Family Activities in Crete
Crete Maritime Museum, Chania
Located at the east end of the Venetian harbour of Chania, the two story building contains 13 displays showing the maritime history of Crete from antiquity to the Battle of Crete in 1941.
Contained within the museum is wreck finds, documents on the Greek Navy, audio-visual material and a library of Maritime books.
If you can’t find it, look for the giant anchor outside the building!
Find out more here.
Deres Horse Riding Centre, Chania
Deres Horse Riding Centre welcomes all horse riders and nature lovers.
On the outskirts of Chania, a few kilometres from the beach resorts of Platanias and Maleme, they embrace the philosophy of natural horse training.
Deres Horse Riding Centre provides trail rides to people of all ages, from beginners to experienced riders. Other activities include archery and hiking. There are also shops, a coffee shop and a taverna on site.
Find out more here.
Falassarna Beach
Falassarna is a small resort on the west coast of Crete. It is one of the best known beaches in Crete, attracting large numbers of tourists every year.
Falassarna Beach is an award-winning beach for being the most beautiful in Crete. It is also one of the top 10 beaches in Europe because of its white sand and clear water.
The beach is located 59km from Chania. There are daily busses to the beach from Chania.
Find out more here.
Fortezza in Rethymnon
The Fortezza is the Venetian fortress of Rethymnon, located approximately in the centre of the town. Within the Fortezza is hidden centuries of history and is visible from every corner of Rethymnon.
According to one theory, the hill on which the Fortezza is built was once, in a time lost in the mists of history, an island joined to Crete by a narrow strip of land. Over the centuries the channel silted up and the hill became part of the Cretan mainland.
You can reach the Fortezza either through the alleys of Rethymnon old town, or, more easily, by following the coast road that starts behind the old Venetian harbour.
Find out more here.
Kournas Lake
Kournas is the only natural lake on the Mediterranean and is the most southern lake in Europe. It is formed by the drainage of groundwater and meltwater from the White Mountains.
It is believed that there was a temple of Athena on the shore. Perhaps the Arabs named the lake, as “Kournas” in Arabic means tub and pond.
A walk around the lake takes less than an hour. In the summer months you can rent sun loungers, pedal boats and parasols. The nearby restaurants and cafes are open all year round and offer traditional Cretan cuisine.
Lake Kournas is within walking distance from Georgioupolis on a 3km road through olive groves and fields.
Find out more here
Sfendomi Cave
In Sfendomi Cave, you can explore “cave pearls”, which are an intriguing type of speleothem. The glow coming from the tiny crystals of calcium carbonate that cover the cave walls is also particularly impressive.
You can meet unique life forms that have adapted to the conditions inside the cave including snails and bats.
Sfendomi Cave is located near the village of Xoniana and is 43 kilometres from Heraklion and 52 kilometres from the town of Rethymno.
Find out more here.