Ultimate guide Crete things to do + Top beaches Crete Elafonisi beaches included – Crete is a magnificent island not only for its beaches and sea, but also for its cities, its history, its food and the hospitality of its inhabitants. Crete is a vast island and you probably won’t be able to see it all in one holiday.
For this reason it may be useful to decide in advance which areas you want to visit so as not to miss the best and have a truly unforgettable holiday.
Table of Contents
Crete things to do
What things to do in Crete? This is the question you have probably asked yourself if you have decided to spend your next holiday in Crete or simply if you are still deciding what your next destination will be and you are considering Crete.
You can see marked points of greatest interest to visit on the map shown here.
The map allows you to have only a general idea, but there are no problems because in this post, we are going to see and examine them better.
As mentioned above, you need to know that Crete is quite a large island. Therefore, you should choose a particular area to visit or some specific places because you will not be able to visit it all in a single holiday. This is especially true if you only have a week or so.
Top 7 what to see in Heraklion?
Heraklion is the largest city in Crete and is certainly interesting from a historical point of view. Most likely, in your holiday in Crete, you will want to include a visit to this city, being very close to one of the most important airports in Crete, therefore easy to reach and close to Knossos, an almost obligatory stop for those coming to Crete.
Here is the list of the best things to see in Heraklion, also known as Heraklion
- Venetian fortress
- Knossos
- Heraklion Archaeological Museum
- Morosini Fountain
- Center with shops
- Historical Museum of Crete
- Aquarium
Venetian fortress
Walls of Heraklion and Knossos
Before the arrival of the archaeologists, the area of the ruins of Knossos was only a cultivated hill. People could then safely dig and take the material. Moreover, the material found was ideal to be reused as a building material: digging they found blocks already cut, ready to be reused. The older houses are made with just the material taken from Knossos.
Part of the Venetian walls of Heraklion are also made with stones taken from Knossos. In fact, the Venetians took a lot of material from Knossos at the beginning of the 16th century when they were building the fortifications.
Knossos
Knossos is generally one of the most famous archaeological sites and certainly the most famous in Crete. The visit to Knossos is certainly interesting, but it is better if done with a guide for a better understanding of what you see and the history of this city.
Once you have visited with the guide here at the palace of Knossos, the visit to the Heraklion museum will also make much more sense, as you will already know what you are looking at and what is best to focus on.
Discover the captivating journey that awaits you at the mesmerizing Palace of Knossos! Embark on an enchanting adventure as we delve into this architectural marvel’s rich history and secrets. Join us as we invite you to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Palace of Knossos through an engaging and informative post dedicated to this remarkable palace. Get ready to explore, experience, and be enthralled!
Discover the mysteries of Knossos Palace: Where Legends Come to Life
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
During the visit to Knossos, the guide will refer several times to the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion as the original frescoes and other important artifacts found in Knossos are kept here in the museum.
For this reason it is useful to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion after the visit to Knossos: in this way your visit will be more complete and you can further deepen your knowledge of the Minoan civilization.
At the Knossos ticket office, they sell the combined ticket for the excavations of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
Morosini Fountain
The Morosini Fountain was built in 1629 during the Venetian period under the care of the commander Francesco Morosini. This fountain that once served the inhabitants of Heraklion as a supply point for drinking water is now a meeting place.
It is in fact located in the center of Heraklion in Venizelou square, where we see the fountain in the center and all around shops bars and restaurants.
Heraklion center with shops
In Heraklion there are some streets where you can go shopping such as Dedalou street and the nearby streets.
Heraklion parking
Where can I find covered parking in Heraklion that is also convenient for visiting the city center and the Venetian fortress? A good parking that you can use in Heraklion is Central Parking.
Address: Koroneou 26, Iraklio 712 02, Greece
Central Parking has slightly higher prices than other car parks but is more modern and is also covered.
You stop with the car at the entrance, and the valet parks your car and brings it back to you on the way back. As in most car parks, you have to leave your car keys here too.
How are the beaches in Heraklion?
How are the beaches in Heraklion or Heraklion? Heraklion is a purely urbanized city and is not extremely well known for its beaches, although not far from Heraklion, you will find large beachfront hotel complexes. In the following video, you see the coast east of Heraklion.
You can still find some beautiful beaches not far from Heraklion, such as Agia Pelagia. You can find out more by consulting the section dedicated to beaches in this post.
Heraklion or Chania?
Heraklion and Chania are the two main cities of Crete as well as the two cities with airports. When planning your holiday in Crete, one of the first questions you can ask yourself is whether it is better to land in Heraklion or Chania. Also later you may wonder if it is worth visiting both cities or if one is better than the other.
As for the arrival airport, I can tell you that your choice depends a lot on the area of Crete you want to visit. If you want to concentrate your vacation in the Heraklion area, going to Agia Pelagia and visiting San Nicolò, then the Heraklion airport is the right choice. Heraklion airport is also convenient if you want to go to Matala.
If, on the other hand, you prefer to visit Chania itself, Balos, and Elafonisi, the Chania airport is certainly in a more convenient position for this itinerary.
And if our dilemma concerns which city is better to visit: Heraklion or Chania? To answer this question, you have to bear in mind that Heraklion is the largest city in Crete and, as such is the busiest. Chania, on the other hand, looks better, being a smaller and a little quieter city.
Just to give you an idea, I can tell you that someone from Crete advised us not to go to visit Heraklion because there is only so much traffic and nothing to see. I disagree because it is true that Heraklion is a metropolitan city, but if you love history, you will probably particularly appreciate the visit to the Palace of Knossos, the museum, and the Venetian fortress. If we had completely excluded Heraklion from our visit, we would have lost an important part of the history of Crete.
Then I agree, however, that it is better not to use too many days of our vacation for the visit to Heraklion.
Compared to Heraklion, the city of Chania is more pleasant for a stroll. Walking through the center’s streets is nice, discovering some very characteristic corners. Equally beautiful and relaxing both day and evening is having lunch or dinner in one of the restaurants in the old port.
In conclusion, where do we go? Are we going to Heraklion or Chania? We go to Heraklion if we are interested in visiting archaeological sites, but to Chania if we want a more pleasant town.
Chania
Chania, despite being the second largest city of Crete, is a very pleasant city and walking through the streets of the center, you don’t have the idea of being in a metropolis but rather in a characteristic place. Chania is the right combination between a historic city and a modern city. But what are the best things to do and visit in Chania?
Discover the wonders and delights of Chania! Dive into our dedicated post to embark on an adventure through the charming city of Chania, where you’ll find invaluable tips to enhance your visit. Join us as we explore the beauty and secrets of this captivating destination!
Kissamos Things to do
Kissamos is a tourist city in Crete which is located on the northwest tip of the island. Kissamos is very popular in summer, especially for its beaches. Let’s try to discover something more about this place together.
First of all, let’s see what the best things to do and see in Kissamos are.
- Excursion by jeep and then on foot to Balos beach
- Boat tour from Kissamos port to see Gramvousa island
- Kissamos seafront
- Sunset in Falassarna
- Falassarna beach
Kissamos rental car
To rent a car the most convenient place to do it is “Kissamos rent a Car” which is located at the following address: Ir. Politechniou 210, Kissamos 734 00, Greece.
In the image below, all the contacts:
Restaurants in Kissamos
On the Kissamos seafront, there are many good restaurants to choose from. The food is excellent and the prices are reasonable.
Eviva Cretan Cousine restaurant
Eviva Cretan Cousine offers excellent fish dishes in a simple atmosphere but with a very suggestive view of the Balos promontory.
Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine Sardine 1 Things to do in Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine 5 Things to do in Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine 3 Things to do in Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine 2 Things to do in Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine 1 Things to do in Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine 4 Crete Kissamos Restaurant Eviva Cretan Cousine Sardine 2
Kissamos Photo Gallery
Top 7 Beaches Crete
Crete is a fascinating and wonderful island in many respects, but certainly, its wonderful beaches occupy a special place in its visitors’ hearts.
Here in Crete, we find different and unique beaches. Let’s go and list some of them.
- Elafonisi beach
- Balos Lagoon
- Mazida Ammos beach
- Paralia Mononaftis
- Falasarna beach
- Seitan Limania
- Triopetra beach
Elafonisi beach
Elafonisi Beach is probably the most beautiful beach in Crete. Elafonisi beach is famous for its very clear water, for its pink sand and for the low level of the sea that allows you to walk in the water without any problem.
Video
Content Guide
- 00:00 Elafonisi Beach drone view
- 00:24 Walk to the island of Elafonisi
- 01:15 Elafonisi Island beach
- 01:36 Pink sand and clear water
- 02:39 Very shallow sea and drawings in the sand
- 02:45 Little fish in the sea that pinch your legs
- 03:32 Beautiful beach and sea
- 04:18 Elafonisi Island beach drone view
- 04:52 Recommended videos
Photo Gallery
Balos beach
This beach is one of the most characteristic and well-known beaches of Crete. You can get to this beach by boat or car, along a long unpaved, bumpy road that allows you to get to a parking lot that is still about twenty minutes from the beach.
The beauty and uniqueness of Balos beach are worth a visit at least. A tip though: if you can go in periods that are not too hot and crowded, you will surely enjoy a much better experience. This is true for all beaches but even more so for Balos beach given the way you have to reach it.
If you want to watch the video about Balos Beach, see more pictures and content go to the following post: Ultimate Guide Crete Balos Beach & Lagoon.
Rental of sun loungers and umbrellas
In Balos, it is possible to rent deck chairs and umbrellas. Even though Balos is a very popular beach, it is impossible to reserve sun beds and umbrellas. How does it work, then? As is customary in Crete, if you find a free place, you simply have to occupy it and the attendant then comes to ask you for payment.
For example, in periods of particular crowdings, such as around mid-August, there is a paying agent for each area of umbrellas. On other less frequented beaches, the attendant arrives in the late morning but here, when there is a particular influx of tourists, they are practically always present.
Will I have trouble finding a free umbrella?
Clearly, the answer depends on the period in which you go to Balos. But thinking about the peak seasons, I can tell you that if you arrive early in the morning or around 9 am by car you shouldn’t have any problems finding a free umbrella. If, on the other hand, you arrive by boat from the port of Kissamos, you may have more problems, as the beach may already be quite crowded and the mass arrival of hundreds of people does not facilitate the arduous task of finding a free umbrella.
Fortunately, on the beach of Balos, there are many people arriving but also many people who go, depending on the departure time of your boat. So with a little patience, it is always possible to find a place.
If you come from Kissamos by boat, the alternative is to rent an umbrella on the boat that takes you or to use your staff. Anyway, my opinion is that it is not an optimal solution on days when there is wind.
Rental prices for sunbeds and umbrellas
The prices for renting sun loungers and umbrellas are not indicated on Balos beach. However, in August 2022, the prices were as follows:
- 20 euros for 1 umbrella and 2 sunbeds in the first row
- 15 euros for 1 umbrella and 2 sunbeds from the second row onwards.
Are there any bars in Balos?
Yes, there is a small beach bar on Balos. Here is the picture.
However, I recommend that you bring your lunch if possible. In Kissamos supermarkets, they sell the same packaged sandwiches you find on the boat to go to Balos or here at the beach bar.
Balos Beach toilets: Are there toilets at Balos beach?
Balos Beach toilets: are there toilets at Balos beach? Yes, there are toilets in Balos. They are located towards the mountain on the right if you have the sea in front of you and the lagoon behind you. The cost of using the toilet in August 2022 was 1 euro.
How is the seawater in Balos?
On days with little wind, you can really appreciate the beauty of Balos beach with its crystal clear water and its clear seabed that in some places has pink sand.
In Balos, you can keep walking in the water, but the water is always shallow. You have to go quite far from the beach if you want to swim.
Balos how to get there?
How to get to Balos? You can get to Balos either by car or by boat. The two most used ways to get to Balos are:
- by boat service departing from the port of Kissamos
- by car or jeep along the dirt road and continuing on foot along the path that leads to the beach
However, there are other ways to get to Balos:
- By renting a boat
- In JetSky
- Through organized tours
By car or jeep and dirt road
You can get to Balos by car in fact, just outside Kissamos, there is the entrance to the dirt road that takes you to the Balos car park. If you are considering choosing this option to go to Balos, I would first like to explain how to get there, how the route is, and I would like to give you some useful tips.
Can I take the dirt road to Balos by car?
Every day there are a lot of cars driving the dirt road to Balos. The dirt road to Balos is not very dangerous if you pay particular attention to the points where there is the overhang, as it is wide enough to pass with two cars without problems.
My advice, however, is to prefer the jeep to the car. This is because it is true that cars can drive on it and as already mentioned there are many cars of all kinds that pass along this road (I also saw a Porsche but I don’t know how it went ..) but the road is bumpy and they have to travel at a very low speed.
Especially if you have a small car unsuitable for certain routes, you can rent the jeep in Kissamos even just for the day you go to Balos. This way, you will not have problems with insurance and you’re safer.
In fact, you can find rental cars in Kissamos that rent jeeps for Balos; it is normal for them that you go to Balos, and they give you full insurance. Other car rentals may discourage you and tell you to prefer the boat to the car to go to Balos.
Is the dirt road to Balos free?
You have to pay 1 euro per person. Towards the beginning of your journey on the dirt road that leads you to Balos you will find the sign where it is written in English and Greek what I report below:
“Welcome to the Gamvousa-Balos peninsula, a protected natural area. We inform you that by the decision of the Municipality of Kissomos, which the Region of Crete has approved, a toll of 1 euro per person is required to safeguard and maintain the place as well as for the disposal of waste from the area. “
How long does it take to travel the dirt road to Balos?
Getting from the port of Kissamos to the car park for Balos takes about 30 minutes by jeep but if you have a car, you have to go slower and it can also take about 40 or 45 minutes.
On the way, you may slow down or have to stop to let goats pass, the real masters of the place!
Parking at Balos Beach
Once you have arrived at the end of the dirt road, you’ll see the car park gate for Balos beach. The parking is large and if you don’t arrive too late, let’s say in the first half of the morning, you should find the place without difficulty.
Parking is not free but the cost is not high as it is around 2 euros for the whole day.
What happens if you can’t find a place in the car park? If the parking is complete, the alternative is to leave the car along the road. In fact, on our return from the beach, when were leaving, there was a long line of parked cars. If you park the car very far away, it is certainly inconvenient, as you have to add the road to the car to the long distance you already have to go on foot.
Balos hiking path to the beach
Did I get to Balos beach once I parked the car? It would be nice but it isn’t! Unfortunately, once you parked your car, you are not yet arrived at Balos beach. The car park is located in a higher position than the beach of Balos, and to reach the beach, you must first walk a path in the middle of almost nowhere in the company of practically only goats and then go down a long flight of steps.
The descent along the steps is wonderful because, first of all, the effort is reduced to a minimum downhill, and then because this path allows you to see the most beautiful view of Balos beach. The unique beauty of Balos beach is, in fact, given by its characteristic of being placed between the lagoon and the sea and of joining the promontory you see in front of you to the mainland.
To fully enjoy and appreciate Balos beach, you must therefore admire this panorama. If you walk the path early in the morning, you will be able to see the almost deserted beach and admire it in all its splendor. Along the way, you will also have the opportunity to take some great photos. Not too many though, otherwise, now that you get to the beach, you will find all the best sunbeds and umbrellas occupied!
Given the road ahead, I highly recommend you wear sneakers. The descent in this way is simpler and safer, without thinking about the ascent.
It takes about 30 minutes to get from the car park to the beach where there are umbrellas.
As we have seen so far, everything is fine when you go down but the problem is to go back up! It will take you between 30 and 45 minutes to get back up if you don’t stop and rest for too long. In fact, this path requires excellent resistance if done all in one breath.
It is almost impossible to do it all in succession in the summer during the hottest hours of the day. In fact, precisely for this reason, you will find small covered corners and therefore with a little shade made on purpose to rest during the ascent. I recommend you bring some water with you to quench your thirst along the way.
Also at the end of the path, where there is the car park, there is a canopy with benches where you can sit and rest for a while. At the end of the day, almost all of them sit under this canopy, a little tired but satisfied to have arrived.
If you have young children, you must consider that you will probably have to carry them in your arms or on your shoulder for most of an already tiring journey.
Precisely a cause of this problem of the somewhat tiring ascent, many people choose to return to the Balos beach late in the evening. In the summer from Kissamos, you can see the cars returning from Balos even when it’s already dark. Returning late from Balos beach, you can avoid going up the path in the heat, which already gives you a great advantage.
Of course, the choice of time to return from Balos also depends a lot on the period in which you go, if warmer or milder, on your travel program, and on your resistance in the ascent. However, if you take into account the above, you can spend a beautiful day at Balos beach and this will certainly be a day to remember for various reasons.
Balos boat trip from Kissamos
A popular option to reach Balos beach is to embark from Kissamos port on one of the boats that go to Balos.
How to reach the port of Kissamos?
You can reach the port of Kissamos in various ways:
- by bus
- by taxi
- by car
Balos is a very famous beach, so there are several organized tours that depart in the morning from the main towns of Crete and take you to the port of Kissamos and then you can go to Balos. Furthermore, a taxi service is also available at the port of Kissamos.
However, the best option to get to Kissamos port is the car.
In fact, you can arrive by car at the port of Kissamos right near the ticket office and boarding areas. The parking is very large and free.
Boat tickets
Boat tickets can be purchased directly at the port or online in advance. You can buy tickets online, for example, on the Cretan Daily Cruises website, or from booking apps such as “Get Your Guide”.
How are the boats for Balos?
The boats to Balos are of different sizes; someone is very big, almost ships. On the boats, among other things, there is usually an umbrella rental service and a real self-service.
If the boat you get on in the morning does not have self-service, they usually make you change boats between one stop and the other around lunchtime so that you can take advantage of the self-service. Lunch is clearly not included in the cost of the ticket.
How long before departure do I have to arrive?
If you already have a ticket, you can arrive 30 minutes before departure but it is advisable to arrive 45 minutes earlier. This way, you can find a good shade seat on the boat.
If you do not have a ticket, it is better if you arrive 45 or 50 minutes before departure so that you can take your tickets calmly and get on the boat.
Is there only one boat departure time?
No, there is more than one boat departure time.
Do the boats go directly to Balos?
The tour with the boats departing from Kissamos does not only include Balos. Depending on the departure time of your boat, you could go first to Gramvousa island and then to Balos or vice versa.
For example, our boat left at 10.15 am from Kissamos port and we didn’t go directly to Balos but we went first to Gramvousa island. Around 1 pm, the boat with the self-service on board came to pick us up and we were able to have lunch on the way between the island of Gramvousa and the beach of Balos.
The boat that left Kissamos at 11 am went first to Balos and then to the island of Gramvousa at around 2 pm.
On Balos beach between 1.30 pm and 2.30 pm, there is therefore a bit of overcrowding due to those who arrive with one boat and those who have yet to leave with the other. However, this coming and going of passengers allows those arriving with the second boat to find, with a little patience, some free umbrellas left by those who have to leave.
How long is the stay on Balos beach?
The stay on Balos beach is about a couple of hours. It is true that on the program, the scheduled time on Balos beach is more but you must keep in mind any delays, the time of disembarkation, and the fact that you must leave your position on the beach a little earlier than the departure time. departure so that you have no problems.
By renting a boat
To get to Balos, you can also rent a boat and head directly to the beach. In this case, however, the boat must remain beyond the safety line. In any case, the bottom of the beach is very shallow and you can reach the beach on foot.
In JetSky
Very interesting is the JetSky Safari proposed by “Falassarna Activities” ( https://falassarnaactivities.gr/#safari ). This Safari departing from Falassarna beach allows you to reach Balos beach as a group on board a jet ski.
The stay at Balos beach is very limited but I think this tour is interesting for those who want to go on a jet ski ride and see Balos beach at the same time.
Organized tours
There are various private services that take you to Balos beach. For example, always at Falassarna beach, you can find a private transport service that takes you to Balos beach and allows you to stay on the beach for a few hours (https://falassarnaactivities.gr/#safari).
To get to the beach, you still have to get into the water and walk in the water to the shore.
Mononaftis beach
To see more content and pictures go to the following post: Mononaftis beach Agia Pelagia Crete Greece.
Voulisma beach
Voulisma beach is a very popular beach in the Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicholas) area. The beach is not close to the city center but is served by buses: we have a bus stop right in front of the beach.
If you want to see more content about this beach go to the following post: Voulisma beach Agios Nikolaos Greece Crete.
Falassarna Beach
Falassarna Beach is a huge sandy beach on Crete’s west side. Falassarna beach is a beach that offers various comforts and services: for example, here there are several types of sunbeds and umbrellas to choose from, suitable for every taste and need.
Interesting tours also depart from Falassarna beach, such as the group jet ski tour that allows you to get to Balos.
The west of Falassarna beach location allows you to enjoy beautiful sunsets.
If you decide to go to Falassarna, pay attention to the wind direction as the beach is not sheltered and you may find the sea particularly rough.
Go to the following post: Crete Falassarna beach activities and sunset.
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Frequent questions
What are the best places for beaches in Crete?
Here in Crete, we find different and unique beaches. Let’s go and list some of them: Elafonisi beach, Balos Lagoon, Mazida Ammos beach, Paralia Mononaftis, Falasarna beach, Seitan Limania, Triopetra beach.
Which places provide the best beaches in Crete for couples?
Agia Pelagia is a good place for couples: good hotels are also for the honeymoon, and Mononaftis Beach is an excellent place to snorkel. Elafonis Beach is also good for couples because the beach is amazing but the town is very quiet in the evening and it’s perfect for those who want to stay quiet with their partner. These are only a few examples because Crete is very big and beautiful.
What is Crete best known for?
Crete is known for its beautiful beaches, for its cities such as Chania or Agios Nickolaus and for important archaeological sites such as Knossos. Crete is also known for the affordable prices of restaurants and beach services. Crete is a good choice for all those who love the sea but also like visiting places and don’t want to spend too much.
How many days in Crete is enough?
Crete is a very big island and probably you can’t visit it on only one vacation. You can stay in Crete for 2 or 3 weeks and still have a lot to see. Anyway, the best thing is to choose one part or two parts of Crete and concentrate there on your visit. In this case, you can decide how long you want to stay but I think you need at least a week is needed.
Should I go to Crete or Santorini?
It’s up to the kind of vacation you want to do. Santorini is a small island famous for sunsets and white houses. Many choose Santorini for their honeymoon. Crete has better beaches, it’s bigger and there are also archeological sites. In the summertime, avoid Santorini because it’s very crowded: the island is small, it’s full of tourists and you also have to add the thousands of people landing every day in Santorini from the cruises and the day trip from Crete.
Do you need a car in Crete?
Crete is a big island and renting a car is the best option for visiting it. There are a lot of places in Crete where you can rent a car. It’s true, in fact, that in Crete there are a lot of buses that try to connect the different places and towns of the island but are not very trustable and the car is always more comfortable.
How was the Palace of Knossos destroyed?
The palace we see today is the palace from 1700 BC. This palace was built on the ruins of the old palace. The only remaining parts of the old palace are the western courtyard, the warehouses and the theater. These parts were refurbished and reused until the end of the Minoan era. The rest of the old palace with its ruins was instead covered with earth after the earthquake of 1700 BC and the new palace was built exactly above.
It must be said that even the palace we see today, the palace of 1700 BC, has been damaged many times by earthquakes, the eruption of the volcano of Santorini in 1500 BC and the invasion in 1450. However, immediately after each destruction, the palace was renovated and re-inhabited.
This is true until 1360 BC, when the last great destruction was due to an earthquake, followed by a fire in the warehouses. In fact, the warehouses contained amphorae that contained oil and wine. The contents of these amphorae were overturned and due to the earthquake, they caught fire by the lamps that illuminated the warehouse. First, the warehouse caught fire and then the whole building. The fire burned all the wooden parts and since the columns were also made of wood, the whole building collapsed.
