Things to Do in Crete Island

The Minoan palace of Knossos stands out as one of the most important archaeological sites not just in Crete, but in the whole of Greece. It was famously the palace of legendary King Minos whose Minotaur, according to the tales, was slain by Theseus.

Spinalonga was the last European leper colony (only closed in the 1950s). A short boat journey from the coast of eastern Crete, it now makes for a fascinating, if troubling, daytrip.

Out to the west of the island, the prefecture of Rethymno is home to a remarkable ruined castle, the Fortezta. Built by the Venetians to repel Turkish pirates in the 16th century, its robust battlements present wonderful views of the town, and beyond out to sea.

Also known as ‘tsikoudia’, raki is the uncompromising local liquor. Similar to ouzo (its mainland equivalent) and Italian grappa, a couple of shots of raki can certainly get a Cretan night going!

The town of Hania (also known as ‘Chania’) has a remarkable Venetian inner harbor. Sitting over a drink and watching the fishing boats bob gently on the water is one of the more romantic things to do on the island.