Crete was home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, the Minoans, and the legendary birthplace of Zeus. That’s quite a claim to fame but not content to just be historically interesting, the island also has a wealth of natural beauty and some of the country’s best beaches.
Located οn the southern side of the Aegean Sea, Crete is the biggest of all Greek islands. Its beauty, though, is even bigger than its size! Let us paint the scene: Just imagine enthralling natural beauty meeting rich culture and worldwide famous gastronomy, to create the most dreamy holiday paradise!
Humans have inhabited the island since at least 130,000 years ago, during the Paleolithic age. Crete was the centre of Europe’s first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 2700 to 1420 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece.
Crete was one of the most popular holiday destinations in Greece.
Today, the island’s tourism infrastructure caters to all tastes, including a very wide range of accommodation; the island’s facilities take in large luxury hotels with their complete facilities, swimming pools, sports and recreation, smaller family-owned apartments, camping facilities and others. Visitors reach the island via two international airports in Heraklion and Chania and a smaller airport in Sitia or by boat to the main ports of Heraklion, Chania, Rethimno, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.
Popular tourist attractions include the archaeological sites of the Minoan civilisation, the Venetian old city and port of Chania, the Venetian castle at Rethymno, the gorge of Samaria, the islands of Chrysi, Elafonisi, Gramvousa, Spinalonga and the Palm Beach of Vai, which is the largest natural palm forest in Europe.
No introduction to Crete would be complete without mentioning its beaches. Let yourself be seduced by the sparkling turquoise waters, the swathes of white sand and the secluded coves that are begging to be explored.
When to go
The climate on Crete is quite suitable for most of the year, with the temperature and sunlight hours increasing gradually from March through to August. The main tourist period runs from April to mid-October, but our favourite times to visit Crete are in late spring or early summer, as well as in autumn when the weather is not too hot and the main tourist crowds have departed.
What to do
Stroll along the Venetian harbour in Chania
Explore the medieval town of Rethymno
Discover over 5,500 years of history at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
Hop from beach to beach, including stunning Elafonisi and inviting Balos Lagoon
Marvel at the ruins of the Minoean Crete capital, Knossos
Go for a hike in breathtaking Samaria Gorge
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How we plan the perfect luxury vacation
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We tailor-make each travel in Greece by listening to what you want and recommending accommodation and activities that you will both love.
All of our tours are private and designed just for you and your company, from private trasportations to luxury villas.
We tailor-make each vacation type in Greece by choosing from a vast collection of islands scattered throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas, luxury villas with private pools.
