Gonia Monastery Museum

The Monastery of Gonia near Kolymbari is one of Crete's most storied religious sites, and tucked inside is a small but rewarding museum packed with Byzantine icons, manuscripts, and ecclesiastical treasures. For just 3€, you get a multilingual guide to the monastery's history stretching back to the 17th century — plus the chance to wander frescoed halls that have survived pirate raids and Ottoman rule. It's a surprisingly rich stop that most people just drive past.