The island of Crete was and remains the richest of the regions in Greece.
The busy sea lanes of Europe, Asia and Africa intersect here. The warm climate, natural and historical monuments make it unique.
Geography:
Crete is the largest island in Greece. The area of the island is more than 8000 square kilometers. The length of the coastline of island is 1066 km, a significant part of which is occupied by landscaped and wild beaches. The tourist structure of Crete is the most developed among the islands in Greece. The island is washed by the waters of the Aegean, Libyan and Ionian seas. The capital of Crete is the city of Heraklion.
Climate:
Crete is located in the Mediterranean and North African climatic zones. The climate on the island is typical Mediterranean. The weather on the island, dry and warm in the summer is replaced by a moderately rainy winter. The average summer temperature varies from +20 ° C to +30 ° C. Humidity is moderate. Snow falls only in the mountains. Some of them have popular ski resorts. Thanks to a successful natural combination in Crete, it is possible to meet unique representatives of flora and fauna. Crete is a paradise for lovers of natural aesthetics.
Heraklion – the capital of the island (population 275,000 people)
Chania (population 59,000 people)
Rethymno (population 32,000 people)
Ierapetra (population 21,000 people)
Agios Nikolaos (population 19,000 people)
History of Crete:
The history of Crete is rooted in a prehistoric era. Millions of years ago, the Mediterranean sea flooded a piece of land connecting Greece and Asia. Thus, an entire archipelago of islands was formed, the largest of which is Crete.
In Greek mythology, Crete is the birthplace of the father of all gods and people – Zeus. Thanks to the son of Zeus Minos the Minoan civilization was born in Crete, which existed in about 3000 – 900 BC. Before the eruption of the Santorini volcano, more than 1 million people lived in Crete, of which more than 100 thousand were in Knossos, the main city of the island and one of the most influential cities of the Mediterranean at that time. At the end of the first millennium AD, Crete was under the rule of the Muslims, and then under the control of Venice. At the end of the 19th century, the Cretan state was formed, which reunited with Greece a little later. There is a huge number of historical monuments from the times of Ancient Greece and Rome, the periods of early Christianity, the Byzantine Empire and the Ottoman occupation. One can’t ignore the monuments of modern Greek culture. The island has perfectly preserved ancient harbors, cities, monasteries and churches of the Venetian and Byzantine eras. The museums of Crete have collected a huge number of archaeological finds of all times.
Population:
More than 600,000 people live in Crete. Half of them are concentrated in large cities of the island. 98% of the inhabitants of Crete are Orthodox Greeks. These are very religious, friendly people who honor their traditions. The hospitality of the inhabitants of Crete has long been known outside of Greece. The main activities of the Cretans are tourism, fisheries, livestock, agriculture and processing industries.
More than 1,600 doctors work in Crete. The first aid sector is especially developed on the island. In places of tourist congestion there are additional medical centers equipped with modern equipment.
Transport:
There are three airports in Crete: Heraklion, Chania and Sitia. Charter flights to the island are organized from many countries. In Crete, bus and sea links are highly developed. A very extensive network of roads is exists. Those wishing to rent a car will have many interesting options for traveling.
There are more than 300 sunny days a year in Crete. This is one of the most popular European resorts. Here you will find the azure sea, pristine beaches, unique islands and a developed network of hotel complexes. Restaurants in Crete are known for their cuisine all over the world! An activity to taste here will be found by lovers of water activities, hiking and those who want to sunbathe on comfortable and wild beaches. Museums, cruises, fishing, traveling through the gorges, trips to nearby islands, vibrant nightlife, romantic Cretan evenings and much more – Crete has everything you want for an unforgettable vacation!
What to buy in Crete:
The most famous products of Cretan craftsmen are fabrics and embroidery, ceramics, local icons, jewelry, olive oil. Fur and fur coats made in Crete have been especially popular in recent years.
What to try in Crete: Cheeses, wine, olives, various fruits and vegetables deserve special attention. The number of restaurants with decent cuisine in Crete is simply amazing. Typical Cretan dishes that are worth a try are Khokhlya (snails), Offto meat (pieces of lamb or goats), meat, slices of lamb or goat baked in charcoal, Turta (lamb with cottage cheese, baked in the oven), Moussaka (lamb dish, eggplant and tomatoes, which pour into sauce made from milk, flour, cheese, eggs baked in the oven). Fine-quality Cretan wine or raki (a strong alcoholic beverage made from grapes) is served with food. Seafood is represented by a variety of grilled fish, squid, lobster, shellfish, shrimp and other seafood. Everything is of course fresh and of excellent quality. At the end of lunch or dinner, a delicious present from the establishment will be waiting for you. Prices in most restaurants in Crete are very moderate compared to European ones.
The main attractions of Crete:
Thanks to the rich historical and cultural heritage, a huge number of attractions have been preserved in Crete. The main ones include palaces in Knossos, Festos, Malia, Zakros and Gortina, the Venetian castle of Fortezza in Rethymnon, the monasteries of Arkadi, Preveli, Kera, the fortress of Spinalonga, the Venetian fortress of Gramvousa, the Minoan port of Amnis, the Roman city of Elefthern, the sunken city of Olus and many others. The natural attractions of Crete deserve special attention. Here are just a few of them: the Lasithi Plateau with the Zeus Cave, Samaria and Ha Gorges, Lake Kurna and Vulismeni, Askifu Mountain, Balos Bay – the meeting place of the three seas, the Diya island with the remains of the ancient port.
In order to find out which Cretan attractions you can visit with our help, we suggest that you look to the list of services we provide.
Our Details
- Telephone: +30 6974892338
- Email: toursoncrete@gmail.com
- Address: M. Zahariadi, Malia Crete, Greece (35.284994, 25.461255)