The Minoan Palace at Knossos, Crete, Greece by Sonja Pieper

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and it is set within the Mediterranean Sea, just south of the Peloponnese. It is arguably one of the most beautiful Greek islands and it is well known for its beautiful beaches and seascapes. The geography here offers everything from coastal plains to busy cities to rugged mountains. The island is bathed in sunshine all year round and you are sure to enjoy great weather during your visit.

Whether you are visit on your honeymoon, anniversary, or just for fun, there are plenty of romantic things for you and your partner to enjoy on the island of Crete. Here are some ideas of fun activities to get you started:

The Minoan Palace at Knossos

This beautiful ancient palace is one of the most popular attractions on the island of Crete and you and your sweetheart will want to spend at least a full day exploring it. The palace was originally built in 2000BC but was destroyed in an earthquake 300 years later. It was built even larger, then destroyed again in 1450BC, likely by an eruption of a volcano on Santorini which caused a huge tidal wave. The palace once had over 1,200 rooms and many of them have been recreated to depict how grand and beautiful they would have looked. It is a truly stunning place to walk around with your special someone.

Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece by Ben Ellis

Samaria Gorge

Taking a long walk with your partner can be a great opportunity to enjoy some time together and engage in deep conversation to get to know each other even better. It’s even nicer when you are surrounded by gorgeous scenery!

Walking along the Samaria Gorge is one of the best hiking routes in Crete, as it is the longest gorge in all of Europe. The scenery is spectacular along the 11 mile path and it can be managed by any reasonably fit hiker. You will have a great sense of achievement at the end when you reach the Libyan Sea after hiking all the way from the White Mountains.

The Beaches

Lying in the sun, feeling your toes sink into the soft sand and gazing into your partner’s eyes… what could be more relaxing? There are miles and miles of gorgeous sandy beaches on the island of Crete and the weather is sure to be warm and sunny.

At the beach, Rethymnon Beach, Crete, Greece by jechstra

If you are looking for a quiet and peaceful beach, head to Rethymnon Beach, Aghios, or Nikolaos Beach. These spots offer a laid back atmosphere with a few cute shops and restaurants along the pretty harbour. In the harbour at Rethymnon, you will be able to enjoy live music while you relax in the warm sea breezes. If you are looking for more of a party beach, head to Malia Beach which is a popular hotspot for young tourists and has plenty of exciting bars.

These are just a few of the romantic activities that you can enjoy on the island of Crete. Of course, simply being on this island is romantic, as you soak up the warm sunshine and the laid back pace of Greek life. Taking the time to spend a holiday together can be a great way to rekindle your romance and put the spark back into your relationship.

An all inclusive holiday in Crete can be a great way to spend quality time with your special someone in a beautiful sunny setting.

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Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece by Simon

The Samaria Gorge is located entirely within the Samaria National Park, which was developed in order to protect the beauty of the region as well as the plant and animal life that color home. There are actually a number of unique species of flora and fauna that can be found within the gorge itself that are in danger. In all, there are more than 450 different plant species that can be found within the Samaria Gorge.

When it comes to the animals that call the Samaria Gorge home, the most popularly seen inhabitants of the region is that of the wild goats that are most commonly referred to as agrimia locally. These wild goats are endemic to the island of Crete and it is not uncommon to see them throughout the region and even in the villages.

It was back in 1962 when the Samaria Gorge region was established as a national park. When the park was established, certain rules were put into place in order to protect the flora and fauna for future generations. One of these rules is that you are not allowed to pick any flowers or plants from within the park boundaries. At the same time, no one was allowed to live within the park boundaries, so the inhabitants of the Samaria Village were relocated. The village is still visible today within the park, and stand as the residence of the guards and other park staff.

Samaria Gorge, Crete, Greece by James Preston

For anyone who chooses to walk the distance, you will need to start at the village of Xyloskalo and purchase a ticket. A map of the walking path is illustrated on the backside the ticket, but it is not really needed on account of the steady stream of tourist that are making their way down to the coast. Just make sure that you bring a very good pair of hiking boots because it is a long journey to the other end of the gorge.

When you finally reach the end of the Samaria Gorge, you will need to present your ticket once again. Park officials do this to make sure that nobody gets left inside the park overnight. And while this is done for the safety of all people visiting the region, it does tend to slow down the last three kilometers of the hike to the beach.

You will need to make sure that you have plenty of sunscreen because there is no shade from the early afternoon sun. But it is all worthwhile as you step out of Samaria Gorge into the seaside village of Agia Roumeli; and soon you will be resting along the white sand beaches of the shoreline.

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