Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. It is considered by many a small universe combing endless mountains and steep gorges and trails, breathtaking beaches, fertile valleys, and an abundance of gastronomic delicacies. Crete is approximately 160km long (99m) south of the Greek mainland. It has an area of 8,336 km2 (3,219 sq mi) and a coastline of 1,046 km (650 mi).
Crete is considered one of the most popular destinations in Greece. Some of the main tourist attractions are the archaeological site of the Minoan civilization in Hearklion, the Venetian Castle in Rethymno, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Palm Beach of Vai which is considered the largest natural palm forest in Europe, the famous Samaria Gorge, the small islands of Spinalonga, Gramvousa, Chrusi and of course Elafonisi.
One of the major benefits that Crete has being located in the south of the country is that Summer starts earlier and lasts much longer that other places in Greece. Swimming is possible and comfortable from the beginning to mid May and can go until the middle to end of November as the water has warmed up a lot from the summer. March and April as well as October and November however are great months to explore the mountains and all the trails as the weather is permitting for long hikes and mountain adventures.
Hiking in the peak summer moths of June-to middle of September as temperatures can reach 40 degrees is not ideal but these are the months where the coastline and all the breathtaking beaches can be explored. All the seasons have something amazing to offer so anytime you do decide to visit you will be able to have a wonderful time.
One of the main characteristics Crete is known for is its Cretan hospitality. Some have drawn even parallels with the islands famous landscape which are infinitely welcoming grand and very generous. Home made raki, home made wines, homemade delicacies such as a dakos salad or kalitsounia are some of the things Cretan families are always so happy to share with old and new travelers. In some of the smaller villages you will always find some elders keen to share their families’ history about the island, great love stories for the ages or some stories that led to vendettas. Stories about friendships and family will always make for endless story telling nights.
Elafonisi is located 37 kilometers from Paleochora and 76km west of Chania. It is also a short 5 km drive towards the south of Chrysoskalitisa Monastery in the southwestern most tip of Crete. It is an oblong peninsula which breaks in two parts by water therefore giving the impression that it is a separate island.
The waters are very shallow so you can walk along it, many people think you need a boat to get across but that is not the case. It is a Natura 2000 protected area. Sea daffodils , junipers and an abundance of sand dunes are prevalent on the island.
The loggerhead sea turtle which is an endangered animal finds shelter in Elafonisi along with several more rare plants and animals. The removal of animals, shells, sand and any plants from Elafonisi is strictly forbidden.
If you have ever dreamt of going to the Caribbean, Elafonisi is your best bet in the Mediterranean as it is an exotic beach filled with white sand and turquoise water. The sand even turns pink is some area , taking its color from millions of crushed cells. A small lagoon is created very close to the tip of the peninsula where the water depth does not exceed 1 meter, therefore making it a very safe playing pool for children.
You can walk across the lagoon on foot and carry all your staff with you as the water is so shallow. Elafonisi is a fully organized beach with sunbeds and umbreallas , there are lifeguards on duty , snack bars, changing rooms, showers and toilets. Up the road there are also a number of restaurants so expect to spend a whole day there when you visit.
Everyone in the world knows , has heard of or has actually visited Elafonisi Beach which is located in the prefecture of Chania, just over an hours drive from Paleochora. The pink and white sands , the crystal clear turquoise waters and the endless Caribbean comparisons…
But what about Kedrodasos Beach? Have you ever heard about this magical beach?
Located 76 km southwest of Chania and just 1km east of the famous Elafonissi Beach, Kedrodasos Beach will literary take your breath away. Kedrodasos means Juniper Wood because it is filled with juniper trees and sand dunes. The small twisted junipers are very fragile and need a lot of respect so be careful when you do visit the beach. A lot of people mistake the Juniper trees for Cedar trees and some even translate it into the Cedar Woods beach but this is not the case.
The area of this beach covers approximately 11 hectares of land and is still completely unspoiled. The waters are crystal clear light blue making it a heaven to swim in and this beach is also very popular with naturists. The beach itself has white sand and some smooth flat rocks in some places but nothing too rocky so no need to bring any water sandals. It is considered by many one of the last untouched paradises in the Mediterranean.
The famous E4 walkway passes through there and there are clear signs that help you make your way. You can get there by car or if you feel a bit more adventurous you can wlak there either from Krios Beach or from Elafonisi. From Krios the distance is about 8 kilometeres and from Elafonisi its only 1 kilometer. If you take the ferry to Elafonisi you can just stroll through the water until you reach the starting point of this beach. Another fascinating way to visit this thrilling place is by boat making the experience even more magical!
The Lake of Krios or Viena beach is located 90km south of Chania and 10km west of Paleochora. The famous E4 path that takes you from Paleochora to Elafonisi passed through this beach and it is about 30 minutes walking from Krios beach. This is a small secluded beach with sand and rocks that forms a small lake at its ending. Besides its breathtaking beauty the lake is located right below the ancient city fo Viena. If you snorkel in the lake you will see marble columns under water and so,e are also visible on the land.
Legend has it that in Minoan and Roman times a temple stood there. The rectangular base of the temple is still visible today. This beach is completely unpsoiled and is only accessible on foot from Krios beach. It is absolutely stunning and one of the best kept secrets on the island of Crete not only in Chania.
Located 56km northwest of Chania and 17km northwest of Kissamos, Balos Lagoon rests between the Cape Gramvousa and the small Cape Tigani below the range of Platiskinos. One of the most breathtaking beaches in Crete due to its turquoise waters , white sands and wild natural beauty this is a highlight you do not want to miss when visiting the island. There are a number of rare flora and fauna species making a Natura 2000 protected program. The loggerhead sea turtle otherwise known as Caretta Caretta and the proteted monk seal take shelter in this area.
You can access Balos Lagoon from Kissamos port by boat, by private boat or by car.If you go by car please note that there is about a 45 minute walk down the side of the mountain to reach the Lagoon. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you as there is not much available once you are there.
Matala is one of the most famous beaches in Crete and the most famous beach of the prefecture of south Hearklion. It is located 68km southwest of Heraklion. The hippies of the 70s put Matala beach on the radar of the rest of the world and it is known for its famous carved caves in the rocks. In the Minoan civilization Matala was considered the second largest palace which served as a port of Phaestus and later on during the Roman Times it became a port of Gortyn.
At the end of a small valley you will find Matala with beautiful views to Paximadia islands. A 300 meter long sandy beach with fine gravel and crystal clear deep water make it a must for beach lovers. On the north part of the beach stands a huge cave where a lot of people can dive into the water. It is a fully organized beach with sunbeds, umbrellas, lifeguards, beach volley courts, water sports, excursion boats as well as a camping site. There are a number o fsnack bars and restaurants as well so you can make a whole day there. The international Matala Festival takes place there every year in June.
Vai Beach is located 24km east of Sitia and 94km east of Agios Nikolaos. The major highlight of this beach is the large palm grove with the Cretan Date Palm (Phoenix theophrasti) making it the most famous beach in East Crete. Vai in Greek means palm taking its name from this origin. There are over 5000 trees there making it the largest in Europe. There are some smaller colonies in other part of the island and some come be also found in Southwest Turkey.
All the trees are planted across a huge valley and the local river is watering it for centuries. With the gorgeous palm forest as a background and its white sand that forms near the shore this is an exotic beach which is often compared to the Caribbean. The powerful Toplou Monastery which is considered the largest landowner in eastern Crete owns the entire region. At the monastery which dates back to 15th century hosts a vast collection of Byzantone icons and resembles a fortress.
You can get there by car, local bus from Sitia and all the major travel agencies organize daily group and private tours. It is a fully organized beach with sunbeds , umbreallas and restaurants. If you visit this side of the island you must make sure to visit.
The village of Loutro is situated 71km south of Chania at the end of Cape Mouri. The ancient city of Phoenix was based there and it was also the port of ancient Anopolis. Years later it was used as a winter port for Chora Sfakion as its enclosed bay create a protective shield from the bad weather.
From Paleochora Loutro is accessible by boat only making it a unique destination for travelers who wish to experience something different and unique. There are numeroys beaches that are accessible by taxi boat nearby such as Glyka Nera, Timios Stavros and Pervolaki. The E4 Trail also passed from there so you explore that too.
It is considered one of the most unspoiled villages on the island as you will only find small hotels and restaurants there, no big resorts with swimming pools and no all inclusive offerings.
The village of Loutro is situated 71km south of Chania at the end of Cape Mouri. The ancient city of Phoenix was based there and it was also the port of ancient Anopolis. Years later it was used as a winter port for Chora Sfakion as its enclosed bay create a protective shield from the bad weather.
From Paleochora Loutro is accessible by boat only making it a unique destination for travelers who wish to experience something different and unique. There are numeroys beaches that are accessible by taxi boat nearby such as Glyka Nera, Timios Stavros and Pervolaki. The E4 Trail also passed from there so you explore that too.
It is considered one of the most unspoiled villages on the island as you will only find small hotels and restaurants there, no big resorts with swimming pools and no all inclusive offerings.
The beach of Makrigialos is located 23km east of Ierapetra and 58km southeast of Agios Nikolaos. It is part of Makrigialos town very close to the exit of the Pefki canyon. The town has everything you need and you can also make a few days visiti there. The main beach is located in Analipsi and runs for about 1 km. Makri Gialos means long beach in Greek. It has fine golden sand and is surrounded by tamarisk trees. It is a great beach for water sports especially surfing and wind surfing as winds are quite prevalent during the summer months. It is a fully organized beach with sunbeds, umbresllas and various food and beverage outlets.
Sfakia is located 74km south of Chania. It is small town on the south coast of Chania and is the capital of the mountainous region of Sfakia. It has small beach called Vrissi at the west end of the town. Sfakia also has a harbor making it accessible by boat from Agia Roumeli, Loutro, Sougia, Gavdos isaldn and Paleochora.It makes for a great day trip or an overnight stay. There are numerous beaches accessible by water taxi on both sides. Above the beach stands a memorial commemorating the evacuation of the last Australian, British, and New Zealand forces by the British and Australian warships after the battle of Crete.
You will find Preveli 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias. The Beach of Preveli is also known as Phoenix or Lake Praveli. It is located at the end of the Kourtaliotikos Gorge where the Grand River Flows. It is considered the most famous beach in South Crete, making it a hotspots for anyone visiting the island of Crete.
Similar to Matala , Preveli was favoured a lot by the hippies in the 60s and 70s. When you are there you get a huge feeling of the tropics as you will find a large colony or Theophrastus palm trees on the banks of the Grand River. Just before you reach the sea, the river forms a small lake about 500m long and it has water all year round. Walking along the river is possible and you can take shade in the palm trees before you ascend in the beautiful canyon. Swimming is also possible in the ponds that are formed in the gorge.
There are two main ways to reach Preveli, one from the east and one from the west. You can drive from Plakias to the Monastery of Preveli , after following the signs for about 1.5 km after the Kato Monastery of Preveli leave your car at the parking lot and start walking towards to the beach. Make sure to take pictures before you ascend to the beach as the views from above are truly breathtaking. It takes about 20 minutes to reach the footpath from the parking lot.
The prefecture of Rethymno is located between the regions of Chania and Heraklion. Very similar to Chania, Rethymno remains still very traditional and charming and has not been spoiled by masses of international tourism. Like in all the regions of Crete you will find something for everyone. There are a number of cosmopolitan seaside resorts with numerous hotels and villas such as Adelianos, Bali, Platanias, Kampos and Panormos that are located on the northern side of Rethymno. Should you wish to explore some more secluded parts of this region you can visit places such as Plakias and Agia Galini.
Rethymno Old Town is the center of this region where a number of activities are possible. Similar to Chania, Rethymno Old town is heavily influenced by the Venetian rule which is evident by its architecture when you stroll through the streets which are filled with narrow alleys, imposing mansions and arches. While walking the seafront promenade which is filled with cafes and restaurants you will come to one of the major highlights of Rethymno old town which is its Venetian Harbor. Fortezza, a magnificent medieval castle that is located on a hill just above the town is another major highlight influenced by the Venetian times.
Both the southern and the northern coast of Rethymno is filled with breathtaking beaches such as Plakias, Agia Galini, Kampos, Panormos and Bali. You will be surprised however by how beautiful the mainland of this region is , you only need to explore some of the monasteries such as Preveli and Arkadi and hike some of its beautiful gorges.
Heraklion is located between Rethymno and Lasithi on the eastern side of Crete. It is the capital of the island and one of the busiest towns in Crete. It is the economic center of the island as well as the largest urban center in Crete with about 175,000 inhabitants. It is considered a top destination for tourists coming all over the Mediterranean mostly due to its geographical position. It connects three continents and many different cultures.
In the region of Heraklion two of the most historic and important Cretan monuments are located, Knossos Palace and Phaistos Palace. The Minoan Palace of Knossos is the largest of all the Minoan Palatial structures with over 20,000 of square meters of land. Let yourself be taken back to celebrated Era by wandering this magnificent land and marveling the glorious throne room, the beautiful red columns and all the remains of the colorful murals. After Knossos the second most important Minoan site is the Minoan Palace of Phaistos. With its breathtaking natural setting loated on the east side of Kastri Hill the Palace is a magnet for History enthusiasts form all over the world.
Heraklion being the largest city on the island is often very crowded but there are so many things one can do when strolling through the city. There are a lot of elements from the Venetian rule still alive in parts of the cities Architecture as well as some Turkish elements. In Heraklion you can visti the Historical Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Archaelogical Museum and of course the Venetian port. If an exploration of the city is not your priority when visiting Crete you can explore the southern and northern coats which are filled with beautiful beaches such as the famous hippy paradise of Matala, Malia and Agia Pelagia.
Lasithi is located right after Heraklion and is the easternmost region of Crete. Here you will find unique and beautiful landscapes and beautiful beaches as is evident from the whole of the island. In the Mirabello Gulf you will find the city of Agios Nikolaos which is also the capital of this prefecture. Some other major towns in this region include Neapoli, Sitia and Ierapetra.
The Lasithi Plateau which is surrounded by the Dikti Mountains is considered the most important highland of the island. The Lasithi Plateue is also known for its famous windmills. The Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros, the Valley of the Dead and the Sunken City of Olous are some of the archaelkogical sites that you can visit in this region. Like all the regions on the island the climate is mild and you can travel here from mid March to beginning of November.
In Lasithi you will find Elounda , filled with the most exclusive resorts on the island. Major resosts are also available in Agios Nikolaos, Vai and the island of Chrissi. If you wish to explore the more traditional offerings of this region head to the south coast and explore the villages of Makrigialos, Xerokambos, Koutsouras and Myrtos. East of Elounda you will find the famous island of Spinalonga. This used to be a leper colony and before that a Venetian fortress.
Crete has such a long history which dates back to Ancient Greece. The birthplace of the god Zeus was the Diktaean Cave at Mount Dikti according to Greek Mythology.The Goddess Artemis and the God Apollo where born on Paximadia islands. The Goddess Leto which was Artemis & Apollos mother was worshipped at Phaistos. Lake Voulismeni was a favourite bathing spot for the Goddess Athena.
Legend has it that Zeus the king of the Greek Gods in an attempt to protect the island of Crete launched a lightning bolt at a giant lizard who was threatening it. The lizard turned into stone and has become known as the island of Dia. If you visit Knossos you can see the Dia island which is shaped as a giant lizard.
The Myth of Theseus and the Minotaur , whereTheseus slays the Minotaur is based on the labyrinth of the Palace of Knossos. King Minos had captured the father and son duo Daedalus and Icarus which famously crafted wings to escape the island.
Cretes coastline is filled with great rocks and someone a little bit familiar with Greek Mytholodgy can immediately think of the myths of Talos. Every day Talos, who was a bronze giant guarded the island from its enemies by running from one side to the other. Whenever he sensed a threat or strange ships approaching he drew up his giant bronze body before them. He put all the sailors through vigorous questions regarding their visit on the island and he felt that they were not genuine or that they had hidden intentions he threw huge rocks at them and sank their ships. Stories of Talos are just a Myth of course, so don’t worry you won’t find any giants waiting for you at the shore with rocks in their hands when you visit the island.
A window to the endless blue! The Pal Beach hotel is located in a unique position right in front of the exquisite beach of “Pachia Ammos” in Paleochora. The mesme rizing view to the sea literally takes your breath away and the sunset that dives into the Libyan sea will give you endless moments of relaxation. The hotel, built with traditional architecture challenges you to discover your new favorite destination.
