Crete's Captivating Cities

Our in-house Greece expert, Alexander Oliver has a lifelong connection with - and deep love of - this beautiful, fascinating and varied country. Crete is a particular favourite so in this week's blog he shares some personal insights into the island's two captivating cities, Chania and Heraklion.

"Chania is one of the most picturesque locations of the island. The waterfront presents a crescent moon of arid-coloured Venetian buildings which watch over the bustling cafes and tavernas below. The turquoise waters are within touching distance and teem with shoals of tiny fish. It really is a lovely place to watch the world go by.

"I also love the recent history of the town. Step back a few feet into the alleyways, and you will discover the Etz Hayyim Synagogue. A place of worship for the small Jewish community for generations, it lay abandoned for decades after these families were cruelly removed by German occupation forces. In recent times, Nikos Stavroulakis - who was born to a Greek Orthodox father and a Jewish mother from Istanbul - decided to dedicate himself to the renovation of the abandoned synagogue. In his words, allowing the synagogue to crumble was a victory to the Nazis. This humbly beautiful building is a wonderful place to seek out for quiet reflection and is part of the fantastic patchwork history of Crete.

"Heraklion has much to offer too. Strolling through the old town, a traveller can witness the change of the history of several different rulers in a matter of steps. One of the best places to get a scale of the city’s past glory is an evening meander along the walls of the Venetian harbour. Being a historian, my favourite place to visit in Heraklion is the astounding Archaeological Museum, however there is something for everyone - this is a city that, despite its smaller size, likes to rival Athens in cosmopolitan attitude and lifestyle."

We invite you to come and discover Chania and Heraklion for yourself, as well as Crete's fascinating history, nature and traditions, on our Greek Orthodox Easter in Crete in April 2026.