Resorts
Iraklion prefecture
Iraklion sits between the provinces of Rethymno and Lassithi. As it has been mentioned before its capital is the town of Iraklion. This part of the island attracts visitors by its numerous beaches and historical monuments. A fertile valley occupies the central and northern parts of the province while the rest is dominated by the mountains.
Beaches of Iraklion
Iraklion is famous for many well organized beaches with soft sand and crystal clear water.
Amoudara is about 5 km off the capital city of the island. This sandy beach with developed infrastructure seems to be perfect for families with children.
Matala is another popular well-organized sandy beach.
Komos, a big beach with gray sand and a picturesque landscape on the background, is not far from Matala.
Agia Pelagia is a lovely beach located 20 km west from Iraklion. It is thought to be one of the best beaches of the island’s northern coast.
Hersonissos is the resort of several different sand beaches some of which provide water sports facilities. Children will most certainly like the local aquarium. Hersonissos is a lively place with many bars, discos and clubs.
Malia resort is located 34 km West of Iraklion. It mostly favoured by young guests and those who prefer party-like holidays. Endless beach, lots of bars, cafés, and taverns like a magnet attract visitors from all corners of the world, especially from Great Britain.
Hania province
Hania takes the Western part of Crete, so do not be taken aback when you hear it is called the “Western Crete”. It borders only with Rethymno. As tradition goes, the main town of the province has the same name of Hania. Though tourism here keeps developing at a great pace the place is still to be discovered by the mass tourism. However a lot of guests may find it a great advantage.
Beaches of Hania
Elafonisi seems to be one of the most popular Western beaches of the island. It boasts pink sand and shallow water.
Falassarna is another remarkably beautiful sandy beach of the island popular for its spectacular sunsets. It sits in the Northwestern Crete.
Agia Marina is a long sandy beach suitable for young people as well as for families with children. The beach also provides different water sports facilities.
Many visitors see Balos beach as one of the most picturesque places on the island. It is located at the very end of Gramvoussa peninsular. Balos owes its attraction not only to the location but also to the white and pink sand that covers the seabed. This gives to the water its marvelous deep emerald hue.
Kalives sits about 19 km East of Hania. Scenic beach, beauty of the place, its relaxed rhythm are the main attractions of the place
The sandy beach of Frangokastello village, doubtless, will attract those who come to enjoy sun and sea in quiet and serene ambience. It owes its name to the well-preserved Venetian castle. The place is also famous for an unusual optical phenomenon called Drosoulites (gr. dew). Once a year early in the morning the ghost army from the remote past seem to approach the castle walls. It is rumored that sometimes even voices and sounds of the weapons can be heard.
Province of Lissithi
Lasithi is located in the Eastern Crete. The Lassithi plateau is encompassed by the Dikti mountain chain. This mixture creates amazing scenic landscapes. Its capital city of Agios Nikolaos is an attractive place with lively night life.
Beaches of Lassithi
An exotic beach of Vai sits in the Northwestern Crete. It boasts one of the biggest palm woods in Europe. This unique blend of crystal clear water, soft sand and pebbles fringed by the palm trees makes Via very popular among visitors.
Elounda is a small and at the same time very attractive resort. It sits 11 km outside Agios Nikolaos town. Elounda offers several well organized sand beaches. This is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy peace and seclusion away from humming cities. Here one can also take a trip to the neighbouring Spinalonga island.
Plaka beach is located not far from Elounda, in 5 km. This beautiful beach with sand and pebbles every time attracts a lot of visitors. Besides, it has a picturesque view to Spinalonga.
Xerokambos is a long sand beach with shallow and clear sea on the background of low hills and small olive groves.
The sandy beaches of Ierapetra resort (gr. holy stone) have always allured visitors with pictures landscapes and crystal clear sea.
Province of Rethymno
Rehymno borders with provinces of Hania on the west and Iraklion on the east. Spectacular mountains, caves and picturesque gorges with rare rivers make up a fascinating picture that was created both by nature and man. Rethymno is the main town of the province.
Beaches of Rethymno
Rethymno is a well-organized sandy beach of 12 km long. It lies west of the capital city. Bali is a group of four different beaches located in Bali bay. This setting provides a good protection of the place from winds. You can also find different water sports facilities there.
The spectacular beach of Preveli is popular not only among foreigners but also among locals. The local landscape is dominated by small waterfalls and a river that crosses the coast and falls into the sea. The whole picture of the place is accomplished by the embedded palm trees.
Plakias beach lies on the Southern part of the island 32 km off the capital. And from the local fishing village you can have a breathtaking view to the boundless sea and the beach of sand and pebbles.
Geography
Crete is the Greek largest and fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. 2013 Crete celebrates hundred-year anniversary of officially becoming part of Greece. And its neighbor, a small islet of Gavdos, is believed to be southernmost point of Europe.
The total land area of the place is about 8 336 sq km with the rugged and craggy coastline of 1 046 km. Three mountain ranges cover two thirds of the surface area and are punctuated by plateaux and occasional rivers. These are Lefka Ori (the White Mountains) in the West with the highest peak Pachnes (2 453 m), Dikti with the highest point Spathi (about 2 148 m) in the East and Ida with the highest point on the island Psiloritis (2 456 m) in central Crete.
Administratively the island is divided into four prefectures:
- Heraklion (Iraklion)
- Lasithi
- Rethymno
- Hania
Transport
Crete has two big airports. One is the International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" located in the city of Iraklion. The other is the International Airport "Ioannis Daskalogannis" in the city of Hania. There is also the Sitia airport that serves domestic flights.
The island is also accessible by sea with regularly ferry boats from the mainland port of Piraeus. In addition, ferries provide necessary communication of Crete with other islands.
The island has 6 ports of:
• Kissamos town (Kastelli): ferries to Kythira and Antikythira islands only
• Souda town, 14 km from Hania
• Rethymnon town
• Heraklion town
• Agios Nikolaos town
• Sitia town
Public transport of KTEL runs regular buses to most inland settlements. You may also use a taxi to get to your destination point.
Climate
The mild climate of Crete island is considered to be one of the best in Europe. Summers here are overpoweringly hot. But meltemi winds (strong Northern winds) make the heat more bearable. Fall is a real prime time here with rather high temperature. Winters can meet you with sporadic rainfalls. In the mountains it can even snow. The average summer temperature on the island is about 26 Celsius degrees, while winter averages in about 17 Celsius degrees.
Population and traditions
According to the latest census the island’s population is about 621 340 people the major part of whom lives in three largest cities of Crete of Iraklion, Hania and Rethymno.
As expected Crete’s dominant religion is Orthodox Christianity, while 1.3 % of the rest are Muslems and only 0.7 % belongs to some other confessions.
Local people are well known for their free will, independent character and their wish to stay true to their roots. One can watch many old customs and traditions in remote villages. It is a common thing to meet men in traditional Cretan dresses. Women, as a rule, are dressed in black with black headscarves.
Speaking about Crete it is necessary to mention about the role the music and dance play in local life. They accompany any significant event beginning from weddings and ending with Easter and Christmas.
The Cretan dagger
Wearing a dagger in Crete has a long and rich history with its roots going far back to the ancient Mycenaean era. It got its current form in the late 18th century. And even today in many Cretan village, you can meet men in black with a typical dagger. The island’s inhabitants are still known for their proud temper and doggedness. Men here have always been distinguished for their fighting skill.
Sheep Shearing
It is not accidental that the seemingly ordinary activity such as sheep shearing here takes the form of a real feast. Agriculture still dominates local economy and calendar. The holiday is celebrated in June. The owner invites his friends and relatives to help him and after that all together to celebrate this event.
Of the same significance are other agricultural events such as grapes and olives collection. They have parties after the work is done.
Cretan wedding
Wedding in Crete is one of the most important and grand events that is celebrated several days, making it possible for all friends and relatives to attend the event. It is not a surprise that before the wedding the couple should get the approval of the elders in the presence of the priest. Only after that together they appoint the wedding date. You still may witness in some villages the tradition of giving to the newly-weds a "kaniskya", which is a basket with olive oil, wine, cheese and potatoes. The bride’s dowry is taken to the groom’s house with traditional mandinada (Cretan rhyming couplets) and guns firing into the air. All guests are welcomed with ornate wedding bread.
The custom of Klidonas
This tradition has its roots in old pagan times. It is celebrated on the 24th June, St John’s day. The word “klidonas” means “prediction” in Ancient Greek. Unmarried and single girls get together around the main village well. There they fill a jug with water. Two unmarried girls, both called Mary, carry this jug with “silent water” to the village square. On the way they neither can utter a single word or even laugh. Every girl puts a personal object “rizikaria” into the water. The jug is covered by a red tissue and is left in the open air. Next day Maria gets “rizikaria”, one by one, from the jug accompanying each one with a mantinada addressed to the owner. This couplet is meant to tell the girl about her marriage.
Capital
Iraklion (Heraklion) is the capital of the island and one of the four island’s provinces as well. Its population is about 170 000 people. It officially becomes the island’s capital after Hania in 1972. Today this is not only a modern busy cosmopolitan city but also the commercial, historical and financial hub of Crete. Despite all of it, the city still keeps some evident Mediterranean elements. As a main island’s port Iraklion provides the necessary communication with the outer world by sea.
The capital city of Crete has a long history. This long way was not always smooth. The present city of Iraklion was founded in the ninth century by the Saracens. That time it was called Khandak meaning “moat” after the ditch around the city. After the Venetians invaded the island they changed it to Candia in their language. Some time later the city got its present name of Iraklion after the popular ancient hero Hercules, son of Zeus and queen Alcmene. One of his labours was to capture the Cretan bull.
You may start your explorations with the Venetian Fortress Koules, located in the old harbour. It was rebuilt and refurbished in the 16th century. The Venetians called it «Rocca al Mare», though today it is better known as Koules, which in Turkish means "sea fortress". Arsenali is located in the southern flank of the harbour. Once here ships were built or repaired.
Popular squares of Elefterios Venizelos and Elefterias (gr. liberty) with numerous bars, cafés and stalls are always crowded and full of life. And some churches, monuments and museums are just a few minutes’ walk from either…The famous Morosini fountain sits in the square of Elefterios Venizelos. It has got its name after the Venetian governor Francesco Morosini.
Agios Markos (St Mark) basilica, saint patron of the city of Venice, was one of the first constructions built by the Venetians on the island in the 13th century. Basilica is located in the square with the lions, Elefterios Venizelos square.
Once built by the Byzantines the Agios Titos church (St. Titus) was refurbished in the 16th century by the Venetians.
You may start exploring museums with the Archeological museum with premium collection art and artifacts from the Minoan civilization. You will get an opportunity to see the famous Phaestos Disc.
The Historical museum of Crete with the exhibits embracing the history of the island up to the present days. It sits not far from the harbor. To see a marvelous collection of icons, frescoes and different church attributes and utensils you will need to head to the Museum of religious art of Crete.
What to see
But perhaps the most visited place on Crete is the Knossos archeological site with its palace. The site is situated 5 km of Iraklion. The Palace remains the most fascinating place on the island that though explains some historical and cultural points still leaves many questions and riddles to be solved. You will feel yourself trapped into the myth while walking along the passages of the legendary labyrinth created by the ingenious mind of the Athenian inventor and master craftsman Daedalus. Ancient tradition says that centuries ago, in times of king Minos, this was the place where the Minotaur was imprisoned.
In case you have time visit the remnants of the ancient town of Gyrtys. Once a capital of the island during the Roman era, today this place is totally abandoned. Although the survived fragments still bear the signs of its great past.
Try something new and visit the palace of Festys with a scenic and stunning landscape as a backdrop.
To some extent it is expected and quite understandable when the invades who were in Crete at different times contributed to the local culture thus shaping the “face” of this place. That is why one can meet here Byzantine churches, Turkish mosques, Venetian fortresses and different ancient mansions.
If you are somewhat a little bit bored and tired from much history and culture then perhaps it is time for you to discover the spectacular and magnificent Samaria gorge, the Europe’s largest gorge, situated in the White Mountains (Lefka Ori).
To add a sense of excitement to your trip, you may also go to the Cretan aquarium "Talassokosmos" (gr. marine world), located on the territory of the former U.S. military base. It is not only entertaining, but also a research center. And Aquarium itself is only a part of the whole complex.
Mythology and history
According to many sources Crete is thought to be the birthplace of Zeus, the father of gods and men. It is told that he first saw this world from one of the caves of the Dikti mountain. Taking the form of a white bull he abducted Europa and brought her to Crete. Here she bore Zeus three sons, one of whom was Minos. It was Minos’s daughter Ariadne who helped Theseus to come safe and sound out of the maze giving him a ball of thread.
The island’s history begins from the Neolithic age. To this period belong the first signs of human activity discovered here. Minoan Crete has been the subject of intense and constant study since the moment of its emergence. It owes its name to Sir Arthur Evans who named it after the infamous mythic king. The whole period is marked by more sophisticated architecture, developed culture and writing system. Some fragments of the latter even today remain undecyphered.
1450 BC proved to be fatal for the Minoan island and its inhabitants. Many scholars believe that it was a series of earthquakes that caused the destruction of once flourishing and powerful culture.
Later on as the Roman power was growing in the Mediterranean in the second century, Crete fell under its rule. Christianity reached the island around 60 AD.
With the fall of the Roman Empire Crete became part of Byzantium. Then the Arabs were followed by the Venetians who left many signs of their presence on the island. The Turkish occupation lasted until 1897 when the island finally joined the mainland Greece.
During the World War II Crete suffered from the German occupation. The inhabitants of the island also took an active part in the resistance movement.
After the Germans withdrew their troops and the war came to its end the island could finally enjoy a peaceful life. And with the development of the local tourism and agriculture Crete becomes one of the most prosperous parts of Greece.
Cuisine
Lately Cretan cuisine or as it is often called “Cretan diet” has become a popular topic of discussions and researches. The truth is that the island’s inhabitants use almost everything that gives them their rich nature. But olive oil, which is considered to be one the best of the kind in Greece, still dominates the local cooking tradition.
Use a chance and try known all over Greece Cretan cheeses. The locals are also famous for their skills to cook different meat. And cooked snails are the most beloved dish on the island.
You may ask to bring you a bottle of Cretan wine or perhaps you are experienced enough to try favoured by the locals the distilled spirit of “tsikoudia” («τσικουδία») which is often called “raki”. It is made from the pieces of grapes that were pressed during the wine making process, such as the stems and the seeds.
Entertainment
Being a big resort Crete can offer to its guests a vast variety of entertainments meeting different tastes and needs. Those who prefer to mingle lying in the sun with something more energetic can enjoy riding or walking in the mountains of the island, or perhaps you would like to take part in safari tour.
One may also, if interested, take part in short sea trips or visit any of close islands. The island has many diving and windsurfing centers on Crete.
Besides, there are several water parks with the recently opened “WaterCity”. It has a marvelous view to the seaside and offers a vast variety of activities. It is situated between Hersonissos and Iraklion, 20 minutes far from the latter. “Aqua Plus” sits not far from Kasteli of the Northern Crete. “Limnoupolis” water park is 6 km off Hania, in the neighbourhood of Varipetro.
As the sun goes down, the lights come all across Crete. Here comes the turn of the night with its bars, discos, and clubs. Malia and Agios Georgios are the most popular places for those who want to learn the night Crete. Though, Malia is more recommended for young people than for families with children. Actually this place is the favoured by young Brits who are well known for their wild behavior. And those who would prefer to spend some time in modern bars and clubs with popular DJs it is recommended to go to the island’s capital.
What to buy
Many guests prefer to take with themselves olive oil of excellent quality, local honey or cheese. The island’s inhabitants are also famous for their craftsmanship. You may buy here top notch ceramics, wooden items or jewelry, etc.
