Things to See & Do
HERAKLION
PLACES OF INTEREST...
The beautiful and historic city of Heraklion in Crete is the administrative capital of the island and boasts of varied sights and attractions which are sure to keep tourists and travelers entertained throughout the duration of their stay here.
The island's warm and temperate Mediterranean weather often remind seasoned travelers of holidays spent in their luxurious Cape Verde hotels and guesthouses which shares a lot of characteristics with the lush Cape Verde islands off the West African coast.
Heraklion is a bustling port which features ferries and trips to island paradises nearby including Mykonos, Rhodes, Paros and beauiful Santorini.
Museums showcasing the rich works of art and various remnants of the glory of ancient Cretan civilizations can also be found here along with festive markets, imposing churches, prisitine beaches and locations which offer panoramic views of the Old Harbour.
Ancient Knossos, 5 km south of Heraklion, Open daily in summer from 8-19:30 Tel: 2810 231940
Archaeological Museum*, Open Tues-Sun from 8:30-19, Tel: 2810 226092
*The Museum is still closed for renovations but a small temporary location is open.
Historical Museum, Open Mon-Sat from 9-15, Tel: 2810 283219
Natural History Museum, Open Mon-Fri from 9-15, Sun 10-18, Tel: 2810 324711
Venetian Arsenal, Loggia and Fortress (Koules)
Morosini Fountain, Plateia Venizelou
Open Air Market, Odos 1866
Churches of Agios Titos, Agios Minas and Agia Ekaterina Sinaites
Kazantzakis Tomb
Municipal Gallery, Open Mon-Fri from 9-13:30, Tel: 2810 399 228
Outside the city of Heraklion…
CreteAquarium, Open daily in summer from 9-21, Tel: 2810 337 788
Kazantzakis Museum, Myrtia, Tel: 2810 742 451
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum, Hersonisso:
El Greco Museum, Fodele, Tel: 2810 521 500
Museum of Cretan Ethnology, Vori
Minoan Palace of Phaestos, Tel: 28920 42315
Minoan Palace of Gortyna, Tel: 28920 31144
Agia Triada
Zaros/Lake Votomos
CHANIA
PLACES OF INTEREST...
Chania Archaeological Museum, Open Tues-Sun 8:30-15, Tel: 28210 90334
Folk Art Museum, Open Mon-Sat 9-15 & 18-21, Tel: 28210 90816
Naval Museum, Open Mon-Sat 9-4, Tel: 28210 91875
Cretan House Folklore Museum, Tel: 28210 90816
Chania Municipal Gallery
Lighthouse at Venetian Harbour
Mosque of the Janissaries
Schiavo Bastion & Venetian Walls
Etz Hayim Synagogue
Public Market & adjacent Public Gardens
There is a Summer Festival of music and other performances in the open air theatre and public gardens. Call 28210 870978 for more information.
Outside Chania town...
Samaria Gorge
Gorges of Therissos, Imbros and Agia Irini
Southern villages of Chora Sfakion and Loutro
Fort at Frangokastello
Maleme
Lake Kournas
12th century Vamos village
Monasteries of Agia Triada and Chrysoskalitissa
Ancient Aptera and Phalasarna
Beaches of Elafonisi, Balos and Kedrodasos
Gavdos Island
RETHYMNO
PLACES OF INTEREST...
Archaeological Museum, Open Tues-Sun 8:30-15:00, Tel: 28310 54668
Folklore & History Museum, Open Mon-Fri 9:30-14:00 Tel: 28310 23398
Center of Cretan Popular Art
Center for Byzantine Art, Tel: 28310 50120
Venetian Loggia & Harbour
Fortezza
Rimondi Fountain
Nerantzes & Kara Musa Pasha Mosques
Since 1987, Rethymno has been holding a Renaissance Festival each summer, highlighting both Cretan and European Renaissance periods with plays, musicians, street performances and exhibitions.
For details, please contact: info@rfr.gr or tel: 28310 51199. (www.rfr.gr)
Outside Rethymno town...
Arkadi and Preveli Monasteries
Mt. Psiloritis/Nida Plateau
Minoan Cemetary of Armeni
Villages of Episkopi, Spili, Anogia, Axos & Argyroupoli (ancient Lappa)
Melidoni, Ideon and Sfendoni Caves
Amari Valley
South Coast beaches of Plakias, Preveli and Damnoni
Remote beaches of Agios Pavlos and Triopetra
LASSITHI
PLACES OF INTEREST...
Ag. Nikolaos Archaelogical Museum, Open Tues-Sun 8:30-15, Tel: 28410 22943
Sitia Archaelogical Museum, Open Tues-Sun 8:30-15, Tel: 28430 23917
Spinalonga Island and the Fortress
Ag. Nikolaos town beaches of Ammos & Kitroplatia
Dikteon Cave (birthplace of Zeus)
Beach towns of Sissi, Kato Zakros, Mochlos & Makrigialos
Vai Palm Tree Forest
Lassithi Plateau and its Windmills
Village of Kritsa, including Panagia Kera Byzantine Church
Islands of Koufonisi and Chryssi
Minoan Town of Gournia
Archaeological site of Itanos, Lato & Zakros
Toplou Monastery
Sunken city of Olous, Elounda
Sitia has two important Festivals during the summer: Sultana Festival in late August (lots of wine, song and dance) and the Arts Festival of Kornaria from July till mid August, with concerts, theatre, readings and other cultural events. In Agios Nikolaos there is the Lato Cultural Festival from end July till early September.