In Crete, you can become who you want: a brave conqueror of mountain canyons, a calm visitor of the chic beaches who is not in a hurry, a hunter for authentic recipes or a connoisseur of the history of civilizations. This Greek island can be different. And every day of staying in Crete is not the same as the previous one.
Crete is the largest Greek island that has the life of "country within the country". There are its own culinary recipes and a dialect, wild mountains are replaced by modern busy cities, the Venetian heritage is adjacent to the monuments of ancient civilizations, and magnificent sandy beaches contrast with secluded coves. And in addition, Crete is associated with myths about Zeus and the Minotaur, the history of a developed Minoan civilization, legends of pirates and brave revolutionaries.
Regions and resorts of Crete
Crete is divided into four administrative regions, and each of them is famous for its picturesque towns, villages, beaches, monuments of history and nature. Lassithi – the most eastern and, perhaps, the greenest part of the island, received the name from the plateau of the same name. In Lassithi is the most prestigious resort of Crete, Elounda. Greek and world celebrities prefer to rest at this place, however, Elounda has enough hotels and entertainment for every budget. Elounda has really high level of service and different facilities, and prices are higher than in other cities of Crete.
Agios Nikolaos is the most popular and lively resort of Lassithi. It is famous for its special atmosphere: amateurs of entertainment will like the city. There is a big number of clubs, taverns, bars, there is a spacious promenade for walks and all kinds of shops.
Leisure lovers in silence will like the picturesque town of Sitia. Despite the developed infrastructure, this resort preserves the traditional way of life and a calm atmosphere. It is worth paying attention to Ierapetra. The bigges part of the native Greeks rest here, in the southern city of Europe. Ierapetra is interesting because of its combination of modern and historical parts, so you can combine beach rest with educational excursions.
The central and largest region of Crete is Heraklion. The majority of tourists come to the island, as Heraklion (the capital of Crete) has the international airport. There are many resorts for every taste in this area. All kinds of entertainments are waiting in the lively Agia of Pelagia and the capitol of Heraklion, Malia, where fun does not stop until morning. It will not be boring in Hersonissos - such a nightlife in Crete can not be found anywhere else.
Matala is one of the most famous resorts of Crete and a former hippie paradise. Matala is famous for its outstanding natural beauty, lack of fuss and rich history. Gurves and Kokkini-Hani are suitable For family holidays in Heraklion.
The region of Rethymnon with its center in the city of the same name is located in the north-western part of Crete. Here, Platanias and Adele are popular among holidaymakers, almost merged into one resort area with numerous shops, hotels and taverns. Together they form the longest beach in Crete.
Panormo is 20 km away from Rethymnon - a lively but not noisy resort. This is a convenient starting point for excursions. The resort of Bali is one of the most picturesque in Rethymnon. It is located in a bay and is isolated from the bustle of other cities. Bali is often chosen for family holidays.
In Chania area, the guests of Crete make choice in favor of Platanias (not to be confused with what is in Rethymnon!). This resort is famous for its active nightlife and lots of beach activities. A cozy atmosphere awaits in Georgioupolis, where everything remind of peace and rest. Nearby resort of Kavros is a good place, where you can infiltrate the authentic life of Crete. Despite the development of tourism, Kavros is primarily an agricultural area. Ayia Marina is another famous resort of Chania, which combines natural beauty, modern and traditional way of life. Finally, we must not forget about the resorts of the Libyan Sea. Paleochora is an option for those who want to experience another Crete.
Kaleidoscope of beaches
Crete is an island of excellent beaches, and many of them have gained worldwide fame. You can not leave without visiting Elafonisi - the most famous beach in Crete, which is located in Chania. It is famous for its shallow transparent sea and pink sand. The Balos Lagoon also belongs to the area of Chania and it is the place of the confluence of the three seas, the sandy beach of Falasarna, the magnificent Frangokastello beach with the fortress of the same name and Ayia Marina, which is perfect place for children.
The wide sandy coast of Platanias, Preveli should be mentioned among the beaches of Rethymnon - it is located near the monastery of the same name, Plakias and the nearest Rodakino. The area of Lassithi is also rich for magnificient beaches. The most famous of them is Vai, surrounded by a palm grove. And in the number of Heraklion among the best - the sandy beach of Kokkini Hani and Matala with its famous caves.
The legacy of the ages: what to see in Crete
In Chania area it is worth going through the Samaria gorge - the longest and the most beautiful in Europe, to visit ancient Aptera, spend several hours on the shores of Lake Kournas and to explore Chania walking around one of the most beautiful cities in Greece, to see Venetian architecture, an old harbor with Firkas fortress and the richest collection of the Archaeological Museum.
In the area of Rethymno, you should see the cave of Melidoni. You will be amazed with the beauty of interior decoration. The most interesting monasteries of Crete are also located in Rethymnon One of them is Preveli. It deserves attention not only thanks to the magnificent architecture, but also because of its location. You can see impressive views of the mountains and the sea from the top. Another monastery, Arkadi, is recognized as the richest and most influential in Crete. This large complex will definitely impress everyone with the beauty of the architectural elements.
The city of Rethymnon itself is a tourist attraction. It preserved the heritage of different eras and admirable architecture. In Rethymnon you can climb the fortress of Fortezza, walk through the Old Town and see the Venetian fountain of Rimondi, visit the archaeological and historical ethnographic museums, and then stroll along the Venetian port.
The whole area of Heraklion is a treasure of historical monuments and beautiful nature. The main attraction here is the Palace of Knossos. The Festa Palace was no less important in the past. Its archaeological zone was not subjected to a strong reconstruction and retained greater authenticity than Knossos. The whole family can visit the Cretan Aquarium with an impressive collection of Mediterranean inhabitants. And, of course, we should spend time to Heraklion. The Archaeological Museum with findings from all over Crete, the fortress of Kules, the Morosini Fountain and the Venetian Loggia are kept in the capital of the island.
The area of Lassithi became famous for the plateau of the same name. This plateau impresses with its natural beauty: it is located at an altitude of 800 m in an area surrounded by mountains. The Dictus cave, which is called the Cave of Zeus, is on the plateau of Lassithi. Cult figurines were found here. Another landmark of the plateau is windmills.
One of the main Minoan palaces – Zakros can be found in the area of Lassithi. The archaeological complex consists of a central courtyard, a sacred spring, workshops, a shrine, the Royal Hall and many other objects. Travelers from all over Europe come to Crete to see the island of Spinalonga. On this stretch of land near the shores of Lassithi there was a leper colony. Nowadays, you can see preserved Venetian and Turkish buildings on an uninhabited island.
There are countless natural and man-made attractions on Crete - you cannot see everything during one trip. Going to the island, you need to be ready to come back for a new portion of exciting adventures.
