Crete - Κρήτη

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THE Crete is its largest island Of Greece and the 5th largest in the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Heraklion. Crete is located about 160 km south of the Greek mainland, south of the Aegean Sea, and is a natural border of the Aegean Sea with the Libyan. Crete has a length of 250 km from end to end and a width that varies from 15 km at the narrowest point, up to 65 km at the widest point. It is divided into four regional units: Heraklion, Chania, Lassithi and Rethymnon. Heraklion is the largest city in Crete and one of the most populous cities in Greece. The island combines sites with natural, archaeological, and generally tourist interest. Also, in Crete are some of the most luxurious hotels in the country. Crete is one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean where tourists from all over the world are found.

At a glance

Languages

Cretan idiom of the Greek language

Areas

Important cities

• Heraklion
• Ierapetra
• Chania
• Rethimno
• Saint Nicholas

Additional destinations

• THE Knossos. The ruins of the palaces of Ancient Knossos, 5 km southeast of Heraklion, are one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece. The Minoan civilization, which flourished in the region, is one of the oldest civilizations in Europe. According to tradition, it was the seat of King Minos. The myths of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and of Daedalus and Icarus are connected with the palace of Knossos.
• THE Phaistos. The ruins of the ancient city of Phaistos is located southwest of Heraklion, at a distance of 62 km, at an altitude of 100 meters.
• The Palm forest of Vai. In the prefecture of Lassithi, on the shores of the Carpathian Sea and at a distance of 24 km from Sitia (east) is the Palm Forest of Vai. This forest consists of palm trees of the endemic species Phoenix theophrastii covers an area of ​​250 acres and is the largest palm forest in Europe. It is located in front of a popular sandy beach.

How to get there

The island has three airports:

• Heraklion International Airport Nikos Kazantzakis. Airport Nikos Kazantzakis is the international and the airport of the Island with the biggest traffic.
• Chania Airport I. Daskalogiannis. Chania Airport is an international airport.
• Sitia Airport

By boat

Crete is accessible by ferry with itineraries of various ferry companies from mainland and island Greece. There are itineraries from / to Souda (port of Chania), Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos.

How to move

Given the size of the island, travel to the various areas of Crete requires transportation. There are bus lines as well as many car and motorcycle rental points in the cities and tourist resorts of the island.

By road

Car rental

Imperial Car Rental

Cosmos Car Rental

What to see

Palace of Knossos

Palm forest of Vai

Entertainment

Local cuisine

Cretan cuisine follows the standards of the Mediterranean Diet. Basic elements of the Cretan diet are dakos (nut), olive oil, wine, olives, legumes, cheese and meat.

Local drinks

Tsikoudia, rakomelo (tsikoudia with honey), wine from local grape varieties

Stay safe

Nearby destinations

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