Hello i was in Lasithi region of crete two weeks ago and while i was on my motorcycle something fell on my face, it was night and i'm afraid it was a bat (didn't see one though). I didnt go to the hospital but i asked the National Health Organization and they said it's cause of concern only if there was a wound ( there was not as far as i could see). Does anyone have any advice or similar experience? I'm losing my mind from panic everything is welcome (sorry for the random post in this thread)

Kalimera! 👋

I'm staying near Chania at the end of September and hope to do a lot of walking if the weather allows! We plan to drive to Hora Sfakion one day. Initially this was to walk Imbros Gorge, however I've now seen the coastal route to Loutro too. It looks amazing.

Does anyone have their favourite hiking here? Did you see a bit of both? It seems a shame to miss the Gorge entirely but we will hopefully have done Samaria by then.

We'll be in Chania next week for our first time in Crete, and we wanted to do a fun nature hike at some point. We're both in good shape and don't mind an all day event, our first thought was to do Samarian Gorge but recently I've been looking into others as well and am trying to gather some opinions. We only have one day budgeted for it so hoping to get some thoughts from this community.

Any opinions on best hike in Crete?

Hello, I have researched several options to get from Chania to the gorge and back. We are driving into Chania in September. The next morning, we want to hike the gorge.

Options: 1) a public tour company 2) public bus from Chania to Omalos (Xyloskalo) , hike, ferry to either Sougia or Chora Sfakion, public bus to Chania 3) drive to Sougia, take a bus from Sougia to Xyloskalo, hike, ferry to Sougia, drive to Chania

Does anyone know if there is food available in Omalos (Xyloskalo)?

Can I buy ferry tickets and public bus tickets in advance?

Thanks for any recommendations

Hi everyone, I have gotten to know 5 very sweet kittens in Agia galini, that are, like many strays, in urgent need of care before tourism breaks in winter. Are there any animal welfare programs that could contact for help?

Hi!😊 I am travelling with friends (so there will be 6 of us) in Crete. We would like to visit Balos beach, our destination will be in Agia Marina. We would like to go there on the 15th of August. Should we chose going there by boat or a rental car?

Anything to watch out for when renting a car from Heraklion airport to Chania and the beaches in the far west?

My wife has problems on her knees so we are looking for an easier alternative for hiking considering we will be based in Chania.

I will be in Chania for two weeks and I would like to know if there are any recommendations for activities, besides visiting the historic center. Considering that we do not have a driver's license, I would be especially interested in being able to get there by public transport and here I also refer to neighboring towns. Also, recommendations for places with good food are welcome, with the mention that we are not looking for fancy places but more for authentic culinary experiences. Thanks!

Perhaps a strange question, but I am interested in partially hiking Samaria. I am not disabled, but have some conditions that cause me pain. Nothing life threatening or anything, I know my limits very well and am responsible about them, but I have heard Samaria is a religious experience and would like to see at least some of it.

I'm planning to hike a quarter or a third of the way and then turn back. I would also plan to hike in October when the weather is hopefully a bit milder.

Could anyone let me know if any of these pictures are in that first quarter or third? I would like very much to experience them, but if they are too far away, then it would be very helpful to know.

Thank you, friends!

This might sound confusing but hear me out. I read about making the beach more magical for kids by bringing big seashells and dropping them sneakily while your child is searching for seashells. I can easily buy natural seashells online but I don’t know if it’s legal to bring them to Crete. Does anyone know or can you tell me where to ask?

Hi All,

Three of us are off to visit Crete in a few weeks - staying near Hersonissos (Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace). We love wildlife - specifically snakes, turtles and other reptiles, but all of it really.

After a bit of research I found reptisland , the petshop which is about an hours drive from the hotel and thought after that we would head to lake Kournas (looks like another hours drive) and get a pedal boat and have a look for turtles, snakes etc ... then get something to eat. We would probably rent a car.

I'm looking for a sanity check and recomendations.

Is that a good idea to rent a car and drive that far? I'm a confident driver - manaed driving all over Florida before, but not in Greece. Can anyone recommend a decent car hire place near the hotel or in general (I assume some deliver).

Has anyone been to reptisland (in Melidoni), is there anything to do there - it looks like the owner lets you hold the snakes.

Is it worth going to lake Kournas - is there much wildlife on show? Any food recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

I am a zoologist who studies reptiles/amphibians in the US. I am soon taking a family trip to Crete and we are staying in Heraklion. We are also doing a single day hike of the Samaria Gorge as well as a day at the Palace of Knossos. I have a few things I'd love to see, so if anyone can point me to a good place to see any of these in Heraklion or Samaria Gorge (or close by Heraklion, we will be walking/using public transport only)

-Balkan Green Lizard -Cretan Wall Lizard -Cretan Frog -Moorish Gecko -Western Caspian Turtle -Any species of snake

Any help is much appreciated! I am looking forward to seeing your beautiful island and only wish I had more time there!

So I am currently in Crete standing on a mountain. It's only 2km to the top but suddenly there are brown fence gates everywhere closing the path. I've seen goats in the distance.

At other places there was a little lock at the pathway so people can still use the path. But here there are none. Can I still take the path? Or not? Will they be mad? Or will a dog attack me that's guarding the goats?

Hello . In a few weeks , Wife and I are staying for 5 nights in Plakias , and oh so excited for it! and I’ve been exploring the region in google maps and I see some nice remote looking trails out there in the wilderness.. I love a good 25km+ long run in the mornings especially on some remote trails and hidden gems .. so this looks perfect and I have all the safety and know how and gear for hours alone in the wilderness .. what good trails do you recommend in driving distance (30mins or so) of Plakias? Are the hikes around the popular gorges and waterfalls long or short hikes? Any good trail apps cover the area I can look Up as well?

Thanks!

Hi, looking for information about spearfishing around Agioi Apostoli beaches. Regulation, nice spots, prohibited areas, any thing in general should be aware.

I've heard there are bioluminescent beaches in Crete, but struggle to find any on Google. Do they even exist? Help appreciated, I'll be in Crete in a couple days :)

I'm gonna be in Crete for the next 4 days and was wondering whether there are any climbing opportunities there, given that I have no gear with me

Anything would work - indoor, or outdoor if theres where to rent gear from. Boulder/lead

Trip is scheduled for the second week of August. We would like to go to on some of the hikes/trails. Any recommendations that are easy for older folks? Thanks!! Update: We are staying in Chania. One to two hour drive time is preferred. We wanted to go to Cave of Diktaion but it’s currently closed?

Hello all, this June I am taking my first trip to Greece! I'll be visiting Athens, Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete! I am a bit odd when it comes to vacations, since my favorite thing to do is hike and view wildlife! I will be staying in Heraklion and will only be using public transportation. If anyone has any good suggestions for places to get my wildlife sight-seeing in, it would be much appreciated!

Hi all, I am looking for fresh water streams. I am from Saudi and I rarely see them. I hope there is in Kriti.....?

Hi! I’m visiting Crete soon and wondering:

1. Is it allowed to swim at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge waterfall, or is it forbidden since it’s a protected area? Some websites say swimming is not allowed.

2. Can you enter the gorge around 8 AM, or is it closed before a certain time?

Would appreciate any info – thanks!

So we are family with young kids (toddler+) staying near Chania later his month with a car

I was wondering if anyone knew what the deal was with sunbeds/ umbrellas or beach clubs (of the chill day variety not the late night raves of the 90s) - specifically any recommendations for young families or if we need to call/book ahead?

We all sunburn pretty easily so im just trying to avoid planning a trip out to a nice beach, getting there and finding out every lounger is already reserved and walking around a lot to find space while carrying the kids etc.
Is it case of just trying to get there super early in the day or do you contact a restaurant and book lunch?

Appreciate we will also have our own umbrella/towels as well - just given the ages of kids its a bit easier renting a lounger (especially if there's a handy cafe nearby!).

Maybe I'm overthinking this and its just parental over planning kicking in - but any advice on how this works or even recomneded places (or places to avoid) for a young family would be really appreciated!

I would love to see some turtles so would love any recommendations please :)