Crete is the largest Greek island, until recently (some 100 years ago) an independent state, as well as the heir to ancient civilizations: Minoan, Greek and Byzantine. For tourists, Crete is a vacation for every taste, temperament and budget.
Together with our guide from Zhenya Lasakova, go to the mountains with a backpack on your shoulders, explore the narrow labyrinths of streets in Venetian towns, travel back to the distant past among the ruins of Minoan palaces, relax on the beach to the measured sound of the surf, or dive into the stormy nightlife. Crete offers it all, and you just have to choose.
When to go
May to late October.
In May-June, the island blooms and therefore is especially beautiful. Around everything is buried in greenery, and along the roads they sell freshly picked honey from thyme.
Even in August, despite the fact that this is the hottest and most popular month for tourists, you can have a great rest. Firstly, there is a breeze on the island, so the heat is much easier to tolerate than in mainland Greece. And secondly, in August, the fruit season begins: sellers of mouth-watering little oranges appear on the side of the roads.
If you are planning a vacation in the fall, take a closer look at the southern coast of Crete - the water stays warm here the longest.
Advice: There is another advantage to traveling in the fall - financial. The weather is still warm, the sea temperature allows swimming, but the number of tourists on the beaches and major attractions is dropping sharply, and prices for housing, food and other services are falling.
How to get there
During the season, the capital of the island of Heraklion can be reached daily by regular or charter flight from Moscow and several times a week by charters from St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and other cities.
Visa
Schengen visa of any state. By the way, the Greeks issue their visas quite loyally: they do not require a large number of documents and certificates, they are not greedy with a validity period. Even if you do not have Schengen visas in your passport, you can safely count on a visa from six months.
Movement
It is best to rent a car - this way even the corners of Crete, hidden from the tourist crowds, will become accessible to you.
Advice: It is very important to note all scratches and chips when receiving the car, as well as take full insurance - Cretans can easily find fault with any barely noticeable scratch on the fender.
If a car is not an option for you, you can use the bus routes (read about them below). The main route of the island E75 runs from west to east along the entire northern coast, all major cities and places of interest are easily accessible by regular bus.
Food and drink
The Cretans cook great meat, especially lamb, and before the arrival of tourists on the island, the locals generally did not particularly like fish and seafood. This is due to the fact that most of them from ancient times lived not on the sea coast, but in the depths of the island, where it was meat dishes that were familiar. But with the beginning of active tourism, seafood has become equally widespread. Naturally, vegetables, bread, olives (the standard of Greek products) - everything is very tasty here.
In almost any restaurant, tavern or cafe, you will receive a welcome compliment, usually bread, some olives, and thick tomato or olive paste. At the end of the meal, you will be treated to a dessert (at the beginning of the season, these are small vases, similar to panna cotta, in August-September it is a plate with slices of watermelon and melon). And be prepared for a free portion of local rakia (grape vodka) as the final chord.
By the way, Greek brandy is very good - light, soft, with a pleasant aftertaste. But the local wine is very mediocre. Another interesting drink is ouzo. This is anise vodka, here it is brought with ice and a glass of water, which must be diluted with the drink. The result is a cloudy white liquid with a very specific aniseed flavor.
Routes
The ideal option for a complete acquaintance with Crete is to take a car, go around the island around the perimeter and stop in different places: somewhere just for the night, somewhere - stopping for a couple of days to make a detour into the island and explore the surroundings.
For example, you can take a car at Heraklion airport and head west: spend a few days in Rethymnon and then Chania. Then move to the southern coast and head east through Frangokastello, Plakias (be sure to visit Preveli beach), Matala. Here you can spend the night or stay for a couple of days to soak up the sea and make an excursion several kilometers inland to the ruins of Festos and Gortyna. Move further east along the coast, through Ierapetra north to Sitia, from there, after visiting the Toplou monastery, go to Agios Nikolaos and spend a day or two in the vicinity. And then head west, towards Heraklion, stay in Malia (if you are interested in a vibrant nightlife) or Hersonissos (if you like quiet resort towns). From here you can go hiking to the Lassithi plateau and Zeus's cave, or you can stay until the end of your vacation and have a good rest.
If you prefer to wake up every morning in a familiar bed, have breakfast at your hotel, leave for the day and return "home" for dinner, you will be able to explore hardly half of Crete. But even on one half of the island, you will have enough impressions for a two-week vacation.
The most convenient cities for such purposes are Rethymnon and Chania in the west, Agios Nikolaos in the east and Ayia Galini in the south of the island. In addition to being conveniently located relative to local attractions, these cities are interesting in themselves and deserve special attention.
East
The main tourist spots east of Heraklion are Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra (southeast coast)
Heraklio
The capital of the island of Crete. There is an international airport, a seaport, and several museums. The city itself is not impressive, so we do not recommend staying here - it can be useful to you only as an arrival / transfer point.
Nearly the most popular tourist attraction, Knoss, is located ten kilometers from Heraklion. The most famous Cretan ruins are the palace of the Minoan (pre-Greek) era, which died in 1450 BC after the eruption of a volcano in Santorini and the subsequent tsunami. The main difference from other Minoan excavations is that Sir Arthur Evans, who dug up Knossos at the beginning of the twentieth century, decided to conduct a very controversial archaeological experiment: he studied frescoes, images on sarcophagi and clay vases found during the excavations of Knossos, and partially restored the palace. As a result, visitors can contemplate the stairs, columns, some rooms of the palace, but they are unlikely to be able to feel the time in these decorations - all this is a remake. A crowd of tourists. Whether it is worth spending time on a pseudo-ancient palace is up to you.
Heraklion
Knossos palace
Agios Nikolaos
The city is located on the northwest coast of Mirabelon Bay, 62 kilometers east of Heraklion along the E75 highway. You can take a regular bus.
Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque seaside town well worth spending a day in. An interesting attraction is Lake Voulisméni (Límni Voulisméni), the embankment of which is one continuous coastal restaurant. In the 19th century, a small canal was dug to the lake from the sea, so that now it is actually a sea bay.If you go through the entire embankment, the road will lead to the small white church of St. Nicholas - the patron saint of sailors. The church itself is closed, but a path begins right behind it, along which you can climb to the very top of the hill and enjoy the view of the lake and the sea.
If you are staying in Agios Nikolaos for the night, we recommend that you climb the hill twice - in the sunlight and after sunset, they are two different, but equally stunning pictures.
Lake Woolismeni
Hidden seven kilometers from Agios Nikolaos is the small and extremely picturesque village of Kritsa, a must-see if you happen to be nearby.
Here you can still find men and women in traditional Cretan clothes, and these are not costumed events for foreigners - they just dress like that. On the narrow streets between whitewashed houses with colorful doors and shutters, local old men and their cats rest imposingly. It's nice to just wander around, sit and watch the leisurely life of the locals, sit down in a cafe and drink coffee. A couple of hours is enough. There are almost no tourists here.
Spinalonga
An island with a fortress and an interesting history. The island itself and the fortress on it were built (Spinalonga was deliberately turned from a peninsula into an island) in the 16th century, under Venetian rule. Later, the island was captured by the Ottomans, and then a leper colony was established here - the island became the last refuge for patients with leprosy. Leprosorium existed on Spinalonga until the middle of the last century. The inhabitants of Crete believe that the island is inhabited by ghosts, the restless souls of the dead people, and they assure that from time to time at night they can hear voices and bells ringing from here.
Believe it or not, a visit to Spinalonga will surely make a strong impression on you, this place has a very strong energy. And from the fortress walls and towers a wonderful view of the sea and the coast of Crete opens up.
Spinalonga
To get to Spinalonga, you first need to get to Elounda or Plaka - 10-15 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos, there are regular buses, and from there on one of the ships that leave for Spinalonga every half hour or hour and go to islands no more than 15 minutes.
Vai
The easternmost and most famous beach of Crete is the very beach "Bounty" (yes, the advertisements familiar from childhood were filmed here), Vai is located 30 kilometers from the city of Sitia. It is located in the middle of a grove of date palms - the largest wild palm grove in all of Europe. By the way, during the filming of the advertisement, coconuts were tied to the palm trees at the direction of the director.
This place is not at all like the rest of Crete - more like some kind of tropical island. However, don't count on a secluded, relaxing getaway. Vai is very popular among tourists, who are brought here by whole buses with excursions, and the entire beach is filled with even rows of sun loungers and umbrellas (of course, not free). Nevertheless, you can still snatch yourself a piece of heavenly pleasure - do not forget to take a blanket or bedding with you.
If you are traveling by car, be sure to check out the 14th century Toplou Monastery (Iera Moni Toplou), located on the road from Sitia to Vai. Toplu is an unusual monastery, it is a monastery-fortress, which cannot be overlooked already at the entrance to it. At all times, the monks who lived in the monastery defended their land - either from pirates, then from the Ottomans, and during the Second World War, the monastery was the center of anti-fascist resistance.
But in addition to its military history, the monastery is remarkable for its amazing picturesqueness. Inside it, an atmosphere of tranquility reigns, it is buried in greenery, a wonderful panorama opens from the bell tower. The monastery church is also worth a visit, and the museum contains unique examples of ancient icon painting.
Toplou Monastery
Lassithi plateau and Zeus cave
The Lasithi Plateau (Oropedio Lasithiou) is located in the center of eastern Crete, approximately halfway between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. To get to the mountain road that runs around the plateau, you need to turn off the highway in the Malia area.
The entire plateau can be bypassed along the perimeter, enjoying the view of the mountains on one side and fields with touching white windmills on the other. But the main point of the program on this trip is the Dikteyskaya cave, also known as the Zeus cave.
Lassithi plateau
Crete is full of legends and myths - according to one of them, Zeus was born and grew up in this cave. His mother, the goddess Rhea, hid from her husband, the titan Kronos, who devoured all his children, as he was predicted to die at the hands of his own son. Rhea gave birth to Zeus and hid it in a cave, and put a stone in place of the child for Kronos.
During excavations in the cave, statuettes of Zeus and altars were found, as well as many ceramic products from different periods - for many centuries the god of thunder was worshiped here. Now these finds are exhibited in the archaeological museum of Heraklion, and in the cave of Zeus you can admire the stalactites and stalagmites of bizarre shapes. It is quiet and cool here, even when the midday sun beats down outside with might and main.
Zeus cave
On the way to the plateau, we recommend stopping at the Skapanis family café, located right on the edge of a sheer cliff.
Gortina - Phaistos - Matala
This is a full-day route for those who like to walk among ancient ruins, vases and remains of mosaics, the sequence is from the north coast of the island to the south.
The first stop will be Gortyna, one of the three most important cities of the Minoan civilization (50 kilometers from Heraklion, 32 kilometers from Ayia Galini, 82 kilometers from Rethymnon).
Leaving aside the ancient legends, let's just say that during the period of Roman rule, Gortyna was the capital of Crete. The most interesting thing here is the stone slabs of the 5th century BC, on which the code of laws is carved. Interestingly, the law, written 2500 years ago, did not provide for the death penalty, and also required substantial evidence of the guilt or innocence of the accused.
Another interesting archaeological complex, the Phaistos Palace (Faestos), is located 19 kilometers west of Gortyna. It is considered the second (after Knossos) archaeological site of Crete. In our opinion, it is more interesting, because the excavations here were carried out carefully and no one tried to recreate the palace from concrete for the visibility of tourists. It will take a couple of hours to explore this huge open-air palace complex, so bring some water and a hat.
Phaistos Palace
Matala is a small village on the south coast of Crete. The sandy and pebble beach, located in a small bay, will be an excellent completion of the Gortyna - Fest route.
Matala Beach is famous for the fact that in the western part of the bay, right in the rock, there are many man-made caves, as if left by giant swallows. They say that these caves are about ten thousand years old and they were hollowed out in soft rock by primitive hunters. Then they attracted the attention of early Christians who sought refuge from persecution. In the twentieth century, this place was chosen by hippies, who created a whole settlement here. Now in the village only a couple of stylized cafes and a few painted minibuses are left of them. The beach itself is perfectly equipped for a comfortable stay: parking, umbrellas, sun loungers, there are a lot of coastal cafes, bars, hotels nearby.
If you are planning a trip all over Crete, Matala is a great place to stay for a couple of days.
Rethymnon
West
Say what you like, but the western part of Crete is different from the eastern one. The mountains are higher and the air is fresher. Or is it just it seems? Leaving aside speculation: in this part of the island there are two of the most beautiful cities - Chania and Rethymnon.
Rethymnon
Rethymno is conveniently accessible literally from any corner of Crete: the most remote resort town, Sitia, is 200 kilometers away on the E75 highway, and only 64 kilometers from Chania.
In a few words, Rethymnon is an old Venetian city with marble fountains, Byzantine churches and Turkish bay windows. In a small, cozy harbor, fishing boats are jostling along, taverns and restaurants smoothly move from one to another. In the evening, car traffic is blocked on the embankment, and crowds of people of all ages and nationalities immediately appear there.
Matala beach
Things to do? The first step is to climb the hill and see the Venetian fortress Fortezza (Fortezza Paleokastro) of the 16th century, as well as admire the sea and the Ida mountain range from the fortress walls (the fortress is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, entrance - about 3 euros).
After sunset, take a stroll along the illuminated promenade of Rethymnon harbor - this is the most romantic place in the city.
For breakfast, we can recommend the small tavern Stella's Kitchen - a great place in the Old Town. And they also cook the right omelet here (the Cretans, as it turned out, have problems with this) - without a ton of oil and not overcooked ( breakfast problems are widespread in Greece. - Approx. ed.).
Rethymnon
Chania
Chania - the ex-capital of the island (Heraklion acquired this status only in 1972) is often called the Cretan Venice. Despite the absence of canals and stilt houses, there are indeed similarities, especially in the harbor. This is not surprising: after all, from the 13th to the 17th century, the city was under the rule of the Venetian Republic. The Venetians equipped the harbor, erected a lighthouse, breakwaters and breakwaters.
The old town is extraordinarily beautiful: narrow cobbled streets, brightly painted buildings, a whimsical mixture of minarets, Orthodox domes and baroque facades.
In addition to endless walks in the Old Town, it is worth looking into all the churches that you meet, admire the Topanas quarter, where both Venetian mansions and Turkish buildings have been preserved, and explore the labyrinth of Kastelli and Splantzia quarters.
Be sure to visit the covered market: in addition to the many souvenirs and traditional Cretan goods (mountain herbs, spices, cheeses, oil and olives, engraved knives and baskets), the building itself is worth paying attention to. Built in 1911-1913 on the model of Marseilles, the Chania market building has entrances from four cardinal directions, and the roof is glazed, so there is always a lot of light here.
It is also interesting to walk in the New City, walk around the Kumkapi quarter, look into the Church of St. Magdalene - it was built as a gift to Prince George from the Russian Emperor Nicholas II.
Monasteries of the Akrotiri Peninsula
Just a few kilometers from Chania, on the Akrotiri peninsula, there is a trinity of extremely interesting and picturesque monasteries, a must-see of this region. However, the main tourist flow will bypass this route - a great loss for them and great news for you.
Leave Chania and follow the road to the airport and then further north. The coordinates of the monastery of Ayia Triada (Moni Agias Triadas) - 35.56068, 24.135259.
The monastery was built by two monks - Venetian subjects of Cretan origin. Be sure to look for a miniature (unlike a Moscow temple) Church of Christ the Savior in the depths of the courtyard.
Ayia Triada
The next monastery along the route is Gouverneto, also called Panagia ton Angelon (Gouverneto, Panagia ton Angelon), it was built in the middle of the 16th century. The distance to it is four kilometers along a dirt road. Both Ayia Triada and Gouverneto are active monasteries, so you should observe the appropriate dress code (or use the proposed capes and skirts).
In addition, Gouverneto is closed from 12:30 to 16:30.
Gouverneto
If you go through the territory of the Monastery of Gouverneto, then you will find yourself on the observation deck, from where you can enjoy an excellent view of the mountains. Here begins the path to the third monastery of the peninsula - the abandoned monastery of Catholico, also known as the monastery of Agias Ioannis Xenos. Head down, the path is stone paved and comfortable to walk. The road to Katoliko will take about 25-30 minutes one way.
After about ten minutes walk downstairs, you will meet the Arcudiotissa Cave with the Church of Our Lady at the entrance. This is a cult place known since ancient times. Artemis was once worshiped and honored here. During the festive month of Hamelion (from January 10 to February 6), the girls who were getting married performed a ritual dance dedicated to the goddess of the hunt here.
Catholico
The Katholiko monastery is considered the oldest monastery on the island (founded in the 6th – 7th centuries). A stone bridge over the gorge leads to the entrance to the monastery, while the buildings of the monastery are carved into the rocks. So, for example, the Church of St. John Xenos has ordinary walls only from the side of the facade, while the main room is inside the rock. The hermitages of hermit monks are also carved into the rock, two of which can only be climbed by crawling. It is likely that you will be alone to inspect the monastery - tourists are not brought here.
If you go further down the path, you will go down to the sea - to a small secluded beach, where you can gain strength before returning to the top.
Advice: If you walk quietly along the path and you are very lucky, you can meet a completely adorable animal - the Cretan marten. The main thing is to have time to look not only at your feet.
Beach "Devil's Harbor" (Seitan Limania)
One of the most beautiful and inaccessible beaches of Crete - Devil's Harbor, is located near the city of Chania. It is not easy to get there - the last section of the road is replete with serpentines and inclines, and after that you still have to stomp down the slope (be sure to wear comfortable shoes, not slippers or slates). Be sure to grab water.
The beach is unequipped - no sun beds, no water tray, no lifeguard. But there are no crowds of tourists here either. But there is beauty, silence and solitude.
Devil's harbor
Lake Kournas
Kurna is the only lake in Crete. It is located 48 kilometers east of Chania, towards Rethymnon. The lake is picturesque, with clear water to the very bottom.
Local travel vendors claim that if you look closely, you can see the Caretta caretta turtles (they say "see the turtles"). This, of course, is a tourist bike: there is no trace of Caretta caretta here, but flocks of geese roam freely on the banks, and goats graze on the distant steep slopes. According to PRTBRT readers' reviews for 2017, turtles still exist in Lake Qurna!
We recommend renting a small pedalo with a canopy for a couple of hours (about 7 euros per hour) and exploring the lake from the water, of course, with swimming breaks. Then you can dine at one of the coastal restaurants (prices are quite the same as in the city).
Lake Kurna
Balos and Gramvousa
From Chania, it is convenient to go to explore the far west of the island and explore the Balos lagoon - one of the landmarks of Crete. It is famous for the fact that in this place three seas merge together: the Ionian, Aegean and Libyan. According to local residents, in sunny weather, dozens of different shades of water can be discerned in the bay. The bay itself is a large shallow and sandy beach. It is quite possible to spend a couple of hours here, enjoying the view of the three seas.
Lagoon Balos
Lagoon Balos
The most convenient way to get to Balos is on one of the ships that regularly depart from the port of the town of Kissamos (also called Kastelli). It is important to remember that ships leave from 10:00, but only in the first half of the day, the latest one leaves at 12:30 (and then only in high season). We recommend arriving at the port before ten to choose the boat you like.
As part of the trip, you will be taken to the island of Gramvousa, on top of which the remains of a once impregnable fortress, built in the 16th century to protect the strait, rise. However, after 100 years, the fortress, like the entire island, could not resist the Ottoman conquerors, and then became a refuge for pirates (hence the second name of the island - pirate). The fortress is well preserved, it is interesting to walk along it, an amazing view opens from its walls.
Gramvousa island
Keep in mind that you will not find shade on Gramvousa or Balos beach, so we recommend stocking up on a cream with powerful sun protection and a headgear.
This trip will take a full day until dinner.
Elafonisi
Another island and beach of the same name in the extreme west of Crete is located 72 kilometers from Chania. Elafonisi is one of the most popular beaches among tourists and one of the best in all of Greece.
The island is connected to the mainland by a long sand spit, at the base of which is the Elafonissi beach. Here you can sit in the shade of trees and umbrellas on sun loungers, and then stroll along the shallows that go far from the coast. Lovers of deep water will not be interested here: for many meters ahead, the water is collected almost to the middle of the thigh. The place is very beautiful, although it is favored by tourists. You can get here from Chania along a beautiful mountain road.
Elafonisi beach
Chrysoskalitissa monastery
On the road from Chania towards Elafonissi, just a few kilometers before reaching, you will come across a sign to the Chrisoskalitissa monastery - the monastery of the Golden Step. Be sure to wrap there. The white-stone monastery rises above the sea on a cliff. It is believed that seven of the 90 steps of the staircase leading to the monastery are made of pure gold (hence the name), but a sinful person cannot distinguish them from ordinary ones.
South coast
Gorges
Crete is strewn with gorges. The most famous and tourist attraction is Samaria. Excursions here are sold literally at every step, along with excursions to the Palace of Knossos and Zeus' cave. If you don't have any experience in hiking and you want to see the gorge, you can use an organized tour. The bus will take you to its northernmost point, and you will go south, towards the sea, where after 18 kilometers a boat will be waiting for you. Please note: This is a full day hike under the sun, even if you are walking with an organized group, so shoes, a hat, and water are required. And do not forget, you have to go on a hike to enjoy nature.
Samaria gorge
Samaria gorge
You can also organize this trip on your own, most importantly, keep in mind that one day will not be enough for the way back and forth, and it is forbidden to spend the night in the gorge. However, on the southern coast, in the village of Agia Roumeli, you can book a hotel, spend the night there and go back with renewed vigor.
Since the Samaria Gorge is the most popular on the island, be prepared for the fact that you will make your way along it literally in a crowd of people. It is somewhat more deserted here in spring and autumn, but at the same time it often rains in the region, and in the rain the gorge is closed to the public.
Fans of less promoted routes can be recommended, for example, the Imbros gorge or Agia Irini gorge. The path along them is shorter (7 and 8 kilometers, respectively), and there are several times less tourists.
Crete island: attractions on the map, itinerary by car in Crete
Vacation is a miracle in itself. It doesn't matter where and how you are going to spend it, the main thing is the mood to have a good rest. We went to Crete in July, on a burning tour package. The goal was to rent a car and go around all the most interesting places and sights.
I'll tell you right away about the weather- it was very hot, even unbearably hot, but despite this, we did not get the pleasure of swimming in warm water, although we traveled around all the beaches. On our hotel beach the water was just cold, degrees 19. On the rest it was a little warmer, but still, unfortunately, not like in tropical countries.
Crete's infrastructure is expanding and improving. Which is logical. Tourists are bread in addition to the island's olives. In the tiniest Cretan village, you can rent a clean room with a bathroom from the owner for 20-30 euros per night with the same sea view, for which the hotel will ask you for 50-70 and so on. The good thing about Crete is that it is huge compared to Mallorca, Phuket and the Maldives: there is a vacation for every taste. There are trendy bustling resorts in the east, albeit not so much advanced-glamorous as in Ibiza. There are huge hotels where everything is included, and you only have to turn over on a sunbed under an umbrella on time.
Where is the cheapest car rental in Crete?
We have been looking for a long time in which office it is better to rent a car, but on the Internet you mostly find yourself on companies with a worldwide reputation - Sixt, Budget, Alamo, Europcar, Hertz, etc. After reading the forums, we realized that it is easier and cheaper to find a car on the spot. so didn't book anything in advance. And so it all turned out - after walking around the hotel, we found at least 5 local offices. Prices are much lower than those of the above market leaders. No collateral, no credit card blocking, full insurance and we got a pretty normal little car for 30 euros / day.
Car rental in Crete
Roads in Crete
I'll start with the most important thing - if you have a weak vestibular apparatus, stock up on motion sickness pills. I have not been sick in cars for a long time, but I barely survived trips around this island. Serpentine roads that lift you sharply into the mountains, making your ears ringing and dizzy, are quite common in Crete.
If you are a car enthusiast, then on the Cretan roads you will take a crash course for extreme driving, where there is a new turn around the corner and then the next one. And here on the corner there is a toy chapel with a candle in memory of someone who did not succeed in the turn. Fines for speeding and not wearing a seat belt are large. But they all go as they please. Exceeded the speed - it is his own fault. The warning signs are where they should be. Speed cameras are methodically crushed by cobblestones. The police here are mainly busy with accidents, traffic control and helping tourists. However, the roads are pretty good.
Crete sightseeing map and our route by car
We only had a week and wanted to combine sightseeing with passive relaxation on the beach, so we chose the most interesting places for ourselves. Only the main ones are marked on the map. we all drove around by car, saw much more by itself. I do not mention some places, for lack of suitable photographs and insufficiently high degree of their importance in my opinion :)
When planning an individual route, a great help is the Google map - "Google Earth". There, among other things, ordinary travelers post their photos and clips. They often crawl into places that you won't find in any guidebook. You can take notes and try to find something interesting.
Crete is a must-see place for lovers of historical stones, because there are whole cities from the times of the Minoan civilization, Venetian fortresses, ancient monasteries, both active and crumbling.
Minotaur Palace of Knossos
Address: Crete Island, Minoiton, Heraklion 71409
GPS coordinates: 35.302524, 25.159571
Palace of the Minotaur, Crete
Palace of the Minotaur in Crete
Oceanarium in Crete - "Cretaquarium"
For fans of civilized tourism - the water park and oceanarium "Kretakvarium". We were not in the water park, but we decided to stop by the aquarium.
GPS coordinates: 35.332615, 25.282405
Working hours: May-September: 9:30 - 21:00, October-April: 9:30 - 17:00
Chania town
GPS coordinates: 35.549412, 24.015620
Picturesque towns on the northern coast of Rethymno and Chania, where the old quarters remember the Venetian merchants, and in the restaurant on the embankment you can bite out an outlandish sea reptile with claws for lunch. Clean, bright buses and taxis with a single flat rate run regularly. The city of Chania is also called "the Greek Venice" - it really reminds of something.
Chania, Crete
Bali - a fishing village in Crete
We had a hotel in Bali, and here we rented a car. The place is tourist - many cafes, restaurants, hotels.
GPS coordinates: 35.422748, 24.782186
Embankment, Crete
Embankment, Crete
Heraklion
GPS coordinates: 35.410137, 25.138332
Crete beaches
For connoisseurs of natural beauty - picturesque gorges and streams, a mountain lake with turtles. And the beaches! There are so many here. With azure sea, Hawaiian pink sand, pebble, many kilometers of sandy, rocky grottoes with colorful fish, crabs and hedgehogs. Both secluded semi-wild and civilized, where a nice young man will come up to you from behind and very politely ask for five euros for a sunbed and an umbrella. Or come lie down on a towel for free.
Greece has many urban municipal beaches (public). Hotels often have their own small beaches, the entrance is also available to everyone, you just need to pay for a sun lounger.
City beach in Crete
City beach in Crete
Hotel beach, Bali (Crete)
The most beautiful places in Crete
Mountain lake Kournas (Kournas Lake)
Address: Rethymno, Kournas
GPS coordinates: 35.330872, 24.276206
Mountain lake Kournas in Crete (Kournas Lake)
Mountain lake Kournas in Crete (Kournas Lake)
Balos bay in Crete
Sfendoni Stalactite Cave
The cave is large and beautiful, decorated with multi-colored lighting. for amateurs - definitely worth a look.
Address: Zoniana village, Crete
Opening hours: April 10-October 31: daily 10: 00-17: 00; November 1-April 9: Sat-Sun 10: 30-14: 30
GPS coordinates of the cave: 35.299606, 24.840210
Stalactite cave of Sfedoni in Crete
Stalactite cave of Sfedoni in Crete
Crete by car
Hotels in Crete
What is Crete for a visitor, not a tourist?
There is another, not postcard, but alive and warm Crete, which you can breathe in and touch with your hands. These are small mountain and coastal villages that the road cuts right through. They are in the far west and south of the island, slightly away from the main tourist villages. There are simple coffee shops with plastic furniture on the roadside, and Cretan grandfathers sit there for hours with a calm air of aksakals. Cars are not locked here, the owners, who have rooms for rent, also have to click and look around the yard. Dogs are few, for some reason they are not fraudulent. But the cats stick out from behind every other corner, resemble the favorites of the Egyptian pharaohs - thin, flat, with especially long legs, full of regal dignity.
It may seem that the whole village - here it is - is one street. But no, the narrow alley starts to wind, and the second and third levels of buildings open. Partially abandoned but whitewashed. Here, in the mini-market, you will be offered thyme honey (produced by local bees, of course) and fragrant olive oil bottled under water. Instantly organize an ice glass of crayfish - grape vodka. And for a snack they will give salty shortbreads, or peanuts dried in the sun from their own garden. Just like that, for your acquaintance. And the hostess from whom you just rented a room will give you a broom of mountain tea and a bunch of fruits at parting and will advise you on the best beach in the area. This is how guests are received. They are very happy when you ask for local beer or the same crayfish for dinner. At the market, they call out cordially, but unobtrusively.
In small villages, they are especially touching when they hear that we are Russians. There are not so many Orthodox Christians around the world, and Greece is a very, well, just a very religious country. And the Orthodox are 98% of the population. Kriti is a feminine word in Greek, and as a true woman, in the end, inadvertently opens the veil over the next secret, which you want to unravel when you come back here again.
If you love Greece, be sure to take a look
Crete has a very long and rich history. This island was once home to the ancient Minoan civilization, which was one of the most influential in the region. Greek civilization came later.
Crete has always been a special place for me. Even at school, the Minoans have firmly sunk into my soul. I even remember a talk I gave about their civilization in the 9th grade. First of all, I was attracted by the ruins. But Crete also has beautiful beaches, interesting trekking routes, quaint historic towns, delicious food and wine. The people of Crete are open and friendly.
I hope you will love Crete as much as I do. And this guide will help you save time and money.
When to go to rest in Crete
The choice of month for a holiday in Crete depends on your preferences. The weather in Crete is warm all year round. If you want sunbathe on the beaches Crete, then plan your vacation from April to the end of October.
In April, the beach season in Crete is officially opened, but the sea is still cool. May is a great time for a vacation. It is not very hot, there are practically no winds in this month, and the sea is cool 20 - 22 degrees Celsius. Another pleasant month is September. It is also not so hot, but the sea is noticeably warmer than in May.
July and August are the high tourist season. The weather is sultry, there are a lot of tourists, prices almost double.
There are very few tourists from November to the end of March. Winter in Crete is warm, sometimes the temperature rises to 20 degrees. This is a good time to come if you are interested in the culture and history of Crete. Prices will be noticeably lower than in summer.
Prices on the island of Crete
You can spend the night in Crete from 1000 in an inexpensive 2-star hotel, or you can rent an apartment in Crete from 600 rubles per day on Airbnb. Rental prices for real estate in Crete are relatively low.
Lunch at a restaurant for two will cost 20 euros. If you cook yourself, you can get away with 30 - 35 euros per week for groceries. Estimated daily budget with housing, food and entertainment costs from € 40 per person. But traveling together is always more profitable.
© theo_reth / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0
Where to go to rest in Crete
Crete is divided into 4 regions: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklio, Lassithi. Each region has its own characteristics: slightly different weather conditions, resorts, beaches, attractions. Crete is a big island. Certainly more than it might seem to a person who has never visited him. Therefore, it is worth planning in advance in which region you will live. To make your choice consciously, you need to study a little information about:
How to organize your holiday in Crete
If you want to visit Crete on your own, then you need to get a visa, book a hotel and buy tickets.
Airfare to Crete
If you are going on vacation for a short period of time - up to 2 weeks, then it is cheaper to buy a voucher. If you want to live longer, then an independent trip to Crete will be more profitable.
In 90% of cases, you will land at Heraklion Airport - Nikos Kazantzakis. If you are driving on your own, follow the link to find information on how to get from the airport to Heraklion. If you are traveling on a tour, then you will be provided with a transfer.
Car rental in Crete
According to statistics, more than half of the vehicles in Crete are vehicles rented by tourists. Which is not surprising, since this is the most convenient way to get to know the island. Car rental in Crete costs from 1000 rubles per day. In the article you can find out about the necessary documents, where to rent a car, traffic rules and many other important details.
Discus Media presents a pocket guide to the largest island in Greece in the Nelles Pockets series by the German publisher Nelles Verlag.
The 96-page book details the history and attractions of Crete and its cities, and provides updated information on the operation of museums, restaurants and other tourism industry establishments. Separate chapters are devoted to Cretan and Greek cuisine, cultural life and other features of life and pastime on the island. The book is intended both for organized tourists in groups, and especially for those who prefer to get acquainted with new cities and villages on their own. Despite the translated nature of the publication, the text and content of the book are maximally adapted for Russian travelers. The guide is richly illustrated with detailed maps.
On our website you can download the book "Crete. Guide" by Maurus Moritz free of charge and without registration in fb2, rtf, epub, pdf, txt format, read the book online or buy a book in the online store.
Crete with its developed agriculture is one of the few islands that can survive without tourism. However, it is one of the most popular destinations in Greece. Much of the northern coastline is heavily built-up, and it is more and more difficult to find areas of unspoiled nature on the coast. High mountains with snow-capped peaks inside the island are almost untouched by civilization. Crete has minoanthe culture- the oldest in Europe. The island passed from hand to hand: from the Greeks to the Romans and Arabs, the Byzantines were replaced by the Venetians, and then the Turks ruled here for more than two centuries, then the island became part of modern Greece.
Evidence of antiquity has been preserved almost everywhere. A must-see is the magnificent Archaeological Museum in the main town Heraklion and palace at Knossos... Mallia in the north and Festa in the south have other remarkable monuments from the Minoan period. Near Festus are the ruins of an ancient Roman city Gortyna, Venetian fortresses and Byzantine churches. In addition to historical monuments, rural life attracts tourists. To retire, you need to go to the western or eastern part of the island or to the hard-to-reach places of the southern coast. The cities on the north coast have a thriving club scene and plenty of tourist attractions.
Transport connection the island is good. Vessels depart daily from Piraeus to Heraklion, Rethymnon, Chania and Agios Nikolaos, regular transport links have been established with Kastelli and Sitia (on the northern coast), where buses are constantly running, which continue to the rest of the settlements. Thanks to tourism, there are many one-day routes, small boats connect the villages of the southern coast. Instead of heading to Heraklion, it's better to settle in a beautiful city first Chania with mountains and the famous gorge of Samaria, Rethymnon(from where it is convenient to get to Heraklion, the main centers of Minoan culture and to the south) or Sitia to explore the far eastern regions.
Heraklion and surroundings
Heraklion with Mount Yuktas and Psilorite ridge from the west is best seen from the sea. First you can see the city walls, which still surround the oldest part of the city, and then the magnificent fort that protects the harbor. Unfortunately, large ships do not land at the old port, but at modern concrete docks. The old districts of the city are being restored, but so far the city is noisy and dusty. The only attraction is Archaeological Museum, north of the main square Platia Eleftherias (Mon 12.00-17.00 / 19.00, Tue-Sun 8.00-17.00 / 19.00, 6 euros). All major finds from Crete are presented here (you need to come here early or later to avoid the influx of tourists).
Opposite the museum is located travel agency EOT (Mon-Fri 8.30-15.00, tel. 2810 228 225). Housing there is not much here, but you can stay in a cheap hotel on Vironos 5 (tel. 2810 286 281, bed 9 euros) or in Rent Rooms Hellas, Handhakos 24 (tel. 2810 288 851, bed 9 euros). Nearest camping Creta Camping is located in Kato Gouves (tel. 28970 41400), 16 km east where Hersonissos buses run. Heraklion has beautiful a cafe in the district of Daedalus (especially in Korai). You can have a snack in the district of Fontannaya Square. One of the affordable tavernas is Ouzeri Mezes Ligeros, Titou 22, behind the church of Agios Titos. Access to Internet provided by Gallery Games, Korai 14.
Buses all settlements go along the northern highway with two stops at the pier. Buses to the south and west (for example, to Phaestos) leave from a stop outside the city walls at the Gates of Chania. Bus 2 to Knossos departs from the main bus station, stopping at Fontannaya Square within the city limits.
Knossos
Knossos with a palace from the Minoan period (daily 8.00-17.00 / 19.00, 6 euros) flourished more than 3500 years ago and retained its importance during the time of Ancient Rome. Knossos is located on a low hill about 5 km southeast of Heraklion in an area rich in archaeological monuments, which are twenty-five centuries old. When you get to palace of king Minos, the origin of the legend about the labyrinth of the Minotaur becomes clear. Even with a detailed plan and despite the reconstruction of the palace carried out by the first explorer of Crete, Sir Arthur Evans, it is difficult to navigate here. The queen's chambers, next to the grandiose hall with colonnades, speak of luxury. Climbing the Great Staircase upstairs, you see more austere rooms, which are considered the king's chambers. The staircase leads to the hall of the royal guard, the walls of which are decorated with frescoes. Climbing further along the stairs, you find yourself in the central courtyard, which was once surrounded by the walls of buildings. In the northwest corner of the courtyard is the entrance to the Throne Room, where the priestess most likely lived, not the ruler.
Gortyna, Festus and South Region
About a kilometer west of the village of Ayi Deka, where the bus stops, is Gortyna (daily 8.00-17.00 / 19.00, 4 euros) - the capital of the ancient Roman province of Cyrenaica, which, in addition to Crete, included most of North Africa. Many ruins including theatre scattered across the fields south of the main road. At the entrance to the city outside the fence, to the north of the road, are the ruins of the Basilica of St. Titus (Agios Titos), St. Titus is the first bishop in Crete. Nearby is the Odeon, where an ancient code of laws was discovered, carved on stones, an area of 30 m 2.
17 km from Gortyna is located Palace in Festa(daily 8.00-17.00 / 19.00, 4 euros) is another monument of Minoan culture. Unlike the Palace of Knossos, the palace at Festus has not been reconstructed. Its location on a hill with a beautiful view of the Messara Valley is impressive. The theater, the royal chambers, storage rooms with huge pithos for storing oil, wine and grain and the central courtyard are easily distinguishable. After 45 min. you in Ayia Triade- a beautiful place (much less crowded), where the "royal villa" was located. From here you can move in the direction of the southern coast. The easiest way to get there is by bus from Festa to Matalu - an old resort... There are a lot of visitors on the beach in Ayia Galini. If you are looking for seclusion, it is best to head to Landas and the beaches of the west coast.
East Crete
The coast to the east of Heraklion began to be built up long ago. There are good beaches but there are a lot of people on them. Construction is mainly carried out in the regions of Hersonissos and Malia, which are a single resort. This place is for those looking for fun. Hersonissos better, but in Malia food and lodging are cheaper. There are bars, clubs, English (Irish or even Dutch) pubs everywhere. You can stop at hostel Youth Hostel at the crossroads of old and new roads, east of Hersonissos (tel. 28970 23674, 8 euros), or Pension Memos, Konstandinou Yiamboudhaki (tel. 28970 31361), in the old quarter of Malia near the bus stop. To the east of Malia are the best beaches and palace ruins(Tue-Sun 8.30-15.00, 4 euros), much less visited than Knossos and Festus, but with the same layout.
From Malia the road leads to the Lasithi plateau, then to Agios Nikolaos. A beautiful city with a salt lake facing the sea; there are many expensive restaurants and bars on the shores of the lake. During the season there are many tourists who live in hotels on the beach.
zhah to the north and east of the city. It is difficult to find cheap accommodation in the summer; inquiries can be made at the travel agency (Apr-Oct, daily 8.00-21.30, tel. 28410 22357) at the bridge separating the lake and the harbor.
Sitia- the port and the main city in the eastern part of Crete - is starting to build up. There is a direct bus service with the airport, now you do not need to go along the winding coastal road. Sitia has many waterfront restaurants, a long sandy beach and a slow pace of life that changes little during the high season. Travel agency(only in summer from Mon to Fri, 9.00-14.30 and 17.00-20.30, tel. 28430 28300) is located on the embankment, lodging there is in the Kondhilaki district, a few streets from the port, you can try to stay at Pension Venus, Kondhilaki 60 (tel. 28430 24307). You can eat in inexpensive establishments on the streets behind the waterfront, for example, in Mixos, Kornаrou 117. In the eastern end of the island it is famous Wai beach thanks to the palm grove. There are many tourists here during the season. The neighboring beaches of Itanos and Palekastro are less exotic, but also less crowded. You can move further south - in Katozakros, a rocky beach is adjacent to a Minoan palace.
West Crete
To the west of Heraklion, the large cities of Rethymnon and Chania are tourist areas, from here you can go south and west, where there are not many tourists. In the old town of Rethymnon, there are many Venetian and Turkish houses, a secluded harbor and a sandy beach. From the west, a Venetian fortress rises above the surroundings (daily 10.00-17.00 / 19.00, 2.90 euros). From the bus station, the road leads to the beach and the center. Travel agency(Apr-Sep Mon-Fri 8.00-19.00, tel. 28 310 29 148) located on the beach. There are many housing: you can stay at Pension Olga's, Souliou 57 (tel. 28310 54 896) or at the hostel, Tombazi 45 (tel 28310 22848, 7 euros). Camping Elizabeth (tel 28310 28694) is located 4 km east along the beach and is frequently served by buses from the main bus station. It is nice to just wander through the streets of the old town, there are many taverns, cafes and cocktail bars on the waterfront. More economical establishments are located in the area of the Venetian fountain of Rimondi (17th century): good pizza and other food is offered in Edhodhimo on the corner of Messologiou and Salaminos. The city's nightclubs are concentrated around the corner.
Rethymnon located in the narrower part of Crete, so from here you can quickly reach the southern coast. Plakias is a growing resort that retains a small-town atmosphere. There are many accommodations that are occupied in August, including a hostel (tel. 28320 32118, 6 euros) and Camping Appolonia on the way into town. Locals can point to quieter beaches in the area.
Xanya
Chania is for many the most beautiful city of Crete, especially in spring, when the snow-capped peaks of the White Mountains (Lefkaori) seem to soar over the rooftops. The small harbor is surrounded by Venetian streets that survived the wartime bombing. Bus station located on Odhos Kydhonias: you need to turn right, then left on the square in 1866, in order to be at the crossroads opposite Halidon- the main street of the old quarter. Travel agency(Mon-Fri 8.00-14.30, tel. 28210 36155) is located at number 29 on Odhos Kydhonias (call there for the latest information). The ships arrive at the port of Souda, 10 km from here, where buses often run, stopping at the market in the old town. Port area is the oldest and most interesting part of the city. The small mountain that rises behind the Janissary Mosque on the embankment is called Kastelli, from where the Venetian and Turkish parts of the city began to grow. In the old city, vaults have been preserved near the fortress walls the Venetian arsenal XVI century Behind the harbor are the picturesque areas of the old town. There is a lively trade near the cathedral on Halidon Street, in particular in leather goods (Odhos Skridkhlof). In the direction of the Spianza quarter, there are old alleys with Venetian stonework and wooden balconies. City beach is 10 min. walking past the Maritime Museum, but the good sandy beach is best taken by a local bus from 1866 square along the coastal road to Kalamaki. Along the way, you will encounter secluded places, but you will have to walk part of the way.
There are many housing, but it will take a long time to find it during the season. A hospitable establishment is Pension Fidias, Kalinikou Sarpaki 8 (tel. 28210 52494; 8 euros), recently renovated and functioning as a hostel. From here you can walk to the old town to Pension Nora, Theotokopoulou 60 (tel. 28210 72265) near the Maritime and Byzantine museums. Camping Nota (tel. 28210 31138) is located on the coast, 4 km to the west, where there is a city bus from the 1866 square.
In the harbor are cafes, taverns and bars... You can stock up on food in the market, three blocks east of the 1866 square.There are clubs and bars in the port, but local youth prefer to start the evening in the bars and cafes of the Aktimiauli district, east of the harbor, and by midnight go to clubs for town (mostly in the western beach area) or in Daz, under the Schiavo bastion, in a narrow alley at the beginning of Halidon, or in Premier, behind the market in Zuderon. In Chania, you can listen to the game on Cretan lira- especially at Cafe Kriti, Kallergon 22, one block from the port. Internet access is provided at Cafe Vranas,
Isodhion 12, next to Vranas Studios.
Gorges and beaches
In the gorge Samaria, the longest in Europe, they carry excursions from Chania (only from May to October). Tourists make a long (at least 4 hours) ascent to the White Mountains. At the foot of the mountains is the village of Ayia Roumeli, from where ships sail east to Horu Sfakion or west to the resorts of Souya and Paleochora. Good places are Souya and Paleochora, as well as Loutro, a place halfway to Chora Sfakion, which can only be reached by sea. There are also good beaches, and from Paleochora you can come to the secluded Elafonisi beach with an almost tropical lagoon.