Local insights, travel guides and authentic tips.
Sign up to get authentic stories, travel tips, and new experiences
By entering my email, I agree to receive marketing notifications from travel & do.
Crete's food culture is one of the clearest ways to understand the island itself, because every dish reflects local produce, mountain cooking, and a strong sense of place. This guide walks through the Cretan dishes most worth trying, how they differ from standard Greek food, and where to look for the best versions. It is written for travelers who want practical food advice, not just a list of names.
Falassarna is not a single beach but a stretch of coastline on the northwest tip of Crete that has earned a reputation well beyond the island. The sand is wide, the water runs from pale green to deep blue, and the beach faces due west, which means the sunset here is not something you catch by accident. It is something people drive across Crete for. This guide covers everything you need to plan a day or a stay, from sunbeds and water sports to the ancient ruins most visitors walk straight past.
Vai Beach is unlike most beaches in Crete. Behind the sand stands a palm forest that has been drawing visitors for decades, and the combination of scenery, protected landscape, and an old legend makes it one of the most talked-about coastal spots on the island.This guide covers everything you need before you go: whether Vai is worth the drive, where the palm trees actually came from, what to do nearby, and how to make a full day of the northeast corner of Crete. If you are planning a trip to eas
Koules Fortress stands at the entrance of Heraklion harbour, where it has dominated the waterfront for five centuries. If you are spending a day in Crete's capital, this is the landmark that sets the tone for the rest of the city. It connects directly to the Old Town, the harbour promenade, and some of the best eating and walking in central Heraklion. Start here and the rest of the day falls into place.
Plakias is one of the longest beaches in Crete, a 1.3 km stretch of grey-golden sand facing the Libyan Sea in the south of Rethymno. It holds a Blue Flag, offers a full range of water sports and organised facilities, and sits in a bay calm enough for families but open enough to attract windsurfers and divers. What makes it more interesting than most Cretan beach towns is that it also works as a genuine base. From here you can reach Preveli, the Kotsifou Gorge, and a string of quieter coves withi