Historic Walking Areas • Geologic Formations
Top Parks & Nature Attractions in Crete, Greece
Nature & Parks in Crete
- Traveler favoritesThings to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
- Traveler rankingHighest rated attractions on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
Category types
Nature & Parks
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334 places sorted by traveler favorites
Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Marinas • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Beaches
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Showing results 1-30 of 334
What travelers are saying
- Dean NelsonNewcastle upon Tyne, UK230 contributionsWalked the gorge with a group of friends and all I can say is wow! The views are stunning and it isn’t too hard on the old legs. Even a place half way to stop for some refreshing drinks.Written June 4, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Gary LSurrey, Canada42 contributionsWalking around the old harbour is great. Very busy with tourists, but filled with shopping, restaurants and historical buildings. Loved itWritten June 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- wayneoldGolcar, UK13 contributionsGreat place to visit, the owners and staff are really friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell they care for all the reptiles and sea life they have.Written June 26, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- monicabOslo, Norway139 contributionsAmazing view, the sea was clear blu/green.
It’s a virgin beach so there’s nothing there that reminds of a regular beach.
Wish it was less crowded, but we were not the only ones wanting to experience the lagoon 😅
Rocky, so bring bathing shoesWritten June 21, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Kuba2 contributionsElafonisi was a final destination of our one day trip, we spent almost 4 hours there. Beach is incredibly beautiful, with astonishing lagoon crowded with people. There are lots of sunbeds there too
We preferred to go all the way up and enjoy the Libian sea. Beautiful views, crystal clear water and fewer people.Written June 24, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Julie44 contributionsFantastic scenic drive! And lunch with a View. Wonderful setting and food to match. Fabulous drive up the scenic Theriso Gorge and continuing up the dramatic mountain road passing the stunning flowering trees. We arrived at the top at the village Zouvra..stopped ourside Emilia's Taverna by chance and had the perfect lunch there. The waitress was so attentive and service professional. The home-cooked comfort food was delicious, we enjoyed dakos, cha grilled lamb chops and a courgette, potato dauphinoise, the stand-out dish of the day.Written June 26, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- smayfNottingham, UK226 contributionsReally nice beach, parking nearby, Sun loungers and umbrella a little steep at €10 but the beach is beautiful. The sea was like a warm bath in June and you can walk out quite far,
Lifeguard is on duty, people walking around selling donuts and fruits. There’s a grot van that parks up and serves lunch for those not wanting to walk up to the taverna, which is also really nice.
There’s showers, toilet cubicles and bins. People were litter picking and taking care of the beach, it seems lots of locals like to use this spot also.Written June 18, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - singhasamWeymouth, UK3,401 contributionsTODAY it is a "must see" for hordes of tourists, but at one time Spinalonga was a "must stay" for lepers.
A visit to this little island can follow the development of its use from the first arrival of lepers in primitive conditions to the point where they had set up shops, a school, administration and were growing much of their own food.
Arrival is by boat and we were soon winding our way down narrow streets full of ruined buildings, those in the process of being restored or those which had been fully restored.
One colourful section has doors painted all different colours while some of the rooms come complete with information boards about what purpose that particular building served.
You can take your time and be selective but, depending on what limits your tour has, we found it was a good idea to set out on a circular walk round the perimeter of the entire island.
This allowed us to get an initial impression of the most interesting streets before swinging up and round fortifications with stunning sea views before winding up back where we started so we could enjoy a more leisurely look at the most interesting streets.
Some of the paths are rough and ready, but we saw families pushing toddlers in push chairs as well as elderly people with sticks making their way round, so conditions need care but can be coped with.
Toilets and refreshments are available at a small taverna.
The overall impression we got was one of adversity coped with. The lepers made the best of their situation, something the Greek authorities also seem to be doing with a whole series of restoration and preservation projects under way to look after this important site illustrating a way of life we no longer see.
We could imagine what it must have been like since detailed available information talked of family being allowed to visit residents, what they did, what they brought with them, how they tried to help.
This is a very touching site. Those visiting it among mass tourism should not lose sight of exactly what is represented here -- a time when lepers were removed from a horrified society and effectively locked away on this island.
A very worthwhile trip both from a historical and a humanitarian point of view since displays also chronicle the advances made to deal with leprosy.Written June 23, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - PeteNorthWestUKThornton Cleveleys, UK126 contributionsYou are currently not allowed on to Chrissi island due to the suspected damage tourism has caused there.
We went on a boat trip with Archagelos cruises for a look at the island anyway and had a good day.
The boat takes 30 minutes to cross to the island and stops in various bays where you can swim in the clear waters and snorkel. The food was excellent as were the staff on board.Written May 12, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Andrew ALondon, UK154 contributionsThere are two, the small Triopetra and the large one which are separated by rocky hill !! Triopetra is given the name because there are 3 (trio) rocks (petra) on the water between the two beaches and you can walk on them....carefully !!Written May 5, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- Arthur LevchenkoRehovot, Israel33 contributionsWe drove two hours from the Chania area to the secluded beach, on the beach we discovered spectacular views and a beach that can only be seen in the movies. I recommend to anyone who has come to visit Crete to make for themselves and friends a trip to this spectacular beach. In the tourist season the beach is busy but on less touristy dates it is a dizzying experience!
** Extra bonus ** The beach is a nudist beach so if you are into the matter of tanning like on your birthday it is well worth a trip.Written December 12, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Nicol JNorth Yorkshire, UK4 contributionsA nice beach for all.
Sun loungers available with local bars and restaurants all along the front. Water sports hire available.Written June 9, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Family 07671 contributionsWe were told not to miss the lake which is not a lake now.Its a lovely place for dining people watching and for just strolling round.Written June 21, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
- phat_dawg_21Alpharetta, GA12,262 contributionsWe liked this beach and spent a full day there. It was wide and flat, with nice sand. We settled into rented lounges and enjoyed ourselves.
There are several taverns on the beach for lunch and snacks.Written November 4, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. - Akemi TTokyo, Japan4 contributionsIt's a nice and quiet beach, but i wouldn't say that it has something special to see here. If you want to relax, then it is a good choice. Keep in mind, that there are many beaches in Crete that are more beautiful than this one.Written January 18, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crete
- These experiences are best for nature & parks in Crete:
- Samaria Gorge Hiking from Chania
- Half-Day Rethymno Quad Safari
- Zeus Cave & Lassithi Plateau (Safari Adventure Offroad Excursion)
- Full-Day Land Rover Safari from Heraklion with Lunch
- Balos Lagoon & Falassarna Beach - Semi Private Jeep Tour with Lunch
- These places are best for nature & parks in Crete:
- Imbros Gorge
- Old Venetian Harbor
- Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre
- Balos Lagoon
- Elafonissi Beach
- These are the best places for kid-friendly nature & parks in Crete:See more nature & parks for kids in Crete on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for couples seeking nature & parks in Crete:
- Elafonissi Beach
- Buggy Safari Motoxperience
- Mazida Ammos Beach
- Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
- Glika Nera Beach
- These are the best places for groups seeking nature & parks in Crete:
- Elafonissi Beach
- Buggy Safari Motoxperience
- Reptisland
- Mazida Ammos Beach
- Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
- These are the best places for budget-friendly nature & parks in Crete:See more budget-friendly nature & parks in Crete on Tripadvisor
- These are the most romantic places for nature & parks in Crete:
- Elafonissi Beach
- Buggy Safari Motoxperience
- Mazida Ammos Beach
- Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
- Old Venetian Harbor
- These are the best hidden gems for nature & parks in Crete:
- Buggy Safari Motoxperience
- Reptisland
- Mazida Ammos Beach
- Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
- Glika Nera Beach
- These are the best places for adventurous nature & parks in Crete:
- Buggy Safari Motoxperience
- Reptisland
- Aquaworld Aquarium & Reptile Rescue Centre
- The Gorge of Aradena
- St. Anthony Gorge (Gorge of Patsos)
- These are the best places for adrenaline seekers looking for nature & parks in Crete:
- Buggy Safari Motoxperience
- Reptisland
- Glika Nera Beach
- The Gorge of Aradena
- St. Anthony Gorge (Gorge of Patsos)