While summer in Crete shows off its astonishing beauty, fall is just as beautiful here. Here is our list of top things to do in Crete in September.
September on Crete: Top Things to Do
In Crete, the foothills of the majestic mountains are dotted with tiny traditional villages, and the coastline is dotted with popular beachfront resorts and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If you plan to visit Crete in September, consider checking out our top things to do.
Hike the Samaria Gorge
September is the perfect month to hike one of Europe’s longest gorges. The hiking trail of the Samaria Gorge National Park is 16 kilometers long and will take somewhere around six to seven hours to complete.
The hike starts at Xyloskalo and ends in the town of Agia Roumeli. Many visitors start their hike as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day. If you do have time to spare, we recommend that you take it easy and explore the numerous little churches which you will come across on your hike.
Samaria Gorge is also home to the kri-kri which is the Cretan wild goat. At the end of the hike, reward yourselves with a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters of the Libyan Sea. The Samaria Gorge remains open until the end of October.
Day Trip to Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island
If you want to skip the crowds then September is a great month to visit Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island. Spend the day exploring the famous Venetian fortress which was once home to the pirates and dive deep into the crystal waters of one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Festival dedicated to St. Nikitas in Frangokastello, Chania
Crete is famous for its summertime religious feasts and celebrations. On the 15th of September, a popular festival takes place at Frangokastello, Chania. It is held at the chapel of Saint Nikitas which was built in the second half of sixth century. Riding races take place at the festival too because the event is dedicated to a famous legend about St. Nikitas. He rescued a kidnapped bride and returned her to her village on his horseback.
Vine Harvest Day Trip
No Cretan meal is complete without wine. Drinking wine is a vital part of the Greek culture and almost every household is involved in its own wine production. The harvest period in Crete (depending on the altitude) usually starts at the beginning of August and lasts until the beginning of October. If you want to learn more about the agricultural life of Crete, joining a vine-harvest day trip will give you a unique opportunity to participate in the wine-making process and learn all the traditional secrets that date back to the ancient times.
Learn or practice Paragliding
Fans of extreme sports will be pleased to know that Crete has skydiving schools with experienced instructors. You can find these schools at some of the island’s airports including Timbaki. The island’s mountainous landscape also makes it an ideal destination to exercise and practice paragliding. Some of the popular locations where you can practice this sport include: Lake Kournas, Elafonissi Beach, Falassarna Beach and Nea Chora (two kilometers from the center of Chania).
Celebrate World Tourism Day
During the World Tourism Day (27 September 2017), Heraklion becomes the focal point of all celebrations here. Visitors can participate in numerous musical events, try Cretan cuisine (Archaeological Museum Square), buy local products and visit the art fairs.
Transitioning from one season to the next is a remarkable time on Crete. Many will agree that September is one of the best months to visit Greece. We hope that you find our guide to the top things to do in Crete in September useful. Do you have any activities to recommend?
Cover photo by Лана Алпатова
