Crete-Holiday.Org

Crete at a Glance

Crete is Greece's largest island and feels more like a small country than merely a Greek island. The drive alone from one end to another along its widest point can take over five hours, and though it is far narrower between its north and south coasts, its high mountains make it feel wider in many places. (Heraklion photo above)

Crete is extremely popular with tourists because in addition to its historical attractions it is the warmest place in Europe and has many wonderful beaches and resorts.

Crete is also visited because of its Minoan palace excavations and restorations, most of these concentrated in Heraklion province, which visits go hand in hand with a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and near by Knossos.

Crete is divided from west to east into the 4 provinces of Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi. The islands largest cities and areas of most development are concentrated on its Northern coast. Heraklion has the largest port and international airport too! Chania (Hania) boats a smaller but serviceable international airport as well.

From east to west the north coastal cities of Hania and Rethymno are capitols of their respective prefectures and are both full of Venetian and Turkish architecture, while Rethymno province also boasts the beautiful Amari valley with its small rural villages. Far to the east the green Lasithi plain with its Venetian windmills and agricultural villages, as well as the Diktean cave and palm lined Vai beach draw many. In between is Heraklion province which, for the above stated reasons receives more visitors than all the other put together.

All of these provinces have long drawn people to their southern beaches, some of them at the end of long mountain gorges, such as the much-hiked Samaria gorge in the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) in Hania province, a range that offers spectacular scenery for hiking and climbing. Crete offers something for everyone.