9 Things to Do in Crete When it Rains

Heraklion Archaeological Museum houses many of the greatest treasures unearthed at nearby Knossos, Crete's most famous archaeological dig. You'll find this vast and acclaimed museum perched above the harbourside of the island's capital in Heraklion. Beyond a big Bauhaus-style entranceway sit 20 rooms brimming with artefacts, some dating back more than 8,000 years.

Impressive displays include the likes of the Phaistos Disc – a mysterious Bronze Age code cypher – and the haunting sculptures of snake goddesses that were crafted around the 1,600 BC. There are also carved bull's heads, complete with protruding horns. EU students get reduced entry, while full-admission tickets start from around €12.

The lovely Old Venetian Harbour in Chania encircles a marina with boats bobbing in the water. It sits in the heart of what's considered by many to be one of Crete’s prettiest town. Thankfully, the structure even looks lovely when rain's a-pouring.

Grab a seat at one of the vibrant café-tavernas fringing the cobbled quaysides. They offer a sheltered place to sip gritty Greek coffees while overlooking the 16^th-century Venetian Lighthouse opposite. If you've got the umbrellas and macs handy, head over the historic walls to see the waves of the Med crashing against the harbour walls.

Sfendoni Cave is one of the best ways to dodge the rainclouds in Crete – by going underground. It carves its way through the hills of northern Crete, under the soaring Mount Ida as it towers atop the bucolic village of Zoniana.

In total, the cave complex that's accessible to visitors runs more than 270 metres. The entire area is illuminated by multicoloured neon lights, with stalactites and mineral pillars dipping through the caverns. As you go, you'll learn about the unique geological history of the place, along with tales of how the tunnels were used by the Romans and guerrilla fighters during Greece's revolutions.

Askifou War Museum opens a window onto the darker days of Crete's past when the island was a target for Nazi invasion in the early 1940s. The collection itself is located in the home of one of the descendants of that era, which you'll find between the green olive groves and rural farms of Askifou deep inland.

There are rusting machine guns, hunter's rifles, cartridges filled with WWII bullets, helmets and even bombs recovered from all across Crete. The owner is usually around to help make sense of the artefacts. That said, the views of the central mountains – even in the rain – almost make the trip worth it on their own.

The Nautical Museum of Crete lies on the old Chania harbourside, smack dab in the centre of the town. It's an immersive introduction to the long nautical past of the region. Look for the entrance in the ochre-painted mansion beneath the half-ruined walls of Firkas Fortress.

Inside, you'll be taken on a chronological trip from the days of Bronze Age settlers to the hard-fought times when German landings threatened the island. However, the highlight of the lot is probably the section that details the days of Venetian rule. That's particularly important for understanding the past of Chania itself.

Cretan food is proudly different to the fare in the rest of Greece, all while channelling that trademark Mediterranean freshness and tradition. Stealing the show are the crispy dakos bread topped with crumbled feta and juicy Cretan tomatoes, along with the bitter highland greens and the earthy Sfakia pies.

Always-busy Tamam is a favourite pick – it’s wedged into the narrow lanes of Chania, offering interior seating in a centuries-old building by the port. Stylish Peskesi in Heraklion is a nice choice if you're staying in the island's capital. Head there to get a romantic setting beneath old olive trees, along with a menu brimming with souvlaki and mezze.

The Megaplace shopping mall is located on the south-western side of Chania town. Easy to reach from both Rethymno and the west coast, this is a popular spot for some family-friendly fun if the Cretan sun isn’t making an appearance for the day.

The complex offers all sorts of entertainments. The latest flicks – both Greek and international – are shown at the cinema, where you can also score buckets of popcorn and snacks. There's a 10-pin bowling alley, complete with zingy neon lights and fast-food joints. Megaplace also has dedicated children's play areas and confectionaries to keep the little ones entertained.

Crete has garnered a reputation as one of the country's top wellness spots. You'll find spas and yoga studios and more peppering the whole island, some of which promise to take luxury to the next level.

Check out Pnoe Wellness Day Spa at the 5-star Out of the Blue Capsis Elite Resort. It juts into the Med west of Heraklion, with infinity pools straddling a private headland. Treatments in the on-site spa include anti-inflammatory hydrogen purification sessions and sea-view yoga. Meanwhile, Chania also hosts Al Hammam, a traditional Turkish bathhouse with steam rooms and saunas.