Things to Do in Crete

For centuries the island of Spinalonga has been known for its Venetian fortress, and more recently it was the setting for the 2005 novel 'The Island' by Victoria Hislop.

The now-abandoned island is the perfect place to lose yourself for half a day. You’ll discover how the island was once part of the mainland, and was created by the Venetians to protect the Gulf of Mirabella. You’ll also see where salt was harvested by the Venetians, but the main attraction and dominating landmark is the fort.

The Venetian fortress was built in 1579, and over the years it’s been used as a Turkish bastion and leper colony. Built to watch over the neighboring mainland port of Elounda, the massive fort is surrounded by a circular walk passing ruined churches, homes, fortified structures and turreted walls.

Along the shore there are sheltered pebbled beaches for paddling, but that’s about it when it comes to facilities.

Chrissi Island sits about 9 miles south of the town of Ierapetra on Crete. It is 4.35 miles long and 1.25 miles across at its widest point. The island is a protected area and has been designated as a wildlife refuge. The largest naturally formed Lebanon cedar forest in Europe can be found here. Many of the trees are around 200 years old and 23 feet tall, though some are as old as 300 years old and 33 feet tall.

There is a small bar on one side of the island, a small tavern on the other side, an Orthodox church of St. Nicholas, and a lighthouse. The beaches are covered in bits of shells that give the sand a pinkish golden look. The relatively shallow waters surrounding Chrissi Island make for good snorkeling. Other popular activities include swimming and walking through the cedar forest. Due to its protected status, overnight stays are not allowed.

Acqua Plus Water Park is the most popular water park on the island of Crete, and it is located less than 20 miles from Heraklion. It's situated on a hill which offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes. The water park is split into two different sections, one for adults and one for children. The garden section combines local Cretan plants and flowers with more exotic ones. There is a water slide beneath a weeping willow tree, and games are located among the palm trees, bougainvilleas and French marigolds.

Acqua Plus Water Park offers more than 50 slides, games and facilities. Some slides are slow and calm, while others are fast and exciting. Some are body slides and some slides have tubes. The park also has different pools, some specifically for kids, where visitors can swim and enjoy the water. There's even a lazy river where visitors float calmly in a tube as a more relaxing way to experience the park.