjoying the sunbathing or exploring the hidden bays.
Lake Balos
Lake Palos is one of the most photographed sites on Crete, and this is natural because its scenic views, magnificent beaches and shallow turquoise waters are what makes it a popular destination. But if you don’t want to spend a whole day at the beach, you can also visit the small uninhabited island of Gramvoussa, which is famous for its Venetian castle.
CretAquarium
One of Europe’s largest aquariums, the CretAquarium, which first opened in 2005, gives visitors a glimpse into the unique marine world. From a wide range of marine creatures such as fish, sharks, jellyfish, sea turtles to even young sea horses, the aquarium showcases the rich diversity of marine life in the Mediterranean. CretAquarium is a fun activity for visitors of all ages, and is indispensable when visiting Crete.
Crete Maritime Museum
Chania Maritime Museum, Chania, was established in 1973 and is located at the entrance to Firka Castle in Chania Old Port. This museum is home to a vast and impressive array of modern and ancient ship models, marine tools, war monuments and souvenirs, historical photographs and paintings, all arranged in chronological order. Exploring the museum is divided into several sections such as icons, Venetian occuAl Bahahn, bronze age, post-war period, etc., which is a fun activity for family or friends.
CretAquarium is one of the largest fish ponds in Europe
CretAquarium
Illaphone
The Samaria Gorge is ideal for hiking
Samaria Gorge
Sea turtle in CretAquarium
Wonderful Elafonisi Beach
Ferca Castle in Chania Old Port
Crete Maritime Museum offers a comprehensive collection of ships and others
Crete Maritime Museum
From the Samaria Gorge
From the Crete Maritime Museum
