Eastern Crete is far less frequented by mass tourism — more traditional, more “wild”, and in many ways the most authentic part of the island. Here, peace, natural beauty and well preserved Cretan traditions set the tone. And yet, just like the rest of Crete, its eastern tip offers remarkable beaches, archaeological sites from the Minoan era and later periods, monasteries, gorges and traditional villages… Siga siga… This region is home to unique places you simply cannot miss while travelling or relaxing in eastern Crete:
- Spinalonga Island – a place with many faces: once a Venetian fortress, later a Turkish port, and eventually the infamous island of the lepers.
- Kato Zakros – once a Minoan palace, today an archaeological site and a charming fishing village with intimate tavernas. For long‑distance walkers: the dramatic Gorge of the Dead leading straight to the ruins.
- Vai Beach – the island’s only natural palm beach with white sand, located near the archaeological sites of Itanos and Paleokastro.
- Toplou Monastery – a place where the history of courage and the fight for freedom has been written for centuries. Today: impressive historic buildings, a museum and a winery.
- The port town of Sitia – cosy cafés and tavernas along the bay, a regional archaeological museum, a small sea‑lake inhabited by cormorants and swans, and the Venetian fortress of Kazarma.
- Makrygialos – now a popular port town with atmospheric tavernas by the Libyan Sea, hiding the ruins of a Minoan villa and a Roman house.
All these places — and many lesser known gems — are just a short trip away from Delfini Studio. Curious about our custom designed exploration programs? Let us know — we love crafting unique journeys across Eastern Crete. We invite you to our garden and olive grove, located in the very heart of the eastern Cretan peninsula. We’ll be writing about more unusual and off the beaten path places on our blog. Visit us at www.delfinigreece.com
