Crete, Greece Travel Community

Favorite Museums on the Island of Crete

1 - 3 of 3 Posts
T

toniiv

Active member
I love Crete - the history in particular fascinates me. I thought I'd share my favorite museums to visit. I am not usually a museum person, but these are interesting to me.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

If you want to delve deep into Crete's ancient history, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum should be your first stop. This museum houses one of the most impressive collections of Minoan artifacts in the world, including pottery, jewelry, frescoes, and statues. I love learning about the Minoans!

Nikos Kazantzakis Museum

The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is dedicated to the life and works of the famous Cretan writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis. The museum is located in the village of Myrtia, where Kazantzakis was born and raised. This one is a quick one to go through, but is super interesting.

Historical Museum of Crete

The Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion offers a comprehensive view of the island's history and culture from the early Christian era to the present day. The museum has exhibits on ancient and medieval Crete, the Cretan Renaissance, and the island's role in the Greek Revolution. The history of this island is pretty rich!
 
toniiv said:
I love Crete - the history in particular fascinates me. I thought I'd share my favorite museums to visit. I am not usually a museum person, but these are interesting to me.

Heraklion Archaeological Museum

If you want to delve deep into Crete's ancient history, the Heraklion Archaeological Museum should be your first stop. This museum houses one of the most impressive collections of Minoan artifacts in the world, including pottery, jewelry, frescoes, and statues. I love learning about the Minoans!

Nikos Kazantzakis Museum

The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is dedicated to the life and works of the famous Cretan writer and philosopher Nikos Kazantzakis. The museum is located in the village of Myrtia, where Kazantzakis was born and raised. This one is a quick one to go through, but is super interesting.

Historical Museum of Crete

The Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion offers a comprehensive view of the island's history and culture from the early Christian era to the present day. The museum has exhibits on ancient and medieval Crete, the Cretan Renaissance, and the island's role in the Greek Revolution. The history of this island is pretty rich!
Click to expand...
Of these I have only seen the the Archaeological Museum and its well worth it! I went to Knossos first, and then found out there that most of the artifacts were in the Archaeological Museum. It was beyond fascinating. I spent the most time at the jewelry. I would wear most of that jewelry. I took a ton of photos and still can't get over it.
 
k_tsoukalas said:
Of these I have only seen the the Archaeological Museum and its well worth it! I went to Knossos first, and then found out there that most of the artifacts were in the Archaeological Museum. It was beyond fascinating. I spent the most time at the jewelry. I would wear most of that jewelry. I took a ton of photos and still can't get over it.
Click to expand...
The jewelry in Ancient Greece has always fascinated me, as well! I totally agree.
 
1 - 3 of 3 Posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION AND READ OTHER GREEK INFO:

Visiting East Crete vs. West Crete?

I'm thinking about visiting Crete soon, but I'm having trouble deciding whether to focus on East Crete or West Crete. Most of the travel guides seem to highlight places like Chania, Balos, and Elafonissi in the west, which all look beautiful. At the same time, I've heard that the eastern side has a different feel, with fewer crowds, beautiful beaches, and a more relaxed pace.

For those who have explored both parts of the island, what did you find were the biggest differences? Is one side better for traditional villages, local food, and authentic experiences? How do the beaches compare? I'm also curious about scenery, hiking opportunities, and whether one side is easier to use as a base for day trips.

If you only had about a week in Crete, would you choose the east or the west? I'd love to hear what influenced your decision and whether you'd make the same choice again.

How much can you realistically see in Heraklion during a six-hour cruise stop?

I'm looking at a cruise that I might take next year, and one of the stops is Heraklion, Crete. I've never been there before, so I'm starting to research what there is to see and do. It looks like there are quite a few interesting options, but I'm wondering how much is realistic with only about six hours in port.

I'd love to visit the Palace of Knossos, but I'm also interested in exploring Heraklion itself, especially the Venetian Harbor, local shops, and maybe stopping somewhere for a traditional Cretan meal.

For anyone who has visited Heraklion on a cruise, how much were you able to fit into your day? Is it possible to see Knossos and still have time to explore the city, or would that feel too rushed?

I'm also wondering how much time to allow for transportation and getting back to the ship. Any advice would be appreciated!

How Many Days Do You Really Need in Crete?

I'm considering spending a few weeks in Greece this October, and I'm trying to decide how much of that time I should devote to Crete. I've never really explored the island properly, and the more I look into it, the more I realize how much there is to see.

Would you spend two or even three weeks just exploring Crete, or would that feel like too much time? I'm also considering dividing the trip between Crete, Athens, and perhaps another island.

Since it will be October, I'm wondering if staying longer in Crete might make sense rather than moving around too much, especially as the season winds down on some islands.

For those who know Crete well, how many days would you recommend to experience it without rushing? And if you had a few weeks in Greece in October, how would you divide your time?

Understanding Tradition of Raki on Crete

I’ve been hearing a lot about raki in Crete, and a friend of mine recently warned me that it’s kind of a big deal there. She told me she made the mistake of treating it like regular shotsa nd ended up getting pretty sick.

What she noticed afterward was that the locals weren’t drinking it that way at all. It seemed much more relaxed and tied to the meal or conversation, not something you rush through.

Now I’m curious what the actual tradition or etiquette is around raki. Is it always offered after a meal? Do you sip it slowly? Are there certain situations where it’s expected to accept (or not)?

I’d love to understand the cultural side of it before I go, so I don’t accidentally overdo it or miss the point entirely like my friend did!

Best "Home Base" on Crete?

I’m in the early planning stages for a trip to Crete and could really use some perspective from people who know the island well. I’m thinking of spending about two weeks there and trying to decide whether it makes sense to choose one central “home base” or to divide my time between a few different locations.

Crete seems so large and varied that part of me wonders if staying in one place would mean a lot of long drives, while another part likes the idea of settling in, getting to know one area well, and not constantly packing up. I’m especially curious about places that work well as a base for day trips—somewhere with good food, easy access to beaches or hikes, and a town atmosphere rather than just resorts.

If you’ve done a longer stay on Crete, how did you structure it? Did you stay put or move around, and would you do the same again?
Share and discuss your Crete photos, questions and experiences!

WorldwideGreeks.com is a free online forum community where people can discuss Greek food, travel, traditions, history and mythology.
Join Worldwide Greeks here!

JOIN COMMUNITY FOR FREE

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT
Back
Top