Crete

Crete: Knossos, Rethymno, Chania. From Minoan Palace, the Labyrinth to the Venetian Harbours. Travel Back in Time

Crete

Knossos Minoan Palace

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Cretan Man

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Chania Fruit Market

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Rethymno Town

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Exploring the Area

Exploring Knossos, Rethymno, and Chania offers a journey through Europe’s oldest civilisation and some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful historic harbours. For 2026, these sites remain core highlights of Crete, connected by scenic coastal roads and efficient bus networks 

Knossos: The Minoan Palace. Knossos is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete, known as Europe’s oldest city and the center of the Minoan civilization. Located near Heraklion, the palace is famously associated with the legend of King Minos and the Minotaur’s Labyrinth. Excavated by Sir Arthur Evans in 1900, it features1900 BC, it features iconic, partially restored ruins with vibrant frescoes, advanced plumbing, and complex, multi-story architecture. 
 
Key Details
  • Center of Minoans: The hub of a sophisticated Bronze Age culture, flourishing from 2000 BC.
  • Mythological Association: Associated with King Minos, the Labyrinth, and the Minotaur.
  • Architecture: Known for a vast, complex palace with, at one time, 1,300 rooms, colorful columns, and extensive workshops.
  • Discovery: Excavated by Sir Arthur Evans between 1900–1935, who also restored parts of the site.
  • Key Features: Explore the Throne Room, the Grand Staircase, and vivid frescoes like the Bull-Leaper.
  • Visiting Info: Open daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 pm (winter hours).
  • Tickets: Full 20€ Reduce 10€ in winter time
  • Pro Tip: Visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum after the site to see the original frescoes and artifacts recovered from the ruins. 

UNESCO Status: The site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025.

Rethymno it’s and open Museum and the third-largest city in Crete, is a charming, pedestrian-friendly town on the north coast that blends Venetian, Ottoman, and modern Greek influences. Renowned as a cultural hub, it features a stunning 16th-century fortress, a well-preserved Old Town, and a long, sandy beach, offering a perfect mix of history and relaxation.
 
See all Views Travel highlights include:
  • Fortezza:  A massive 16th-century Venetian citadel overlooking the city and sea, now a venue for cultural events like the Renaissance Festival. 
  • Old Town: A pedestrian-friendly labyrinth of narrow, flower-draped streets featuring the iconic 
    Rimondi Fountain, ornate stone doorways, and soaring minarets.
  • Venetian Harbor: : A postcard-perfect area lined with seafood tavernas and anchored by an 1830s Egyptian lighthouse.
  • City Beach: A wide, sandy beach stretching roughly 12–13 kilometers east from the town center, ideal for families and water sports.
  • Gastronomy: Known for authentic Cretan cuisine, including local specialties like antikristo (meat roasted on sticks) and dakos (barley rusks with tomato and cheese).
  • Regional Highlights: Nearby attractions include the historic Arkadi Monastery (a symbol of resistance), the tropical Preveli Palm Beach, and the pottery village of Margarites

Chania its like an open Museum, features a stunning 14th-century Venetian harbor, an iconic lighthouse, and a maze-like Old Town with Ottoman, Venetian, and Egyptian influences. Top sights include strolling the harbor at sunset, visiting the Maritime Museum, exploring the covered Municipal Market, and relaxing at nearby beaches.

See all views Travel Highlights:

Old Venetian Harbor: The city’s crown jewel, featuring a 14th-century harbor, 16th-century lighthouse, and colorful waterfront buildings.

  • Narrow, charming alleyways filled with shops, cafes, and tavernas.
  • Mosque of the Janissaries: A historic Ottoman building located right on the harbor.
  • Municipal Market (Agora): A bustling indoor market for local products.

Maritime Museum & Firka Fortress: Historic sites at the harbor entrance. Firkas Fortress, a 16th-century bastion at the harbor’s edge housing the Maritime Museum of Crete.

The Old Town: A maze of narrow, cobblestone streets filled with Venetian and Ottoman-era architecture, boutique shops, and traditional tavernas. A pedestrian-friendly labyrinth of narrow, flower-draped alleys filled with boutique shops, artisanal leather goods, and “Knife Street” (Sifaka Street).

Eating and Drinking

 
Rethymno and Chania offer some of the richest culinary experiences in Crete, ranging from historic Venetian harbor-side dining to hidden traditional tavernas in the mountain villages. Eating and drinking in Rethymno and Chania features authentic Cretan cuisine, characterised by fresh, local produce, olive oil, and seafood with high-quality meals.  Serving authentic Cretan cuisine like moussaka, lamb in meat broth, and Cretan meatballs, Cretan lamb stir-fry, fried calamari, stuffed eggplants, and kalitsounia (cheese pies), often accompanied by local wine or raki.
 
Cretan cuisine 
 
Rethymno Old Town: Known for traditional,, home-style cooking at places, which offers daily specials like pork stifado and green beans, dishes like lamb stir-fry and stuffed eggplants. Known for taverns serving traditional, rustic food.
 
Chania Old Town: Features authentic breakfast spots, serving dakos (rusk bread with tomatoes and cheese) and thick Greek yogurt with honey.
 
Drinking & Nightlife: Both cities feature a blend of relaxed seaside cafes and vibrant late-night bars.
Rethymno Beach features bustling bars, while villages such as Axos and Argyroupolis offer traditional Cretan nights with music and dance.
 
Must-Try Cretan Culinary Experiences
 
  • Cretan Breakfast: Rusk bread topped with tomatoes and xynomizithra (sheep/goat cheese).
  • Local Delicacies: Vinegar sausage, snail dishes, and cheese-and-honey pies.
  • Beverages: Locally produced Malotira tea and raki.
  • Atmosphere: Casual taverns are best for authentic, affordable, and, flavorful meals.
 
Speciality Food Experiences
  • Baklava Workshop: Visit Giorgos Chatziparaschos in Rethymno Old Town to see the traditional handmade production of phyllo and kataifi.
  • Bougatsa: In Chania, don’t miss Bougatsa Chania for the city’s best traditional breakfast pastry.
Crete Breakfast Time

Where to Stay – Travel Time

For a stay in Crete we recommend Rethymno, which is between Chania and Heraklion.

You could visit Crete all year around. The best time is during the shoulder seasons of March April–May or September–October, offering pleasant hiking weather and fewer crowds. Early morning (before 9:00 AM) or late afternoon is ideal to avoid busy tour buses. Fall (October) offers stunning colours, while late Jan – Feb – April is quieter and cooler. Unique time is Christmas and Easter. Avoid: Mid-July to August (extreme heat/crowds) 

How to Get Around

See All View Travel offers private tours from Athens (3 or 4 day tours) to Crete.  Best Approach: 3 nights recommended for a relaxed visit. See our Mainland / Island private tour.

Our tour drivers are seasoned travelers and are dedicated to helping you live the tour of your life, that is suited to your needs and lifestyle, where you can relax, have no worry of driving, allowing all passengers to enjoy the scenic drives through the beautiful Greek countryside, stopping wherever you desire to take photos or hiking, have a break. Any combination or schedule of tour can be arranged for you from one day tour to two week long tours, depending on the time you have available.

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