Greek island of Crete. Open left critical menu. Restaurants and cafes

Where can you touch the leisurely life and the clean, transparent sea, get closer to antiquity and the ancient gods? Of course, on the island of Crete. This place seems to be created for a peaceful holiday and active sightseeing. From the characteristic name it is not difficult to guess where the island of Crete is located. This is a country where Antiquity and the Middle Ages are perfectly intertwined - Greece.

Where is the island of Crete?

Greece is a small but very famous state in Southern Europe, washed by the Mediterranean Sea. This is a popular holiday destination for all Europeans, with ancient history. Therefore, few people do not know where the island of Crete is located, in which country. After all, this corner has preserved many attractions since antiquity.

The island is located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Greece and is the country's tourism hub. The area of Crete is 8,000 square kilometers. It is the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. The capital of the island is Heraklion. Crete is washed by three seas: Cretan in the north, Libyan in the south and Ionian in the west.

Briefly about the island

Crete is the center of tourism in Greece, the place where its main attractions and resort towns. This is the sunniest place where it rains very rarely. Very mild climate, abundance of beaches and developed infrastructure attract many tourists here.

So, we have dealt with the question of where the island of Crete is located. Now about its relief. There are three here mountain systems: White Mountains, or Lefka Ori; Ida, or Psilorit; Diktean or Lasithian mountains. The rivers here are not large. Fresh water is obtained from lakes. The largest of them - Kourna - is one of the main natural attractions of the island.

Ancient legends associated with the island

Judging by the myths, it was here that Zeus was born. Already his son Minos became the greatest king along with Egyptian pharaohs. Zeus fell in love with Europa, stole her, and they went to Crete. Today you can visit the ruins of Ancient Gortyna, the palace of King Minos in Heraklion.

Another popular hero of ancient myths associated with the island of Crete is Theseus. He became the liberator of the island from the terrible tax. When he lost his son at the games in Athens, he ordered that 12 boys and girls be sent from there to be devoured by the legendary Minotaur. Theseus dared to fight the monster. The daughter of King Minos Ariadne came to his aid, giving the young man a ball of thread, thanks to which the hero defeated the Minotaur and got out of the ill-fated labyrinth.

Medieval history of the island

Man set foot on the island of Crete around 8000-7000 BC. This is the Neolithic period. And by the beginning of the 2nd century BC, 4 kingdoms were formed on Crete: Knossos, Festa, Malia and Kato Zakro. Over time, the island became dominant in the field of maritime communication and trade. Then all the surrounding lands knew where the island of Crete was located. But at the peak of its heyday, a major and devastating earthquake on the nearby island of Santorini, and from there came a tidal wave that destroyed Knossos and nearby settlements. A couple of centuries later, another devastating earthquake occurred, completely destroying the Minoan civilization, turning the Knossos Palace into ruins. There are facts that after that the islanders engaged in pirate raids and participated in the Trojan War.

The Arabs arrived there, where the island of Crete is located, back in 824 AD. A century later, this place was conquered by the Byzantines. The island became impoverished and was completely devastated. Already at the beginning of the 13th century it came under the rule of Venice. The golden period in the history of the island of Crete is considered to be the 15th-17th centuries, when they reigned italian culture, education and the Church. The level of artistic literacy of the islanders has increased. Churches and cathedrals of various periods and reigns have been preserved on the island: Agios Titos, Agios Mark, Agios Minas and Pantanassa, Agios Aikaterini, the monastery of St. Peter and Paul, Cathedral. All these are monuments and striking examples of architecture from the times of Byzantine and Venetian rule.

Popular attractions of the island

Those who are interested in the history of Antiquity and the Middle Ages know where the island of Crete is located. Greece is famous for its ancient sights no less than its mild climate and warm sea. That's why many people come here to visit interesting places.

The Venetians set a task for Crete: to build a defensive wall across the entire island. The wall has survived to this day. The building is amazing, reaching a width of 60 meters in some places.
Some of the most remarkable exhibits historical museum- these are the works of icon painters of Crete: El Greco, Michael Damaskinos, Theofanis and Georgios Klontzas.
Some islanders have elevated the family hearth and surname to a cult. The family houses of Miliara, Tshahaki should be visited. The style of the houses is neoclassicism and all its splendor in the most striking design.
The system of fountains from different eras is very developed on the island of Crete. Some of them are still working.
It is worth visiting the fortress in the city of Rethymnon. It is believed that there was a temple of Apollo.
On the Lasithi plateau you can visit the Cave of Zeus.

Even those who know well where the island of Crete is located are unfamiliar with its features and habits of the local residents. Meanwhile, many of them are quite interesting.

The main symbol of the island of Crete is the bee. Once upon a time, outside the city, in the ruins of the Knossos Palace, a magnificent decoration with her image was found. To this day, the bee is the most popular element in the work of jewelers.
It is interesting that many organizations on the island have a schedule that is unusual for a European: usually until one or two in the afternoon. But gas stations close at 10 pm.
The most reliable and loved by both tourists and local residents The way to travel between the islands is by ferries. It is also cheaper than by plane.
An inexperienced tourist traveling in a rented car will have to deal with a strange feature. The names of cities on signs can be written in completely different ways: Heraklion - Iraklio, Irakleon, Heraklion.
It is worth remembering a certain dress code when visiting temples and cathedrals. No bikinis, shorts or sleeveless tops!
Locals have a special love for firearms, especially those who live in mountainous areas.
Oddly enough, freshly caught fish is rare on the island. And in restaurants it is extremely overpriced.
Since there are three on the island mountain ranges, it is not surprising that mountain herbs are held in high esteem here. These are sage and thyme. They are used to make tea, seasonings, cosmetics and medicines.
Tourists can come to celebrate local Valentine's Day in July. Yaquinthos Saint is the Saint Valentine we are used to. He is the patron saint of all lovers in Crete.

The island of Crete (Κρήτη) is one of the most popular places summer holiday among tourists from many European countries. This is the most big Island, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete is the southernmost large islands Greece. The distance from the island to the Greek mainland is approximately 110 kilometers, up to 175 kilometers, to Africa 300 kilometers. The administrative center of the island is the city of Heraklion.

Crete has a well-developed tourism infrastructure. The island has comfortable hotels offering the most Better conditions accommodation, small budget hotels, as well as rental apartments. Wealthy residents of some European countries buy property here to live during their holidays and after retirement. The largest number of tourists come to Crete between April and October.

Dimensions of the island of Crete

The area of the island is 8261 km².
Length from west to east – 260 km.
The maximum width from north to south is 60 km.
The length of the coastline is 1046 km.
Highest point 2456 m.

General information about the island of Crete

Crete has a mountainous terrain. The island has many gorges, caves, mountain plateaus and few plains. The island has a Mediterranean climate. The weather on the island is characterized by moderate, rainy winters and dry, hot summers. Snow falls very rarely in the lowlands. In summer average temperature fluctuates between 25 and 30 degrees. On south coast higher temperatures in summer and milder winters. The western part of the island is greener. There are more trees here.

Crete has a developed road network and regular city and intercity bus services. The main highway of Crete runs through the entire island along north coast and connects the main cities from Kissamos in the west to Vaia in the east.

The island of Crete has a rocky coastline. Therefore, most of the beaches here are relatively small. The longest beach on the island is located near the town of Rethymnon.

The photo shows one of the beaches near the city of Chania.

There are three airports on the island(two of them are international, one serves local lines).

Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis).
Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis.
Sitia Airport (serves local flights).

Most tourists arrive in Crete through the airports in the cities of Heraklion and Chania. Some tourists use sea transport, which arrives at the ports of Heraklion, Chania, Rethimno, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.

Most popular tourist attractions: Archaeological excavations in Knossos, Malia, Festos, Gortyn and other cities; monuments of the Minoan civilization.
Venetian Fortezza Castle in Rethymni, the port of Chania and other monuments of Venetian rule.
Samaria Gorge, Lasithi Plateau, Cave of Zeus, Palm Beach, protected natural areas.

The most famous cities in Crete

The island is home to approximately 623 thousand people. Most of the settlements are located on the northern coast of the island. The largest cities on the island of Crete: Heraklion (population 275 thousand people), Chania (59.9 thousand people), Rethymnon, Ierapetra, Agios Nikolaos (19.7 thousand people), Sitia (9 thousand people). ).

Try a tour in Crete.

Heraklion city

The city of Heraklion is the largest settlement on the island of Crete and the administrative center of the island. Heraklion is located on the northern coast, in the central part of the island. More than 170 thousand people live in the city. Near the city (about 5 kilometers east of the city) located international Airport Nikos Kazantzakis. Heraklion Airport serves a large number of tourists arriving on the island. The port of Heraklion has ferry connections with some islands and cities on the mainland (Santorini, Ios Island, Paros, Mykonos, Rhodes, Athens).

In the Foto ancient fortress in Heraklion.

In the city and its surroundings there are a large number of interesting places for tourists: Knossos Palace, the Venetian fortress (Rocca al Mare), the old harbor, Archaeological Museum, churches built at different times, a mosque.

Chania city

The city of Chania is the second largest city on the island of Crete. The city is located on the northern coast of the island, at a distance of approximately 145 kilometers west of the city Heraklion. The distance from the city to the western tip of the island is about 40 kilometers. The history of the city goes back more than three thousand years. Old city, the promenade and the harbor are considered the main tourist attractions of the city of Chania. The central part of the old city is called Kasteli. Nearby is the popular tourist square Eleftherios Venizelos. At a distance of about 45 kilometers south of the city are the Samakria Gorge and national park Lefka Ori. More than 55 thousand people live in the city. There is an international airport near the city. Not far from the city (7 km), in the town of Souda there is a passenger port.

View of the embankment in the city of Chania.

Rethymno city

The city of Rethymnon (Ρέθυμνο) is located on the northern coast of the island of Crete, about 70 kilometers west of the city of Heraklion. Currently, Rethymnon is a popular tourist destination. There are many beaches and hotels near the city. Near the embankment and the old town there are many cafes and a pedestrian area. The main attraction of Rethymno is the Venetian fortress.

City of Ierapetra

The city of Ierapetra is the southernmost city in Greece. It is located on the south coast of Crete, in the eastern part of the island. This is the only big one locality on the south coast of the island. The average annual air temperature in the city is 20.1 °C (one of the warmest cities in Greece). The distance from the city of Heraklion is approximately 100 kilometers.

Ierapetra was included in the "50" catalog most beautiful places Southern Europe". The old town and the embankment are popular places among tourists. Home market Street– Koundouriotou. Near the city there are several beautiful mountain gorges. The nearby island has a popular conservation area. The beaches located near the city are some of the best in Europe. In 2012, the city was among the winners of the Gold QualityCoast award.

For history buffs

The island of Crete attracts not only amateurs beach holiday. The island left a noticeable mark on the history of Europe. More than 4 thousand years ago, the first Minoan civilization in Europe arose on the island. It is believed that the palace ancient city Knossos was the first such structure in Europe. For the first time in the history of mankind, such engineering and architectural solutions, such as multi-storey buildings, natural and artificial lighting, water supply and sewerage, ventilation, heating, paved roads.

The island of Crete also left its mark in Greek myths. According to legend, here in the city of Knossos, the Minotaur lived in the palace of King Minos. The heroes of Hellas Hercules and Theseus came here. The term Ariadne's Thread originated on this island. This island is the birthplace of the ancient Greek god Zeus. But, if these words don’t mean anything to you, come to Crete just to sunbathe and swim.

You might be interested in: my vacation .

For those tourists who are planning to go on holiday to Greece, I advise you to pay attention to the largest of the Greek islands, which in terms of tourism is one of the most popular resorts not only in Greece itself, but throughout Europe. Of course, we are talking about Crete, an island with a centuries-old history and which has been repeatedly mentioned in myths Ancient Greece. It is Crete that is considered the birthplace of the greatest and most revered of the gods - Zeus. And the myth of the Minotaur, with its slightly sad ending, or the tale of Daedalus and Icarus, who are also associated with this island, are probably known to everyone since childhood.

The popularity of the island is evidenced by the fact that Crete is visited annually by more than two and a half million tourists from different countries peace. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that in addition to historical monuments, and there are many of them here, since the settlement of Crete began more than nine thousand years ago, here you can choose a vacation for every taste, from active and entertaining on the northern side of the island, to secluded and calm on its south. Being the fifth largest island Mediterranean Sea and with coastline more than a thousand kilometers, he is rich big amount beaches that differ in relief and even color of sand. For example, on perhaps the most popular Elafonisi beach, which is located in the southwestern part of the island, the sand has a shade of light pink, read more

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Weather in Crete by month:

Month	Temperature		Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day
Month	During the day	At night	Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day

January	13.3°C	9.5°C	44.2%	6 days (97.8 mm.)	16.6°C	10 o'clock 5m.

February	14.3°C	9.4°C	43.9%	6 days (116.0 mm.)	15.9°C	10 o'clock 55m.

March	15.8°C	9.6°C	37.5%	4 days (59.3 mm.)	15.9°C	11 o'clock 59m.

April	18.2°C	10.7°C	29.8%	2 days (36.9 mm.)	17.0°C	13:00 6m.

May	22.1°C	14.3°C	20.6%	3 days (35.1 mm.)	19.7°C	14h. 2m.

June	26.3°C	18.1°C	12.6%	3 days (46.3 mm.)	23.2°C	14h. 30m.

July	29.7°C	20.7°C	4.1%	1 day (13.6 mm.)	25.7°C	14h. 16m.

August	29.6°C	22.0°C	7.9%	2 days (26.0 mm.)	26.4°C	13:00 27m.

September	27.7°C	21.0°C	14.9%	2 days (43.5 mm.)	25.5°C	12h. 23m.

October	23.2°C	17.8°C	27.0%	3 days (50.6 mm.)	23.2°C	11 o'clock 17m.

November	19.1°C	14.8°C	35.1%	3 days (54.4 mm.)	20.8°C	10 o'clock 19m.

December	14.8°C	10.9°C	43.6%	7 days (80.0 mm.)	18.3°C	9 o'clock 49m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

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Cost of a holiday in Crete. October 2018.

tour cost

My husband and I decided to celebrate my birthday in Greece. The vouchers were purchased from October 26 to November 2. We chose the Creta Star 4* hotel, all-inclusive. The vouchers were purchased a week before departure, the cost was 1580 euros. We arrived at the hotel at 6 in the morning, we were immediately checked into the central building, the room was on the 4th floor, overlooking the sea, in Crete there are mountains all around and the enchanting sea. The hotel is not very big, the main vacationers are foreigners, mostly Germans. For children there is one slide and a small pool. There were practically no married couples with children.

The excursions that were offered by our tour operator are very expensive. We left the hotel and took an excursion from a nearby travel agency, including a visit to two places: Elafinisi beach, Balos bay via Gramvousa island. We paid 100 euros for two. In the morning we left the hotel for the port of Kissamos, where we boarded a ship, lunch cost us 25 euros. We saw pink sand, the confluence of three seas. We also decided to take a walk around the town of Rethymnon. We visited the fortress (4 euros per person), the temple, and walked along the embankment.

Food and products

There are a lot of small cafes in Rethymno; in the afternoon we ordered 2 coffees and 2 cheesecakes in one of the cafes and paid 12 euros. In another cafe in the evening, we ordered 1 beer and a dish of fried mussels, paid 18 euros.

Souvenirs and other goods

In a sweets and nuts store, we bought 1 kg pistachios. price 13 euros, 0.5 water for 1 euro. In the Reebok sports store, we bought our daughter sneakers for 25 euros, in the Mothercare store we bought 3 sweatshirts and spent 30 euros. All relatives receive soap and magnets for 1 euro, decorative plates for 6 euros. On the way back to Duty Free We bought our daughter a large box of M&M's for 10 euros, chocolate for 5 euros. Sitting in one place on Crete is stupid. Every summer the island is filled with colorful rented cars of tourists heading to a wide variety of places on the island.

Opening a map of Crete, you are amazed that historical places here at almost every step, you want to visit as many as possible.

Many people ignore Heraklion, the capital of the island, and completely undeservedly. It is worth paying attention to this city. Upon arrival, we devoted 1.5 days to Heraklion. And we visited the Knossos Palace, walked around the city center, we were completely covered by a wave on its embankment near the walls of the fortress, and we also looked into the historical museum.

Near Bali there is the Atali Monastery, you can walk there: there is an indescribable atmosphere here, it seems that you are in the Middle Ages.

Rethymnon and Chania are definitely worth a visit. Near Chania, it’s worth checking out one of the most inaccessible, but definitely the most beautiful beaches, Shaitan Limanya. You might want to get to Matala with its inhabitants pretending to be hippies. If yes, then do not pass by the town of Cales Limenes. Not only has this place been known since biblical times, because it was here that the Apostle Paul waited out bad weather, but there is also a secret beach here - Stena Beach. You can even stay here with tents for a couple of days.

In Crete you can find absolutely wild beaches, and those where there will be developed infrastructure. It all depends on your taste.

As for the beaches of Bali. We look at the sea from the shore and begin to list them on the right. The first beach - Livadi - is the largest. There are several taverns here and if you buy something in the tavern, an umbrella and sunbeds will be free for you. However, waves are frequent here. The second beach - Varkotopos - is very small, there are practically no waves and black sand, here you can swim with a mask, but it is always crowded and there will be nowhere to put your own umbrella. We didn’t really like the third beach - Limani, since there is a pier here. The fourth beach - Evita - is the most beautiful and farthest, here you can swim with a mask, the water is stunningly clear, there are no waves here. But we often took our umbrella and towels and went to the rocks. You can get there if, after going down to the first beach, go left. Among the rocks there are often sandy areas where you can sit and then swim with a mask and fins.

Where can I eat?

In Bali, we most often dined at the Galina tavern on the second beach.

But in general, each tavern has its own peculiarity. Tasty everywhere. The main thing for us was that there weren’t too many people.

About the quality of food and service

The portions are very large. It’s hard to get used to, and at first we overate ourselves and took what we didn’t eat back to our apartment.

How much does it cost to eat? About food prices.

On average, our bill for three for dinner with wine was between 30 and 40 euros.

Entertainment

In addition to excursions in Crete, you can go diving. In Bali, there is one dive center that is absolutely amazing. Friendly guys who help get ready, help on the boat, and after diving, like real guides, talk about what we saw underwater. The equipment is in excellent condition. We haven't had such a soulful diving experience for a long time as with them.

Pros of holidays in Crete

Crete will not leave anyone indifferent. For everyone here there is exactly what attracts them. The aromas of flowers and honey in the air, bright sunsets and sunrises, the history that you feel at every step, and the wind filled with myths and legends - this is how I will remember Crete.

Delicious food, friendly people, amazing coffee, homemade wine - all this is available to everyone in Crete.

Is it worth vacationing in Crete?

It is definitely worth coming to Crete at least once. Once you get here, you will strive to return.

If you don’t know which city or resort to choose in Crete to go on vacation, then in this article you will find a description and comparison of resorts and beaches on the island of Crete by region.

Cities and resorts of Crete - where to go

There are a lot of resorts with sandy beaches in Crete. We'll consider best resorts for holidays to help you choose where to go in Crete.

Review of resorts on the west coast of Crete

The resorts in western Crete are very easily accessible from Chania airport, or by ferry to the port of Souda Bay.

Agia Marina– located west of Chania on the island of Crete, Greece. The resort of Agia Marina is popular due to its large sandy beach, good hotels and developed tourism infrastructure, as well as fun establishments and vibrant nightlife.

Almyrida Crete is a small fishing village east of the port of Souda Bay. It has a good location - 25 km west of Chania. There are many good taverns, cafes and shops here. Near Almirida there are 2 sandy beaches with a shallow entrance.

Kalyves Crete- Almirida's neighbor. This is one of the best beach resorts in Crete. This resort is big enough to have a good choice hotels, but at the same time small enough to retain the flavor of Greece. Kalyves is also a fishing village, here beautiful beaches and even has its own church.

Chania set against the backdrop of the wonderful white mountains of Lefka Ori. This city successfully combines modern Venetian and traditional Turkish architecture. Chania town is not a beach resort in Crete, but it has good beaches and fun night life.

Chania © sidibousaid/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Resorts of central Crete

The central resorts of Crete are easily accessible from the airport or seaport Heraklion, or from Chania.

Adelianos Kampos– one of the most popular beach resorts in the Rethymnon region. This resort is called Adele for short. It is located east of the city of Rethymnon. There are many bars, restaurants and inexpensive hotels.

Agia Pelagia you will find on the northern coast of Crete near Heraklion just 20 km west of Heraklion airport - Nikos Kazantzakis. It is very calm here, good beaches, hotels and establishments.

Bali (Crete Bali)- a small village on the island of Crete. It can be found on the northern coast between Heraklion and Rethymnon. There is a good selection of hotels and restaurants. Near the village of Bali there are 4 small bays with beaches and a calm sea.

Georgioupolis Very popular with families and elderly tourists. There are very beautiful beaches with golden sand. Large selection of hotels to suit every budget and good restaurants on the seashore. If you visit this resort, be sure to visit Corrisia Park with a huge swimming pool.

Gournes- another little one beach resort in the north of the island of Crete near Hersonissos. There are several small beaches and the famous Cretan Aquarium - the largest marine aquarium in Greece.

Gouves or Kato Gouves- a village in Crete, which is located 20 km east of Heraklion airport. This is a very popular beach resort in Greece. Here good hotels, golden sandy beaches, coastal taverns and vibrant nightlife - in general, everything for a comfortable holiday.

Rethymno © robertpaulyoung/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kokkini Hani Crete is a popular resort on the northern coast of Crete, Greece. This resort is perfect for families and young people. Here great beaches, many 4 and 5 star all-inclusive hotels and an active nightlife. Kokkini Hani is located 15 km west of Heraklion.

Panormos located near Rethymno, Crete. There are 2 beautiful sandy beaches with golden sand in the best traditions of Greece, a beautiful bay, coastal bars and taverns.

Platanes- a resort on the northern coast of Rethymnon. There is interesting nightlife here: sirtaki dance shows, lounge and cocktail bars, night clubs. The beach in Platanes on Crete is long with golden sand mixed with pebbles, so many people wear beach slippers here.

Rethymnon or Rethymnon (Rethymno/ Rethymnon)– one of the most visited resort towns in Crete, Greece. There are many wonderful beaches in the Rethymnon area. There is plenty to do here: beaches, luxury hotels, cozy taverns and restaurants, and nightlife. However, the Rethymnon region is also great for families with children. Rethymno can be reached by bus from Heraklion Airport, the journey takes about an hour.

Agia Pelagia © maca89/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Eastern resorts of Crete

You can easily reach the eastern resorts of Crete from the airport or port of Heraklion.

Agios Nikolaos – main city Lasithi region. It's a city first and a beach resort second, but there are several good beaches.

Elounda– a special beach resort in Crete. It is close to the metropolis of Agios Nikolaos, there are very beautiful beaches and many luxury hotels.

Hersonissos- one of the most popular resorts in Crete. It is 27 km from Heraklion airport on the northern coast of Crete. Here wide choose hotels, catering establishments and options for a fun night out.

Istron - Kalo Horio are 10 km from Agios Nikolaos. Istron is a quiet beach resort on the coast, while Kalo Chorio is further inland. In Istron 3 beautiful bays V walking distance from each other, where it is very pleasant to swim.

Istron is a quiet beach resort on the coast, while Kalo Chorio is slightly inland. Istron has three attractive coves within walking distance of each other, close to fine tavernas and small shops.

Malia © 104249543@N07/ flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Malia very popular among tourists 18 - 30 years old. Malia is located 30 minutes from the airport. Here is one of the best beaches Krita. The hottest nights in Crete take place here. Malia is famous for its clubs and bars that will draw you into the pulsating rhythm of this resort.

Sissi Small and beautiful beach resort in Crete. It has its own small picturesque port and several good beaches. The seaside village of Sisi is 25 km from Agios Nikolaos.

Sitia- the easternmost resort of Crete. The harbor of Sitia has many nice fishing boats and a beautiful promenade lined with palm trees. Long and clean sandy beach.

Stalis or Stalida (Stalis or Stalida)– the best beach resort in Crete There is something for everyone here. The beach here is very long with soft golden sand. This resort is great for families with small children. Stalis is located 30 km from Heraklion and between Chersonison and Malia. Hotels, shops, restaurants - everything is here.

Resorts on the south coast of Crete

Resorts in southern Crete can be easily reached from both Heraklion and Chania.

Agia Galini is located in the Rethymno region. This small resort has a very calm and relaxing atmosphere. There are enough hotels and restaurants to give you plenty of choice without losing your sense of Greek identity.

Ierapetra- most Southern City Europe. There are excellent beaches and hotels that will suit any traveler's budget.

Makrigialos is a small coastal village in the south of Crete. Despite its modest size, Makrigialos has several good beaches and a wide range of holiday accommodation. But a very calm atmosphere.

Matala – popular resorts Krita. Matala is located in the southern part of Heraklion. Matala Beach is an example of true natural beauty. Messara Bay with its soft shelf sands and sandstone cliffs will not leave anyone indifferent. It was here, according to Greek mythology, that Zeus swam ashore in the form of a bull with Europa on his back.

Paleochora is the most popular beach resort on the south coast. Usually, you get to Paleochora from Chania. Hotels, restaurants, nightlife and beaches are all there.

Sougia located on the southern coast of the Chania region. Sougia is a quiet beach resort on the island of Crete. The southern coast of Crete is generally calmer than the northern one. Therefore, Sugiya is great for families with a small budget, because... many restaurants and hotels here are cheaper than in more popular neighboring resorts.

Chora Sfakion located in a picturesque area on the south coast of western Crete. Usually people get here from Chania. There are several small quiet beaches in the Sfakia area. Many tourists come here to go trekking in the mountains and gorges of Crete. And the local cheese pies with honey are beyond praise.

Frangokastello nestled next to Chora Sfakion. This is another small beach resort on the south coast of Crete. There are few quiet people here sandy beaches, but there are the ruins of the Venetian castle of Frangostello, which looks very impressive on the beach with shallow crystal clear water.

Loutro– probably one of the most desirable resorts in Crete due to its inaccessibility. You can only get here by ferry. It's a very relaxing place to stay, and if you want to be in silence, then Loutro will not disappoint you. There are inexpensive hotels and accommodation, and taverns.

Last minute tours to Greece

Crete is the largest greek island, birthplace of Zeus and tourist centre Mediterranean. It was here that one of the ancient civilizations- Minoan. While archaeologists are excavating palaces built during the reign of King Minos, tourists are visiting the ruins of the Knossos labyrinth, where, according to legend, the ancient Greek monster Minotaur lived. Turks, Venetians, and Arabs lived in these places: mosques, fortresses and monasteries from different eras peacefully coexist with each other.

Most south island The archipelago is surrounded by three seas: the Aegean, Libyan and Ionian.

In Crete, both lovers of excursion holidays and those who come on holiday will feel equally comfortable. sunny island recharge your batteries and just lie on the sand. There is a magical blue-green sea here, bright sun and great beaches. There are palm trees, mountains and gorges. The people of Crete are always friendly and hospitable. They will be happy to feed you to your heart's content, teach you how to dance sirtaki and live correctly - measuredly and leisurely.

Search for air tickets to Heraklion (the closest airport to Crete)

Areas of Crete

Which cities in Crete have the best markets for fresh fish and food?

What to try

First, of course, the Greek salad is just out of curiosity. Try it and find 10 differences with the “Greek” that is served in Russian restaurants. Secondly, Greek yogurt. Same story as with the salad.

They say that Greeks live long thanks to a diet based on fresh vegetables and the best seafood. Both can be found at your local open market. Among seafood, by the way, local grape snails are especially valued - a source of protein and a powerful aphrodisiac.

Be sure to try the famous Cretan tiny snacks "mezedes" and local sweets, Greek buns and pies.

“Dakos” is the grandmother of Italian bruschetta, something between a sandwich and a salad. Made from barley bread with garlic and olive oil, tomatoes, olives, sheep's cheese and basil.

“Bugatsa” is a puff pastry pie and greetings from Turkey. If the Turks make it with yogurt or cheese and call it “pogaca”, here this pie is considered a dessert and is prepared with custard. Much less often - with spinach or minced meat.

The most popular food on the island is rice and lamb ribs and grilled "psitos", which is called Greek barbecue.

Meat is no less popular here than seafood. Every restaurant will offer you baked lamb kleftiko.

Traditional street food is “souvlaki” (kebabs on skewers) and “gyros” - Greek shawarma.

Cafes and restaurants in Crete

The most common type of eatery in Crete is the family tavern with colored shutters, checkered tablecloths and exclusively homemade food. Here you will be offered simple but very tasty food, a glass of wine or traditional Greek coffee on the sand. In family restaurants they don’t think about beautiful presentation and exquisite serving, but they are never greedy: the portion is enough for two. Usually taverns are open until the last customer. Plays until late at night live music, and everyone dances sirtaki. Those who don’t know how will be taught in a matter of minutes. The fun is enlivened by the traditional throwing of inexpensive glass plates at the feet of the dancers. Dinner in a tavern will cost an average of 35-60 EUR for two. There is usually a menu at the entrance, so you can estimate the cost of your dinner before you even go inside.

In addition to taverns, English pubs are popular. The menu in beer restaurants is quite simple: steaks, grilled meat and fish, battered snacks and beer itself. Each guest will be given fresh rolls with butter as a compliment from the establishment. Rock and roll is usually played in pubs, and sports matches are shown on TV.

IN major cities And resort villages You can find coffee shops from global chains. In addition to the usual espresso and cappuccino, the local coffee shop will offer you traditional Greek coffee brewed on sand.

The best photos of Crete

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attractions: fortresses, monasteries and palaces, caves, bays and parks.

One of the most famous monasteries of the island is Arcadia. It is located on the slope of Ida, 25 km from Rethymnon. According to one version, the monastery walls were erected in the 5th century, and the baroque church in the 16th century. Despite the fact that the monastery was destroyed by the Turks several times, it was always rebuilt and did not stop its activities. The uprising against the Ottoman yoke began with the Arcadia Monastery in the 19th century. Today the monastery is a symbol of the fearlessness and independence of the Greeks.

The ancient monument and city of Falasarna were founded presumably in the 8th century BC. e. It was a powerful city that at one time even minted its own coins. Archaeologists managed to find burials carved into the rocks, ruins of residential buildings and pottery workshops, and the remains of fortress walls.

An interesting landmark preserved from the time of Byzantine rule is the Frangokastello fortress, 85 km from the city of Chania. In the 14th century, it was erected to protect the city from pirates and maintain order in Sfakia, which at that time was considered a very troubled area.

In the east of the island there is Mount Dikti, in the cave of which Zeus himself was born. In the center of Heraklion there is one of the largest museums in Greece - the Archaeological Museum. Not far from the capital, the House-Museum of the artist El Greco has been opened.

As for Cretan natural treasures, in addition to the many amazing beaches, coves and lagoons, there is also the famous Samaria Gorge

6 things to do on the island of Crete

Go to Balos Bay and see the kiss of the three seas.
Go to Vai Beach and feel like a hippie.
Visit Santorini and admire it.
Go down to the seabed with scuba gear, or at least explore it with a snorkel and mask.
Buy local shawarma on the street and eat it right there.
Learn to dance sirtaki.

Crete for children

Despite the abundance of attractions, there are not many “specialized” children's entertainment in Crete. But this does not mean at all that children will be bored here.

There are marine aquariums on the island. The most important one - CRETAquarium - is part of the Center for Marine Research of Greece and is considered one of the largest in the country and throughout the Mediterranean. CRETAquarium is located east of Heraklion. More than 2,500 fish, shellfish and other organisms live here. The design of the glass containers closely follows the sea relief; their inhabitants dart back and forth a few meters from the visitors - even the most skeptical guest will have the feeling that he is deep underwater.

The aquarium-terrarium called Aquaworld is a private initiative. Its good-natured owners accept all aquatic animals and reptiles abandoned by their owners. In order to have enough money to maintain the shelter, they turned it into an aquarium and opened it for tourists. The owners of Aquaworld personally conduct excursions for children and adults, and talk about each of their pets with great love and tenderness.

All children's favorite vacation spot is water parks. The largest on the island water park-Watercity. It is located between Heraklion and Hersonissos, near the village of Kokkini Hani. It has 13 pools, 23 slides, a couple of waterfalls, many playgrounds and entertainment for kids.

Other water parks in Crete: Acqua Plus, Limnoupolis Water Park, Star Beach Water Park, Petra Mare.

In the vicinity of Hersonissos is located family park"Labyrinth". Its area is 1300 sq. m, in addition to the labyrinth itself, there is an attraction with ATVs, a cinema, a garden, a large excursion program and a themed cafe reminiscent of an ancient Greek city.

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