Crete Attractions
Chief town: Iráklion
Approaching Khaniá, Cape Spátha (on its northern tip, remains of a shrine of the nymph Diktynna) is seen on the right, the peninsula of Akrotíri (ancient Kyamon) on the left.
Approaching Khaniá, Cape Spátha (on its northern tip, remains of a shrine of the nymph Diktynna) is seen on the right, the peninsula of Akrotíri (ancient Kyamon) on the left.
Kato Zakros, Greece
From Sitía a good, and in its final section magnificent, panoramic road runs high above the sea to the partly excavated remains of a Minoan city at Káto Zákros, 46km/29mi southeast.
The town was occupied between 1600 and 1450 B.C. and carried on trade with Egypt and the rest of North Africa.
The town was occupied between 1600 and 1450 B.C. and carried on trade with Egypt and the rest of North Africa.
Hours
June 15 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 | 8:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
November 1 to May 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 |
Always opened on:
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Óhi Day - Greece & Cyprus (October 28)
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
15th of Shaaban - 12th Iman's Birthday - Muslim (Jul 05)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Greek National Day (March 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Easter - Christian (Apr 08)
15th of Shaaban - 12th Iman's Birthday - Muslim (Jul 05)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
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Mt Ida (Mt Psiloritis)
There are two different starting points for the climb up Mt Ida. The hike takes between eight and nine hours to reach the summit.
Anogia, Greece
Anogia is a mountain village 53km southeast of Rethymnon. The village is famous for its woven cloth.
Assi Ghonia - Feast Day of St George
The feast day of St George is celebrated with a religious fiesta, followed by a sheep shearing competition. Other old customs are also performed by the local shepherds.
Boroi - Museum of Cretan Ethnology, Greece
In the village of Vóri (Boroi) is the Museum of Cretan Ethnology.
The museum features items used in traditional daily life on Crete.
The museum features items used in traditional daily life on Crete.
Hours
April 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 | 11:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
November 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 | 8:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Gávdos
Some 37km/23mi off the southwest coast of Crete lies the wooded island of Gávdos, Europe's most southerly point. This is thought to be the island of Ogygia, home of Calypso, with whom Odysseus stayed for seven years ("Odyssey", Book 7).
Itanos, Greece
Three km/2mi north of Vái, at Ermoúpolis, are the remains of Minoan Itanos.
The ruins are of a big Greek-Roman city.
The ruins are of a big Greek-Roman city.
Khora Sphakion, Greece
74km south of Khaniá is an unusual village built in a rocky, barren area, difficult to reach whether by sea or overland. To get there one crosses the Askyphos mountains and the Nimbros gorge.
Praisos, Greece
Some 15km/9 mi south of Sitía is Praisós, with a Minoan villa and a Hellenistic cemetery.
Spinalonga, Greece
On the northern tip of the offshore island of Spinalonga (originally a peninsula), which is cut off from the main island by a man-made channel to form the separate island of Kalidóna, stands a Venetian fort of 1571 (enlarged 1585; from 1897 a leper colony).
Vai Bay, Greece
Around the beautiful sandy bay of Vái, with the modest village of that name, is the only palm- grove on Crete.
Attractions in Other Popular Destinations