The Cretan Cocktail Festival, hosted by the Bartenders Club, is a vibrant gastronomic celebration of mixology that will take place on 20–21 September 2025 at the Heraklion Technical University.
This two-day festival shines a spotlight on the art of cocktail crafting, featuring:
Live cocktail showcases by talented bartenders
Hands-on mixology workshops where visitors can learn techniques from professionals
Creative recipes infused with authentic Cretan flavours and ingredients.
As one of Crete’s most distinctive food and drink events, the festival fuses international and local flair in an immersive, educational, and fun experience, ideal for both cocktail aficionados and those discovering mixology for the first time.
Situated right in the heart of Heraklio Town, 2.2 km from Amoudara Beach and 400 metres from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, LILO Loft – LIve with LOve features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. This apartment is 7.2 km from The Palace of Knossos and 18 km from Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos.
The 1-bedroom apartment features a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and fridge, and 1 bathroom with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
Popular points of interest near the apartment include Venetian Walls, Municipal Art Gallery and Loggia. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 3 km from LILO Loft – LIve with LOve.
from
€65
/night
Providing mountain views and free WiFi, City Stories view provides accommodation well located in the centre of Heraklio Town, within a short distance of Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Venetian Walls and Morosini Fountain.
The apartment provides guests with a terrace, sea views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and a private bathroom with shower and a hair dryer. A stovetop and kitchenware are also provided, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
A car rental service is available at City Stories view.
Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Municipal Art Gallery, Loggia and Historical Μuseum of Crete. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 3 km from City Stories view, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Right in the centre of Heraklio Town, set within a short distance of Venetian Walls and Heraklion Archaeological Museum, The Fifty Condo offers free WiFi, air conditioning and household amenities such as a stovetop and coffee machine. With quiet street views, this accommodation offers a balcony.
The apartment with a terrace and city views has 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are offered in the apartment.
A car rental service is available at the apartment.
Popular points of interest near The Fifty Condo include Historical Μuseum of Crete, Morosini Fountain and Municipal Art Gallery. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 4 km from the accommodation.
from
€147
/night
A small ground floor studio of 22 square meter in the heart of Heraklion city. Just a 6-minute walk from Heraklion Archaeological Museum and an 8-minute walk from Historical Museum of Crete. The central landmark Lions Fountain at 1 min walking.
Free Wifi, A/C, hot water, coffee maker, iron facility are available for our guests.
Venetian Walls and Castle KULES at 650m distance.
from
€63
/night
The Traditional Strata is a music and dance event held by the Municipality of Chania on Tuesday evenings through the summer. The Traditional Strata gathers more than 1,500 dancers and musicians from over 20 traditional associations, from across Crete and other countries, who move through the narrow streets of Chania’s old town in traditional costume.
In 2026, the event runs on Tuesdays from June for several months, and August 11, 2026 is one of the listed dates. Each evening follows the same route through Chania Old Port and begins at 8:00 PM.
The Traditional Strata is a procession of music, dance, and song organized by the Municipality of Chania. The Traditional Strata represents the customs of Chania through costumes, instruments, and vocal performances from member associations, including groups from Crete and international regions.
The Strata takes place on Tuesday evenings from June for several months in 2026, and August 11, 2026 is one of the scheduled dates. The programme begins at 8:00 PM, so early evening is the time to arrive.
The procession follows one route through Chania Old Port each evening, in three stages. The main stages of the evening are listed below.
The harbour and squares of the old town fill with spectators on Strata evenings, and the surrounding tavernas make the event easy to combine with dinner. For more on the area and where to stay, see the guide to Chania.
The Traditional Strata is a traditional music and dance event organized by the Municipality of Chania. More than 1,500 performers from over 20 associations parade through the old town in costume.
The Strata runs on Tuesday evenings from June for several months in 2026, and August 11, 2026 is one of the listed dates. The evening programme starts at 8:00 PM.
The Strata takes place in Chania Old Port and the streets of the old town. It begins at the Neorio Moro Chania Sailing Club and ends at Cathedral Square by the Trimartiri Cathedral.
The Municipality of Chania organizes the Traditional Strata. Member associations from Crete and other countries take part.
More than 20 traditional associations take part, with over 1,500 dancers and musicians in total. The groups include performers from Crete and international regions.
The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15th is one of the most significant holidays in the Greek Orthodox calendar, celebrating the “falling asleep” and Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Neapoli hosts the largest festival in the prefecture, attracting thousands of visitors and Cretan musicians.
Celebrations begin on August 14th with a cycle race and a long-distance run ending in Neapoli’s central square. After the evening church service, young men race up and down the steep mountainside to the Timios Stavros summit. The square transforms into a lively party with traditional singing, dancing, live music, and a market offering toys, icons, and clothing, continuing into the early hours.
On August 15th, a lengthy church service is followed by a grand procession of the Virgin Mary’s icon through the town, accompanied by priests, dignitaries, and the Neapoli Town Band. The festivities, combining religious, sporting, and cultural events, make this a unique and vibrant two-day celebration.
Rethymno Rocks! #5 returns to Fortezza Castle from 27 to 30 August 2025 with four nights of live rock and metal. Fans created the festival for fans, bringing leading acts and diverse sounds to one of Greece’s main summer stages.
Tickets for Thursday, Friday and Saturday start at €20 (£17, $22) and are available online.
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