Crete

Left top – Samaria Gorge; Left down – Knossos Palace; Right top – Ammoudi Beach; Right down – Hora Sfakion;

Crete with 250 km (160 mi) long,

is the largest Greek island. Crete joined Greece independent at the beginning of the 20th century. The island has a very vast landscape, the highest point is 2456 m (8060 ft) is the Psiloritis, snow-covered in winter. Besides tourism, Crete has a strong agricultural production exporting many products to mainland Greece. The fabulous Minoan civilization flourished for several centuries, was succeeded by great powers such as Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Venice and the Ottoman Empire. The archaeological and architectural heritage is very rich especially the Knossos Palace. Crete also has many dream beaches, especially on the south coast. Heraklion (or Iraklion), Rethymno and Chania are the main cities of Crete. Do not miss the Samaria Gorge and Lasithi Plateau. Hotels in Crete

Main cities and villages of Crete – Heraklion; Chania; Lasithi; Rethymno; Agia Galini; Agia Roumeli; Chora Sfakion; Lentas; Plakias; Loutro; Sitia; Soudo; Chersonissos;

What to visit in Crete – Knossos Palace; Heraklion Koules Fortress; Rethymno Fortress; Chania Lighthouse; Venetian Loggia in Heraklion; Mount Ida; Lefka Ori; Spinalonga; Gramvousa;

Archaeological sites in Crete – Ancient Lappa; Aptera; Eleftherna; Gortys; Lato; Phalasarna; Agia Triada; Komos; Malia; Phaistos; Palekastro;

Museums – Archaeological Museum of Chania; Arcaheological Museum of Heraklion;

Main beaches of Crete – Ammoudi; Agios Pavlios; Balos; Elafonisi; Georgioupoli; Goudouras; Ierapetra; Kommos; Matala; Myrtos; Plakias; Preveli; Sougia; Vai; Chrysi;

Main gorges of Crete – Samaria; Agia Eirini; Aradaina; Ha; Imbros; Kotsifou; Kourtaliotiko; Rouvas; Theriso;

Main churches of Crete – Chania Cathedral; Georgioupoli Church; Moni Crisoskalitissas; Moni Gouvernetou; Moni Tsgakarilon; Heraklion Agios Minas Cathedral; Moni Kardiotissas; Moni Arkadiou; Palekastro; Saint George Church;

 Restaurants in Crete

• Tamam Restaurant
• Myrtios Taverna
• Bakaliko Crete
• To Xani Restaurant
• The Alchemist
• Ambrosia Taverna

Transports in Crete

Nikos Kazantzakis Heraklion Airport (HER) – It is the main airport of Crete with several domestic and international connections.

Chania Airport (CHQ) – There are flights to many European cities espeacially during the Summer months.

Sitia Airport (JSH) – There are domestic flights.

By boat – There are ferry connections from several Greek islands and from Athens port of Piraeus. Timetables and tickets here.

Map of Crete

Where is Crete in Map of Greece