Things to do in Crete this February

There’s no doubt some winter sun is a great way of recharging your batteries. And what better place to enjoy a break or even to think about relocating abroad than Crete? This stunningly beautiful island in the Eastern Mediterranean is a land of myths and legends with miles of white sandy beaches and breathtaking mountain scenery. Said to be the birthplace of Zeus and home to the fabled Minotaur, there’s so much to see and do throughout the year you’ll never want to leave!
Why you need to be in Crete in February
If you want to explore this beautiful island in peace, then February is the perfect time to rent holiday homes or static caravans as a base while you get out and about as many parks remain open all year round. Out of season you’ll pay much less for your accommodation and avoid the crowds for a truly personalised experience. You’ll experience all the sights and sounds of Crete without the crowds for truly relaxing days.
You may need to pack a rain jacket and you could experience some truly incredible thunderstorms over the island, but a few days of wet weather are a small price to pay for the experience of absolute peace and tranquillity. And with high temperatures up to 16 C, you’ll enjoy some sunny afternoons lazing on the gorgeous beaches! If you love wave sports, then the winter is the best time to catch some surf at Falassarna where the waves can hit three metres and more.
Enjoy unique experiences
February is a wonderful time to explore the hinterland of this magical island, and there’s some superb hiking and cycling country to explore. It’s worth hiking into the hills to see the amazing displays of wildflowers and enjoy the intoxicating scent of the wild narcissus. Temperatures are ideal for exploring the ancient trails or even enjoying some winter sports as the magnificent Cretan mountains sparkle with snow throughout the winter.
If you want to experience the unique Cretan way of life then February is the ideal time to do it. Enjoy the sights and sounds of a traditional olive harvest. Visit a rakokazana to enjoy the new season’s raki or enjoy the competition between the many bars and cafes to create the best hot chocolate! If you love birding then you’ll fall in love with the dawn chorus as the almond trees come alive with the song of blue tits, chaffinches and goldfinches.
Unmissable attractions
No visit to Crete is complete without a visit to the historical and cultural treasures of this dazzling island. Knossos is the most famous Minoan site and is the home of the palace of King Minos and rumoured site of the Minotaur’s labyrinth. A little further away are the impressive sites of Phaistos and Agía Triáda where discoveries dating from Neolithic to Roman times have been found. Enjoy it all without the crowds and heat.
Best of all is the Mardi Gras parade in Rethymnon, an unmissable procession of incredible carnival floats to celebrate the end of Lent and the arrival of Easter. This is Crete at its very best and the sights, sounds, smells and incredible food are simply unmissable. To see the real Crete book holiday lodges now and soak up the atmosphere!