Crete Tips

[ItsAllAboutTheDosh]

We are going to Crete this Easter, we have never been to Greece. We like to be active. Any tips of places to visit, places to eat, particularly scenic areas that we should not miss?
And what area of Crete is the nicest area to stay in?
Thanks.

We've been to Crete a number of times and the best place we stayed was Georgiopoulos about half way between Rethymnon and Chania. Buses were regular to both towns , there's also a nice walk up to the lake and there's now a taverna there.
Must dos are walking around Chania old down, Knossos and a trip to the Lasithi plateau. Warning though the local firewater is exactly that, you may get given to you in a taverna and the best way to drink it is to knock it back.

Chania is lovely to stay in. We went with a guide down Irini gorge, a bit less busy than Samaria but I think they’re all lovely. Walking boots would be ideal - we were told we didn’t need them so had decent trainers (were saving on luggage allowance!) but walking shoes or boots would have been better. We managed fine though.

We did a cookery course in Vamos, at a place called the olive tree. Also Aptera Roman ruins near there are wonderful - perfect little amphitheatre and some astonishing massive chambers the size of an underground cathedral.

Chania has a fairly new archeological museum - very much recommend if you’d like to do a bit and aren’t going to Heraklion. We planned to go to Knossos but one of us got ill so we sadly missed it but Knossos and Heraklion archeological museum were on our top list.

Also did kayaking on the south coast near Loutro - amazing fun, going into sea caves etc. All the south coast you get around by water taxi / zippy motor boat.

Have a lovely time!

I'm enjoying reading this thread. I love Crete!

For people staying longer, you can take a ferry from Heraklion to islands like Santorini etc. Rethymnon also does ferries, I came there from Mykonos (which I found horribly expensive, 12 Euros for a glass of wine!!). Crete is very reasonable in comparison.
And it's got a brilliant bus service.

@Talipesmum - do you recommend the cookery school? It's on my list for this summer.

I can also recommend a cycling trip with hellas bikes in Agia Marina. We cycled from the North to South of the island in a day. I think it was 60km but it certainly was highlight of the holiday cycling through mountain villages in the heart of Crete.

There's also a restaurant in Chania called The Well of the Turk. The good was spectacular with the best olives I have ate.

We also visited a WW2 bunker in Kokkino Chorio, not too far from Kalyves. I've never experienced history like this - completely unchanged. The DCs imaginations were in overdrive.

If your idea of a 'long walk' is a couple of hours as many on MN consider it then don't do the Samari Gorge but if you would happily go for a day walk of 4 or 5 hours then it is well worth it. The first bit is a descent of about 3 thousand feet in zigzags to hard on the knees but fine and the rest is a rough footpath similar to a hike in the lakes or peak district but all gently downhill. And you can swim in the sea at the end.

There are loads of Youtube videos which will give you a clear idea of what it's like.

Yes - we went here https://www.theolivefarm.gr/cooking/ - though check with them first as I remember they said last October that they might be moving to another location nearby at some point. Lovely experience.

Thanks @Talipesmum - I'll check it out.

We stayed at Eleonas in Zaros over the summer. Fantastic scenery and there would have been some fabulous walks (but not for us in august!)