Imbros Gorge

The Imbros Gorge is the second most popular gorge on the island of Crete, after the Samaria Gorge. The landscape is beautiful, and thanks to its low difficulty, they make it an ideal route for families with children since in 2-3 hours you can travel its 11 km quietly.

The town of Imbros is located along one of the main roads that connects the north of the island with the south. It is connected by public bus to Chania (via the Chania – Hora Sfakion route) but buses are infrequent so they are not a very flexible solution to get there.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is one of the most interesting museums in Greece and a visit is highly recommended.
Its main content is finds from the Cretan Minoan period, from the many important cities and palaces that Crete has. The oldest pieces housed in this museum date back more than 5,500 years and range from the Neolithic to Roman and Byzantine times. The museum has given a special place to the exhibition of Minoan treasures, especially the frescoes of the Palace of Knossos.

Rethymnon Old Town

The ancient city of Rethymnon is situated in the middle of the modern city and features a unique mix of Venetian and Cretan architecture. Rethymnon was established in 1204, after the Venetians conquered Crete, so most of the buildings that remain in the old town are of Venetian creation.

The narrow streets of the Old Town and its small Venetian port are wonderful for strolling, shopping, enjoying dinner in a small tavern, and enjoying Rethymnon’s remarkable architecture. Travelers will want to visit the nearby Fortezza Castle, which was built in 1590, and sits on a low hill in the middle of Rethymnon.

Spinalonga

Spinalonga is an island fortress located at the southwestern entrance to the Gulf of Elounda. It was part of the nearby Spinalonga Peninsula, however in 1526 the Venetians cut a canal through it to separate the two. The island was also fortified and, for many years, it was Elounda’s first line of defense. From 1903 to 1957, Spinalonga was used as a leper colony for people from all over Greece.

Today, Spinalonga is a short boat ride from Elounda and Agios Nikolaos and is popular with tourists, who come to the island to see the remains of the abandoned leper colony, the fortress, and numerous ancient structures.

Palace of Knossos

Located about 5 km south of Heraklion, the Palace of Knossos is the most important and best known Minoan site on Crete. Knossos is also often associated with the legend of the Athenian hero Theseus slaying the Minotaur. The great palace was built gradually between 1700 and 1400 BC, with periodic reconstructions after destruction until it was devastated once and for all by fire.

The Knossos incorporated numerous rooms, such as the Throne Room, named for a large chair that is built into the wall and that overlooks several benches.