Are you looking for a destination to visit during the upcoming winter? Then Crete is one of the best destinations available to consider. Crete has become a paradise among traveling families due to the unique experiences offered. There is something for everyone in Crete as well. Therefore, you will be able to keep yourself fully packed throughout the winter holiday.
Before you visit Crete, it is important to have a clear understanding about your tour itinerary. Then you will be able to stay organized before you go. Otherwise, you can easily get overwhelmed with the different activities that are available for you to try out. To make the life easy for you, we did a research on the best activities to do in Crete during winter. Here is a list of 5 of the most prominent activities out of them. Any person visiting Crete will be able to engage with these activities.
1. Go for a hike in Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge can be considered as one of the most popular destinations that you can find in Samaria Gorge. Therefore, you can think about visiting there during the time you spend. You don’t need to go through a lot of hassle to visit Samaria Gorge. That’s because you will be able to rent out a car from Rental Center Crete and get there.
Winter is the best season of the year for you to go ahead with this hike, due to the unique experience offered. The Samaria Gorge trail is 18km long. It is identified as the longest gorge that you can find in entire European region. Your hike would start at Xyloskalo, which is located over 1,200m above sea level. The hike will end from one of the seaside villages named Agia Roumeli. For the entire journey, you will be spending in between 4 to 8 hours. Therefore, you can allocate one full day for the Samaria Gorge hike. If you walk at a steady pace, you will be able to complete the hike in 6 hours. However, you will come across the need to stop throughout the journey to take photos and to rest.
Before you come for Samaria Gorge, you are encouraged to bring some snacks. In addition, you need to wear sunblock and soft sneakers. This will provide you with the chance to complete the hike without any hassle or frustration. You will also be provided with the chance to relax on the fascinating beach, which you can see in Agia Roumeli.
2. Go on a mini trip to Mountainous Hinterland
Winter is the best time of the year available for people who visit Crete to explore the unique landscapes that can be found in hinterland. To get that experience, all you need to do is to go on a mini trip to Mountainous Hinterland. When you end your mini trip, you will be able to notice a large number of taverns. You just need to head into one of the taverns and enjoy genuine cuisine, which is inherent to Crete.
You can enjoy the cuisine while sitting beside a fireplace. In the meantime, you can take a look at the snowy mountains, which provide a fascinating experience. You will be amazed with the experience that Mountainous Hinterland can provide to you.
3. Witness Kazanemata
Kazanemata can simply be defined as the distillation of Raki, within the traditional cauldrons found in Crete. This is one of the unique experiences that you can witness while you spend your winter vacations in Crete. The person who distills Raki would go ahead and invite his relatives and friends to take part in the event and witness it.
The company would enjoy the traditional drink. For that, they would sit around cauldron. You can find plenty of people drinking, eating, dancing and singing around the cauldron. They do it until the dawn. Therefore, you will be able to experience a unique tradition here in Crete, which you cannot find anywhere else in the world. You will absolutely love this experience.
4. Explore Minoan Palace in Knossos
Minoan Palace in Knossos is one of the historical landmarks that you should visit during the time you spend in Crete. This journey will provide you with the opportunity to travel back in time. This is an archeological site that you can find in the region. You will be able to walk back home with a bunch of exciting memories and gained knowledge. The Minoan Palace in Knossos is located in close proximity to Heraklion. This is identified as the most prominent archeological finding in the region. In fact, Minoan Palace in Knossos is connected with some of the greatest legends that existed in ancient Greece.
You will be able to explore Minoan Palace in Knossos on your own or you can seek the assistance of a tour guide.
5. Visit the fascinating beaches
You can also visit the fascinating virgin beaches that are available in Crete. They will provide a unique experience to you during the winter season. You will be able to discover more than 500 beaches in Crete. During the winter season, almost all those beaches are empty. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy your own freedom in the beaches.
The seas are usually calm. That’s because the summer winds have abated during the winter season. This can provide you with the chance to enjoy a great swim. The water temperature would be moderate and you will not come across any discomfort when swimming. You can visit the beach for sunbathing or to play games with your loved family members. In addition, you will be able to take part in the winter water sports, which are organized in the region.