traveldk.com

Traditional Cretan ways of life that lasted for centuries only began to die out in recent decades. This lively open-air museum gives some insight into life on the island before tourism, television and the mobile phone. Fascinating exhibits include a windmill and an old stone cottage.

A small museum housed in a Venetian mansion displays relics of a vanished way of life, including colourful woven artifacts, lace, silver jewellery and ceramics.

This fascinating small museum opens a window onto eastern Crete’s past with its collection of picturesque local costumes, beautifully woven and embroidered textiles, silver jewellery and antique cottage furniture, all of which was worn or used within living memory.

Excellent collection which gives real insight into the hard life of Cretan villagers in years gone by. For example, there are displays on how wild foods – from dandelions to snails – featured in their diet!

Wooden farming tools, an old olive press and a copper raki still are among the exhibits.

Overlooking Agios Nikolaos’s lagoon-like inner harbour, the museum houses colourful textiles and costumes, farming and fishing equipment, and household goods.

This museum is linked with a holiday village which tries to give its guests a taste of traditional Cretan life, with craft workers who use traditional methods, a restaurant and bakery with wood-burning ovens, and live music and dancing in the evening.

Traditional looms and spinning wheels, richly coloured rugs, wall hangings and embroidery can be found at this delightful place.

Deep in the mountains of the Selinos region of Crete’s far west, this tiny one-room museum in an old village house is crammed with mementoes of Crete under Turkish rule, from hookah-style tobacco pipes to daggers and costumes. Be warned: opening hours can be eccentric.

This excellent small museum is housed in an old Venetian-Turkish mansion and depicts the history and culture of the village. Highlights include local skills such as silk spinning, masonry and carpentry.