Crete
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Crete
Crete, the largest Greek island, is a place where Myth meets History, where the age-old Cretan culture teems in modern villas, where the sea meets the mountains and unspoiled nature coexists with modern tourist infrastructure. Crete has a thousand faces: one for each and every sort of traveller: the nature-lover, the explorer, the cosmopolitan, the lover of history and the classic vulture.Find your trip
"The Venice of the East", Chania is characterized by a blend of Venetian, Ottoman and Neoclassical monuments and architecture. Its streets are narrow, colorful and picturesque, passing by flowered balconies, traditional knife shops, Cretan boot shops, lively restaurants and cozy cafes. Don't miss the beautiful promenade along the Venetian port, where you can see the Venetian lighthouse, one of the symbols of Chania.
The Venetian Koules Fortress, also known as Castello a Mare (which means "fort on the sea"), is one of Heraklion's main landmarks and is located on the old harbour. This big, square-shaped structure was built in the 16th century to protect the city and was subsequently armed with cannons. The rooftop offers scenic views over the sea and Heraklion city.
Founded in 1953, the Historical Museum of Crete in Heraklion hosts a permanent collection showcasing the history of Crete from the third century AD to the end of the Second World War. Artefacts, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and other objects of interest are displayed in chronological order, with visual materials, multimedia and audio guides available during your visit to help you learn more about Crete's fascinating past. A section of the museum is dedicated to the famous writer Nikos Kazantzakis. Another highlight of the exhibition are two paintings by the Greek artist El Greco: The Baptism of Christ and View of Mt. Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions.
The ruins of the Palace of Knossos, the largest and most brilliant centre of the Minoan civilization, are located 5 kilometres south of the historical centre of Heraklion. Twisting corridors and stairwells, which used to connect as many as five storeys, create a truly labyrinthine complex which rivals the mythological Minoan "Labyrinth".
This museum is located in the center of Heraklion and is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world, thanks to its unrivalled collection of artefacts from the Bronze-age Minoan culture. The exhibits cover a period of ten millennia, from the Neolithic era until late Roman times. The introductory texts in each room explain the key features of each period, and so the evolution of culture.
The Natural History Museum of Crete does not only present the natural wealth of the island, but that of the entire Eastern Mediterranean. Here you'll find, among other things, a discovery centre for children, an earthquake simulator, aquariums and terrariums, a large collection of fossils and a replica of the largest mammal ever, which lived on Crete 9 million years ago. You'll also be able to learn about the geological evolution of Crete, about plants and organisms that thrive on the island or about extinct and endangered species. The animals are displayed by way of accurate representations in their real dimensions (dioramas). The museum features an outdoor botanical garden as well.
Elounda, with its luxurious villas and hotels, is the preferred escape of the rich and famous. From Elounda, you can take a 25-minute boat trip to Spinalonga Island, known for its well-preserved Venetian fortress, small pebble beaches, and for being one of Europe's last leper colonies.
The gorge of Samaria is the longest and one of the most imposing gorges in Europe. Perhaps the most popular trekking path of Greece runs along its course, passing by varied landscapes, water springs, different types of trees, cliffs, pools and impressive rocks. The gorge is 18 kilometres long and its width varies between 150 and 3-4 metres at its narrowest point, which is known as "Sideroportes". The walk down the gorge begins at "Xiloskalo", in Omalós (at an altitude of 1,200 metres), and takes between 4 and 8 hours, depending on walking speed.
"The Venice of the East", Chania is characterized by a blend of Venetian, Ottoman and Neoclassical monuments and architecture. Its streets are narrow, colorful and picturesque, passing by flowered balconies, traditional knife shops, Cretan boot shops, lively restaurants and cozy cafes. Don't miss the beautiful promenade along the Venetian port, where you can see the Venetian lighthouse, one of the symbols of Chania.
The Venetian Koules Fortress, also known as Castello a Mare (which means "fort on the sea"), is one of Heraklion's main landmarks and is located on the old harbour. This big, square-shaped structure was built in the 16th century to protect the city and was subsequently armed with cannons. The rooftop offers scenic views over the sea and Heraklion city.
Skrydlof Street in Chania is a narrow street lined with shops selling leather goods like bags, wallets, belts and shoes. For this reasons, it is known as Chania Leather Lane or as Stivanadika, after "stivanaki", the traditional Cretan boots.
At Pottery Workshop in Heraklion, you can discover local ceramic art and purchase beautiful souvenirs, from bowls and mugs to vases and jewellery. Everything on sale is handmade and painted with unique colourful motifs.
If you want something Greek to bring home, Zalo is the place to go. This small gift shop in Heraklion sells a wide range of souvenirs designed and sold by Greek creators, such as mugs, diaries, jewels, magnets, pins and bags.
Faskomilo is a small grocery shop sourcing their merchandise only from Greek producers. Some of the items that you'll find here are herbs, spices, jams, wines, honey, olive oil, cosmetics and more. Stop by and bring home some of the Greek flavours you'll miss.
Kosmima Gold & Silver is a jewellery store in the centre of Heraklion. They have been selling handmade jewellery since 1987 and all the items on sale are unique designer creations made of silver or gold.
The Olive Wood Corner is a gift shop in Rethymno selling handmade and traditional souvenirs like Cretan knives, musical instruments, chessboards, pottery, kitchenware, toys, trinkets and ornaments. Many of the items are made of quality olive tree wood.
Melissa Traditional Products sells Cretan delicacies like olive oil, honey, herbs, spices, wine, raki, as well as natural beauty products. Everything, of course, is prepared with quality local ingredients.
Skrydlof Street in Chania is a narrow street lined with shops selling leather goods like bags, wallets, belts and shoes. For this reasons, it is known as Chania Leather Lane or as Stivanadika, after "stivanaki", the traditional Cretan boots.
At Pottery Workshop in Heraklion, you can discover local ceramic art and purchase beautiful souvenirs, from bowls and mugs to vases and jewellery. Everything on sale is handmade and painted with unique colourful motifs.
Crete boasts one of the best climates in Europe, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Generally speaking, there is a temperate Mediterranean climate, although during winter there is usually snow in the mountains. Winters in other parts of Crete are relatively mild, while spring, autumn and summer are sunny and warm, or even hot. The rainfall is concentrated from autumn until spring and is more frequent in the western part of the island. Summer is, of course, peak season in Crete. The best time to visit is probably during shoulder season, namely in April, May, September and October, when the temperatures and the weather are good for beach days and sightseeing, but the touristic spots are not too crowded.
You can get to Crete either by air or by boat. Crete has two international airports (Chania International Airport and Heraklion International Airport) as well as a national one at Sitia with connections to other transport hubs in Greece. For transportation from and to the airports you can check out the website of the local public transport. Car rental and taxis are also available at the airports. Similarly, the two major ports of the island are also in Chania and Heraklion, but there are also four smaller ones: Kissamos, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos and Siteia.
In Crete, there are two main bus companies: for the centre and east of the island, you need KTEL Heraklion-Lassithi, while for the west KTEL Chania-Rethymnon. The two companies work in tandem, so one can purchase a ticket that crosses their nominal border. Tickets can be purchased at the main bus terminals, at some kiosks and on board. The website of the companies provides all timetables and the possibility to book tickets.
Greece can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.
Crete Taxi Services +30 6970 021 970 of +30 6945 027 933 info@crete-taxi.gr www.crete-taxi.gr/en Crete Cab +30 6955 171 473 info@crete.cab www.crete.cab Cretan Taxi +30 6946 281 620 info@cretantaxi.com www.cretantaxi.com
Chania International Airport "Daskalogiannis" is an international airport located near Souda Bay. It is is 12 km from the city of Chania and 68 km from the town of Rethymnon.
Heraklion International Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis" is the primary airport on the island of Crete and is the second busiest airport in Greece. The airport of Heraklion is but 5 km from the city of Heraklion and 65 km from Agios Nikolaos. A new airport for Heraklion, located 39 km to the south-east of the city at Kastelli, is under construction. It is scheduled to open by 2025. The new airport will replace the current Heraklion International Airport as the hub for central Crete.
Cruise ships dock right in the centre of Agios Nikolaos. The small town with ancient history serves as a hub to the thirty or so small villages and settlements in the Lassithi region. The rural areas close to the port are experiencing rapid growth, especially in alternative forms of tourism. The most alluring tourist attractions include the small island Agioi Pante, the archaeological museum and local fairs. The Lake Voulismeni — now a lagoon right next to the post — features a small park, traditional fishing boats, cosy cafes and even an amphitheatre.
Crete boasts one of the best climates in Europe, with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Generally speaking, there is a temperate Mediterranean climate, although during winter there is usually snow in the mountains. Winters in other parts of Crete are relatively mild, while spring, autumn and summer are sunny and warm, or even hot. The rainfall is concentrated from autumn until spring and is more frequent in the western part of the island. Summer is, of course, peak season in Crete. The best time to visit is probably during shoulder season, namely in April, May, September and October, when the temperatures and the weather are good for beach days and sightseeing, but the touristic spots are not too crowded.
You can get to Crete either by air or by boat. Crete has two international airports (Chania International Airport and Heraklion International Airport) as well as a national one at Sitia with connections to other transport hubs in Greece. For transportation from and to the airports you can check out the website of the local public transport. Car rental and taxis are also available at the airports. Similarly, the two major ports of the island are also in Chania and Heraklion, but there are also four smaller ones: Kissamos, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos and Siteia.
