Crete is rich in history and culture, and its museums offer fascinating insights into the island's past and present. Each museum tells a unique story, ranging from the Minoan civilization to modern art.
The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is one of the most important museums in Greece and houses the world's largest collection of Minoan artifacts. Here visitors can admire the masterpieces of this early European civilization, including the famous Bull Leaping Fresco, the Serpent Goddess and the Phaistos Disc. The museum offers a comprehensive overview of the Minoan period as well as other historical periods of Crete.
The Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion covers a broader period and presents exhibits from the early Christian period to the present day. Particularly noteworthy are the exhibitions on the Byzantine and Venetian periods and the Cretan Renaissance. The museum also houses works by the famous Cretan painter El Greco.
In Chania, the Maritime Museum of Crete offers a fascinating insight into the island's maritime history. The museum displays models of ships, historical navigation instruments and exhibitions about Crete's role in the Second World War. Particularly impressive is the exhibition on the Battle of Crete, which documents an important period in the island's recent history.
The Archaeological Museum of Chania, housed in a former Venetian monastery, displays finds from the Chania region dating from the Neolithic to the Roman period. Particularly worth seeing are the Minoan ceramics, jewelry and statuettes, which reflect the craftsmanship of the time.
Rethymno is home to the Archaeological Museum of Rethymno, which also has a remarkable collection of ancient artifacts from the region. The museum is known for its exhibitions on the Geometric and Archaic periods as well as Roman mosaics and statues.
For art lovers, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Crete in Rethymno is a must-see. It exhibits works by modern Greek artists and regularly hosts temporary exhibitions highlighting various aspects of contemporary art.
The Folklore Museum of Agios Nikolaos provides an insight into traditional life on Crete. The collection includes handmade textiles, ceramics, agricultural tools and everyday objects that document rural life on the island in past centuries.
Museums in the region of CHANIA
Archaeological Museum
Chalidon St. Chania (Halidon St.)
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday 8.00 am to 7.00 pm
Saturday/Sunday 8.30 am to 3.00 pm
Nautical Museum
At the harbour
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday
Monday to Saturday 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Historical Museum and Archive
Sfakianakis St. 20
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday
Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 16.00
War Museum
Closed for renovation
War Museum of Jorgos Chatzidakis
in Kares / Askifou
no fixed opening hours
Museums in the region of HERAKLION
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Plateia Eleftherias
Opening hours in summer:
Daily 8.00 am to 8.00 pm
Heraklion Historical Museum
Leof. Sofokli Venizelou 27
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 09.00 to 17.00 hrs
Lychnostatis Open-Air Museum (Chersonissos)
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday 09.00 to 14.00
Sunday 09.00 to 14.00
Psaltakis Cretan Historical and Folklore Museum
in Kato Archanes on the road to Kato Archanes
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Monday 09.30 to 14.00
El Greco Museum in Fodele
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday
Monday to Sunday 09.00 to 19.00
Museums in the region of RETHYMNO
Archaeological Museum
opposite the entrance to the Venetian fort
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 8.30 am to 3.00 pm
The archaeological museum in Eleftherna
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday
Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 to 18.00
Museum of Papas Georgoulakis in Asomatos
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday
Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 15.00
Museums in the region of LASITHI
Agios Nikolaos Archaeological Museum
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday 08.00 to 15.00
Folklore Museum Agios Nikolaos
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday
Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am to 2.00 pm
Folklore Museum Neapolis
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday
Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Sitia Archaeological Museum
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday
Tuesday to Sunday 08.30 to 15.00
Archaeological Museum Ierapetra
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday
Tuesday to Sunday 08.00 to 15.00