Last Updated: January 3, 2024
There are many things that had a lasting impression on me during our recent visit to Crete. The landscape, the food, the beaches, the people; everything brought back memories from my childhood. One of the fondest memories that I have, however, is from our visit to its most picturesque village; Kritsa, Crete.
Growing up in Crete, I took the island for granted. I thought that only the beaches deserved my attention and I didn’t appreciate the beauty in anything else; Kritsa, Crete being one of them. It took me 10 years living abroad to admit just how wrong I was.
This time, I decided to explore the island as a tourist. I wanted to see why everyone who visited Crete was falling head over heels in love with it.
READ ALSO: Arolithos Village: A Must-Visit Destination in Crete for Authentic Culture
I have written extensive articles here and here, about my experience in Crete. The first article is a detailed guide on one of the most popular destinations on the island. The second one is dedicated to a hidden gem and one of the most underrated places in Crete. Speaking of hidden gems, I felt compelled to share with you why Kritsa Crete deserves a place on your list of the must-see places on the island.
If you’re wondering what makes Kritsa, Crete so unique, continue reading.
HOW TO GET TO KRITSA CRETE
Kritsa Crete is located only 15’ from Agios Nikolaos and roughly an hour from Heraklion. The road is in good condition and it usually has no traffic so the drive is quite pleasant. As you drive to Kritsa, you’ll pass a few villages but they don’t offer something interesting worth your time; just continue driving until you arrive in Kritsa.
Past the entrance of the village, keep an eye on your right-hand side for the parking sign. There is a dedicated parking lot for visitors, which is free of charge. It has plenty of space so no need to worry about that. The closer you get to the center of the village, the narrower the streets get. That makes parking space very scarce, so I would strongly suggest that you use the parking lot instead.
WHAT TO SEE IN KRITSA CRETE
Once you park, continue on foot towards the center of the village. Kritsa at first glance looks like any other Greek village. Trust me, as soon as you enter its cobblestone alleys, your perception of the village will instantly change.
READ ALSO: ZAROS, CRETE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AND THINGS TO DO
So, what to see in Kritsa, Crete?
A visit to Kritsa, Crete is more about exploring its picture-perfect streets and taking in the village life rather than ticking attractions off your list. Take your time to explore it. Stop every so often to talk to the locals, check out the shops that sell local products, and enjoy a traditional Greek coffee at the kafeneio. Whilst most popular places on the island are bustling with people, life in Kritsa slows down.
Here are the top things to do in Kritsa Crete.
Check out the stores that sell local produce
Crete is well known for its local products such as olive oil, honey, wine & raki to name a few. In Kritsa, Crete you’ll find a few stores selling these products which are produced locally. You can support the local community and enjoy bio products of the best quality.
Be sure to check out the Women of Association of Kritsa store for local handmade delicacies.
Admire the beautiful architecture
One thing that surprised me the most about Kritsa, Crete was the Cycladic architecture of some of its buildings. There is a part of the village, somewhere tacked in its narrow alleys, that feels as if you’ve teleported to a Cycladic island. The white-washed houses are reminiscent of those seen on islands such as Santorini or Mykonos. The vibrant pink bougainvilleas only add up to the already irresistible charm of the village. This part of the village looks straight out of a postcard!
TIP: This part of the village is located on the mountainside (on an uphill), past the Museum Rodanthi.
Indulge in the local cuisine
Once you’ve finished exploring the village, pick a local taverna and enjoy a few delicious Greek mezes and local wine. Take this time to relax and simply enjoy the now. You don’t know what to order? I’ve got that covered for you here.
WHERE TO EAT IN KRITSA CRETE
Kritsa, Crete is a small village and as such, the options of good places to eat are rather limited. Having said that, I did my research (a.k.a asked my Cretan friends) and these are the 3 top places that they recommended.
- Agadiko – this is where we ate and we absolutely LOVED the food. Be sure to try out the homemade ntolmadakia (YUM!)
- Platanos – traditional Cretan taverna with very charming decor. It serves mouth-watering food and most of the dishes are homemade.
- Aristidis Cafe – although the name implies that this is a coffee shop. They serve yummy food too!
IS KRITSA CRETE WORTH VISITING?
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, my visit to Kritsa, Crete was one of the highlights of my trip to the island. I honestly can’t recommend it enough! It is an off-the-beaten-path destination that definitely deserves your attention. If you’re wondering what the life of the locals looks like, away from the saturated popular destinations, then Kritsa, Crete will steal your heart.
If you’re looking to explore more of Crete’s uncharted territories, then you might wanna check out this tour.
The best way to get around Crete is by car. The island has numerous awesome places to explore which unfortunately are not accessible by public transportation. By renting a car, you’ll make the most of your days on the island. What’s more, you’ll get the chance to see unique places otherwise inaccessible.
We rented our car from Monza and our experience was great! We rented a small car but upon collection, they offered us an upgrade to a better and larger car. The communication was great and the whole experience was seamless.
