Looking for some inspiration for your next Summer trip? I've compiled a list of my favourite activities, restaurants, and sites from my recent visit.
Crete is known for being one of the most popular Greek islands, promising blue seas, summer sunshine, and a friendly atmosphere. My recent visit to Plaka confirmed all of these things and much more.
Out of all the Greek islands that I have visited, I can confidently say that Crete had the most lively and welcoming atmosphere of them all. Everywhere we went, we were invited in with a smile, and this made our trip a very memorable one indeed.
In order to make the most of your visit, I've created a short list of my favourite things to do in Crete. From reading amongst the waves to speeding down a waterslide, here are my top five recommendations for the best places to visit around Plaka:
Lake Kournas
A beautiful, crystal-clear lake hidden amongst the Cretan mountains. This destination has all the ingredients for the perfect afternoon: restaurants by the water's edge, free sun beds, and a selection of pedal boats and floats so you can visit the turtles.
Yes, you read that correctly: this lake is not only home to fish and crabs, it also houses some green-shelled friends! We hired a paddle board each and were lucky enough to spot some of these little guys at the far end of the lake.
I would suggest waiting until later in the day (when it’s quieter) to take a paddle board out; this is when fewer people will be disturbing the water and the turtles might feel a little braver and willing to say "hello".
A huge bonus of swimming in this lake is the fact that it’s not saltwater, this made it feel so refreshing and clean going for a dip in the heat of the summer day.
However, I would recommend wearing water shoes into the water if you’re not keen on navigating through some small rocks.
If swimming isn’t on your radar, you can find a selection of ice creams, drinks, and souvenirs at the fringe of the lake. There’s a lot of stunning Greek pottery dotted around the area which is worth checking out!
Chania Old Town
Visiting Chania Old Town at the peak of the Summer season, you will find an electric atmosphere of good vibes, plenty of options for food and drinks, a wide selection of souvenir shops, and the most incredible view of the sun setting behind the famous Chania lighthouse.
If admiring this view from afar isn’t close enough, you can get right up close to the lighthouse using the pier.
Whilst we didn’t stop in Chania Old Town for long, it’s clear that there’s plenty of entertainment to be found throughout the town, from admiring the traditional Greek infrastructure and streets to visiting the cosiest tavernas at the water’s edge.
By day, this town is a scenic and traditional look into Greek culture. By night, Chania is the hub of nightlife on the island. You don't want to miss it.
Seven Souled, Georgioupolis Paradise Beach
Another hidden gem that could be easily missed, but Georgioupolis Paradise Beach is definitely worth visiting for the soft golden sand and blue water. There are lots of tavernas and bars placed along the strip of beach, but during our trip, we frequented the Seven Souled.
This bar and grill has parking on site, offers sun beds and umbrella sets for cheap, serves great food and drinks, and is generally a quiet place to visit in comparison to the rest of this popular beach. The Seven Souled is the perfect location to set up base for the day, with plenty of options for entertainment right in front of you.
For adrenaline-seeking travellers, just a five-minute walk down the beach will take you to a hub for all things water sports, including jet skis, doughnuts, sofas and more…
While these watersports tend to be on the more expensive side (upwards of £20pp), they're a great way to break up your afternoon with something thrilling and unique.
I recommend this bar in particular because it is generally overlooked. Whilst elsewhere on the beach is overcrowded and noisy, this area really lives up to the name 'Paradise Beach': it's peaceful, comfortable, and has access to all essential facilities.
Limnoupolis Water Park
This is the ideal day trip out for all the family to enjoy. Limnoupolis Water Park is relatively small, but it somehow manages to pack everything you need into its base at the bottom of the White Mountains.
There are six main slides, including a drop slide, multi-slide, tunnel slide, and a giant slide to ride in floats. We visited at the very start of September which is classed as off-peak, and we didn’t have to queue for anything. In fact, the longest wait of our day was when we were choosing which pictures to buy from the park, and that was our indecisiveness.
As a group of adults, we were perfectly entertained and stayed for the entire duration of the park’s opening hours. When we weren’t sliding down the main water slides, we took a relaxing break floating around the (very) lazy river and dipping our toes in the main pool.
We were also pleased to find that refreshments could be bought at a decent price around the park, so we didn’t have to bring our own!
Whilst I imagine it would be much busier during the peak season, it’s worth visiting this park if you’re looking for an active and laughter-filled day out, worlds away from a sleepy day at the beach.
Visit the website at https://limnoupolis.gr.
Fortezza Fortress, Rethymno
Walking around this historic fortress was like stepping back in time. There’s so much history packed into the stone walls and the infrastructure, alone, is so fascinating and intricately built - you could easily spend an afternoon here.
The panoramic views from the fortress are particularly impressive at the end of the day, and we were fortunate enough to witness the sun setting across the horizon which really added to the magical atmosphere.
It was really interesting to see this Venetian fortress and learn about how it came to be. You can learn more about Fortezza Fortress here: https://www.kalimera-greece.eu/crete-sights/fortezza-fortress-rethymno-crete/.
I would recommend wearing sturdy footwear since the ground is often uneven and exploring the caves, buildings and grounds can be a little tricky to navigate.
It might also be a good idea to visit later in the day when the sun is not as blazing; there are not many places to find refuge from the sun so the evening is idle for exploring! This also means you can tie in your visit with a walk around the surrounding town.
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