Nightlife in Crete

Opus

Elegant and hot wine bar inside the walls of Heraklion's ancient town, hosting all year long creative activities and live music concerts. It provides Mediterranean and Greek cuisine dishes such as lamb chops and fried chicken, completely accompanied by wines from all over Greece.

Plastelina

Located in the core of the tourist Heraklion, Plastelina is commonly renowned for its tasty cocktails, beautiful pop-rock, electro and funky music and its youthful colleagues that generate a lively atmosphere, particularly on Fridays. The bartender is always friendly and ready to recommend a drink according to your preferences.

Cuckoo

Cuckoo is a famous Heraklion town bar with great service, hot atmosphere and good music. It hosts numerous activities to produce a lively environment, but also to encourage local cultural development, from student groups to live concerts and acoustic performances. Unfortunately it's closed during the summer, but you're guaranteed a nice time if you come by during any other moment of the year.

Sinagogi

Housed in a roofless Venetian building on a small lane next to the synagogue, this popular summer-only lounge bar with eclectic decor is a laid-back place to relax and take it all in. After dark it's bathed in a romantic glow while DJs play soft electro and bartenders whip up mojitos and daiquiris.

Beeraki

Well worth the uphill walk to the ancient village of Mavrikiano, this cute drinking den makes a roaring trade in bottled craft beers, quality local wines and expertly prepared cocktails. There is a small menu of elevated pub grub to keep your brain balanced so you can enjoy the panoramic views of the sea just a little longer.MonogramSoak up the sun at a street-side table with music wafting from this hip corner coffee spot. Beans are sourced from around the globe, including Guatemala and Ethiopia, then roasted locally in Iraklio. It also has a large range of teas you'd be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in Greece, and a few tempting cakes.

Babel Cafe Bar

Not only is this intelligent contemporary waterfront cafe-bar a good option for a fast breakfast or snack, it's a excellent place for coffee and gets lively with young locals at night. It has one of the city's most comprehensive beer and cocktail lists, and it's worth swinging just for the incredible views of the bay from its busy patio.

Top Things to do:

Loutro Village – Chania

Loutro Village is a tiny square near the Samaria Gorge. It is renowned for its historic homes, taverns, and ancient churches. You will come across many distinctive stores and lovely views while wandering around the village thanks to the theremarkable landscape around you. One stunning natural wonder you will find here is the towering hills known to ring out gentle bell-like sounds when the wind blows. No cars are permitted here, so you'll have to walk wherever you want to go.

Sfakia Village – Chania

Sfakia Village is one of the most remote places in Crete as it can only be reached by boat. This fishing village is known for being very peaceful and for its rich history and stunning landscapes, like the Lefka Ori Mountains which are considered to be one of the best places to hike in the village. You can walk through the village and see the remaining structures in it, like churches, which survived World War II. You can also stop by one of the many cafes scattered around the village for a cup of coffee or fresh gyros.

Anogia Village – Rethymnon

Located in the mountains, Anogia Village is an interesting place to visit. Known for its rich history, the village is home to a stunning landscape that is filled with winding roadways you can travel down. The village is also home to many farms and shops where you can buy fresh cheese and wine while listening to musicians play traditional Cretan music. You can also stop by one of the many taverns which offer a delicious selection of native foods.

CretAquarium – Heraklion

This aquarium in Crete is a wonderful place to visit if you want to see exotic sea life. You'll discover here stingrays, red scorpionfish, sea turtles, and even a sand tiger shark. Besides looking at these notable sea animals, you will also be able to know more about these species and their contribution to ocean health. Tickets are required to enter and guided tours can be held around the aquarium.

Gavdos Island

Gavdos Island is home to an interesting history as it was once the spot where pirates roamed and shipwrecks occurred. It's known for its beautiful landscape which features pine trees, juniper, and rocky cliffs that extend out to sea.