7 Must See Attractions of Crete ...

1. The Minoan Palace

Plan for spending a full day at one of the biggest attractions of Crete. The Minoan Palace of Knossos was originally built in 2000BC, but destroyed by an earthquake only 300 year later. However, an even larger-scale palace was built over top of it, only to be destroyed again, likely by tidal wave caused by a volcanic eruption in Santorini in 1450BC. Once filled with over 1,200 rooms, the ruins of this Minoan Palace are captivating. The grandeur of the palace rooms have been recreated to scale, so that visitors will come away with an impression of what the palace once was.

2. Samaria Gorge

With some of the nation’s most dramatic landscape, the island of Crete is chock full of natural wonders. The Samaria Gorge stretches 18km, making it the longest gorge in Europe, and showcasing the best of the island’s spectacular scenery. Hiking through the gorge is so popular that the trails are quite crowded in the summer; however, the hike is worth wading through crowds and toughing out the tiring journey, for the stunning views which begin in the heights of the White Mountains and end at the Libyan Sea.

3. Arkadi Monastery

At the end of a scenic twisted mountain drive, you will arrive at one of the most important attractions of Crete. Arkadi Monastery is a symbol of Crete’s fight for independence against the invading Turkish forces, which occupied the island in the late 19th century. Hundreds of Cretans died at the hands of the Turks in 1866, and Arkadi Monastery stands as a memorial of their heroism. In the ossuary, preserved skulls and bones serve as a reminder of the courageous Cretan resistance fighters whose lives were lost.

4. Chania

One of Crete’s most picturesque cities, Chania is the second largest city and, in and of itself, one of the prettiest attractions of Crete. A favourite place for tourists and locals alike to shop and wander, Chania’s Venetian harbor is the highlight of this beautiful city, with dozens of colorful little restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as quaint little shops where you can buy Cretan souvenirs, Crete’s famed olive oil and ingredient mixes to spice up your Mediterranean cuisine. Jutting out into the harbor stands a 500-year-old lighthouse, and fishermen line up along the strip early in the morning, staking out their lucky spot for a long day of fishing. Breathe in the sweet sea air on a park bench next to the antique light posts along the harbor, or visit one of Chania’s many wonderful museums for a cultural stimulant.

5. Gournia

If you’re interested in the ancient Minoans’ civilian life, you can satisfy your curiosity here. Gournia is home to ruins which, far from your great and majestic Greek palace ruins, are simple crumbling remains of an everyday working town from one of the greatest and oldest civilizations. With house and workshop ruins dating as far back as 1500BC, a fascinating walk through Gournia will give you an idea of what the average Joe Minoan’s life was like. From an overlooking hilltop, you’ll have a great eagle-eye view of the site, which was originally four times bigger than the remains you see today. However, the site is still being excavated, so plan on returning to it some years down the road.

6. Gortys

The small ruins of this Greco-Roman city spot the countryside’s olive groves and fields like a fairytale. The church of Agios Titos, built in the 6th century, is the highlight of the ruins, pleasantly placed on a hillside, waiting to be explored. Nearby Agios Titos lies the maze of the agora (market), with its crumbling market stalls playing to the imagination. You can almost see this great market alive and bustling, as it must have been in its heyday. A unique discovery can be found in the agora: 500BC stone blocks, which are carved with the very first written Code of Law in Europe.

7. Phaistos

If you’re not completely “ruined” out, visit the ruins of Phaistos, another Minoan Palace set on a hilltop overlooking a pretty little plain. Not nearly as crowded as Knossos, Phaistos boasts royal apartments, a central courtyard and a grand staircase. The palace is also home to the famed Phaistos Disc, dating back to 1700-1600BC and excavated in 1903. The small disc is composed of spiraling pictograms, which archaeologists have yet to decipher.

I haven’t mentioned the beaches, but rest assured they are most certainly among the attractions of Crete. If your idea of vacation is sun, sea and sand, Crete will not disappoint in that aspect either. Do you dream of a Greek island in the sun?