11 Offbeat Activities in Crete for an Unforgettable Vacation

Crete is synonymous with great food, amazing beaches, the Cretan lyra and, of course, raki. And while museums and archaeological sites might be enough to understand the history of Crete, it is local customs that hold the key to truly discovering the island. While on the island, join a raki distillation feast, swim besides thousands of palm trees and learn how to work a traditional wooden loom.

Spend an unforgettable night at one of the many places in Heraklion city offering traditional food, paired with raki and live music until the early hours. Listen to musicians play the Cretan lyra, while locals perform traditional Cretan dances. “Renowned musicians invite the younger ones on stage to perform together, and soon everyone is part of one big group of happy people,” says local lyra musician Marinos Giantsidis. Get a taste of an authentic Cretan fiesta at Palaiino or Idiomelo.

Knives are a symbol of Cretan pride, highly intertwined with the island’s rich heritage. But few Cretans still practise the craft of knife-making the old-fashioned way. Mihalis Pahticos is one of the experts, bringing tradition to life through his crucible. Visit Armenis, his workshop and store in Chania city (Sifaka 14), to watch him make a knife from scratch. “Each knife is not only functional but also has its own personality,” he says. “No two knives look alike – they’re handmade, thus unique.”

About 20km (12mi) east of Sitia town lies Vai, a magnificent beach of white sand and turquoise waters, surrounded by palm trees – a landscape quite uncommon for a Greek island. Boasting 5,000 Cretan palm trees (Phoenix theophrasti) and stretching across a wide valley, Vai forms the largest palm grove in Europe. Relax under an umbrella, grab a bite to eat or wander through the lush forest to take in the idyllic scenery.

If you thought weaving on a loom was a dead art, this sustainable fashion brand will prove you wrong. Klotho, founded in Crete in 2016 by designer Alexandra Theohari, presents contemporary items, all handmade on the loom. Pass by the studio and showroom to check out the collections, or take part in Klotho’s weaving workshops. As Alexandra says: “The wooden loom uses a very old technique, but gives you the opportunity to create modern pieces, solely relying on the weaver’s dexterity and imagination.”

In 1982, Irish musician Ross Daly founded Labyrinth, a creative space exploring music traditions from around the world. It has since become the beating heart of Crete’s music scene, organising a host of seminars and concerts. “We focus on traditions related to tropical music coming from the Mediterranean and all the way to Asia Minor, Middle East, Persia and India,” says events organiser Stella Vassilaki. Take part in an instrument-centric or voice workshop, and catch one of the gigs every Friday in the summer.

A seaside village in southern Crete was once an epicentre of the hippie movement. During the 60s, hippies and tourists gathered in the caves of Matala village, where they spent weeks, months, some of them even years, following an all-natural lifestyle filled with music, fishing, painting and meditation. Under those same principles, the area now holds Matala Beach Festival every summer, hosting live performances and artistic activities, inviting everyone to experience the same hippy freedom on the beach they experienced 60 years ago.