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Travel to a magical island with ancient palaces, Venetian architecture, and unique beaches.
The natural beauty of Crete's
rugged coastline and long sandy beaches mixed with a rich ancient history
attract thousands of holidaymakers each year. It is the largest of the Greek
islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean.
The island is divided into
four prefectures: Chania, Heraklion, Rethymnon and Lassithi which all have
their own share of charming villages,
harbours, beautiful beaches,
ruins and entertainment.
Its remarkable history is evident across the island, from the ruins of the
Minoan palace of Knossos to the Venetian fortresses of Rethymo; from old
mosques and Byzantine monasteries to the cave that is the legendary birthplace
of Zeus. The Venetian port of Hania in Western Crete is one of Greece’s most
evocative cities and the capital, Iraklio, is a dynamic city, the fifth largest
in Greece.
During your visit to Crete, it would be impossible not to set foot on a beach
and there are plenty to choose from. Most people head for the popular beaches
of Stalis, Malia and Hersonissos, but if you want to venture further a field
and find your own piece of paradise look south-east where there is an abundance
of sleepy fishing villages and beautiful bays.
Wherever you are staying on the
island, there's a lot more to see and experience than just the beaches and
bars. The dramatic scenery of the White Mountains for example in Western Crete
is home to the Samaria Gorge National
Park one of the islands most popular attractions and Europe's longest
gorge.
The climate in Crete is a
temperate Mediterranean one and is characterized by mild, rainy winters and
hot, dry summers.
There are significant
differences between the coastal zone and the mountainous areas, as well as
between the west and the east part of Crete. The mountains of Crete form an
East-West barrier to prevailing northerly winds and they trap the clouds
sweeping down the Aegean. The result is that it may be grey and wet in the
north, but sunny on the south coast where often the clouds do not extend over
the sea.
The monthly average
temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
14 |
14 |
15 |
19 |
23 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
26 |
22 |
19 |
15 |
|
Night |
7 |
8 |
8 |
11 |
14 |
18 |
20 |
20 |
18 |
15 |
12 |
9 |
If you are looking for
designer boutiques and markets selling clothes, jewellery and shoes then you
should head for Heraklion, Chania and Rethymnon. These towns are also home to
some fantastic food stores selling Crete's famous olive oil and cheeses.
Shoppers who prefer the
personal touch will do better in the island's villages such as Agios and
Nikolaos. Here you can local handicrafts, such as pottery, lace and wooden
crafts being made.
There are a variety of entertainment
options of offer on Crete. If you are a theatre lover try the Erofili Theatre
Fortess (Rethymnon) or the Oasis Open Theatre (Heraklion). If you are more of a
cinema go-er then there are a couple of open air cinemas – Attikon and Kypos,
in Chania.
If you are more into bright lights
and loud music then you might find Heraklion a bit tame. Head for Hersonissos
and Malia for something a bit more upbeat:
March
April
June
July
August
September
There is plenty to do on
Crete but there are always the outlying islands to explore too. Here are just a
few of the places you can explore:
The
tap water in
Crete is considered safe to drink. You should also be aware that medical
facilities are adequate but you
can expect long waits at surgeries and hospitals to receive treatment.
Within the busy tourist towns of
Crete there is a fair amount of petty theft and pick-pocketing so take care
especially during peak season when streets are crowded.