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.