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Crete
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Crete – the Origin of Europe
With an area of around 8,300 km², Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and is located in the southeastern Mediterranean. It uniquely combines impressive landscapes, history, and culture. In Crete, you will find important museums and archaeological sites such as Knossos and Phaistos, as well as crystal-clear waters, high mountains, and deep gorges – an island full of natural experiences. Crete, the island of the Minotaur and Alexis Zorbas, stands for hospitality, a love of freedom, and joie de vivre. It is considered the cradle of European culture: four millennia of history – from King Minos to liberation from the Ottoman Empire – have left their mark everywhere. We would like to invite you to discover Crete with open eyes. In the interior, along quiet coasts, and in lively towns, you can feel both the traditions and the transformations of the island. The simple way of life, the warmth of the people, the diverse landscape, and the ever-present traces of the past make Crete so special.
Four Regions, Four Faces
- Crete is divided into four very different landscape regions – each with its own character and charm:
- Chania in the west, with its picturesque old town on the north coast, the rugged south coast, the high “White Mountains” (Lefka Ori), and the famous Samaria Gorge, the longest in Europe.
- Rethymno, with the charming harbor town of Rethymnon in the north and a scenic route stretching to the south coast and the Libyan Sea.
- Heraklion, the island’s capital, lies centrally between Rethymno and Lassithi. Here you will find the Minoan sites of Knossos and Phaistos – important testimonies of antiquity.
- Lassithi in the east extends from Mirabello Bay via Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and the palm beach of Vai to the Lassithi Plateau and Ierapetra, the only town on Crete’s south coast.
Geography and Nature
Swimming and Beaches in Crete
Crete is about 260 km long and the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean region – after Sicily, Sardinia, and Cyprus. Its landscape is shaped by mighty mountain ranges:
- In the west, the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) with Pachnes at 2,453 m.
- In the center, the Ida Mountains (Psiloritis Massif) with Crete’s highest peak, Timios Stavros (2,456 m).
- In the southeast, the Dikti Mountains (up to 2,148 m).
- In the east, the Sitia Mountains (Tripti range) with Afendis Stavromenos (1,476 m).
- On the south coast, the Asterousia Mountains (up to 1,231 m), which descend steeply into the sea.
Swimming in Crete
With more than 300 days of sunshine a year and almost 1,000 km of coastline, Crete is a paradise for swimmers and beach lovers. The Mediterranean climate allows swimming from April to December. Fine sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, river mouths, and secluded bays alternate along the coast. In the north, shallow and family-friendly beaches beckon; in the west, dreamlike coves await; and in the south, unspoiled stretches of coastline along the Libyan Sea invite discovery.
Water temperatures are approximately:
- around 17 °C in April,
- around 23 °C in June,
- up to 27 °C in July and August,
- still about 23 °C in October,
- 18–19 °C in December.
Activities & Excursion Destinations
Crete is not only a destination for sun-seekers – hikers will also find plenty to enjoy. Mountains, gorges, and plateaus offer countless opportunities for tours. Two European long-distance hiking trails cross the island: the E4 and the E6. On Crete, the E4 stretches for around 500 km from Kastelli near Kissamos in the west, across the southern and northern slopes of the White Mountains, past the Psiloritis and Asterousia mountain ranges, all the way to Kato Zakros in the east. You should allow about three weeks for the full route. The trail passes through some of the island’s most beautiful landscapes. A holiday in a vacation home in Crete – what makes Crete special:
What makes Crete special:
- Long, fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear sea
- Impressive mountain ranges, hiking trails, and deep gorges
- Olive groves, orchards, and wide vineyards
- Historic towns and charming villages
- Monasteries, caves, lakes, and ancient sites
Crete is like a miniature version of Greece: snow-capped peaks, wild gorges, fertile plains, sparkling coasts, and traces of a great past everywhere. Whether you want to swim, hike, or simply enjoy island life – Crete offers everything that makes for an unforgettable holiday.
Getting There
By plane:
Direct flights to Chania and Heraklion
By ferry:
Daily ferry connections from Piraeus to Chania and Rethymno
In the region Crete we offer vacation homes and apartments in the following areas:
Other regions where we offer our unique vacation rentals, besides Crete: