Greece’s largest island. Crete is a feast for the senses: wild natural beauty, thousands of years of culture, history and exquisite cuisine
About Crete
Episkopi and Petres have their ardent young fans, while to the south, Preveli, Plakia, Agios Pavlos (with its vast sand dunes), Ligres and Triopetra are also noteworthy. Heraklion, Malia and Hersonissos attract tourists from all over the world. Endless kilometres of golden coastline surround Ierapetra in the prefecture of Lassithi. The famous palm forest at Vai, with its palm trees hugging the golden sand, is one of the most spectacular places in Crete, not to forget the beaches of Elounda and those around St Nicholas.
In Crete you will find some of the most important sights of Greece: Famous archaeological sites such as the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia and Kato Zakros. You will also visit important monasteries, some built in the 15th century and even earlier: Preveli monastery in southern Rethymno, the monasteries in southern Heraklion and historic Arkadi, and the monasteries of Toplous.
You will be transported to a different time as you walk through the area of castles erected by the Venetians and Byzantines. Kastelli in Chania, Fortezza in Rethymno, the castle of Heraklion, Frangokastello in southern Chania, the castle of Kazarma in Estiye and Monte Forte in Lassithi are also noteworthy. Other riches of the island are exhibited in its many museums. Visit these museums in Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion. The Cretaquarium, the Natural History Museum and the Cretan History Museum are also impressive. In Myrtia you will find the Nikos Kazancakis Museum and in Fodele the El Greco Museum.
2. Rethymno: Discover the old town of Rethymno, one of the island’s treasured settlements, with its Venetian buildings, mosques, fountains, minarets, cobblestones parallel to shops, cafes, bars and hotels. Discover Idaio Antro – one of the most important caves of Minoan worship.
3. Heraklion: The lively city full of sights, museums, restaurants, bars and hotels, the Venetian harbour of Heraklion. Walk along Morosini (Leondaria) Square, surrounded by the walls of the old town and important buildings: Loggia (Town Hall), Agios Titos and Armeria (armoury).
4. Ierapetra: This old town with its narrow streets, small harbour and the famous Kales Castle is one of the most important places in Crete.
5. Agios Nikolaos: A cosmopolitan summer centre with the mystical Vouliagmeni Lake (which legend has it is bottomless), cafes and restaurants.
6. Estiye: The historic castle of Kazarma (Casa di arma) and its lively waterfront with cafes, shops and restaurants should be on your list of places to visit on a visit to Crete.
7. Elounda: A cosmopolitan paradise with private beaches, pools and piers and sophisticated villages and hotels. It is the site of Greece’s most five-star resort and tops the list of most chosen places for a luxury holiday.
8. Lassithi: Visit the palm forest in Vai, but also make time for the cave of Diktean Antro, Spinalonga (with its castles), the cave of Milatos and the Lassithi Plateau.
9. Mount Ida (Psiloritis): The highest mountain in Crete. Ambitious hikers climb to the top and are rewarded with an unforgettable view.
