Holiday Ideas

Activites and visits

CYCLING AND HIKING 

One of the best activities to do in crete is hiking or cycling among the beautiful mountains of Crete.


DIVING & SNORKELLING 

Beautiful diving sites, such as bottom with huge rocks, steep reefs for multilevel diving, vertical reefs with deep bottom, a maze of rocks, small caves, can be found in various locations. There you can see the different inhabitants of the Mediterranean underwater world like: sea grass, colourful sponges, various fish, lobsters, sea stars and many more. Snorkelling in Bali Village is a wonderful experience also! 

TENNIS & OTHER SPORTS 

Crete offers a wide variety of tennis courts, mini golf, basketball, mini soccer and many many beach volley locations. Let us know which sport activities your are interested and we would be delighted to recommend you the best locations. 

HORSE RIDING 

Crete offers splendid opportunities for horse-back riding and Zoraïda's Horse-Riding lets you taste the finest! From hourly rides to full equestrian holidays, always an experience and for many the highlight of their holidays. Crete welcomes YOU! 

BOAT TRIPS

Boat rental is available at multiple sites. Hire a boat, make your own adventure, visit an isolated beach, try your luck fishing, explore our beautiful coast line! 

WATER SPORTS 

From scuba diving to snorkeling, windsurfing, water skiing, wake boarding and stand up paddling to canoe, kayak and parasailing activities your choices are endless. Let’s discover one by one the best water sports in Rethymno, Crete and follow the gentle breeze of the summer to the region’s most wondrous beaches.

WATER PARKS

Limnoupolis Water Park in Chania (www. limnoupolis.gr) is ideal for a fun day with your children and friends. Additionally, two more water parks, Acqua Plus (www.acquaplus.gr) and Water City (www.watercity.gr), can be found near Hersonissos area, outside Heraklion, equally good and fun! 

AQUARIUM

Cretaquarium, one of the largest and most modern aquariums in Europe, located in the northwest corner of the former American base at Gournes, in Heraklion is worth visiting. The aquarium was founded as part of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research and it’s totally worth a visit. The Mediterranean sea world, its species and habitats come to life along a spectacular route that takes approximately 2 hours to view in full. Website: www.cretaquarium.gr 

PLACES OF NATURAL BEAUTY 

Dikteon Cave 

This impressive cave is rich in stalactites and stalagmites. According to legend, Zeus was born there and people came to the cave to worship the greatest of Gods. At the lowest point of the cave, there is an impressive lake, with a massive stalactite, known as the Mantle of Zeus. At the back of the lake there is the small chamber where it is believed that Zeus was born. 

Psiloritis Mountain 

Mount Ida, presently known as Psiloritis is the highest mountain on Crete. Located in the Rethymno regional unit, it was sacred to the Greek Titaness Rhea and on its slopes lies one of the caves, Ideon Andron. Interesting features are the plateau of Nida and the forest of Ruva on the east side. The observatory of the University of Crete is located on the secondary peak Skinakas at 1.750m. 

HISTORICAL SITES 

ARKADI MONASTERY 

The beautiful monastery of Arkadi can be found in the foothills of the western Ida (Psiloritis) Mountain. The Cretans consider the monastery as a symbol of freedom from the turks. During the revolt in 1866, hundreds of refugees and Cretan freedom fighters sought sanctuary in the wine store rooms with the monks, where there was also a stash of gunpowder. When the Turks made their way towards their last refuge, the Abbot gave the order to fire the gunpowder. Hundreds of Cretans and Turks were killed; giving real meaning to the battle cry of Crete - “freedom or death”! 

Address: Arkadi village, Rethymno prefecture Tel.: 0030 28310 83135
Website: www.arkadimonastery.gr 

MUSEUMS 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF RETHYMNON 

This Museum houses objects from Geometric, Archaic, Neolithic, Classical, Hellenistic, Minoan and Roman periods found during
the excavations of important ancient cities. Significant is the collection of coins and tools, jewellery, utensils and various everyday objects, offering visitors a great insight into these very important periods.
Address: 4 St. Francis str., Rethymno Old Town Tel.: 0030 28310 27506 

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT 

Margarites 

Famous for the making of handmade ceramic creations, which has been developed by its inhabitants centuries ago. There are lots of local shops where you can buy pretty souvenirs and see the artists in actions, using techniques practised in ancient Knossos. 

Melidoni Caves


In the village of Melidoni you will find the Melidoni Caves, where there is a number of very impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
If you decide to visit the Caves, please wear sturdy shoes, as the ground may be slippery and we suggest you take a torch to enter the chambers.