Crete

Wild natural beauty and thousands of years of culture, history and exquisite cuisine.

“The mystery of Crete runs deep. Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force coursing warmly and beneficently through their veins, sensing their soul beginning to grow” wrote Nikos Kazantzakis, Crete’s most celebrated author, in Report to Greco. On the south side of the Aegean is an island that is mystical, warm and welcoming, pure and generous. Crete captures the spirit of Greece, and enchants everyone who visits it. Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Ierapetra, Malia, Hersonissos, Sitia, Sfakia: an island with numerous destinations and thousands of vibrant images. Crete captivates and seduces the senses with its impressive and majestic landscape, with its open-hearted and vivacious spirit, its rich history, its world-famous cuisine and its hospitable people.

On Crete, you’ll find some of the most significant attractions in Greece: famous archaeological sites such as the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Kato Zakros. You’ll also visit important monasteries, some built in the 15th century or even earlier, including Preveli monastery in southern Rethymno, the monasteries in southern Heraklion and the historic Arkadi and Toplous monasteries.

About Girit

A paradise for thrill-seekers, hikers and nature lovers

Crete is the ideal destination for all kinds of sports and activities in nature. For canyoning and canyon hiking, Crete’s gorges offer unparalleled beauty. The largest and most famous gorge in Crete is Samaria, with its world-renowned Portes (also known as the Iron Gates). Other noteworthy canyons are Amba, Tripiti, Kourtaliotiko, Kamaraiko (the biggest in length), Ha (the so-called ‘king of Cretan gorges’), Ethias and Eligas. Crete is a top trekking destination. You’ll hike across these landscapes of sublime beauty and diversity. The sign-posted trails through these gorges are one of a kind. For off road and 4×4, you’ll zig and zag along Crete’s dirt roads. The cosmopolitan resorts in both northern and southern Crete, embraced by the Libyan sea, are ideal for water sports and scuba diving.

Home of the Mediterranean diet

Here you’ll eat to your heart’s content, whether enjoying gourmet gastronomy, or simply a homemade rusk salad with sea salt, extra-virgin olive oil, raw artichokes and cheese. Discover the secrets of a Cretan diet – the best example of the Mediterranean diet, long been considered, internationally, as the healthiest.

The most popular destinations in Crete

1. Chania: The old town of Chania with its world-renowned Venetian lighthouse, the aristocratic suburb of Halepa, the Tabakaria (centre for leather production), the Neoria (arsenal) and Kum Kapi, teeming with bars, cafes, restaurants and elegant hotels.
2. Rethymno: Discover the old town of Rethymno, a gem of a settlement on the island, with its Venetian buildings, mosques, minarets, fountains and cobblestone alleys lined with shops, cafes, bars and hotels. Explore Idaio Antro – one of the most important caves of Minoan worship.
3. Heraklion: The Venetian port of Heraklion, a lively city filled with sights, museums, restaurants, bars and hotels. Walk along the walls of the old city, and Morosini (Leondaria) Square, surrounded by important buildings; the Loggia (City Hall), Agios Titos and Armeria (armory).
4. Ierapetra: The old town with its narrow alleyways, little harbour and famous Fortress of Kales is one of the most significant sights in Crete.
5. Agios Nikolaos: A cosmopolitan summer resort, with the mystical allure of Lake Vouliagmeni (which, legend has it, is bottomless), with numerous cafes and restaurants dotted around its shores.
6. Sitia: The historic Kazarma fortress (Casa di arma) and its animated waterfront, lined with cafes, shops and restaurants, should be on your list of destinations to visit in Crete.
7. Elounda: A cosmopolitan paradise of sophisticated resorts and hotels, with private beaches, pools and piers. It has the highest concentration of Greece’s five-star resorts and is the top destination for a luxurious holiday.
8. Lassithi: Visit the palm forest at Vai but make sure you also find time for the caves of Diktean Antro and Milatos, the island fortress of Spinalonga and the Lassithi Plateau.
9. Mount Ida (Psiloritis): The highest mountain in Crete. Ambitious hikers will climb to the top and be rewarded with an unforgettable view.