Crete

This town in the west of the island is the most romantic corner of Crete. The port from the Venetian period, the lighthouse, narrow cobblestone streets, geraniums in front of the doors. You get lost in the evening, your head spins from the smell of coffee. Dinner in the tavernas along the harbor — you won't be able to find a table without a reservation at sunset time. 140 km from Heraklion, 2.5 hours by bus.

One of the longest hiking canyons in Europe, 16 km. You go down from the White Mountains to the Libyan Sea. At the place called 'Iron Gate', the walls narrow to 3 meters, with 300 meters of steep rocks above you. It's a 5-7 hour walk, not too difficult but with constant descent. Open from May to the end of October. There is a day tour from Chania, and at the end you return by boat from the village of Agia Roumeli.

The lagoon at the northwestern tip of the island, where you can see three different blues in one frame. Go by boat from Kissamos, it is also possible to go by road, but the last part is a dirt road and requires a 1 km walk. The shallow lagoon is like a children's pool, beyond which the open sea is dark blue. There is a Venetian castle at the top, anyone can climb it. In the summer months, 1,500 people come a day — go in the off-season or get on the boat as soon as possible.

Everything unearthed from Knossos is here. Fresco of bull-jumping acrobats, the famous Phaistos Disc (still undeciphered inscription), snake goddess figurines. Don't come here without seeing Knossos; Travel both together in one day. The richest Minoan collection in the world — the display is modern, the explanations are in English.

The postcard of Crete with its pink sand, shallow turquoise water and small lagoon. The pink is real — tiny coral crustaceans blend into the sand. Its shallowness is suitable for families with children, the water reaches up to your knees for 50 meters. 76 km from Chania, 1.5 hours via mountain roads. Go early, the sand won't be visible from the crowds in the afternoon.

The birthplace of European civilization. The capital of the 4 thousand-year-old Minoan civilization, a labyrinth palace with a thousand rooms. Bull frescoes, red columns, throne room — when you walk here, you are actually walking through the beginning pages of human history. Go early in the morning, it's hot and crowded in the afternoon. A guided tour is a must, otherwise it looks like a pile of stones.

Heraklion's best known 'modern Cretan' address. Chefs use vegetables, cheese and herbs grown on their own farms. They serve traditional Cretan cuisine with modern presentations without any frills. Apaki (smoked pork), dakos (lentil vinegar), gamopilafo (wedding rice) are constant on the menu. Reservation is mandatory.

Fine dining in a Venetian courtyard in the heart of Rethymno. The herb garden is next door, the chefs pick fresh. The wine cellar is famous for its 300+ Cretan and Greek labels. The 5-stage tasting menu tells traditional recipes in a sophisticated language. One of the best addresses on the island for a romantic evening.

Inside the stone walls of an old Turkish bath in Chania. Its name is 'OK', yes Turkish — Ottoman trace. They cook traditional Cretan home cooking in a simple, honest way. Boureki (zucchini-potato-cheese), anticristo (roasted lamb), goat cheese salad. The price-quality ratio is impressive, locals eat it too.

Fishing tavern on the stones at the end of Chania Venetian Harbor closest to the lighthouse. The fish bought at the market in the morning is on the dinner plate. Octopus carpaccio, grilled sea bream, squid. The view is top notch, the price is still reasonable. Evening hours are one word: full — go before 20:00.

Shop of the family company that has been producing olive oil near Heraklion since 1850. They do tastings downtown — they tell you the pressing location, the bin, the year of harvest. PDO certified, gift bottles are also suitable for shipment. Cretan olive oil is one of the best in the world, if you're going to take just one bottle from home, this is the place.

Local products shop in Chania old town — honey, cheese (graviera, mizithra), olive oil, herbal teas, thyme, raki. Everything is from small producers, labels with the name of the village. Center for gifts. You can vacuum package the cheese and take it by plane.

Handmade leather bags, silver jewelry, ceramic workshops along the streets of Skridlof, Halidon and Theotokopoulou. Sandal makers are still original: they cut and sew according to your foot, 30-50 EUR. Is it touristic? Yes. But the handicrafts are real, not factory produced.

The shopping heart of Heraklion. Starting from Lions Square, Daedalou Street pedestrian zone — local chains, souvenir shops, leather sandal workshops. Cretan is the center to buy olive oil, honey, cheese. In the evening, everyone is here, sitting on chairs and drinking coffee.