Looking to take your kids out of school for a couple of weeks so that they can discover the joys of exploring the Mediterranean?
Crete is known as being the most famous destination in Greece, but also the largest of its islands. Moreover, this beautiful land is the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean and it features stunning beaches and mountains. To be mentioned that during the Bronze Age, Crete served as home to the Minoan civilization, known as being the first advanced European civilization. This means that Crete has to offer many historical attractions, like Minoan ruins and other remains of Ancient Greece, the Ottoman period or the Venetian era. Here are three incredible attractions to visit in Crete.
You have pinned down the island of Crete as your desired destination, yet you have no idea about how to keep the kids interested and engaged. Fortunately, Crete is a diverse place with many things that are child-friendly and family appropriate.
In the article below, we detail three excellent activities that will have the kids raving about their wintertime Crete vacation to their classmates when you return home.
Exploring the Old Town of Chania
Having been inhabited by civilizations for thousands of years prior to your visit, there is a rich abundance of cultural capital contained within the cities, towns, and villages of Crete. No place on the island illustrates this better than Chania. Walk the winding streets of this old-world community, admiring the multi-colored townhouses and shops, and don’t hesitate to stop by a local bakery or café to snag some fresh out of the oven treats for everybody. Don’t be so hesitant – you’re on vacation, after all!
Chania Old Venetian Harbor
Chania Old Venetian Harbor was built by the Venetians between the years 1320 and 1356. This place was considered to be an important trade center until the early 20th century. The port was abandoned in favor of Souda’s harbor because it could not accommodate larger ships. These days, Chania Old Venetian Harbor is still used by yachts and smaller boats, but most people are coming here to enjoy a nice evening at bars or restaurants. Moreover, one of the main attractions here is the lighthouse, which was built by the Venetians around 1595.
Aquaworld Aquarium, Hersonissos
Consisting mostly of local, rescued marine life from the local area, the Aquaworld Aquarium in Hersonissos offers your children a chance to interact with the creatures that they may have only read about to this point in their lives. Providing them with a safe environment in which to heal before being released back into the wild, this facility grants your kids a chance to learn about our responsibility to manage and take care of the life that exists in our oceans. Animals that can be found at this facility include a Burmese Sea Snake, manta rays, sea turtles, and various other fish and reptiles.
See One Of Crete’s Many Caves
With 3,000 caves to be explored throughout the island of Crete, there is no shortage of subterranean caverns to explore with your family. Among them, we would recommend the cave where St. Paul (one of the disciples of Jesus Christ) lived while waiting for bad weather to pass over 2,000 years ago in the southwestern corner of the island, as well as the cave of Milatos, where villagers fled and hid from Ottoman Turk forces during an invasion of their home in 1823.
Botanical Park Of Crete
Containing a wide variety of tropical and subtropical fruit trees, flowers, and other fascinating plants, the Botanical Park of Crete is an excellent way to introduce your children to plant life that is endemic in Crete. These stands of aromatic plants also attract an array of butterflies, and various songbirds as well, making it a pleasant place to visit on your family travels.
Lychnostatis Open Air Museum
A private collection containing elements of Cretan folklore, culture, and its environment, this place offers a thorough retrospective of the history of Crete. Enjoy exhibits that show off artifacts such as an olive press, pieces of folk art, and unique stones and minerals from around the island.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is located on the beautiful Mirabello Bay, in eastern Crete. This beautiful place offers visitors a mix between the modern and the traditional. Agios Nikolaos is a medium-size port town with stunning views and other beautiful attractions. Moreover, the town’s Lake Voulismeni homes some charming boutiques and small cafes, which are perfect places for relaxation. To be added that legends claim that this beautiful lake is bottomless, making it one of the most popular destinations in Crete.
Palace of Knossos
The Palace of Knossos is probably the most visited attraction in Crete. This beautiful place is situated approximately 5 km south of Heraklion. The Palace of Knossos is also the best known Minoan site in Crete and it is associated with the legend of the Athenian hero, Theseus. This stunning place was built sometime between 1700 and 1400 BC, featuring numerous rooms, including the Throne Room.
Crete is without a doubt the most important and famous attraction in Greece. This place is visited by millions of people every year. While the Mediterranean Sea maybe a touch too cold to swim in during the winter months, there are still many things that can be done with your family during a vacation at this time of year. When it comes to accommodations be sure to look into the countless holiday villas and apartments that would suit your family’s needs. From fascinating historical sites to encounter with adorable sea creatures, this is the kind of winter break that both you and your children need to make it through to next Spring with your sanity intact.What is your favorite attraction in Greece?