The island of Crete is a place where the myths of antiquity are wonderfully woven into reality. The unique combination of Turkish, Byzantine, Venetian cultures could give birth to stunningly beautiful monasteries, temples and mansions.
Crete is the largest and perhaps the most famous Greek island. It is here that the best resorts are located, while an incredible number of natural, architectural and historical attractions are concentrated. The island is the perfect place to relax. It doesn't matter if you like to relax on the beach, spend your days on excursions or party all night in clubs - everyone will find what they need in the resort. In this article, we will look at the best resorts in Crete - description, attractions, and more.
Features
Crete is the largest island in Greece and also the 5th largest in the Mediterranean. The island is washed by 3 seas - Ionian, Libyan and Cretan. Their shores are occupied by numerous beaches, since the waters of the resort are warm,calm and transparent. The resorts of Crete are dotted with an incredible number of hotels of all classes, it is possible to choose a hotel that is suitable for families, as well as extreme lovers.
Climate
He is the most favorable here, if you look at the rest of the resorts in Greece. Crete is flooded with sunshine almost the whole year, while the temperature in winter is below +15 degrees. Here you can swim almost everywhere, while from May to October the water will be quite warm. For those who do not like the heat, it is better to go here in May or September.
Beaches
Even with a huge flow of tourists, the inhabitants of the island managed to save their nature. The resorts of Crete, a description of which can be seen below, have some of the cleanest beaches in the world, in some places the water is so clear that the bottom is perfectly visible even at a depth of tens of meters.
Heraklion
It is located in the north of the island in the region of Heraklion. Evaluating the resorts of Crete, we can say that this is the largest city in the region. It is located in places where the picturesque valleys of Malevizia and Messara grow green, and endless olive groves and dense vineyards make up the ecosphere of the region.
Every year Heraklion is visited by millions of tourists. Both Greeks and representatives of various European countries go to this place. The developed transport infrastructure and the convenient location of the city, which makes it possible to verify the map of Crete with resorts, allow you to comfortably and quickly reach the desired point on the coast, while accommodation in the hotels of the cityallows you to save money, since the cost of local hotels is lower than on the Aegean coast.
Chania
This is the 2nd largest city on the island. It is located on the shores of the Aegean Sea. This city, which strikes with a harmonious mixture of Venetian heritage and Greek culture, is one of the places that you should definitely visit during a trip to the island of Crete, where resorts can be found to suit everyone's taste and prosperity.
Tourists love the city for its unique architecture, interesting museums, an abundance of historical and natural attractions, as well as a huge variety of various entertainment venues. Looking for youth resorts in Crete, many consider this one. Young people who want to immerse themselves in the center of the hectic life of the resort mainly choose hotels in the center of Chania, families with children and older tourists prefer to relax in its vicinity, where the beaches are more gentle, while the sea is calmer and clearer.
The main tourist destination of the resort is the port with an ancient lighthouse, as well as its surroundings. The museums of the city are also quite popular - maritime, archaeological, Byzantine art. Near the resort there is the Zoniana Cave, the picturesque Samaria Gorge, the ruins of the Turkish and Venetian fortresses, the women's ancient monastery, as well as the ancient city, where the ruins of buildings of the 7th century have been preserved. In addition, Chania is an excellent base for further travel to Balos Bay and the island of Gramvousa. But for a trip to Santorini, the resort is not very convenient, as it is far from the port of Heraklion(this is where most ships depart for this island).
Crete resorts: Rethymnon
This city is the third largest on the island. It is located 78 km from Heraklion, although it is not inferior to Chania in popularity, while it is much more compact. Vacationers who come here can get acquainted with its stunning architectural sights - the fortress of Fortezza, the old port with a Venetian lighthouse, ancient monasteries, the Rimondi fountain, which is located in the historical part of the resort.
The Archaeological Museum is famous for its collections of objects of the Minoan civilization, in addition, an exhibition of statues created during the Greco-Roman period. In the summer, classic festivals are held here, which bring together fans to dance and have fun right on the streets.
It should be noted that the resorts of Crete, including Rethymnon, have a well-developed infrastructure - there are hotels for every budget and taste, shops, shops, restaurants, taverns, bars, clubs and excellent sandy beaches.
But lovers of excursions visit with pleasure the Kourtaliot Gorge, densely overgrown with lush Mediterranean vegetation, in addition, the Saintoni Cave, which fascinates with the radiance of bizarre stalagmites and stalactites.
Lassithi
It is located in the eastern part of Crete. If you do not know which resort to choose when you arrive in Crete, pay attention to Lassithi. This is one of the most colorful regions of Greece. This area is replete with green dense vegetation, while it is distinguished by a minimum volumerainfall when compared with other areas of the island. Lassithi is the only area of Crete where olive trees do not grow due to the extremely cold winter.
Besides natural beauties, developed infrastructure and magnificent sandy beaches, these places are rich in historical sights and are also attractive for ecotourism lovers. Five-star hotels that will satisfy the requirements of the most captious guests adorn the coast, contributing to the high attention of noble and we althy people. They buy luxurious mansions here and use them as country houses. But for the less demanding, there is a large selection of hotels with 3-4 stars.
Malia
This town is located in the north of the island. Choosing the best resorts in Crete, it can be safely considered as one of the best designed for families. It is easily accessible from Heraklion, which is only thirty kilometers away.
The city can be conditionally divided into 2 parts - new and old. The old part of the resort is represented by blooming cozy courtyards, narrow streets, neat Byzantine churches, but the new one is represented by modern clubs, shops, discos, bars. When choosing a hotel, you should take into account that in the center of Malia during the high season it is quite noisy, so if you are not going to take an active part in nightlife, then it is advisable to stay closer to the outskirts of the town.
Malia is an excellent base for traveling to Heraklion, as well as exploring all kinds of attractionsthis part of the island.
Not far from the resort are the remains of the Minoan palace, which was not inferior in size to Knossos, you can also look at the ruins of residential buildings of those years and visit the ancient seal workshop. All items that were found during the excavations are in the archaeological museum, which is equipped in one of the restored buildings.
Hersonissos
This is a former seaport. Only a few buildings remain of it. The city has won fame as the most party and youth resort of the island. In this small town, which is located near Malia, there are the most fashionable discos, clubs, pubs and taverns. Life here is seething - music plays until the morning, shops are open until late, and dancing fun parties are held on the beaches.
There are practically no attractions here - only a Roman basilica, ancient port buildings and a few medieval buildings. At the same time, their lack is compensated by water parks, fascinating excursions to historical places located nearby (in Knossos and Heraklion), as well as interesting sea voyages to Athens and the island of Santorini.
The best resorts of Crete: Elounda
This is the most fashionable resort in Crete. Vacationers who prefer luxury resorts do not think about where to go on the island - they go to Elounda. This is a favorite vacation spot for movie stars, politicians and other VIPs, the best hotels, fashion stores, elite restaurants, popular discos and nightclubs are concentrated here.
There is more than enough entertainment in Elounda. These are the cleanest, well-equipped beaches, diving centers, yacht clubs, volleyball and tennis courts, nightclubs, discos. Tourists go on excursions to Knossos and Heraklion, which are eighty kilometers away, as well as to Agios Nikolaos and Malia. From here it is possible to go for a walk to the island of Spinalonga, to the ancient flooded city of Olous, to Santorini and to Athens.
