If you’ve spent time on the island of Crete, you’ve likely heard already about the main sites – the beaches of Elafonisi, the town of Rethymnon, the hub of Chania, and the archaeological wonders at Knossos. Although Crete receives a large number of visitors annually, there are many sites that tourists overlook. Crete is a huge island and is filled with hidden beaches, gorges, and unique landscapes which aren’t found anywhere else in Greece.
Gorge of Richtis
As you travel east towards Lasithi, you will find the Gorge of Richtis halfway between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. You can walk along this hidden gorge until you reach a beautiful waterfall and an isolated beach. It is easy to get lost on your way, so it’s best to go with a group or a guide. The area of the gorge has wonderful greenery, bright flowers and wild berries. At the entrance to the gorge, you will find an ancient stone bridge. Once you get there, you can follow the course of the river that takes you to Richtis’s secluded beach after about forty minutes of walking.
Palm Tree Forests
At Crete’s Eastern tip, you will find yourself at Vai’s palm forest. Vai has a colony of 5000 trees of the Phoenix Theophrastus variety that are located very close to the water’s edge. A few smaller clusters of this tree are found in the Canary Islands, but the Vai palm forest is the most impressive collection of these palm trees in Europe. The beach at Vai is ideal for families and swimmers because it is protected from wind.
Crete’s other palm forest is found on the beautiful beach of Preveli, in the southern end of the Rethymnon prefecture. Here, the palms grow on the sides of a river that ends up at a wonderful sandy beach. The palm forest of Preveli is found below the Monastery of Preveli, next to the Kourtaliótiko Gorge.
Komolithi
Komolithi is one of the weirdest sights to see in Crete. It is found in the region of Chania near the village of Potamida. The Komolithi are a unique set of low mountains with lush vegetation, a green top, and arid clay at their base. The Komolithi are easy to climb up and give you another view of Crete. If you are driving from Chania, take the turn to Elafonisi beach and you will arrive at Komolithi after 15 minutes.
Odigitrias Monastery
Crete has numerous monasteries and well-known churches, some which are extremely old and others which are abandoned. The monasteries of Preveli and Arkadi are better known, but Odigitrias Monastery is less than 25 kilometers from Chania and is less-known to tourists. It is built on the Gulf of Chania and was a key gathering place for opponents to the Nazi occupation of Crete. The riches of the monastery are guarded by fortified walls and the courtyard inside provides a peaceful escape from the buzz of Chania.
Islet of Gavdos
Gavdos is a triangular island that is the southernmost tip of Europe, being south of Crete and closer to Africa than to Athens. Gavdos is usually reached by boat from the ports of Paleochora or Sfakia. This is supposedly the island in Greek mythology where Calypso held Odysseus captive for 7 years. Nowadays, only 100 permanent residents live there. It is a haven for naturalists, migratory birds, and Caretta-Caretta turtles. The lighthouse, which also has a cafe and museum, is a popular site for tourists.
Vreiko Cave
Vreiko Cave is located close to the small town of Pefki in the southwest area of Crete. There are a number of caves on the island of Crete, and Vreiko Cave is one of the most unique. There are a set of steps at the entrance, which are marked by a fig tree. Once inside, you will see the impressive stalactites and stalagmites and can even swim at the small lake near the back of the cave. When leaving, you can watch the sunset as the sun goes down over the Libyan Sea.
