Top 10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Heraklion Prefecture, Crete

Aquaworld - Crete's first Aquarium - opened in Hersonissos in 1995 - near Bus Stop 20. It features local sea life and reptiles from Crete and from all around the world. Most of the animals are rescued or are unwanted pets which have found a new home at Aquaworld. Our philosophy is simple - bring people and animals closer together and, inevitably, people will begin to respect and care more about the animals! YOU MUST WEAR MASKS TO VISIT!

• Horse riding on the beach • Horse riding tours with wagon and horses on the mountains of the village of Finikia Suitable for : beginners, medium and advanced riders & Families with young kids

CyclingCreta is a cycling company focused on offering high quality bike tours and bike services in Crete island, Greece. We organise since 2014 cycling tours for all diferent levels, families, athletes or sportive people. Discover real Crete with all of your senses. Explore the unspoilt nature and the villages, taste the local cuisine, the traditions, the get known with the locals.

We are a family owned and operated business in the region of Archanes. We make organic extra virgin olive oils in our traditional olive mill from our organic Koroneiki olive trees. Find out how extra virgin olive oil is made and taste our oils, our olives and other Cretan products. Private visits, check our website to see all the activities we offer.

The Lyrarakis Estate is a family winery which has been producing high quality wines since 1966 with a strong focus on rare local varieties and producing single variety wines. Surrounded by the idyllic setting of the vineyards and the Lassithi mountains we offer you the opportunity to enjoy nature and discover local varieties abd wines distinguished by the uniqueness of their origin and heritage.

Kazantzakis Museum pays tribute to the important intellectual, author, thinker, philosopher, politician and traveler Nikos Kazantzakis. The Museum holds manuscripts and notes by the author; samples of his correspondence with major thinkers, politicians and authors of his time; first editions of his works in Greek and other languages; rare photographic material; souvenirs from his travels; personal effects; models, costumes and other material from theatre productions of his works in Greece and abroad; portraits and sculptures of the author; dozens of foreign-language editions of his works from all over the world, all a legacy that brings alive the memory of Nikos Kazatzakis and promotes his work and personality. The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum has quite literally become a site of worldwide intellectual pilgrimage. Every day, visitors arrive from all four corners of the globe, bearing witness to the lasting relevancy of the word expressed by the great Cretan, universal author and thinker.

Boutique family winery. Organic wines and olive oil. Tour and tasting. Very very nice view. Visiting times. April-October 11.00-19.00 every day

Professional equestrian center offering quality day treks, 2 hour hacks, riding lessons and horse riding holidays. all horses happy, well trained and with forward going temperaments. Experienced guides to accompany you through the breathtaking countryside making your experience the very best in equine Crete.

The winery is open to visitors all year round (after appointment). The visitors' wine experience starts even before arriving at the winery, as the route and the surrounded landscape is filled with images that emphasize the viticulturist character of the region. The tour starts from the production areas of the winery, continues at the cellar and ends at the tasting room where the guest then has the opportunity to taste our wines. Please contact earlier to inform us about your visit for wine tasting (via booking form/phone/email). There is a tasting fee of 8-12€ per person. Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 10:00-15:30, after appointment.

As a Greek Registered non for profit charity Sanctuary we rescue old, unwanted and abandoned donkeys from Crete and other Greek Islands. On average we have about 25 donkeys... Visitors are welcome to come and visit, you may mingle with the donkeys, groom, stroke, cuddle and get the know these beautiful affectionate and intelligent animals. Children may enter under supervision of an adult. We do not have an entry charge but have a small shop selling interesting donkey items which you are welcome to buy and/or leave a donation to help us feed and care for these beautiful creatures. We do not allow smoking at the sanctuary in case of fire risk and do not have toilet facilities due to water shortages. Please note that we are closed during the winter months from November until April, but if you wish to visit please call us or send a message on FB and we can arrange a time.