Crete - east or west?

Instructions for tourists, Auto tourism, Active holidays in Greece, Crete o.; Greece

For many people planning to visit this beautiful island, such a question does not arise at all. What difference does it make, they may ask, and they will be absolutely right. In the event that you spend all or almost all of your vacation in a hotel, then there really is no difference. But, if you are going to leave your home hotel to see something new and interesting, then this question will definitely arise in your mind. Even for those who do not rent a car but want to visit organized excursions, or go somewhere by local bus.
And it will arise because the island is not as small as it might seem when looking at its map. Some time ago, like many other travelers before me, I looked at a map of Crete for the first time. And the thought immediately flashed: “Yes, it’s not that big, although it’s larger than Rhodes!” And we covered almost all of Rhodes by car in two weeks. “If you push yourself a little, you can see all of Crete in two weeks!” - almost a standard thought that arises in the head of a person traveling to this island for the first time and planning to have time to see as much as possible. At least visit all the places that are now commonly called " must see"How do I know about the thoughts? I read a lot of reviews on a forum dedicated to Crete. Many people started with the idea that they wanted to do everything in 14 days :) But usually no one has time...
The statements from the previous paragraph contain two errors at once. Firstly, that he is "not that big." The distance (along the highway) from the easternmost city in the north of the island - Sitia - to the westernmost village of the northern coast - Kissamos - is about 300 km. Let me clarify - on the highway. This is at least a 4-hour drive (this is how long it takes a plane to fly from Moscow to Heraklion). And this is only one way! Ships leave from Kissamos, taking tourists to one of the most striking attractions of the island - Balos Bay. Will they take you on a bus tour to Balos from Sitia? I doubt it... Because there will be few people willing to spend 8 hours in one day on a bus. Will you go yourself? To leave in time for the ship's departure, you need to leave at about 5 am. Rest, yes :) Secondly, the word “pull yourself up” somehow doesn’t harmonize well with the word “vacation” :) This is clear even at home, but when you get to Crete, you will be in a completely different environment, in a rhythm of life that is very far from everyday bustle - you won’t want to strain at all to get there, there and then there, although according to the schedule everything seems to be going smoothly... According to the schedule, maybe it’s beautiful, but it almost always turns out that what you want is on the spot to stay here or there - an hour is not enough, let's say two or three, and on the way you stopped 10 times to photograph the surrounding beauty - and, in the end, you will visit half of the many places planned. Well, three quarters. Well-ordered routes, compiled and calculated houses will first change places, then some of the planned “points” will fly away from them, and then, perhaps, nothing will remain of the original plan at all... One name :)
Therefore, in order not to rush headlong all over the island, trying to accomplish the impossible, I came up with my own way - to divide the island into East and West. It turned out that I had invented the bicycle - many people had already done this before me :) Great, the distances are no longer so scary, there is only one thing left - to choose where exactly to go for the first time. Yes, there is also North and South, but it’s easier here - the BOAC expressway runs along the entire northern coast, and if you are going to actively move around the island, then it will be much more convenient to do this from its northern part. In the south there is no such route, and the roads are much slower (serpentines).
We stand in front of difficult choice...What to prefer? Searching for an answer on the Internet is almost useless. Because there are fans of both the East and the West. And everyone has their own reinforced concrete arguments... In reality, the choice comes down to purely subjective things - who likes what. In general, “Everyone has their own taste: one likes watermelon, and another likes pork cartilage,” as one character said. This means that we will divide all the “components” of the vacation into parts, so it should be easier to decide.
The first component is attractions, everything except religious ones. There are quite a lot of them, both in the West and in the East. Both in the eastern regions (Heraklion and Lasithi) and in the western regions (Chania and Rethymnon) there are a great many places that are interesting for the traveler. Those who are interested in castles (fortifications) will probably find it more interesting in the west. Rethymnon, Frangokastello, Aptera, Gramvousa are the best preserved of such structures. Moreover, all this splendor is relatively easily accessible. In the East there are also fortresses, of course - in Heraklion, Ierapetra, on the island of Spinalonga (among the easily accessible ones), as well as others, which are no longer very easy to get to. But they are either smaller in size, or not as impressive, or are generally in ruins. But in the East there are more places that are interesting for children - there are three water parks (in the West there is only one), as well as several different park-museums such as an aquarium, Amazonas Park (zoo), Dinosauria Park, Homo sapiens Museum (this museum-park will have interesting for adults too). Museums - they exist, of course, both in the West and in the East. But it is quite logical that one of the largest museums in Greece and the best museum in the world dedicated to Minoan art is located in the capital of Crete - Heraklion, that is, in the East.
The most striking and famous sights of Crete, “must-sees”, where are they located? Palace of Knossos, Lasithi plateau, palm beach Vai, " Paradise Island"Chrisi (Gaidouronisi) is the East. Balos Bay ("confluence of three seas"), the pink sand beach of Elafonisi, the beautiful city (or beauty) of Chania, the Rethymnon fortress is the West. The most beautiful cities are Chania (West), Agios Nikolaos (East).
Religious attractions are a separate matter. There are a great many churches and monasteries in Crete. From very old to modern. Varying degrees of preservation. The most famous and “promoted” are the “western” monasteries of Arkadi and Agia Triada (on the Aktotiri peninsula), and the “eastern” monasteries of Toplou and Kera Kardiotissa. As you can see, there is a certain parity here :) From the experience of visiting Cretan monasteries, I can say that in “simple” monasteries, not overrun by crowds of tourists, there is a much more calm and sincere atmosphere, which promotes relaxation from the endless bustle that surrounds us in everyday life, including, at times, even on vacation. But of course, you need to get to such places by rented car.
The second component is nature. Mountains, gorges, caves, hiking trails, plateaus, waterfalls (although in summer they are almost waterless) - there are both. But there is also a difference. The nature of western Crete is richer in vegetation, since in the west the climate is more humid. It turns out that here too it’s a matter of everyone’s taste - to choose in some places the “semi-Martian” landscapes of the harsh East, or the greener West. Lakes. In the west is the most famous and most big lake Krita - Kournas. There are also lakes in the East, for example Votomos, but it is much smaller in size and not nearly as popular as Kournas. In addition to Votomos, it is, of course, worth mentioning picturesque lake Voulizmeni, located in the town of Agios Nikolaos. In the East, you can walk through the forest of thousand-year-old trees of Rouvas (difficult to access, you will have to drive along a dirt road, or walk along a difficult path), or through the Krustas forest. The West can offer a walk (trip) among the orange orchards (near Chania), or a visit to the Cretan botanical garden. I attribute it to nature, although it is a “garden” and not a “forest”. This garden is one of the many places in Crete where you plan to go “for an hour” - and then for a long time you cannot leave this beauty :)
The third component is beaches. Beautiful and famous beaches exists both in the East and in the West. I have already mentioned them. As for “ordinary” beaches, the West wins both in terms of quantity and quality. There are more beaches there. When planning my trips to the West, I have never encountered the problem that the nearest nice beach is far away, and that sometimes you have to repeat yourself and go to the same beach (we like to go to different beaches, we “repeat” only if these are places like Elafonisi, Kedrodassos or Falasarna - the pearls of western Crete). But in the East, choosing a beach is much more difficult... In some places (on the northern coast) there are simply no beaches at all. But, in the East there is the delightful Mirabello Bay (the name speaks for itself; the Venetians called this place “a bay with a beautiful view”), and in the southeast you can visit the most beautiful beach Xorokampos. Of course, if you are not too lazy to drive about 160 km to it (from Heraklion, one way). The reward for a long trip is fantastically beautiful views and an almost deserted coastline.
As for the “logistics” component, then main airport Crete is located in Heraklion, that is, in the East. Most planes fly there (from us). And the main port is there too. If you are going on an excursion, for example, to Santorini by ferry, then this is Heraklion again. Although, there is also an airport in the Chania area, perhaps someone will find convenient flights there... North-South trips are “bottlenecks” on the island, that is, the shortest distances from north to south, as in the west, in the Rethymnon region and in the East. in the area of Agios Nikolaos.
What should I say in conclusion? Of course, only that the choice is yours :) The whole island is beautiful and interesting - both the “tourist”, lively North, and the traditional, calm South, and the greener West, and the “harsh” East. Everywhere you can find wonderful places that you want to return to later... And you don’t always need to travel a hundred kilometers to do this, sometimes the amazing and unexpected beauty of Crete awaits us literally around the next corner, you just need to take your time, turn, stop, see and feel.
Good luck with your choice:)

A journey to the center of Crete will lead you to the “soul of the island” - the cave where, according to myths, the Thunderer himself was born. On the beautiful Lasithi plateau, you will get acquainted with the traditions and way of life of mountain villages, ride in a donkey sled, visit a family oil mill and a pottery workshop. And also meet the mighty plane tree, visit convent and listen to myths about the Greek goddess of love on the shore of the lake, where, according to legend, she swam.

Duration

Possible with children

€ 365 for 1-4 people or €89 per person if there are more of you

What awaits you

Life of a mountain village, an ancient plane tree and an ancient monastery
Our first stop will be in a small picturesque village high in the mountains. Here you will see an ancient and powerful plane tree - it is already more than 2000 years old, and the trunk circumference reaches 20 girths! Get acquainted with the centuries-old way of life and visit an ancient Venetian laundry. After this we will head towards central Crete, and along the way we will make a stop at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Heart. The monastery is run by nuns and is widely known among pilgrims who come here to pray in the hope of absolution.

Landscapes and atmosphere of the Lasithi plateau
Moving further into the interior of the island, through the mountains, we will arrive at a picturesque plateau, supposedly a crater ancient volcano. This unusual place in the middle of the Dikti mountain range - like a patchwork of green and yellow fields, each irrigated by its own windmill. The Lassithi plateau is one of the most fertile places in Crete; it fascinates with its saving coolness, vegetation, colorful villages and the hospitality of the locals. We will stop in a mountain village for lunch, an orange break and shopping for souvenirs. And then you will explore the stalactites and stalagmites in the Dicteon Andron cave, where, according to legend, Zeus himself was born. If you wish, nearby you can ride donkeys in a traditional cart.

The art of working with clay and tasting traditional products
An introduction to Crete would be incomplete if we leave aside ancient traditions such as pottery, winemaking and olive oil production. In the workshop you will be told about the intricacies of working with clay and techniques that go back to the distant past. You will taste Cretan wines and taste natural olive oil produced in one of the local family farms.

The city of St. Nicholas and Lake Aphrodite
Leaving the Lasithi plateau, you will see a panorama of the Pediada province. Bypassing mountain ranges, through traditional villages we will go to one of the most beautiful cities Crete - Agios Nikolaos, which will be the final point of the route. Here you will have time to go shopping, drink coffee, and admire the bottomless lake where, according to myth, Aphrodite swam. Situated on the hills, the city is interesting for the abundance of stairs that have become its characteristic feature, impressive landscapes and a wonderful pine park in which you can stroll.

Who is the excursion suitable for?

For guests with children, gourmets and wine lovers, nature lovers, adventure seekers and those simply wanting to get acquainted with the life of authentic Crete.
In my excursions I place greater emphasis on modern life Crete, however, the historical and cultural component is necessarily present in my story.

Organizational details

The excursion usually starts early in the morning and ends in the evening.
You will be accompanied on the excursion by a driver and guide. The excursion is conducted in a comfortable minivan produced in 2019, with air conditioning. We provide child seats free of charge if necessary.
Transportation costs and driver services are included in the price of the excursion.
Transportation costs are included in the price of the excursion. We will meet you at your hotel if you live in the following populated areas: Hersonissos, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Malia, Stalida, Heraklion, Karteros, Amoudara, Agia Pelagia, Lassiti region, Agios Nikolaos.
By agreement - Ierapetra, Elounda, Sitia, Bali, Rethymno, Chania
Excursions on luxury transport for an additional fee by agreement.
Not included in price: lunch in a tavern - 10-20 euros/person; entry tickets to museums, archaeological and historical monuments, wine tasting - 5 euros/person, entrance to the cave, donkey rides.
What to take with you: comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a charged camera with free memory, light sweaters or jackets for visiting the cave.
I myself create walking routes around Crete and carefully choose only the most interesting, exclusively those places that I love.

Book a tour on any of the available days on the calendar

This individual tour in Russian, the guide will conduct it for you and your company.
On the site you pay 23% of the cost, and the rest of the money goes to the guide on the spot. You can ask the guide any questions before paying.

Free day

Busy day

32% discount

My name is Anya and for almost a decade I have been living on the fabulous island of Crete. My passion is, first of all, unexplored corners that reveal local flavor. With me you will find excursions to mountain villages, vineyards, olive groves, and deserted beaches. You will see gorges, churches in the rocks, waterfalls, traditional workshops and much more. During friendly walking tours, I show Crete from the inside, let you taste it, look into a traditional house and experience the role of its resident! And family excursions full day We spend the trip in a comfortable car with my husband: we show him his native places and talk about the life of the locals.

More details

10 traveler reviews

I would like to thank Anna and her husband for the most wonderful excursion! :) The day passed in one breath, the whole family was delighted! A lot of interesting information, concerning not only historical aspects, but also life in Crete at the present time.
We will definitely return to Crete and will only contact Anna :)
Special thanks for the fact that Anna organizes not only excursion tours, but also helps in solving everyday issues. Very nice and responsive.
Thank you thank you thank you!

Good afternoon It was our first time in Crete. We are a married couple and two children, 6 and 18 years old.
Anna and her wonderful, silent husband did everything to make our little company interesting and very comfortable. The route was laid out in such a way that I wanted to go further and further get to know this wonderful island. So next year is yours.
And also, tell Rose that her recipe works like a charm!!!
Thanks for the cheese recommendations, everything is very tasty.

We were on an excursion with a 9 year old child. I really liked it, a lot of interesting things, Crete opens up from a new side. Informative, dynamically rich and sincere. I recommend. We received a lot of positive emotions, and Anna is a wonderful guide and person!

In July 2019, I was with my son and husband in Crete. Literally three days before the trip, we chose 4 excursions on the island. Very clear information on the site, guide Anna quickly responded. Exactly at the indicated time, Anna was waiting for us at the entrance to the hotel. And then there was a sea of delight! Anna is an unusually easy-going and tactful person, an excellent storyteller. The whole trip was permeated with boundless love for Crete. Thanks to Anna, we fell in love with this island, she showed us the most wonderful places, monasteries of extraordinary beauty, and the life of Cretan villages. We traveled in a brand new minivan. Anna's husband is driving. Cool driver! Very neat on the road. It was calm with him even on the mountain serpentine. And I was especially pleased that our excursions were very comfortable, there was no rush or fuss. We stayed in atmospheric taverns with stunning views, drank coffee or lunch, went to the shops we liked, but still managed to see everything we had planned. Anna puts her soul into her work, we felt like long-awaited friends who were very welcome. Thank you very much! I will definitely recommend Anna to my friends.

I really enjoyed the excursion. We were composed of 2 adults and children aged 4 and 9 years.
It was nice to drive in a new and comfortable car. Anna is very pleasant to talk to and makes you like her as a person. It was very convenient that we could decide for ourselves whether we wanted to visit this or that place. Since we were with children, we tried not to let the children get too tired, so we limited ourselves to visiting the village of Krasi with its centuries-old plane tree, the Homo-sapiens museum, a pottery workshop, then an excellent lunch and the cave of Zeus. The children rode a donkey to the cave, which they were very happy about. The cave itself made a huge impression on them. It was also interesting for them to make their own products on a pottery wheel in the pottery workshop. My daughter liked that Anna told, in addition to the history of Crete and myths, also simply about the life of people on Crete, their customs, how they celebrate a wedding, etc.
In general, we all really liked everything, everyone was satisfied. On the way back, my son fell asleep listening to Anna’s stories in a comfortable child seat.
Thanks to Anna and her husband Sterio for a great excursion.

Vsjo bilo zamechateljno! Otziv popodrobnee napishu pozze.

We came to Crete with this group: two mothers and two children (a small electric broom, 3.5 years old, and a princess, 7 years old). Our main task was to take a break from the rigid schedule, where we always need to run, keep up, fit into the framework and fit our inconvenient children into them (both we and the children especially don’t like this). But a completely “cutlet” vacation quickly tires us and begins to depress us.
We wanted to see Crete. Lively, authentic, not postcard-tourist.
It is clear that with such requests the format bus tour, where “we went out, lined up, took pictures, listened to the lecture, took notes, retold the story, immersed ourselves, moved on” did not suit us at all.
Of course, we read a lot on the Internet in advance. But Wikipedia will not tell those living stories that permeate the island and which only those who live them themselves can tell. It won’t take you to a tiny cafe built in the crown of a huge plane tree above a cliff. Along the way you won’t pick a bouquet of fragrant sage from the mountainside.
Our meeting with Anna and Sterjes was especially lucky.
On the go, we could redraw the route, depending on our desires and our preferences. Anna honestly told where it is really interesting, and there is something to see, and where it is just hyped tourist place, which is visited only in order to put another tick in the travel report.
If something didn’t go quite as planned, Anna was very worried that we might be upset, but that’s all we needed! We are passionate lovers of improvisation, and in the company of friendly and sensitive guys who know the island, its history and geography as their home, which they love and are proud of, we had an excellent trip.
We had already visited somewhere, and we were delighted by the beautiful view, and many questions arose. And Sterjes (they say he doesn’t understand Russian, but here we doubted))) directs the car exactly there so that we can get a better look at what amazed us so much. Meanwhile, Anna satisfies our curiosity, tells us everything that we, of course, never Googled when we returned home after our first independent visit.
When all the adventures planned for that day ended, we found ourselves on a stone veranda above the Lasithi plateau. I can’t explain what exactly captivated us there (there are many even more picturesque views on Crete). The long-awaited coolness descended and all the tourists left. We sat in alpine silence on the veranda, dangling our legs over the cliff, drinking coffee and eating ice cream. We, like our children, needed to digest a huge amount of impressions, emotions, and information received during the day. And the guys understood perfectly well that best place Can't find one for this.
In general, thank you is not the right word! We received not just a vacation and a tick - “we’ve been here.” We got an exciting story, a story about CRETE and ABOUT US, a story that you want to return to. Anna, THANK YOU! From the heart!

First time in Crete. We booked a tour with Anna. Impression:
You could order from a travel agency and get the standard “look to the right, look to the left, and in this store I get a percentage of your purchases, oh, here are the best goods at the best prices, step to the right, step to the left - an attempt to escape, because we are group".
We ordered from Anna. Got family holiday with friends in their car, with a pleasant bonus - friends know all aspects of life in Crete and are ready to share knowledge, adapting to the interests of us and our children. What we learned:
- about mythology and more...
- about the geology of Crete and more...
- about the traditions of the Cretans and not only...
- about the kitchen and more...
- about monasteries, religion and more...
- about modern life in tourist areas, beyond and beyond..
- about oil mills, the creation of ceramics and more.
We walked, admired the views of Mirabello Bay, went to Spinalonga, visited monasteries, explored the Lasithi plateau, ate in a real tavern, not attacked by tourists, and talked, talked, talked. We are happy, the children are delighted.
A day with Anna and Sterio is the best day in Crete. We recommend it to everyone!

I would like to sincerely thank the wonderful Anna and her husband for a wonderful excursion, which was remembered by Anna’s good knowledge of Crete, how could it be without legends and local tales! And most importantly, we changed the route on the spot, going to those places where tourists from large companies definitely don’t go, where there isn’t that crowd and everything is told with feeling, sensibly, with arrangement! The whole trip was very interesting to listen to, ask questions, a lot about the inhabitants of Crete became clear))) A super comfortable minibus with child seats, delicious Cretan food, warm company, any whim - all this will happen if you go with Anna! We recommend!

63 reviews of other tour guides

Wonderful Crete!!! Wonderful excursion!!! Excellent Anechka!!! We are in absolutely delighted from communicating with this wonderful couple. Everything is easy and simple, as if you were visiting your relatives, but at the same time you saw the whole of Western Crete and even more! Give them happiness, love and prosperity and our best words of gratitude! Sincerely, Nina and Igor Chaplygin

Anna had a great tour, talked interestingly about Crete and its features, the hysterical and cultural parts, and had dinner in a tavern with good food and a beautiful view. My husband drove the car carefully and comfortably, so everyone is happy, we will definitely recommend it to our friends who are going to Crete.

Thank you Anna for a wonderful day:) Interesting route, have long wanted to see the southern coast - I really liked Matala. I want to go to Crete again!

Accommodation in Agios Nikolaos and routes around Eastern Crete: Elounda, Sitia, Toplou Monastery, Vai palm beach, Ierapetra, Chrysi island, Lassithi plateau, Dictaean cave. Description of attractions with map and video.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos (Agios Nikolaos) was chosen as our base in Crete based on proximity to the main attractions, infrastructure development and beautiful views. We booked the Miramare Resort & Spa 4* hotel on the outskirts of Agios Nikolaos; we liked the fact that it is located on the shore, but away from the main road.

It's easy to get around from Agios Nikolaos public transport, But independent travel driving a car gives you more freedom and comfort. For those who are on the road all day, it makes sense to take only breakfast from food.

Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful city, there are major hotels along the shore, restaurants around Lake Voulismeni, and clothing and souvenir shops at every turn. The young people from our hotel spent all their evenings in the center of Agios Nikolaos.

Map of attractions in eastern Crete

Sights of Eastern Crete

Lasithi Plateau

Agios Nikolaos is the center of the Lassithi district. The most interesting natural attraction of this place is the Lassithi plateau. When you climb a mountain and then stop and look down into the valley, you are struck by its size, the incessant bleating of sheep and the number of mills.

Diktean cave

From the side of the village of Psychro there is an entrance to the Dictaean cave, in which, according to legend, Zeus was born. This is a very touristy place, so we arrived early and didn't linger. It's cold in the cave, so you need to take a long-sleeved jacket and comfortable shoes. Small villages around live from the sale of souvenirs and textiles, prices for everything are tourist.

Church of Panagia Kera

The closest attraction to Agios Nikolaos is the Church of Panagia Kera in Kritsa. You pay for the entrance and see frescoes from the 11th to 14th centuries.

Elounda Resort

In this part of the island we also liked Elounda, it is located only 10 km to the north, but away from the main road. The town is built around a harbor, we had lunch at a psarotavern (fish restaurant), watching the fishermen at work. By length sand spit We stopped at the peninsula, walked and swam on the clean, almost empty beach. Last years Elounda turns into popular resort with all-inclusive club hotels.

Spinalonga Island

Spinalonga Island in Elounda

The most visited attraction of Elounda is the island of Spinalonga. There is a Venetian fortress here, which first served the Cretans as a refuge from the Turks, and then was a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. When ascending from Plaka to Cape St. Ioannis, the panoramic view to the bay.

City of Sitia

We went to the very East of Crete twice. The road to Sitia is very winding, the constant turns make you dizzy. Sitia is a large city with an airport and port, but to name it tourist center it is forbidden. The obligatory program includes an ascent to the fortress, a walk along the embankment and lunch at a tavern on the shore. In shops good prices for souvenirs, local alcohol and olive oil. Staying in Sitia, you can feel local resident and save a lot of money.

Toplu Monastery and Vai Palm Beach

15 km northeast of Sitia is the famous Toplu Monastery (Moni Toplu), with a valuable collection of icons. Even further is the palm beach of Vai, where tourists are brought, the place is beautiful, palm trees and white sand.

Ancient Itanos

The easternmost point of Crete where we reached is ancient Itanos, once it was a large port city that went under water, from which “disorganized” ruins remained on the hill. On East Coast the winds blow, surfers come here, there is a windsurfing school and equipment rental on the Xiona Bay beach, and many nudists have been spotted here. Rooms are available for rent everywhere.

City of Ierapetra

From Agios Nikolaos it is a very quick drive to the South Coast town of Ierapetra. This is the narrowest (14 km) part of Crete. In the middle is the village of Episkopi, which strangely attracts clouds to itself; every time we drove into it, we found ourselves in the rain.

Located in the Libyan Sea 10 km from Ierapetra small island Chrisi (Chrisi or Gaidourounisi). We sailed to Chrissi by boat, bought tickets right at the port. The island is sandy with dwarf trees; arrivals go swimming on Golden beach.

From Ierapetra you can travel in both directions along the South Coast. To the left (southeast) is the beautiful Kapsa monastery; during our visit there was no one there except monks and monastery cats; at the top there is a cave where a hermit lived.

Near the monastery is the entrance to the Pervolak Gorge. Unlike the famous one, this is a short and easy route. We reached the town of Goudouras, where the road ends. Agriculture is developed in this direction, and there are many greenhouses along the way.

To the right of Ierapetra (to the southwest) the road leads to the seaside village of Myrtos, where tourists from Europe stop. We drank coffee and swam here. Climbing up through villages, you can go to Heraklion, but this is a long route.

A week is enough for the routes described. On this trip we explored another area of Eastern Crete -.

For a significant part of Russians who vacationed in Greece, this country is associated with one name - the island of Crete. The large island, located far from the continent, has become very close to tourists all over the world.

This happened thanks to the developed and understandable infrastructure of the island, fascinating history, a huge number of legendary ancient monuments, hotels for every taste and budget, as well as two international airports and several sea harbors.

Of course, everyone has their own Crete, but a few general facts You can still talk about it.

A little history

Crete played a big role in world history, because the first European civilization arose here. About 7 thousand years BC, the first people settled on the island, and five thousand years later four kingdoms were formed here, their capitals were in the cities of Knossos, Kato Zakro, Festus and Malia. These states marked the beginning of the Minoan (Creto-Mycenaean) civilization, while only isolated wild tribes lived on mainland Europe.

The Minoan culture lived for a thousand years, but then faced two irreparable disasters: a huge tsunami that hit the island as a result of an earthquake in the Santorini area, and wild northern tribes ravaging and burning Cretan cities. As a result, the Minoan civilization perished, the island was deserted and for many centuries became a transit point for pirates and robbers.

Then its history coincided with the history of most of the islands of Greece: Crete was conquered by the Romans, then went to Byzantium, thanks to which it was built up beautiful temples.

In 824, the Saracens captured the island and founded an Arab state there, centered in the city of Khandak (now the capital of Crete - Heraklion); it existed for almost 150 years.

After this, the island came under the rule of the Venetians for almost 400 years, which contributed to the development of all types of arts and crafts here. In 1669, it was captured by the Turks, although Crete fiercely resisted and the capital was kept under siege for 21 years. The power of the Ottoman Empire lasted, with a short break, almost until the beginning of the twentieth century. Crete joined Greece only in 1913.
However, the mythical history of the island is even more interesting, because it was here in a cave that the future thunder god Zeus was hidden as a baby from his father Kron, thanks to which he survived and became the main one on Olympus. Here he also brought the stolen maiden Europa, who bore him three sons Rhadamanthus, Sarpedon and Minos. Here, according to legend, the Labyrinth of the Minotaur was erected, where Theseus killed the terrible monster. In general, many significant myths are associated with Crete Ancient Greece, why else more interesting vacation in modern Crete.

Where is the island of Crete?

We can say that this piece of land is at the intersection of three civilizations - Europe, Asia and Africa. If you look at the map, it seems that the European continent ends with this island. Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the most big Island Hellas: its area is just under 8500 square meters. km. The length of Crete is 260 km, the width ranges from 60 km at the widest point to 12 at the narrowest point on the isthmus of Ierapetra. From the north it is washed by the Cretan Sea, from the south by the Libyan Sea and in the west by the Ionian Sea.

The island stretches in length from west to east, and its main resorts are located on the northern coast. Along the same coast lies the New Cretan Highway, which connects the largest cities of the island. In the depths and in the south of Crete there are much fewer tourists, therefore the settlements are more original and interesting, but getting there is not so easy.

By the way, about the population. There are only about 800 thousand Cretans, but several times more people sail and fly to the island every year as tourists. Local population- these are, of course, Greeks, but in fact they contain a lot of blood from different peoples, whose history is connected with this part of the land between Europe and North Africa.

The nature of Crete is considered beautiful and amazing, but in fact it is a little monotonous: it is mountains, mostly flat, forests and a couple of small rivers.

But in Crete there are several very beautiful and unusual caves and gorges - both in the depths of the island and in the rocks on popular beaches.

The main thing here is the sun and mild climate. In addition to this, nature has created amazing beaches, some of them are included in the list best beaches Greece and even the world.

Crete is divided into 4 administrative districts(nome): Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Lasithi.

Each of them is famous for its resorts and attractions.

Chania

The westernmost nome of the island and at the same time the greenest. The capital of the district of the same name (150 km from Heraklion) is called “Greek Venice”, as many buildings in the Venetian style have been preserved here. Chania is considered a quiet region; there are fewer tourists here than in other parts of Crete, so it is recommended to have a quiet family holiday here with children.

Rethymno

In a small region there are several resort villages, there are also beautiful beaches. There are a lot of tourists in Rethymno, because both the capital of the district (Rethymno, 78 km from Heraklion) and its surroundings are one large archaeological attraction, it is called the “soul of Crete”. In addition, it is on the territory of this province that there are two highest mountains the islands are Ida or Psiloritis (2456 m) and Kedros (1777 m), which adds incredible beauty to the landscape.

Heraklion

The central region of Crete, with its capital in the city of Heraklion, is the most densely populated, with developed urban and hotel infrastructure. Mecca of the island's nightlife, shopping and other entertainment. At the same time, the region is home to a huge number of museums, historical monuments and ancient temples. Near Heraklion there are the noisiest youth hotels, whose guests spend their evenings in the clubs of the island capital.

Lassithi

The easternmost part of Crete, which boasts the most big amount sunny days a year. The region's resorts are considered the most respectable; the largest and most expensive hotels islands. The regional capital, Agios Nikolas, is 69 km away. from Heraklion, however, the fashionable villages of the province - Ierapetra - are even further away, 81 km and 105 km respectively. There are few mountains here; the main natural attraction is Lake Vulismeni.

How to get there

Airports

Crete receives many airliners from all over the world every day, two international and Chania. During the season these are mainly charters, but there are also regular flights from several European cities, including the Russian capital. A Moscow-Crete plane ticket costs about 11.5 thousand rubles. (Lassithi District) receives mainly local and private flights. From the Greek capital you can fly to Crete for an amount from 65 to 100 euros per person.

Ferries

Regular ferry services for Greece are the same as Russian ones intercity buses. Ferries are very reliable, convenient and economical. Everything in Crete big cities are ports, but the largest - Heraklion and Chania - receive the largest number of ships. From Athens to the island, high-speed ships sail either at lunchtime and arrive at their destination in the evening, or depart at night and dock in Crete in the early morning. Most ferries call at several ports on Crete in one trip. He also has a message with others. Greek islands, so you can come here for a couple of days while on vacation in another island province of Hellas. Here is information on several ferries.

Ferry Athens (Piraeus) – Heraklion: departure at 21.00, arrival at 6 am with a call at the ports of Chania, Agios Nikolas. Ticket prices range from 29 to 36 euros per person. The ship offers its guests comfortable cabins and the ability to transport cars.

Ferry Piraeus – Kissamos (Chania region): departure at 17.00, arrival at 5.30 am, ticket – 24 euros per person.

Ferry Santorini – Heraklion: travel time 2 hours, cost 55-57 euros. Departs mainly in the evening.

Ferry o. Mykonos(all about Mykonos) – Heraklion: travel time 3.5 hours, ticket price – 76-80 euros per person.

It will not be possible to get to Crete from another popular island among Russians, Rhodes or, for example, Zakynthos (overview of the island), since ferry service in Greece exists only in the waters of one sea. In this case, you can only sail to Crete with a “transfer” in the Athens port of Piraeus or other mainland ports.

If you have traveled independently mainland Greece and decided to visit Crete with their vehicle, then the prices for transporting such equipment by ferry are approximately as follows:

The main road in Crete runs along the northern coast and connects the main resort towns and villages.

This is a good quality multi-lane highway, following which you can easily reach the main local attractions.

Most of the roads south coast or in the depths of the island they are narrow, often just serpentine country roads; in the mountains it can be downright dangerous for an inexperienced driver. Rocky terrain only makes the condition worse, so a flat tire is the most common car breakdown in Crete.

Three facts about transport

The peculiarity of Crete can be called the people - cheerful and very responsive, cheerful and carefree, like everyone else southern peoples. Cretans, like all Greeks, are leisurely and can sometimes be cunning, but the high level of tourism development on the island makes them live up to the proud title of a world resort, and therefore the level of service in hotels in Crete is noticeably higher than in Greek provinces less popular with tourists.

This incredible island-the largest in Greece - extremely varied. Whatever type of adventure you are looking for, you will find it in Crete. Below we have compiled a list of 6 things you should know about Crete

6 things you need to know about Crete

1. Crete is great for all ages and all budgets

Crete - very safe island, which will suit everyone, and especially for solo travelers. Single travelers can enjoy their privacy as much as they want - this is not an island where people will bother you. But on the other hand, it is a very sociable island and it is easy to make new friends here.

Crete is also very family island. There's a lot here sandy beaches with shallow waters such as Elafonisi (kids love the pink sand!). There are great hikes for every level, water sports, as well as water parks for the children's enjoyment. Your children will also enjoy educational activities here, such as a visit to the Cretan Aquarium, and even the Palace of Knossos will spark their imagination and curiosity. The many affordable and charming accommodations are suitable for families, and many delicious, healthy dishes are served in family-run taverns.

A group of friends can also enjoy the island of Crete. It is one of the most popular places For active rest with unique trails and remote beaches that tourists will love. It is also great for celebrations and various meetings. There is a wonderful night life, making it a great place for stag or hen parties.

Crete is a romantic island. From the Venetian beauty of its cities to world class beaches, to mind blowing walks, to... best resorts, Crete offers a huge choice so that you can have the honeymoon of your dreams.

Whatever style of holiday you're looking for - from pampering in a five-star hotel to a private sailing boat ride, to hiking famous gorges and scuba diving lessons, Crete is ideal for a honeymoon.

2. You don't need to break the bank for a holiday in Crete.

Crete has accommodation to suit every taste and budget.

Groups of friends, large families, and even small groups or just couples can enjoy the privacy and flexible offerings that a private villa offers. A traditional villa with local character will give your holiday an unforgettable experience. If, on the other hand, you want someone to cook you have breakfast and changed towels and everything else, then you can choose a resort. There are some wonderful family resorts on Crete.

Perhaps you are looking for a calm and quiet place, away from children. In this case, you may be interested in the laid-back sophistication that boutique - adults-only rooms offer. There are also many extraordinary luxury hotels in Crete. You can find stylish rooms to suit every taste in these hotels , many in historic buildings, for a unique and special experience.

Crete is a year-round resort. If you have the opportunity to come outside the high season, then you can find any accommodation at more attractive prices.

3. Cancers are the answer to everything, yes it is!

Raki is a wonderful drink. Crystalline and pure, this distilled spirit is made from the leftover seeds and skins from wine making. You can taste the grapes in it and it's just delicious.

This is not an after-dinner drink. This is a drink for any occasion. Cretans also drink raki during lunch - it cleanses the palate. Raki is really the answer to everything: you drink it if you're celebrating something, and you drink it when you're sad, to forget. Raki is at the heart of every good conversation, every festival and dance. Truly the spirit of Crete.

If distilled drinks are not your taste, then you can enjoy excellent local wine. Renowned Cretan wineries cultivate not only international grape varieties, but also local grape varieties, producing outstanding wines that express the land and culture.

As elsewhere in Greece, there is interest in craft beer. Local breweries produce Cretan beers to quench your thirst and awaken your palate.

4. Crete is a year-round destination

Crete has amazing beautiful nature and a huge number of landscapes. As the southernmost island of Greece, Crete is blessed with mild winters, in early spring and long, mild autumn. This is truly a year-round destination. In addition, during the off-season you can explore the island more thoroughly, without crowds of people.

During the cooler months, enjoy the natural beauty of Crete. At this time, the island is lush with greenery, streams flow in winter, making it the best time to hike and explore the famous Samaria Gorge, among many other wonderful routes.

Did you know that Crete is a great place for cave exploration? Speleologists will love exploring Cretan caves. For both archeology and history buffs, you will be interested to know that the caves of Crete have been used for thousands of years as shelter for many generations. These are the places of Gods and heroes: some sheltered little Zeus, others played a role in later history, as during the revolution against the Ottomans.

Birds love Crete. It is a great place for them to rest during migration. If birds love the island, then there is a place for ornithologists too. Crete has many great places for bird watching.

Of course, the many fabulous beaches are the biggest draw on Crete. There are beaches to suit every taste - rocky and remote, luxurious and fully serviced. Quiet and sandy, or windy, which are great for water sports. The island has plenty of exotic beaches. Come to off-season to enjoy your own paradise.

5. You need a lifetime to discover Crete

This is the largest island - 260 km long and 56 km wide. But it's not just the scale that takes time. It's the sheer variety of experiences the area offers. There are rocky mountains, gorges, lush plains and long coastal routes. The main cities and most popular areas offer many options for visitors.

6. Crete is not just one beautiful village, there are hundreds of them.

You will find the real Crete in its villages. Each village has its own character: on the lush plains of Crete there are picturesque fishing villages, rocky mountain villages and green villages.

For example, did you know that the great artist of the Spanish Renaissance was actually Cretan? You can visit the village where El Greco was born and the El Greco Museum is also located there.

Other villages are famous for music. You can visit the village of Anoia, a village with a proud history and excellent musicianship, the birthplace of the legendary Lyre players. To listen to true Cretan music and see the strong culture of Cretan village life, you can visit the traditional Cretan village festival - Panigiri. This is a fantastic way to get an authentic taste of Cretan culture.

Practical information about Crete

How to get to Crete:

By plane:

On Crete 2 international airport, one in , the other in Chania. They operate throughout the year, and in summer there are direct flights from many international destinations. There are several daily flights connecting the Greek capital Athens with Crete, and flight times are approximately 45 minutes.

There is also small airport in the east of the island, in Sitia.

By sea:

There is an excellent ferry service linking Crete with Piraeus and other destinations. Several websites, such as ferriesingreece.com and Go ferry, can help you organize your trip.

How to get around the island

Crete is great for traveling by car, the roads are as beautiful and interesting as the destinations! If you're traveling by car, check out our helpful articles on where to park in Heraklion and Chania.

There is also a reliable public bus, which is called KTEL, it will take you from city to city.

Best time of year to visit Crete

Crete is a fantastic year-round destination. The temperate climate is suitable for magnificent summers and mild winters. Spring arrives early and fall lingers, and residents enjoy sailing for at least six months. There are also plenty of year-round activities in progress, such as hiking, cave exploration, and of course, it's nice to enjoy the local culture without the crowds.

What to take with you on holiday in Crete

This is an outdoor island so you will need comfortable shoes. Even in cities, instead of the expected smooth concrete, picturesque cobblestones sometimes await. Even in summer, the wind can be chilly, so you'll need long sleeves and a light jacket or sweater. If you're heading to the mountains - and we hope you do, because it's just fantastic(!) - you might even experience the crisp temperatures on a summer night. If you're planning on visiting churches and monasteries, please note that attire should be modest - hands and knees should be covered. A wide scarf can serve as a shawl or a homemade skirt. The sun on the island is bright and magnificent. Hat, high quality sunglasses and sunscreen are a must. No matter what time of year, take a swimsuit - you never know when it might be a hot day in November or February! You can wear something casual or elegant for an evening out.

Money

There are ATMs everywhere, but the ones operated by your local bank will likely give you the best rates. POS machines are also widely used in Greece. Read our post on the most frequently asked questions.

Internet:

There is a good Internet connection in hotels and cafes, as well as in some municipal points. In some remote mountainous areas you may be without signal for short periods. Local mobile companies available in Greece are Vodafone, Cosmote and Wind.

Further information:

For more detailed practical information about the places you plan to visit, the municipalities have useful websites. For Chania look here, for Rethymnon here, for Heraklion here and for Agios Nikolaos here.