This Minoan Palace is located right outside of Heraklion and visiting it is one of the top 10 things to do in Crete. After its reconstruction, carried out by Sir Arthur Evans, we can now get a complete picture of what this unique monument looked like many centuries ago. This ancient Palace is a true miracle, because it has ventilation, an advanced sewage system, water and artificial light supply. The Minoan civilization was wiped out by the eruption of the Santorini volcano, and the ruins of their impressive Palace of Knossos were found in the 19th century.

One of the coolest and biggest water parks in Crete is the Watercity in Anopolis. All the rides, tubes and attractions are in open air and is a lot of fun for adults and kids alike! The parks offers more than 30 different rides, including open slides and closed tubes, bungee jumping, lounge areas and restaurants, as well as the lazy river, where guests can enjoy lazily on huge floaties.

Samaria Gorge, located near Chania, is the largest in Europe, and it stretches over 18 km. There are various tours that you can take, which involve walking through this fascinating gorge, where the width can range from 3 to 300 m., which will take from 6 to 8 hours. It is located in a national park with more than 450 species of plants, and various animals that you can see while admiring the nature.

Rethymnon is a beautiful ancient town, west of Heraklion and most of it is a pedestrian area. There is a Venetian fortress reigning over it and there are plenty of historical buildings, churches, monasteries and other architectural sites. Spending at least one afternoon and evening walking around the city is one of the top 10 things to do in Crete. You may find the Arkadi Monastery, Fragokastello fortress, Rimondi fountain, Nida hill and much more right here, in Rethymnon.

One of the biggest freshwater lakes is located not far away from Rethymnon and it is home to unique double colored turtles and numerous geese. It is divided into 2 sides, one of which is a public beach, and the other – a much quitter place, which is perfect for picnics.

Zeus Cave is a name given to several caves, where, according to Ancient Greek Mythology, Zeus was born, namely Ideon Andron and Dikteon Andron. The latter is located in an accessible point, and rises to more than 1000m above the sea. According to the Myth, this is where Zeus was hidden by his mother, to protect him from his father Cronus, who was swallowing his own children, in fear that they would rise against him. The Dikti Cave is one of the most popular attractions on the island, as not only does it fascinate the visitors with its Mythological meaning, but also with its beauty – there are huge stalactites hanging from the ceiling, dark recesses, and an underground lake.

When in Crete, one absolutely must visit the picturesque fishing village of Agios Nikolaos with a beautiful Voulismeni lake located right in the middle of it. This place has a vibrant atmosphere throughout the day and at night time turns into a party town, with numerous bars and clubs stretched along the main road leading to Elounda. Enjoy a walk through the streets, browse through souvenir stores and enjoy a romantic dinner overlooking the calm lake!

There was a time when this small island at the entrance to the Mirabello Gulf was a place where battles took place, and where people were sent off to die, as this was a leper colony. Till the mid 20th century, while the lepers were settled on Spinalonga, it was safe from invaders and pirates of the seas. Today it is a beautiful place that you can visit with one of numerous boats from leave from Elounda. Right now there are ruins of various settlements and the island boasts breathtaking views of the gulf, but Cretans believe that it is still haunted by the souls of the warriors who have died protecting the Mirabello Gulf.

The ancient city of Phaestos is located almost in the center of Southern Crete and is one of the 4 most important palaces of the Minoan civilization, built in a form of a maze. Unlike the other, Phaestos was not destroyed with the eruption of the Santorini volcano and continued to exist up to the point when Greece became part of the Byzantine Empire. This is the palace, where the famous Phaestos Disk was found – it is the most mysterious and oldest printed text in the world.

Just like any other place in Greece, Crete is known for its own cuisine, filled with fresh organic fruits and vegetables, which are grown here. One of the top 10 things to do in Crete is most definitely going to a fish tavern by the sea, and enjoying calamari, grilled fish and a Choriatiki salad over a glass of Raki!