The island of Crete is significant historically and mythologically because it was the centre of the ancient Minoan civilisation and the place where Zeus was born. While the ruins of the ancient towns of Knossos, Phaistos, and Gortys are its most famous attractions, Crete also boasts many beautiful churches, monasteries, and even Venetian castles that are well worth visiting.
It also has various beaches that attract visitors, some of which get rather busy during high season while others remain quite empty and unspoiled. Crete has both tranquilly and energy to offer, depending on where you go. It has quiet, rural areas as well as bustling vacation towns.
Summers on Crete are hot and dry, while winters are warm and wet. There are a lot of mountains and gorges, making for a really dramatic and picturesque backdrop. Many interesting caverns can be found there as well. The mild climate of the island makes it ideal for growing citrus and olives. The grape alcohol raki and the sweet wine produced on Crete are equally well-known.
Heraklio, the capital, is a major city in Greece. Lasithi, Hania, and Rethymno are the other three cities, and they’re the capitals of the respective prefectures.
The coastal towns of Crete are some of the island’s most endearing features. There are still many vibrant customs practised in the rural areas, although the larger port cities are rapidly developing and modernising. Buy or sell property in Crete through us.
City of Chania on the Greek Island of Crete
The capital, Chania, is located in northern Crete. Chania, the capital of Crete, is often cited as Greece’s prettiest metropolis. Because of its age, the town of Chania on the island of Crete has kept much of its original architecture. Several buildings from the Venetian and Turkish periods contribute to its beautiful historic core. The Venetian harbour lighthouse and the Byzantine fortification Kastelli are two of the city’s most well-known landmarks. The beaches in Chania are beautiful as well.
There is the historic old town, and there is also a new town in Chania. The new town’s central business district is well-planned and straightforward to navigate, but the surrounding neighbourhoods can be difficult to understand.
The Venetian walls enclose the old town, which is filled with twisting lanes lined with cafes, boutiques, and historic buildings. A large portion of the Turkish neighbourhood on Kastelli Hill was bombed and destroyed during World War II, and it was never rebuilt. Kanevaro Street, the main drag, is dotted with luxurious houses.
Apokoronas
Apokoronas is home to many Cretans who make their living in the city of Chania. Lake Kournas, Crete’s sole freshwater lake, is located in this district, which also has extremely green lush plains, rolling hills, and the White Mountains’ foothills. The region is traversed by the Kiliaris River.
Aptera, a city founded in the seventh century atop a hill overlooking the Bay of Souda, is an important archaeological site. The digging is still in progress.
Big beach resorts may be found in several of the coastal communities. The beautiful sandy beach in Kalives, a town on the Bay of Souda, has been attracting an increasing number of visitors in recent years. Despite the influx of visitors, Kalives has managed to preserve its historic charm.
With its sandy beach and calm waves, Almirida is a popular destination for families with young children. However, there has been an increase in the number of tourists in recent years. The views of the Bay of Souda and the White Mountains are breathtaking from the nearby settlement of Plaka.
Until recently, Georgioupoli was a sleepy fishing hamlet. Along its expansive shoreline of sand, numerous hotels have recently cropped up. Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake on Crete, is conveniently close by.
Historic Vamos has been carefully restored to its former glory. Historic structures now serve as inns for visitors. In 1995, a group of people committed to preserving their culture began doing all they could to do so.
The year 1925 marks the beginning of Vrysses’ brief history as a village. Watercourses and towering plane trees make this a peaceful and refreshing summer getaway. Yogurt is its bread and butter.
Beautiful though they may be, the historic villages are losing something in the face of the influx of mansions erected for the numerous international purchasers. However, the quality of the homes being built in Gavalohori and Megala Horafia is typically subpar, making them popular with foreign purchasers.
Rethymno
Several beautiful resorts and beaches can be found in Rethymno. One of the most frequented is Preveli, known for its emerald waters. Rethymno, the capital, and the beach resorts of Plakias and Agia Galini provide a wide variety of exciting nightlife options, from trendy bars to authentic Greek taverns.
As with the rest of Crete, Rethymno has many ancient sites and structures to explore. Within this prefecture you’ll find the beautiful mountain village of Anogia, as well as numerous more quaint mountain hamlets.
Lassithi
Lassithi is known for its beautiful Mediterranean coastline. Vai Beach is very interesting because of its golden sands, pure blue waves, and plenty of palm palms. Also, the beaches on Hrissi are some of the best white sand beaches in the world.
On a verdant plateau, Lassithi is dotted with quaint villages and picturesque coastal resorts. There are picturesque mountain villages there where Cretan culture and customs are still practised. Tzermiado is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
There is a wide variety of nightlife options in the prefectural seat of Agios Nikolaos and in the beach towns of Sitia, Elounda, Neapolis, Lerapetra, and Makrigialos. The nightclubs and trendy bars are usually open till daybreak.
St. Nicholas
The city of Agios Nikolaos, the capital of Rethymno, is built across three hills. Lake Voulismeni is a small lagoon surrounded by red cliffs and trees, and it is home to several charming sandy beaches. A small park with cafes and restaurants, an amphitheatre for cultural performances, and an archaeological museum can be found near the lagoon. You can buy a copy of an ancient artefact at one of the stores. This location was once home to the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara.
Agios Nikolaos is a popular tourist destination, so you can expect to find plenty of discos, clubs, and even some sports venues there. There is an outdoor cinema that operates during the summer months.
Elounda
Elounda, located on the southern coast of the same-named gulf, is popular among the well-heeled and features high-end lodging options. It’s a fishing village with a population of around 2,200, and it’s also a popular tourist destination. It’s a peaceful destination with tree-lined shores and clear, blue sea. Exquisite vistas may be observed from the mountain towns in the area.
Heraklion
Crete’s beautiful capital and commercial hub, Heraklion City, is located in the Heraklion prefecture. Matala, a beach near Heraklion, is particularly beautiful due to its white sands and emerald water. In the hills and slopes surrounding Heraklion, as well as along the coast, are some quaint settlements. In addition, there are exciting archaeological sites to explore.
