Little Athens in Crete – economic hub and tourist magnet – Lion Fountain, Venetian castle, and mighty city walls.
The largest city in Crete, economic and urban center of the entire island, does not shine with sophisticated urban planning; here, they build whatever they can.
Almost 120,000 Cretans now live in the city and its suburbs. Not many, you might think, but it's still one in five of the island's inhabitants. Heraklion is Crete's oversized capital, and also the hub of the island's tourism industry. Hordes of tourists populate the city and its surroundings. Arrivals and departures waiting for ferries and planes, vacationers from the large beach hotels on the nearby beaches, and everyone else—every day, tens of thousands of people make their way through the not-too-large city center. Nevertheless, Heraklion has atmosphere—even if little remains of the city's eventful past. The centerpiece of the historic center is Platia Venizelou with the Morosini Fountain. Here you can enjoy a coffee in peace and process your new impressions. It's only a few steps to the bustling pedestrian zone, the market alley bursting with people, the spacious green Eleftherias Square, and the world-famous Archaeological Museum with its unique collection of Minoan art. To escape and get your bearings, take a stroll along the fishing harbor with its sturdy Venetian castle and long, quiet pier.
Of course, no one misses Knossos, just a few kilometers outside the city—a must-see visit to the mighty ruins of the Minoan palace. Elegantly covered “royal suites,” brightly colored frescoes, staircases thousands of years old…
The Cretaquarium is well worth a visit.
It is located just outside Heraklion on the former American base at Gournes.
Phone: +30 2810 337788
The aquarium is usually open all year round.
The mysterious palace complex of the legendary Minoan kings—just a few kilometers southeast of Heraklion and one of the most important architectural monuments of early history.
After more than 30 years of painstaking work, the huge site was uncovered at the beginning of the century – a desert of rubble with charred foundation walls, destroyed interiors, and empty column stumps – but of inestimable importance for archaeology and ancient history. What had been lying deep in the earth of Crete was a real sensation and exceeded the wildest expectations of all researchers – striking proof of the existence of a highly developed civilization long before classical antiquity in Greece. What had previously only come to light in a few mysterious finds was suddenly on display in abundance before the eyes of the world – 2000 years of Cretan and pre-European history!
Rethymno, located on the north coast between Heraklion and Chania, is the third largest city in Crete and is considered one of the most beautiful on the island. As the seat of the University of Crete with over 3,000 students and numerous cultural institutions, it has developed into the intellectual center of the island.
The heart of the city is its picturesque old town: narrow streets, Venetian palazzi, Turkish wooden bay windows, minarets, and a mighty fortress are reminders of its eventful history. Here, Italian flair and Oriental influences combine to create a unique atmosphere. Small shops, traditional taverns, and cozy cafés invite you to linger.
Just outside the city gates lies one of the longest sandy beaches in Crete, around 20 kilometers long and well equipped with water sports facilities and diving centers. Whether you're looking for a luxurious beach hotel, an exclusive villa, or a family-run guesthouse, Rethymno offers accommodation to suit every taste.
Rethymno combines history, culture, and relaxation in an ideal way, making it a worthwhile destination for anyone who wants to experience Crete in all its diversity.
Europe's largest gorge – orchids, wild goats, and cypress trees – flooded in spring.
A real experience – from a height of over 200 meters in the middle of the white mountains down to the Libyan Sea! From an almost alpine high mountain landscape with dense trees, almost vertical rock faces and towering boulders, the deep gorge winds its way down to the liberating blue of the sea: an 18 km marathon march to catch the last boat in Agia Roumeli - hardly anyone wants to miss the experience of crossing Europe's largest gorge on foot.
The Myli Gorge (often described in travel guides as the Gorge of the Mills or the Mill Trail) is a gorge running from south to north in northern Crete. It is located southeast of Rethymno and has had numerous mills since the time of Venetian rule in Crete. Their remains are now a testament to pre-industrial agricultural processes. The gorge is home to numerous plants and animals, some of which are rare.
The gorge is located about 4 kilometers southeast of Rethymno and is approximately 4 km long. Important places are Chromonastiri and Myli. The gorge is accessible via a hiking trail along the mill stream, which rises on the northern slope of the 811-meter-high Mount Angali. There is a tavern at the upper starting point.
The gorge contains the remains of numerous elaborately constructed buildings, bridges, and canals for water mills, which were built in the 16th century during the Venetian rule of Crete and were in operation until the 1970s. These were mainly grain mills that processed the wheat grown in the surrounding area. In the 1960s, the population left the old village of Kato Myli to resettle in a more convenient location (Neo Myli). To this day, the gorge remains a little-known gem for short hiking tours. (approx. 1.5 hours, easy trail)
Almost a kind of sanctuary or place of pilgrimage. For the Cretans, it is the most important building on the island – a constant reminder of the fertile period of Turkish rule and the heroism of their ancestors.
One of the most gruesome tragedies of the Cretan/Greek struggle for freedom took place in this outwardly inconspicuous monastery. On 9 November 1866, hundreds of men, women and children committed collective suicide here to avoid falling into the hands of the advancing Turkish troops. Although news of the terrible event shocked people all over the world, it took more than 30 years before the island was finally liberated from Turkish rule with the help of the great powers.
Arkadi Monastery is a symbol of the Cretans' unconditional desire for freedom. It is worth visiting not because of any spectacular sights, but solely because of this awareness.
The monastery is located about 14 km southwest of Panormo.
An exceptionally beautiful monastery, far away from any village, surrounded by rugged rocky landscape. All around there is only sparse vegetation, barren scrubland and karstified steep slopes stretching down to the sea. Unfortunately, a fire decimated the sparse vegetation a few years ago.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Preveli Monastery was one of the most important centres of Cretan resistance against the Turks.
The small village of Margarites is best known for its numerous workshops and potteries, traditional clay pots and terracotta planters, and is located 9 km south of Panormos. In the picturesque alleys you will find a number of Byzantine churches, decorated entrances and protective walls built during the Venetian occupation.
Take a day trip and visit Arkadi Monastery and the pottery village of Margarites together!
The Fortezza fortress, built by the Venetians on the rocky hill of ‘Palaiokastro’, is the dominant building in the city of Rethymno. According to relevant sources, which were later confirmed by archaeological excavations, the acropolis of the ancient city of Rithymna was located here. The foundation stone of the castle was laid on 13 September 1573 based on the plans of the Italian architect Pallavicini, which, however, were changed during the course of the work and, due to the rocky ground and the limited space available, only retained the basic principle of the bastion layout.
The castle consists of four half-bastions on the south and east sides and three points on the west and north sides. Inside, mainly public buildings were erected, several of which are still preserved today.
After the city was handed over to the Turks in 1646, no major changes took place inside the castle. A mosque was built on the site of the bishop's church dedicated to Agios Nikolaos, and the number of inhabitants increased.
By the middle of the 19th century, a large settlement had been created inside the castle, whose buildings were demolished in the 1960s because they had fallen into disrepair. At the same time, the first repair work on the castle began, which was intensified in the 1990s and continues to this day.
You should take the time to visit the castle!
The small picturesque village of Prines with its romantic alleys is located only about 5 km above Rethymno, the capital of the prefecture of the same name. It is about 65 km to Chania and about 80 km to Heraklion. If you are looking for a quiet and typical Greek holiday resort, this is the place for you. There are a few holiday homes and apartments here, but no hotels.
There are a few tavernas and shops, and there are more in the next village, Atsipopoulo. During the season, the shops are usually open until around 10 or 11 pm. Its proximity to Rethymno and its long beaches make Prines so attractive.
Preveli Palm Beach is a sandy beach lined with date palms on the south coast of Crete. It is located not far from the Moni Preveli monastery, from which it takes its name.
Behind the beach, the Megalopotamos, a mountain stream coming from the Kouroupa Mountains, forms the small pond or lake of Preveli, which extends into the gorge behind it. The Cretan date palm (Phoenix theophrasti) forms a natural palm grove here.
From 21 to 22 August 2010, a large forest fire broke out in the gorge behind the beach, burning down large parts of the palm grove. On 1 April 2011, the Greek Ministry of the Environment reported that the palm population had almost completely recovered and that all the palms had sprouted new shoots.
Preveli Palm Beach is only a few kilometres away from Plakias and Lefkogeia. In Lefkogeia, Villa Zeus, Villa Helios, Villa Ifigenia and Villa Asteri are highly recommended.
