CRETE


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A coastline strewn with sandy beaches and a fascinating landscape dominated by majestic, rugged mountains, deep ravines and fertile plains, Crete is understandably a popular destination.

Explore Crete

The legendary birthplace of Zeus, it is steeped in mythology and classical history.

Minoans, Turks and Venetians have all left their mark, and there is an abundance of ancient sites.

Visit the Palace of Knossos or the Archaeological Museum which contains the best of Minoan art and artefacts.

Scattered along the north coast, the familiar resorts very from simple and quiet, to sophisticated and bustling, while mountain villages and the south coast provide a pleasant contrast in atmosphere and lifestyle.

Eating and Drinking

There are plenty of restaurants scattered across the island in which to sample local Greek fare.

Try calamari (baby squid), souvlaki, salads with feta cheese and olives washed down with some local wine.

Regalo is a dry white wine and red wines include Castello, Mantiko and Saint Antonio.

There are also local variations on ouzo and raki.

Local Interest and Culture
The island has a rich cultural heritage dating back almost 4000 years, there are hundreds of Byzantine churches and dozens of monasteries to visit.

The main road out of Malia passes the chapel of Ayios Georgios Selenari, public transport makes a stop here for passengers to give thanks for a safe journey.

Beaches
There are an endless number of beautiful beaches on the island with clear warm seas lined with tamarisk bushes.

Along the coastline for complete seclusion you will also find a handful of pretty coves.

If you would like to explore further a field on the southern coast, east of Terapetra you'll find Makriyalos, which has a good beach and the beaches at the southern end of Paleokastros bay on the east coast are definitely worth a visit.

Blue Flag beaches are recognised as having high environmental, sanitary and safety standards. 76 beaches in Crete received the Blue Flat award in 2003. For more details refer to www.blueflag.org

Highlights

Five must sees: Katos Zakros - a Minoan Site on the east coast, Samaria Gorge in the White Mountains - the longest ravine in Europe, The Kronioan Cave in Tzermiado (said to be the mythical home of Zeus' parents), The Minotaurs lair beneath the Palace of Knossos, The old towns of Malia and Hersonissos with their cobbled streets, traditional houses and delicious tavernas.

Great Views: The spectacular panoramic view from the summit of Mount Juktas, 2703 feet high. Its here you will also find the caves in which Zeus is supposed to be buried.

Memorable moments: Watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mirabello near Aghios Nikolaos, then relaxing over a delicious meal in the resort dubbed the St Tropez of Crete.

Destination treasures: The Palace of Malia.

Travel Tips: Take a boat trip to the tiny deserted island of Spinalonga, shop for textiles in Krista or just relax on one of the islands many beautiful beaches.

Crete resorts

Please click for further information on the following Crete resorts:

Malia
Gouves and Gournes
Sissi
Elounda
Stalis