Destinations > Greece > Crete

Crete

Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands and offers a lot more attractions than other islands. In addition to the usual beaches and booze, Crete offers the urban attractions of Chania, Heraklion and Rethymno; ancient Minoan sites and stunning natural attractions that include the Samaria Gorge.

Heraklion (Iraklion)

This walled city is the fifth-largest city in Greece, which gives it a different feel to most other Greek island capitals. There are some big attractions including some excellent museums and the ruins of Knossos, 5km from the centre of town.

Practical Information

Tourist Information (GNTO)

Xanthoudidou 1, Heraklion

Tel 081 0 228225

Open Mon-Fri 8am-2pm

Tourist Police

Dikeosynis 10, Heraklion

Tel 081 0 283190

Open 7am-11pm daily

Wash-O-Mate Laundry

Merabelou, Heraklion

Coming & Going

Heraklion is well-connected to other parts of Greece and there are also a lot of relatively cheap charter flights to destinations throughout Europe.

AIR

Nikos Kazantzakis Airport has frequent flights to Athens, Rhodes, Santorini and Thessaloniki. There are many charter flights from destinations throughout Europe as well as some scheduled flights. Travel agents around town often have cheap last-minute flights. Bus 1 runs between Plateia Elefterias and the airport four-times an hour.

BUS

There are plenty of buses to destinations all over Crete including frequent buses to Rethymno and Hania. There are two bus stations in Heraklion, Bus Station A is located near the Quay and most travellers find this the handiest as it has buses to Rethymno, Hania and local buses to the ruins at Knossos. Bus Station B is located west of the city centre.

FERRY

Ferries arrive at the quay right near the centre of the old town. There are daily boats to Pireaus as well as ferries to Rhodes, Santorini, Paros, Naxos and Thessaloniki.

Local Transport

Although most accommodation options and places of interest are conveniently located in the old town, most travellers find they need to take local buses to get to the ruins at Knossos. Bus 2 goes to Knossos, departing from Bus Station A and stopping on 25 Avgoustou outside El Greco Park en route.

Accommodation

Heraklio Youth Hostel

Vironos 5, Heraklion, Crete

Tel (2810) 286281

Sights

Archaeological Museum

This excellent museum contains a huge selection of artefacts including an outstanding collection from the Minoan period.

City Walls

Iraklio's fortifications dominate the old town and were built by the Venetians in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Historical Museum of Crete

This museum houses an interesting collection of exhibits on Crete's more recent history including the periods of Byzantine and Turkish rule.

Knossos

The ancient ruins at Knossos, 5km from the centre of Iraklio, are the biggest tourist attraction in Crete. Knossos was the capital of Minoan Crete and the site features a huge palace much of which was reconstructed by British archaeologist, Sir Arthur Evans, in the early 20th century.

Rethymno

Crete's third-largest town boasts a beautiful old town with narrow winding streets and a large Venetian fortress.

Practical Information

Tourist Information (GNTO)

Corner El Venizelou & Varga Kallergi, Rethymno

Tel 0831 0 29148

Open summer Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, winter Mon-Fri 8am-3pm

Tourist Police

Corner El Venizelou & Varga Kallergi, Rethymno

Tel 0831 0 28156

Open 7am-10pm daily

Laundry Mat

Tombazi 45, Rethymno

Coming & Going

The bus station is situated on Kafalogiannidon near the intersection with Igoumenou Gavriil to the southwest of the town centre. There are frequent buses to most places in Crete, particularly to Hania and Iraklio.

There are also daily ferries to between Rethymno and Pireaus.

Accommodation

Youth Hostel Rethymno

Tobazi 45, 74100 Rethymno, Crete

Tel (28310) 22848

Sights

Venetian Fortress

Rethymno's main attraction is the 16th century Venetian fortress that sits atop Paleokastro Hill and dominates the old town. It is a fun place to explore and there are picturesque views from the ramparts.

Open 8am-8pm daily

Plakias

This scenic spot in southern Crete is a great spot with some good hiking trails. There are no banks here so make sure that you get some money from an ATM before getting the bus to Plakias.

Coming & Going

There are several buses a day to Rethymno.

Accommodation

Youth Hostel Plakias

Mirthios 74060, Rethymno, Crete

Tel (28320) 32118

Chania

Crete's former capital is the island's second largest city and it boasts a nice old town with beautiful Venetian architecture. Many travellers use Hania as a base for hiking the Samaria Gorge, which is located south of the city.

Practical Information

Chania Tourist Information Centre

Kriari 40, Chania

Tel 0821 0 92943

Website www.chania.gr

Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-2.30pm

Tourist Police

Irakliou 23, Chania

Tel 0821 0 53333

Open Mon-Fri 7.30am-2.30pm

Coming & Going

Chaniais well connected with frequent flights, buses and ferries; although Iraklio is still a more convenient entry point to the island.

AIR

Chania's Airport is located 15km from the city centre, but there are no regular buses between the airport and the centre. The airport has daily flights to Athens and Thessaloniki.

BUS

The bus station is located south of the old town near the corner of Kydonias and P Kalaidi. There are buses to most places on Crete with particularly frequent services to Rethymno and Iraklio.

FERRY

Chaniais a difficult place to arrive by sea, since ferries arrive at Souda, 7km east of the Hania's town centre. Local buses that depart from the market, just south of the old town, serve the port. There are daily ferries between Chaniaand Pireaus.

Sights

Archaeological Museum

Chania's archaeological museum has a good selection of old relics, however it is no match for the much more extensive museum in Iraklio.

Halidon 21, Chania

Tel 0821 0 90334

Admission €3

Open Tue-Sun 8.30am-3pm

Naval Museum

Situated at the western end of the Venetian port, this museum is good if you're interested in all things nautical.

Akti Kountouriouioti, Chania

Tel 0821 0 44156

Admission €2

Open 9am-4pm daily

Samaria Gorge

This Gorge is Europe's longest and it is home to the rare kri-kri, or Cretan goat. The Samaria Gorge is one of the most popular hiking trails anywhere and it can become very crowded, even early in the morning. The 16km trail usually takes five to six hours to complete.

The Samaria Gorge is best done as a day trip, as it is forbidden to camp within the park. The national park is only open between May and October and entry costs €3.55.

Coming & Going

The trail starts at Xyloskalo and ends at Agia Roumeli. There are buses between Hania and Xyloskalo at 6.15am and 8.30am. Agia Roumeli, at the end of the trek has buses back to Chania as well as ferries to Hora Sfakion.