Heraklion, the largest and busiest town on the island, has a variety of nightlife and sightseeing to offer. In the prefecture of Heraklion are three of the most important Minoan centers – Knossos, Phaestos and Malia. Crete is well known as the setting for the battle between Theseus and the Minotaur, and the ruins of Knossos are popularly held to be the site of the labyrinth.

East of Heraklion is Agios Nikolaos, one of the best-known holiday resorts on the island. As a result it is very crowded in the high season. Much of the east coast of Crete has been developed specifically as a tourist area and is a popular target for package tours. The prefecture of Rethymnon combines the gentle scenery of the northern and southern coastlines with the precipitous gorges of the Idi and White Mountains. The main town, Rethymnon, on the northern coast, is an hour and a half’s bus ride west from the airport. There is a well-preserved Venetian fort behind the harbor and, like the other large towns on the north coast, Venetian influence is apparent in the architecture.

In the Lasithi region, Elounda and Ierapetra are the most developed resorts and, at the western end of the island, is the fertile region of Chanea (Xania). Chanea, the main town, has a mixture of modern, neo-classical and Venetian architecture. Places to visit are the popular seaside resorts of Plátanos, Máleme and Kolimbari; the freshwater springs at Falarsana; and the Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe.

Other resorts include Agia Galini, Agia Marina, Agia Pelapia, Amnissos, Amoudara, Gouves, Kokini Hani, Limenas Hersonissou, Malia, Sitia and Stalida.