Forts & castles · Chania
Chania Old Venetian Harbour
Crete’s most atmospheric waterfront: lighthouse, mosque and Venetian arsenals.
Villages & Towns
Old towns and mountain villages
From the Venetian old towns of Chania and Rethymno to mountain villages where lyra music and shepherd cooking are part of daily life, Crete’s towns and villages are where you meet the island’s character.
Hidden gem
Villages & Towns · Anogeia
Anogeia
Proud mountain village on Psiloritis, famous for lyra music, weaving and shepherd cuisine.
Villages & Towns · Heraklion
Heraklion Town
Crete's busy capital, with museums and Venetian walls.
Villages & Towns · Rethymno
Rethymno Old Town
Venetian lanes, a fortress and a long beach.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos
A lakeside harbour town.
Villages & Towns · Sfakia
Loutro
A car-free village reached by boat.
Villages & Towns · Hersonissos
Hersonissos
A big resort with a small harbour.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Elounda
Luxury resort with boats to Spinalonga.
Villages & Towns · Archanes-Asterousia
Archanes
A beautifully restored wine village.
Villages & Towns · Hersonissos
Malia
Party resort with a Minoan palace.
Villages & Towns · Kantanos-Selino
Paleochora
A relaxed resort on the south coast.
Villages & Towns · Sfakia
Sfakia (Chora Sfakion)
Proud mountain people and boats to Loutro.
Villages & Towns · Kissamos
Kissamos
A real town and base for Balos.
Villages & Towns · Platanias
Platanias
A lively resort west of Chania.
Villages & Towns · Agios Vasileios
Agia Galini
A fishing village turned resort.
Villages & Towns · Agios Vasileios
Plakias
A relaxed south coast village.
Villages & Towns · Ierapetra
Ierapetra
Europe's southernmost town.
Villages & Towns · Gortyna
Lentas
A laid back village on the south coast.
Villages & Towns · Gortyna
Zaros
Mountain village famous for spring water and trout.
Villages & Towns · Apokoronas
Kalyves
A family resort with a long beach.
Villages & Towns · Rethymno
Argyroupoli
Springs, waterfalls and Roman ruins.
Villages & Towns · Agios Vasileios
Spili
Famous for its lion fountains.
Villages & Towns · Sitia
Sitia
A relaxed eastern town.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Kritsa
Weaving village on a hillside.