Adventure, culture, fancy… So many ways to discover the charms of Crete, which combine brilliance and sweetness of life, in the past of mythology. The good living are far from the same: Cretan diet rhymes with flavourful and large dishes on the edge of the waves; and, cherry on the cake, Crete is a very affordable destination.
We arrive in Crete in the capital of the island, Heraklion. Passing the first impression of chaos, we quickly take its landmark in this young and lively city with its pedestrian heart. Two days, one on arrival, the other one at first will suffice to know all the corners. In Heraklion, the museums are on foot. It's easy to learn about Crete's overwhelming history before embarking on the island in situ, starting with Cnossos Palace a few kilometers away. To avoid mentioning it, Heraklion's unmissable archeological museum has treasures. The former Sainte-Catherine Cathedral exhibits works by Greco ╩! To get into legs and enjoy a view of the city, nothing simpler than to climb its ramparts. Heraklion also rhymes with culinary discoveries. The city concentrates a large number of uzerias and restaurants where Cretan specialties are tasted like stuffed squash flowers, lemon lamb or octopus, in a lively atmosphere. In the heat of the hollow hours of the nap, you can then stroll through a closet, enjoying a Greek coffee while waiting for the Odos 1866 market to wake up… and buy some souvenirs there. In the evening, the pedestrian district of Korai, a veritable maze of bars, is the lordship of local youth dancing there until dawn.
The Holy Too Cretan
From Heraklion, you can take the right road to the east which joins Agios Nikolaos, the capital of the province of Lassithi. Often known as the "Saint-Tropez de Crete", Agios Nikolaos is a lovely harbor with a lake, nestled in Elounda Bay. City quite select, Agios Nikolaos also distilled a lot of romanticism. Some will go to candlelight on the edge of Voulesmi Lake, while others will go to the storefront in front of the many jewelry stores. In addition, Lassithi is a wine-producing region producing the best Crete wines as Sitia wine that accompanies fish wonderfully. A half-day excursion to the Spinalonga Peninsula from which an imposing Venetian fortress rises is unavoidable before leaving the region. Diving enthusiasts will be filled by the seabed of the bay where many clubs are officiated.
The beautiful Hania
The island's discovery continues west, with the city of La Canée. A real open-air museum, Hania is without doubt the most beautiful city in Crete. With beautiful Venetian houses, punctuated by a minaret or Ottoman mosque, the alleys of the old center that leave the port of Hania invite the walker to travel over time. A small fragrance of the Orient emanates from the old town, especially when the shined light of dawn caresses its walls. A stopover in Hania will take place in one of the historic pensions of the Topanas district, which is located in ancient charming houses. On the culture side, the archeological museum in the beautiful Gothic church of Saint-François, dating back to the xivth century, presents beautiful pieces extracted from nearby sites.
Wild…
The Hania region of the Lefka Hori («White Mountains») is one of the most attractive in the island. The most famous excursion is to descend the impressive Samaria gorges, 16 km long in the heart of a magnificent natural setting. Very deep, they shelter rich fauna and flora preserved by a natural park status created in 1962. At the end of the 6-hour walk, the beach of Agia Roumeli, a small bay served only by sea, is produced for a well-deserved swim in the Libyan Sea, and a meal in one of the taverns.
Authentic…
The south-west coast of Crete, very mountainous, can only be approached by boat. Here are no roads, but some rocky and endless trails that remind the world of the end. In Paleohora, all the conditions are met for a successful stopover. You can choose to escape one day for a trip to Elafonissi Beach. A true lagoon reached by ferry, Elafonissi spreads its crystalline waters on a rosé sand that owes its color to a particular nacre. A sports alternative is to take the E 4 coastal hiking trail connecting it to Paleohora in 6 ¾ hours walking. At the extreme southwest of Crete, on the edge of this peninsula, time seems suspended.
… and mythical…
Crete was the land of the Minoan civilizations, with great builders attesting to Cnossos' outstanding remains. It is the most famous site since its release of land that created a particularly well preserved ensemble and partly rebuilt. But who runs away from the tourist coaches will make an equally clear idea of the old palaces by visiting the other major sites: Phaestos, Malia and Zakros, east of the island. To run after history, we will enroll in the many caves, of course Dikti's, but also those of Eileithyia near Amnissos, Matala, Gerani… and we will be lost at the ancient sites of Driros west of Elounda, Psira. off Agios Nikolaos or Petras south of Sitia. On the road, we will also cross churches and monasteries. They are often nestled in splendid sites such as the Agia Triada Monasteries, Moni Governétou or Kapsa. Crete is, indeed, a land of heaven and heaven.
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When is it? Between April and September. Spring and late summer are more pleasant than the months of July and August too busy. However, even in the high season, it is possible to find calm in Crete.
Go there. Direct flights are provided by Transavia, Air Mediterranean and charters. The flight duration is approximately 3 hours. You can also reach Crete daily via Athens. The price of a round-trip ticket is from € 250.
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Useful. To find all the information.
CRETE TOURISM BOARD
