I was in Crete with my parents years ago and loved it. The weather is always good, food is incredible and there is so much to discover.
I can only agree with all of your reasons. I loved the weather. It was not too hot for sightseeing, but at the same time you could get a nice tan on the beach :-D! What perfect timing! It looks fab :. Love this! We might even go back for a 5th visit this year! A Greek salad, some fresh baked bread and Phoenix and I being able to play on the beach to ourselves would be the ultimate ticket, Agness! Great post :. Can someone help please, we are looking at Crete this summer, which part is good for families youngest aged 9 , not looking for anywhere too quite!
Those are amazing pictures, and importantly, great reasons to visit Crete. Hoping to make it there someday! Me and my wife own a small boutique apart — hotel at the promenade of Rethymno town. We want to thank you for all the nice things you wrote helping the people to understand the spirit of Crete. If you make it again down here we would love to meet you in person. Happy trails…. Hi Anthony. Thank you so much! I did not make Crete look better.
It was Crete that made me look so happy! Gorgeous pictures — it looks like paradise. I would only need one!!! Why not?!?! Tim and Agness, Santorini is stunning! I highly recommend you go there. Next time I am in Crete — I would like to visit Chania.
I missed it last summer :. It is little wonder that my wife always wants to go to Greece, she has already been talking to me for a while about going there again this year. Open In Google Maps. Visit Website. Give us feedback. Just outside the capital city of Heraklion, the Palace of Knossos once served as the political centre for the Minoans, who created the first sophisticated civilisation in Europe.
Get there early to avoid the crowds, as it is one of the most popular sites in Crete. Natural Feature. Eparchiaki Odos Georgioupolis-Kournas, 07, Greece. Hiking Trail. It is believed that the brother of King Minos, Rhadamanthus, built the palace for his own pleasure. The Phaistos Disc was found here, and those with puzzle-solving brains may want to take a careful look at the characters inscribed on it, which remain undeciphered.
Agios Ioannis, 00, Greece. Historical Landmark, Monastery. Moni Chrisoskalitissis, 12, Greece. The highest point in Crete lies 2,m 8,ft above sea level, and is known to the Cretans as Psiloritis. The mountaintop is drenched in mythology, and legend has it that it may have been the birthplace of Zeus himself.
The other legendary birthplace of Zeus is the large Psychro Cave in the Lasithi prefecture in eastern Crete. Crete was part of the Republic of Venice for more than years, and they certainly left their trace.
The main cities of Crete, Chania and Heraklion were fortified with huge walls encircling and protecting the city. The walls of both cities are still standing and still very sturdy! If huge walls don't seem impressive enough, Crete is home to serious castles. The city of Rethymno is dominated by a 16th century Venetian Castle called the Fortezza! If you're visiting the southern coast, check out Frangokastello , another Venetian castle seemingly forgotten on the beach. The Venetians were driven out by the Ottoman Turks, who held on to Crete for another plus years, and also left their own landmarks on the island.
The major cities all have a unique mix of Orthodox Churches, mosques, Catholic places of worship from the Venetians and even a surviving synagogue or two. The diversity of Crete's history makes it a pretty special place, and getting lost in the winding alleys of Chania or Rethymno's old city is one of the most unique things to do to immerse yourself in the island's past. The little island was fortified by the Venetians for defence purposes, but what has turned the island into a 'legend' are the stories from the 20th century when it became a leper colony.
The diversity of Crete's history is surpassed only by the diversity of its natural landscape. The more developed northern coast home to the three largest cities is dwarfed by the incredible mountains of central Crete.
The ' White Mountains ' dominate Western Crete, while Mount Psyloritis also known as Mount Ida , the highest mountain on the island at almost m, is located south of Rethymno. For much of the year the mountains are capped with snow, and create a rugged and wild landscape that is truly breathtaking.
Among the mountains are a variety of deep gorges, including Samaria Gorge a reason on its own to visit Crete! In the province of Chania, you can find Crete's only freshwater lake, Lake Kournas , which is surrounded by a lush green area full of wildlife.
In another vein entirely, the eastern coast of Crete hides Europe's only palm forest in Vai and one of the most unique places in Greece.
Visit the nearby beach, munch on truly local bananas, and if you close your eyes you'll forget that you're not in the tropics! Tip : Hiking through Europe's longest gorge aka Samaria Gorge is one of the best things to do in Crete, hands down. The gorge was created by a river running from high in the White Mountains down to the sea, and you can hike down along the river for an unforgettable experience.
The walk itself is a long one, at nearly 16km, but if you are up for some active exploration it is well worth it plus it is all downhill! The path ends at the tiny village of Agia Roumeli, where you get your reward for the hike - a dip in the sea at the black sand beach. The only way out of the town is by ferry boat to a nearby port with bus service, so you are forced to relax and recover for a little while, and get a bit of extra sightseeing in at the end.
The incredibly clear waters of Elafonisi - it does actually look like this in real life Picture by Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho. Don't be fooled into thinking that Crete's landscape is only dramatic mountains and craggy cliffs. The entire island is circled by beaches one more stunning than the next, and exploring the variety of Cretan beaches is one of the best things to do in the summer.
The list of best beaches in Crete is a long one, but some of the highlights include the crystal-clear, Caribbean-like waters of Elafonisi , which look too perfect to be real but we promise it actually is that gorgeous in real life ; the exotic lagoon of Balos in the cover picture ; the black sand beaches at Agia Roumeli ; the Paleohora beach on the southern coast which is a dreamy stretch of endless sand and the beach at Vai , which is right next to the palm forest.
But that's not all! Crete is surrounded by exotic islets only a short ferry ride from the main island. The island of Chrysi also Gaidouronisi, aka 'Donkey Island'! Also magical, the island of Koufonisi in the Libyan sea is surrounded by pure white sand, and crystalline waters but also magnificent white rock caves.
Tip : Crete's beaches are legendary not only for their beauty but for their energy and lively history! Special reference here to the beach of Matala , known for the rocks surrounding it, which are full of tiny caves that housed hippies in the s , and is now one of many Blue Flag beaches in Crete. A traditional Cretan gourmet meze, snails - or in Greek 'Hochliee'. Picture by Canonim. Cretan cuisine has a language all its own, with incredible flavours and local ingredients so unique that there are specialty Cretan stores found throughout the rest of Greece.
Let's not forget that Crete is also a top producer of quality olive oil -which is also something you need to pack in your bags before you leave the island! Along with olive oil, Crete has a wine tradition more than years old that is definitely worth exploring! The best part about Cretan food is that so much of it is local and fresh, and it draws on a unique tradition influenced by the varied cultures that have passed through the island throughout its history.
Among the top things to eat in Crete are the local salad called ' Dakos ,' made with fresh tomatoes, Cretan mizithra cheese and olive oil all on top of a crisp, hard rusk, vaguely similar to a bruschetta but better! The cheeses in Crete stand out all on their own, ranging from soft and mild mizithra to aged graviera , as well as a cheesy spread called xinogalo.
Visit the markets in Chania or Heraklion to get a sense of the numerous cheesy choices, and try a little bit of everything to find your favourite! For foodies, there are organized food tours in our collection that can guide you to foodie' meccas and reveal the secrets of Cretan gastronomy; check them out here!
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