A large island like Crete is an explorer’s thrill! Even at peak season times of the year, there are so many places to discover, that one can always find a picturesque village and a quiet beach away from the crowds. While the North is more developed and easily accessible, the South offers hidden treasures all along the coast, from East to West and is truly worth exploring. Here are some of the places where locals
The size and diversity Crete’s size and diversity make it an amazing place to drive around. It is hard to find a more varied or scenic set of routes and roads than those traversing the island.Often, visitors don’t realise how big the island is so let’s begin with the basics:it takes approx. 5 hours to drive from West to East along the North coast (without any in between stops) and approx. 40mins from North to
The Archaeological Site of Knossos The Palace of Knossos was the centre of the Minoan civilization, as it was the largest palace of all the Minoan centres. It is estimated to be first inhabited during the Neolithic period and to be built around 1900 B.C. on the ruins of the Neolithic settlement. In the site of Knossos, tourists can visit the Great Palace, the Little Palace, the Royal Villa, the House of the High Priest,
Old Venetian Harbor The Harbor was built during the 14th century by the Venetians to serve the purpose of commerce in the area. Nowadays, it is an attraction for both locals and tourists. There are many cafes, reastaurants and tavernas and people use to take a stroll as it is linked with the Old City of Chania containing picturesque alleys. The combination of Ottoman, Venetian and Cretan architectural elements is what makes this harbor so
Arkadi Monastery The monastery was built as early as the 16th century and combines both Baroque and Roman architectural elements. It is considered to be a symbol of independence and a center of resistance for Cretans against the Turks.Nowadays, it is one of the mostimportant historic monuments in Crete.The Arkadi Monastery is just 22 km away from the town of Rethymnon. You will have to reach the National Road, take the exit of Tsesme-Platania and
the Mysterious island of Spinalonga The island of Spinalonga, which is located in the Gulf of Elounda in eastern Crete, is the second most visited archaeological site in Crete.The Venetians fortified the island during the 15th century and as a result, Spinalonga is now considered to be a real architectural treasure. It is, also, known as the Leper island, due to the forced isolation of lepers in it from Crete and the rest of Greece
Visit Sissi Sissi is a fishing village located only 6 km from Malia. Although, it receives thousands of tourists every year, it has managed to remain intact from human intervention and holidaymakers and kept its quaintness through the years. The first thing you will see, when you arrive to Sissi, is the port in which you will probably feel the need to stop by and enjoy the view. People say it looks like a swimming
The Old Town Of Rethymnon And The Venetian Harbour The old town of Rethymnon is one of the best-preserved towns in Crete. The old Venetian buildings co-exist with the orthodox churches and the Turkish architectural elements, all revealing the history of the town. Take a stroll on the quaint alleys where you can find local shops, coffeehouses and restaurants.The Old Town is in the heart of the city center and as the city’s layout is