Category Archives: Crete Attractions & Tips
September 5, 2026
Elounda, Crete: What to See and Do (Complete Travel Guide)
The town grew from an ancient site (Olous) into a fishing harbour and, from the mid-20th century, into one of Crete's most famous luxury resort areas. Most visitors use Elounda as a relaxed base and pick up a rental car to reach Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and the beaches along Mirabello Bay. Read article
September 4, 2026
Maleme Crete: History, Attractions, Travel Guide and Car Rental
Renting a car from a popular Car Rental Crete company like Rental Center Crete is highly recommended when visiting Maleme. A medium-sized car is often the best vehicle option, because it provides ample space for passengers and luggage while staying manoeuvrable on the narrow, winding roads leading to Maleme. Medium-sized vehicles also offer better fuel efficiency than larger SUVs or minivans, which keeps travel costs down while exploring the area. Read article
September 4, 2026
CretAquarium (Thalassocosmos): Animals, Tickets, Hours & How To Visit
CretAquarium opened in December 2005. Its seaside location gives it a direct connection to the water, which makes it easier to collect and maintain Mediterranean marine species. The aquarium combines three goals: education, conservation, and research. Read article
September 3, 2026
Argyroupolis Crete: Things to Do, History, Travel Guide and Car Rental
The main attraction in Argyroupolis is the Springs of Argyroupolis, an area with waterfalls and streams fed by natural springs. The village is also known for its traditional tavernas, where visitors can savor local dishes like freshly caught trout and the unique "antikristo" lamb, which is slowly roasted on a spit over an open fire. The average temperature in Argyroupolis ranges from 15°C (59°F) to 30°C (86°F), depending on the season. Read article
August 26, 2026
Archaeological Site of Olous, Crete: The Sunken City and How to Visit
Olous is a sunken ancient Dorian city on the isthmus that links the Spinalonga peninsula to the mainland, at present-day Elounda in the Lasithi region of eastern Crete. Today only scattered wall bases survive, submerged in the shallow water of Elounda Bay, and you can see them by snorkelling or swimming on a calm day. The site is free and open, with no gate and no entrance fee.
Olous flourished across the Minoan, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods. The city minted its own coins, ran its own harbour, and traded across the Mediterranean, linking Crete with the Aegean islands and civilisations beyond. Its ruins reveal the daily life, culture and architecture of the people who lived on this coast for centuries. Read article
August 24, 2026
Katholiko Monastery: History, Location, Hiking and Transportation
The current structure shows an impressive architectural form, from mediaeval frescoes to the iconic bridge that spans the gorge, built in the 17th century under Jeremiah Tzangarolos. Today the abandoned cliffside monastery lets travellers step back through the centuries. The approach is part of the experience: a roughly 35-minute drive from Chania through the mountains of western Crete, then a moderate 2-mile hike through Avlaki Gorge down stone steps carved into the cliffs. Along the way, hikers see the rugged gorge dropping to the sea. At the monastery, visitors walk among ancient stone buildings and caverns where monks once prayed, and view mediaeval frescoes that record the site's artistic heritage. Read article
August 23, 2026
Heraklion Archaeological Museum: Minoan Masterpieces, History and How to Visit
The museum sits in the city centre, so both residents and visitors reach it easily on foot, by taxi, by bus or by rental car. The chronological layout guides you through each period in turn, and clear signage explains the artefacts as you go. Read article
August 23, 2026
Toplou Monastery: History, Winery, Attractions and Car Rental
Toplou Monastery is a fortified Greek Orthodox monastery in northeastern Crete, near the town of Sitia in the Lasithi region. It sits in a remote landscape most easily reached by rental car, about [distance km="142"] and 2.5 hours east of Heraklion. The monastery is active today, runs a historic winery that still uses medieval methods, and blends Byzantine, Venetian and Renaissance architecture behind high defensive walls built against pirate raids. Its main church is dedicated to the Apostle John the Theologian and its katholikon to the Virgin Mary. Read article
August 23, 2026
Panagia Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, Crete: History, Visiting and How to Get There by Car
Kera Kardiotissa Monastery is located near Kera village in the Heraklion regional unit of Crete, Greece. Kera Kardiotissa Monastery sits on the north slopes of Mount Dikti, roughly [distance km="50"] east of Heraklion, next to the main road that leads up to the Lasithi Plateau. Its elevated hillside position gives it wide views and places it inland from the coast, between the resort town of Malia to the north and the mountain plateau to the south. This location makes Kera Kardiotissa an easy stop for travellers driving between Heraklion, Malia and the Lasithi Plateau. Read article
August 22, 2026
Gouverneto Monastery: History, Etiquette, Attractions and Car Rental
Gouverneto was founded in 1537 by Venetian Catholic monks, who built it in a defensible position within the gorge to withstand the pirate raids that plagued the region. The original building carried Gothic and Renaissance elements. The monastery grew wealthy and influential: a census in 1637, shortly before the Ottoman invasion, recorded 60 monks living there, making it one of the largest in Crete at the time. During World War II, German forces set up a guardhouse in the monastery to control the area. Since 2005, the resident monks have carried out ongoing restoration work to preserve the site. Read article
August 22, 2026
August 22, 2026
Odigitria Monastery in Sivas: History, Location, Tour and Car Rental
Do not confuse this monastery with Gonia Monastery (Moni Gonias) near Kolymbari in Chania, western Crete. The two sites share the Odigitria epithet but stand at opposite ends of the island, and their history, fees and opening times are entirely separate. Everything on this page describes the Sivas monastery in the Asterousia Mountains. Read article
August 21, 2026
Melidoni Cave: Where Is It, Myths, Rules and Nearby Attractions
Melidoni Cave, also called Gerontospilios, is a limestone cave [distance km="2"] from Melidoni village on the southern slope of Kouloukonas Mountain in northern Crete, Greece. Melidoni Cave belongs to the municipality of Mylopotamos and sits at an elevation of 220 metres. The cave charges [amount euro="4"] per person for entry, [amount euro="3"] for organised groups and students-Families etc., and opens to visitors from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm. Guided tours lead visitors down a lit path into the main chamber, which measures more than 60 metres in length and more than 20 metres in height. Read article
August 19, 2026
Dikteon Cave (Psychro Cave): Known For, Myths, and How to Get There?
The cave draws visitors with its impressive stalagmite and stalactite formations, which create a captivating underground landscape. Visitors travel to the village of Psychro to reach the cave, located on the Lassithi Plateau in East Crete. People who visit the cave pay [amount euro="6"] for the Psychro Cave tickets, then follow the marked path leading to the entrance, where they explore the mythical birthplace of Zeus and marvel at the natural wonders within its chambers. Read article
August 19, 2026
14 Best Mountain Villages of Crete
The 14 best mountain villages of Crete are Archanes, Zaros, Anogia, Zoniana, Krousonas, Kapetaniana, Asites, Milia, Therisso, Argyroupolis, Elos, Kritsa, Krasi and Males. Kapetaniana, in the Asterousia range at an altitude of 800 metres, is the highest-altitude village in this guide. Each village below carries its own altitude, distance from the nearest city and parent mountain range, so you can pick the right stop for a day trip or an overnight stay. Read article
August 16, 2026
8 Best Camping Sites in Crete
Crete, the largest Greek island, has eight recommended campsites spread across its north and south coasts. Wild camping is illegal in Greece, so you camp only in licensed, designated sites, which cost roughly [amount euro="5"] to [amount euro="20"] per person per night. Camping keeps you in direct contact with the land of Crete, and the summer air is dry because it seldom rains. Read article
August 16, 2026
Snorkeling in Crete: Best Spots, Season & Practical Guide
Snorkeling in Crete puts you face-to-face with loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta), Mediterranean monk seals, and octopuses in waters so clear you can see 30 metres below the surface, making Crete the top snorkeling destination in Greece. This guide covers the 17 best spots, how to reach remote beaches by car, marine life you'll encounter, gear and tour pricing, plus everything you need for a safe and memorable trip from May through October. Read article
August 14, 2026
Parking in Chania: Where to Park in Chania?
Chania sits on the northwest coast of Crete and is the island's second-largest city. Its Venetian harbour and pedestrian Old Town draw heavy summer traffic, which is why a little parking planning saves you time. Many visitors drive over from Heraklion to Chania and meet that traffic as they reach the harbour. This guide covers the parking rules, the free and paid spots, what parking costs, and how to pay. Read article
August 14, 2026
Parking in Heraklion: Where to Park in Heraklion?
Heraklion is the capital of Crete and sits on the island's north coast. The city draws visitors for its history, archaeological sites and culture, so parking in Heraklion is in high demand for both residents and tourists. You can reach the city through Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis", which serves domestic and international flights, and through ferry links from other Greek islands and mainland ports. Read article
August 13, 2026
Lake Kournas: Crete’s Only Freshwater Lake – Visitor Guide
Lake Kournas is Crete's only natural freshwater lake - a Natura 2000 protected wetland near Georgioupolis, home to Diamondback Terrapins, herons, cormorants, and eels. Set [distance km="4"] inland from the Cretan Sea at the foot of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), the lake is a 45-minute drive from Chania, 25 minutes from Rethymno, and roughly 1 hour from Heraklion International Airport (HER) - the most popular freshwater day trip on the island. Visitors swim in clear shallow water, spot wild turtles, rent pedalos (~[amount euro="10"]/hour), and eat at lakeside tavernas. Read article
