Crete

Crete is the perfect combination of natural beauty, history and gastronomy, and these attributes will make your vacation a truly unforgettable experience. As the largest Greek island and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean, Crete is of great geopolitical importance because it creates a pathway between Europe, Asia and Africa. It spreads into four prefectures: Heraklion, Chania and the Rethymnon and Lasithi.

Crete is famous for its Ancient Greek history from the Bronze Era. The remaining sites signify the area’s great importance. Notably, it was home to the Minoans, and famous legends took place there, such as the myth of the Minotaur and the renowned escape of Daedalus and Icarus. There are numerous archaeological sites in Crete from the Bronze Era that are open for visits and tours to satisfy any history lover. The most famous include the Palace of Knossos, which is renowned for its frescoes, the Palace of Phaistos, which is famous for finding the Phaistos Disc, Gortys, which is a mixture of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Christian history, and of course the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which exhibits most of the Minoan Era’s findings.

For food lovers, one cannot forget the immense fame of the Cretan diet. As the most representative of the Mediterranean diet, Cretans can boast having one of the longest life averages. This is because Cretans choose to consume only what is produced/yielded by their lands, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dried seeds, olives, and their by-products. It is expected that, once you try the delightful and flavourful foods of Crete, you will attest that Cretan cuisine is a gift to the world.

Crete is truly unique in that it can cater to any traveller’s holiday desires. It has high mountains and breathtaking gorges and canyons such as Samaria Gorge for those who prefer hiking and an endless coastline, from which visitors can pick a big and organised beach or a more secluded and private one for swimming. Some of the most famous beaches in Greece are in Crete. Among the most exotic sandy are Balos, Elafonissi, the long, sandy beach of Falassarna, Preveli, Matala and Vai beach.

Whether one prefers walking through the history of Crete or simply appreciating the great food and philoxenia of the Cretans, Crete is one of the most visited islands in Greece. We invite you to discover its magic for yourself.