For those tourists who are planning to go on holiday to Greece, I advise you to pay attention to the largest of the Greek islands, which in terms of tourism is one of the most popular resorts not only in Greece itself, but throughout Europe. Of course, we are talking about Crete, an island with a long history and which was repeatedly mentioned in the myths of Ancient Greece. It is Crete that is considered the birthplace of the greatest and most revered of the gods - Zeus. And the myth of the Minotaur, with its slightly sad ending, or the tale of Daedalus and Icarus, who are also associated with this island, are probably known to everyone since childhood.

The popularity of the island is evidenced by the fact that more than two and a half million tourists from around the world visit Crete every year. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that in addition to historical monuments, and there are many of them here, since the settlement of Crete began more than nine thousand years ago, here you can choose a vacation for every taste, from active and entertaining on the northern side of the island, to secluded and calm on its south. Being the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and with a coastline of more than a thousand kilometers, it is rich in a large number of beaches, differing in relief and even the color of the sand. For example, on perhaps the most popular Elafonisi beach, which is located in the southwestern part of the island, the sand has a shade of light pink, read more

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Weather in Crete by month:

Month	Temperature		Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day
Month	During the day	At night	Cloudiness	Rainy days / Precipitation	Water temperature in the sea	Number of solar hours per day

January	13.3°C	9.5°C	44.2%	6 days (97.8 mm.)	16.6°C	10 o'clock 5m.

February	14.3°C	9.4°C	43.9%	6 days (116.0 mm.)	15.9°C	10 o'clock 55m.

March	15.8°C	9.6°C	37.5%	4 days (59.3 mm.)	15.9°C	11 o'clock 59m.

April	18.2°C	10.7°C	29.8%	2 days (36.9 mm.)	17.0°C	13:00 6m.

May	22.1°C	14.3°C	20.6%	3 days (35.1 mm.)	19.7°C	14h. 2m.

June	26.3°C	18.1°C	12.6%	3 days (46.3 mm.)	23.2°C	14h. 30m.

July	29.7°C	20.7°C	4.1%	1 day (12.2 mm.)	25.7°C	14h. 16m.

August	29.7°C	22.0°C	7.2%	1 day (23.1 mm.)	26.4°C	13:00 27m.

September	27.7°C	21.0°C	14.9%	2 days (43.5 mm.)	25.5°C	12h. 23m.

October	23.2°C	17.8°C	27.0%	3 days (50.6 mm.)	23.2°C	11 o'clock 17m.

November	19.1°C	14.8°C	35.1%	3 days (54.4 mm.)	20.8°C	10 o'clock 19m.

December	14.8°C	10.9°C	43.6%	7 days (80.0 mm.)	18.3°C	9 o'clock 49m.

*This table displays weather averages collected over more than three years

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Cost of a holiday in Crete. October 2018.

tour cost

My husband and I decided to celebrate my birthday in Greece. The vouchers were purchased from October 26 to November 2. We chose the Creta Star 4* hotel, all-inclusive. The vouchers were purchased a week before departure, the cost was 1580 euros. We arrived at the hotel at 6 in the morning, we were immediately checked into the central building, the room was on the 4th floor, overlooking the sea, in Crete there are mountains all around and the enchanting sea. The hotel is not very big, the main vacationers are foreigners, mostly Germans. For children there is one slide and a small pool. There were practically no married couples with children.

The excursions that were offered by our tour operator are very expensive. We left the hotel and took an excursion from a nearby travel agency, including a visit to two places: Elafinisi beach, Balos bay via Gramvousa island. We paid 100 euros for two. In the morning we left the hotel for the port of Kissamos, where we boarded a ship, lunch cost us 25 euros. We saw pink sand, the confluence of three seas. We also decided to take a walk around the town of Rethymno. We visited the fortress (4 euros per person), the temple, and walked along the embankment.

Food and products

There are a lot of small cafes in Rethymno; in the afternoon we ordered 2 coffees and 2 cheesecakes in one of the cafes and paid 12 euros. In another cafe in the evening, we ordered 1 beer and a dish of fried mussels, paid 18 euros.

Souvenirs and other goods

In a sweets and nuts store, we bought 1 kg pistachios. price 13 euros, 0.5 water for 1 euro. In the Reebok sports store, we bought our daughter sneakers for 25 euros, in the Mothercare store we bought 3 sweatshirts and spent 30 euros. All relatives receive soap and magnets for 1 euro, decorative plates for 6 euros. On the way back, at Duty Free we bought our daughter a large box of M&M's for 10 euros, chocolate for 5 euros. Sitting in one place on Crete is stupid. Every summer the island is filled with colorful rented cars of tourists heading to a wide variety of places on the island.

Opening a map of Crete, you are amazed that there are historical places here at almost every step; you want to visit as many as possible.

Many people ignore Heraklion, the capital of the island, and completely undeservedly. It is worth paying attention to this city. Upon arrival, we devoted 1.5 days to Heraklion. And we visited the Knossos Palace, walked around the city center, we were completely covered by a wave on its embankment near the walls of the fortress, and we also looked into the historical museum.

Near Bali there is the Atali Monastery, you can walk there: there is an indescribable atmosphere here, it seems that you are in the Middle Ages.

Rethymno and Chania are definitely worth a visit. Near Chania, it’s worth checking out one of the most inaccessible, but definitely the most beautiful beaches, Shaitan Limanya. You might want to get to Matala with its inhabitants pretending to be hippies. If yes, then do not pass by the town of Cales Limenes. Not only has this place been known since biblical times, because it was here that the Apostle Paul waited out bad weather, but there is also a secret beach here - Stena Beach. You can even stay here with tents for a couple of days.

In Crete you can find both absolutely wild beaches and those with developed infrastructure. It all depends on your taste.

As for the beaches of Bali. We look at the sea from the shore and begin to list them on the right. The first beach - Livadi - is the largest. There are several taverns here and if you buy something in the tavern, an umbrella and sunbeds will be free for you. However, waves are frequent here. The second beach - Varkotopos - is very small, there are practically no waves and black sand, you can swim here with a mask, but it is always crowded and there will be nowhere to put your own umbrella. We didn’t really like the third beach - Limani, since there is a pier here. The fourth beach - Evita - is the most beautiful and farthest, here you can swim with a mask, the water is stunningly clear, there are no waves here. But we often took our umbrella and towels and went to the rocks. You can get there if, after going down to the first beach, go left. Among the rocks there are often sandy areas where you can sit and then swim with a mask and fins.

Where can I eat?

In Bali, we most often dined at the Galina tavern on the second beach.

But in general, each tavern has its own peculiarity. Tasty everywhere. The main thing for us was that there weren’t too many people.

About the quality of food and service

The portions are very large. It’s hard to get used to, and at first we overate ourselves and took what we didn’t eat back to our apartment.

How much does it cost to eat? About food prices.

On average, our bill for three for dinner with wine was between 30 and 40 euros.

Entertainment

In addition to excursions in Crete, you can go diving. In Bali, there is one dive center that is absolutely amazing. Friendly guys who help get ready, help on the boat, and after diving, like real guides, talk about what we saw underwater. The equipment is in excellent condition. We haven't had such a soulful diving experience for a long time as with them.

Pros of holidays in Crete

Crete will not leave anyone indifferent. For everyone here there is exactly what attracts them. The aromas of flowers and honey in the air, bright sunsets and sunrises, the history that you feel at every step, and the wind filled with myths and legends - this is how I will remember Crete.

Delicious food, friendly people, amazing coffee, homemade wine - all this is available to everyone in Crete.

Is it worth vacationing in Crete?

It is definitely worth coming to Crete at least once. Once you get here, you will strive to return.

If you are looking for a guide to Crete, then you have come to the right place. We have created an application for your smartphone or tablet. The essence is this: you walk around the cities of Crete in a mode convenient for you, listening to a fascinating story about the places you pass, their facts and stories, an audio guide guides you with a navigator that works without the Internet, and you take photos in the same application. Great?

We offer a sightseeing tour of Rethymno (sometimes called Rethymnon), and we also have a tour of the city of Chania. There are interesting excursions around Athens.

Excursion “Mosaic of Rethymnon, composed of eras”

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Today we will get acquainted with an amazing city, which is also a museum under the azure sky of the island of Crete. The architecture of the Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman empires is imprinted on the appearance of Rethymno. Its unique labyrinth of narrow streets, the variety of Venetian churches and Turkish mosques, and ancient buildings are popular among tourists. The city itself is constantly evolving. It carefully preserves its history and architecture, and treats its customs and traditions with care.

Our guide to Crete offers a route through the old town area. We will see a Venetian fountain that has reached us through 4 centuries. We will find out what the Venetian loggia is and what role it played in the past. We will walk along the ancient Arkadiou street, where door and window openings from past eras are well preserved. Today it is a shopping street with many shops, shops and cafes. Here you can buy souvenirs for yourself, your friends and family.

On our way we will meet Christian churches with an extraordinary destiny: the Cathedral, the Church of the Four Martyrs, the Catholic Church, the Church of Our Lady of Angels. If you wish, you can visit the archaeological and historical-ethnographic museum. You will learn the sad story of how the once prosperous city fell into decay, how Turkish rulers imposed their culture on the locals and converted Venetian churches into Turkish mosques. You can see three of them - the Kara Musa Pasha Mosque, Nerandzes, and Sultan Ibrahim with your own eyes, and if you succeed, you can get inside.

A magnificent Venetian embankment with numerous taverns, restaurants and cafes awaits us. The ancient lighthouse is clearly visible from its shore. A walk to it along the pier will allow you to see the sea harbor from the sea.

The priceless heritage of centuries can be traced in such architectural monuments as the Guora Gate and the Fortezza fortress. During the heyday of Rethymno, this gate was the central passage into the city and part of the defensive wall, and the Venetian citadel was a powerful coastal fortification. Today, from the height of the fortress, a beautiful panorama of the old harbor, city and sea opens up. It has its own open-air theater Erofili, a functioning concert hall in the old mosque and the parish church of St. Catherine. In addition, many buildings from past centuries have been preserved on the territory of the fortress.

Audio guide and guide to Crete - the city of Rethymno - Useful tips

Rethymnon is a small city in Cyprus, ranking third in size among the accessible resorts for tourists. It stretches from the historical center to the east along the Cretan Sea. Active life in the city never stops. In the spring, Rethymno hosts a carnival before Lent, the second largest in Greece. Tourists from all over the country come to see it. In summer, this city is attractive with wonderful beaches and many sea turtles, which during this period come to the seashore to lay eggs. And with the closure of the tourist season, student life is in full swing here, because the humanities faculties of the University of Crete are located in the nearest suburbs.

Rethymno is a cozy and charming city with a rich history. Three empires – Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman – left their mark on its formation. From every era to the present day have been preserved sights of Rethymno: architectural monuments, household items, traditions and customs. They can be studied more fully and in detail in the area of the old city, where our journey will take place.

Audio guide and guide to Crete - Rethymno city Attractions

You can get to the starting point of our route by city bus, the stop is the city park or the Square of the Four Martyrs. The old town area is a pedestrian zone. There is no public transport here; you can navigate the narrow streets here by bicycle or scooter. They can be rented. Buses run around the city from early morning until late evening. Tickets for public transport are sold at bus stops.

Our audio guide to Rethymno involves a walk with a visit to Christian churches and mosques. It is not recommended to enter these establishments wearing provocative clothing. We ask that you bring a light cape or scarf that can cover your shoulders and head. We also have a journey to a fortress located on a high hill. We advise you to wear comfortable flat shoes, and bring sunscreen and a hat. Entrance to the fortress is paid, take a small amount of money with you.

A walk through the old city can be completed in 2-3 hours, so the recommended time for traveling is in the afternoon, when the likelihood of sunburn or chapping has subsided. Don't forget to take a light bag with you to buy souvenirs and a camera.

You are interested? Then let's begin our journey.

Your Audio Guide and Travel Guide to Crete - Rethymnon Town - YARVITTO

Greece-Crete-Rethymnon attractions

1 Church of the Four Martyrs
2 Guora Gate
3 Cathedral
4 History of Rethymno
5 Kara Musa Pasha Mosque
6 Arkadiou Street
7 Nerantzes Mosque
8 Historical and Ethnographic Museum
9 Church of Our Lady of Angels
10 Rimondi Fountain
11 Venetian Loggia
12 Venetian Harbor
13 Catholic Church
14 Archaeological Museum
15 Venetian fortress Fortezza
16 Fortress structures
17 Sultan Ibrahim Mosque
18 Erofili Theater

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Audio guide and guide to Crete in Russian - the city of Rethymno - created by the YARVITTO team and protected by copyright. You can download our Audio Guide and Crete Guide to the app store or google play and buy excursions.

Crete is the largest Greek island, until recently (some 100-odd years ago) an independent state, as well as the heir of ancient civilizations: Minoan, Greek and Byzantine. For tourists, Crete is a vacation for every taste, temperament and budget.

Along with our guide from Zhenya Lasakova head to the mountains with a backpack on your back, explore the narrow labyrinthine streets of Venetian towns, travel back in time among the ruins of Minoan palaces, relax on the beach listening to the steady sound of the surf or dive into the vibrant nightlife. Crete offers it all, and all you have to do is choose.

When to go

From May to the end of October.
In May-June the island blooms and is therefore especially beautiful. Everything around is surrounded by greenery, and along the roads they sell freshly collected thyme honey.

Even in August, despite the fact that it is the hottest month and most beloved by tourists, you can have a great rest. Firstly, there is a breeze on the island, so the heat is much easier to bear than in mainland Greece. And secondly, in August the fruit season begins: sellers of delicious little oranges appear on the side of the roads.

If you are planning a vacation in the fall, take a closer look at the southern coast of Crete - the water here remains warm the longest.

Advice: There is another advantage to traveling in the fall - financial. The weather is still warm, the water temperature in the sea is suitable for swimming, but the number of tourists on the beaches and main attractions is sharply declining, followed by a decline in prices for housing, food and other services.

How to get there

During the season, the capital of the island, Heraklion, can be reached daily by regular or charter flight from Moscow and several times a week by charter flight from St. Petersburg, Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Kazan and other cities.

Visa

Schengen visa of any country. By the way, the Greeks issue their visas quite loyally: they do not require a large number of documents and certificates, and are not greedy with the validity period. Even if you do not have Schengen visas in your passport, you can safely count on a visa for at least six months.

Movement

It is best to rent a car - this way, even corners of Crete hidden from the tourist crowds will be accessible to you.

Advice: It is very important to note all scratches and chips when receiving the car, and also take out full insurance - Cretans can easily find fault with some barely noticeable scratch on the fender.

If a car is not an option for you, you can use bus routes (read about them below). The island's main highway, E75, runs from west to east along the entire northern coast; all major cities and places of interest are easily accessible by regular bus.

Food and drink

Cretans cook meat well, especially lamb, and before the arrival of tourists on the island, local residents were not particularly fond of fish and seafood. This is explained by the fact that from ancient times most of them lived not on the sea coast, but in the interior of the island, where meat dishes were common. But with the beginning of active tourism, seafood became equally widespread. Naturally, vegetables, bread, olives (standard Greek products) - everything is very tasty here.

Almost any restaurant, tavern or cafe will give you a welcome compliment, usually bread, some olives and thick tomato or olive paste. At the end of the meal, you will be treated to dessert (at the beginning of the season, these are small vases similar to panna cotta; in August-September, this is a plate with slices of watermelon and melon). And be prepared for the final touch to be a free portion of local rakia (grape vodka).

By the way, Greek rakia is very good - light, soft, with a pleasant aftertaste. But the local wine is very mediocre. Another interesting drink is ouzo. This is anise vodka, here it is served with ice and a glass of water, which needs to be diluted with the drink. The result is a cloudy white liquid with a very specific anise flavor.

Routes

The ideal option for a complete acquaintance with Crete is to take a car, drive around the island around the perimeter and stop in different places: somewhere just for the night, somewhere staying for a couple of days to make a detour deeper into the island and explore the surrounding area.

For example, you can pick up a car at Heraklion airport and head west, spending a few days in Rethymno and then Chania. Then move to the south coast and head east through Frangokastello, Plakias (be sure to visit Preveli beach), Matala. Here you can spend the night or stop for a couple of days to soak up the sea and make a foray several kilometers inland to the ruins of Festos and Gortyna. Move further east along the coast, through Ierapetra north to Sitia, from there, after visiting the Toplou Monastery, go to Agios Nikolaos and spend a day or two in the surrounding area. And then head west, towards Heraklion, stopping in Malia (if you are interested in vibrant nightlife) or Hersonissos (if you like calm resort towns). From here you can go hiking to the Lassithi plateau and the Cave of Zeus, or you can stay until the end of your vacation and have a good rest.

If you prefer to wake up every morning in a familiar bed, have breakfast at your hotel, go out for the day and return “home” again for dinner, you will be able to explore hardly half of Crete. But even on one half of the island you will have enough impressions for a two-week vacation.
The most convenient cities for such purposes are Rethymno and Chania in the west, Agios Nikolaos in the east and Agia Galini in the south of the island. In addition to the convenient location relative to local attractions, these cities are interesting in themselves and deserve special attention.

East

Main tourist destinations east of Heraklion - Hersonissos, Malia, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Ierapetra (southeast coast)

Heraklio

Capital of the island of Crete. There is an international airport, a seaport, and several museums. The city itself is not impressive, so we don’t recommend staying here - it may only be useful to you as an arrival/transfer point.
Ten kilometers from Heraklion is perhaps the most popular tourist attraction - Knossos. The most famous Cretan ruins are the palace of the Minoan (pre-Greek) era, which died in 1450 BC after the volcanic eruption on Santorini and the subsequent tsunami. The main difference from other Minoan excavations is that Sir Arthur Evans, who excavated Knossos at the beginning of the twentieth century, decided to conduct a very controversial archaeological experiment: he studied frescoes, images on sarcophagi and clay vases found during the excavations of Knossos, and partially restored the palace. As a result, visitors can see stairs, columns, and some rooms of the palace, but they are unlikely to be able to feel the time in these decorations - all this is a remake. And there are crowds of tourists. Whether it's worth spending time on a pseudo-ancient palace is up to you to decide.

Heraklion

Knossos palace

Agios Nikolaos

The city is located on the northwestern shore of Mirabelon Bay, 62 kilometers east of Heraklion along the E75 highway. You can use a regular bus.

Agios Nikolaos is a picturesque seaside town and well worth spending the whole day in. An interesting attraction is Lake Vulisméni, the embankment of which is one continuous coastal restaurant. In the 19th century, a small canal was dug from the sea to the lake, so now it is actually a sea bay.
If you walk the entire embankment, the road will lead to the small white church of St. Nicholas - the patron saint of sailors. The church itself is closed, but right behind it there is a path along which you can climb to the very top of the hill and enjoy the view of the lake and sea.
If you're staying overnight in Agios Nikolaos, we recommend doing the hill climb twice - in the sunshine and after sunset for two different but equally stunning views.

Lake Vulizmeni

Seven kilometers from Agios Nikolaos hides the small and extremely picturesque village of Kritsa - a must-visit place if you find yourself nearby.
Here you can still meet men and women in traditional Cretan clothes, and these are not costume events for foreigners - they just dress like that. On the narrow streets between whitewashed houses with multi-colored doors and shutters, local old people and their cats rest imposingly. It’s nice to just wander around, sit and watch the leisurely life of the locals, sit in a cafe and drink coffee. A couple of hours is enough. There are almost no tourists here.

Spinalonga

An island with a fortress and an interesting history. The island itself and the fortress on it were built (Spinalonga was deliberately turned from a peninsula into an island) in the 16th century, under Venetian rule. Later, the island was captured by the Ottomans, and then a leper colony was established here - the island became the last refuge for those suffering from leprosy. The leper colony existed on Spinalonga until the middle of the last century. Residents of Crete believe that the island is inhabited by ghosts, the restless souls of dead people, and they claim that from time to time at night voices and bells can be heard from here.
Believe it or not, a visit to Spinalonga will certainly leave a strong impression on you; this place has a very strong energy. And from the fortress walls and towers there is a wonderful view of the sea and the coast of Crete.

Spinalonga

To get to Spinalonga, you first need to get to Elounda or Plaka - 10–15 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos, there are regular buses, and from there on one of the ships that leaves for Spinalonga every half hour or hour and goes to islands no more than 15 minutes.

Vai

The easternmost and most famous beach of Crete is the same “Bounty” beach (yes, the advertisement familiar from childhood was filmed here). Vai is located 30 kilometers from the city of Sitia. It is located in the middle of a grove of date palms - the largest wild palm grove in all of Europe. By the way, during the filming of the advertisement, coconuts were tied to the palm trees at the direction of the director.

This place is not at all like the rest of Crete - more like some tropical island. However, don't expect a secluded, relaxing holiday. Vai is very popular among tourists, who are brought here in whole buses on excursions, and the entire beach is lined with even rows of sun loungers and umbrellas (of course, not free). Nevertheless, you can still grab yourself a piece of heavenly pleasure - do not forget to take a blanket or bedding with you.

If you are traveling by car, be sure to check out the 14th-century Toplou Monastery (Iera Moni Toplou), located on the road from Sitia to Vai. Toplu is an unusual monastery, it is a fortress monastery, which cannot be ignored already at the entrance to it. At all times, the monks who lived in the monastery defended their land - either from pirates or from the Ottomans, and during World War II the monastery was the center of anti-fascist resistance.
But besides its military history, the monastery is distinguished by its amazing picturesqueness. There is an atmosphere of peace inside it, it is surrounded by greenery, and a wonderful panorama opens from the bell tower. The monastery church is also worth a visit, and the museum houses unique examples of ancient icon painting.

Toplou Monastery

Lasithi Plateau and Zeus Cave

The Lasithi Plateau (Oropedio Lasithiou) is located in the center of eastern Crete, approximately halfway between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. To get to the mountain road that goes around the plateau, you need to turn off the highway in the Malia area.

You can drive around the entire plateau, enjoying the view of mountains on one side and fields with touching white windmills on the other. But the main point of the program on this trip is Dictaean Cave, also known as the Cave of Zeus.

Lasithi Plateau

Crete is full of legends and myths - according to one of them, Zeus was born and grew up in this cave. His mother, the goddess Rhea, hid from her husband, the titan Kronos, who devoured all his children, since he was predicted to die at the hands of his own son. Rhea gave birth to Zeus and hid him in a cave, and placed a stone for Kronos instead of a child.
During excavations in the cave, figurines of Zeus and altars were found, as well as many ceramics from different periods - for many centuries the thunder god was worshiped here. Now these finds are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, and in the Cave of Zeus you can admire stalactites and stalagmites of bizarre shape. It's quiet and cool here, even when the midday sun is blazing outside.

Cave of Zeus

On the way to the plateau, we recommend making a stop at the family cafe Skapanis, located right on the edge of a steep cliff.

Gortina - Phaistos - Matala

This is a full-day route for those who like to walk among ancient ruins, vases and mosaic remains, the sequence is from the northern coast of the island to the southern.

The first stop will be Gortyna - one of the three most important cities of the Minoan civilization (50 kilometers from Heraklion, 32 kilometers from Agia Galini, 82 kilometers from Rethymno).

Let's leave ancient legends aside, let's just say that during the period of Roman rule, Gortyn was the capital of Crete. The most interesting thing here is the stone slabs of the 5th century BC, on which a code of laws is carved. Something interesting: the law written 2,500 years ago did not provide for the death penalty, and also required significant evidence of the guilt or innocence of the accused.

19 kilometers west of Gortyn there is another interesting archaeological complex - the Phaistos Palace (Faestos). It is considered the second (after Knossos) archaeological site of Crete. In our opinion, it is more interesting because the excavations here were carried out carefully and no one tried to recreate the palace from concrete for tourists to see. This vast open-air palace complex will take a couple of hours to explore, so bring water and a hat.

Phaistos Palace

Matala is a small village on the southern coast of Crete. The sand and pebble beach, located in a small bay, will be an excellent end to the Gortyna - Fest route.

Matala Beach is famous for the fact that in the western part of the bay, right in the rock, there are many man-made caves, as if left by giant swallows. They say that these caves are about ten thousand years old and were dug out of soft rock by primitive hunters. They then attracted the attention of early Christians who were seeking refuge from persecution. In the 20th century, this place was chosen by hippies, who created an entire settlement here. Now all that remains in the village are a couple of stylized cafes and a few painted minibuses. The beach itself is perfectly equipped for a comfortable stay: parking, umbrellas, sun loungers, and there are a lot of coastal cafes, bars, and hotels nearby.
If you are planning a trip throughout Crete, Matala is a great place to stay for a couple of days.

Rethymnon

West

Whatever you say, the western part of Crete is different from the eastern. The mountains are higher here and the air is fresher. Or does it just seem like it? Let's put aside speculation: in this part of the island there are two of the most beautiful cities - Chania and Rethymno.

Rethymnon

Rethymno can be easily reached from literally any corner of Crete: the most remote resort town, Sitia, is 200 kilometers away along the E75 highway, and from Chania it is only 64 kilometers away.
To describe Rethymno in a few words, it is an old Venetian city with marble fountains, Byzantine churches and Turkish bay windows. In a small cozy harbor, fishing boats jostle alongside each other, taverns and restaurants smoothly move from one to another. In the evening, car traffic is blocked on the embankment, and crowds of people of all ages and nationalities immediately appear there.

Matala Beach

Things to do? First of all, climb the hill and explore the Venetian fortress of Fortezza (Fortezza Paleokastro) of the 16th century, and also admire the sea and the Ida mountain range from the fortress walls (the fortress is open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, entrance costs about 3 euros).

After sunset, be sure to take a walk along the illuminated embankment of Rethymno harbor - this is the most romantic place in the city.

For breakfast, we can recommend the small tavern Stella’s Kitchen - a great place in the Old Town. They also prepare a proper omelet here (Cretans, as it turned out, have problems with this) - without a ton of oil and not overcooked ( There are widespread problems with breakfast in Greece. - Approx. ed.).

Rethymnon

Chania

Chania, the former capital of the island (Heraklion acquired this status only in 1972), is often called the Venice of Crete. Despite the lack of canals and houses on stilts, there are indeed similarities, especially in the harbor. This is not surprising: after all, from the 13th to the 17th centuries the city was under the rule of the Venetian Republic. The Venetians developed the harbor, erected a lighthouse, piers and breakwaters.

The old town is extraordinarily beautiful: narrow cobbled streets, brightly colored buildings, a bizarre mixture of minarets, Orthodox domes and baroque facades.
In addition to endless walks around the Old Town, it is worth looking into all the churches you come across, admiring the Topanas quarter, where both Venetian mansions and Turkish buildings have been preserved, and exploring the labyrinth of the Kastelli and Splantzia quarters.

Be sure to visit the indoor market: in addition to numerous souvenirs and traditional Cretan goods (mountain herbs, spices, cheeses, oils and olives, engraved knives and baskets), it is worth paying attention to the building itself. Built between 1911 and 1913 on the model of the one in Marseille, the Chania market building has entrances on four cardinal points and a glazed roof, so there is always plenty of light.
It is also interesting to take a walk in the New Town, walk through the Kumkapi quarter, look into the Church of St. Magdalene - it was built as a gift to Prince George from the Russian Emperor Nicholas II.

Monasteries of the Akrotiri Peninsula

Literally a few kilometers from Chania, on the Akrotiri peninsula, there is a trio of extremely interesting and picturesque monasteries, a must-see of this region. However, the main tourist flow will bypass this route - a big loss for them and great news for you.

Leave Chania and follow the road to the airport and then further north. The coordinates of the monastery of Ayia Triada (Moni Agias Triadas) are 35.56068, 24.135259.
The monastery was built by two monks - Venetian subjects of Cretan origin. Be sure to find the miniature (unlike the Moscow temple) Church of Christ the Savior in the depths of the courtyard.

Ayia Triad

The next monastery along the route is Gouverneto, also called Panagia ton Angelon (Gouverneto, Panagia ton Angelon), it was built in the middle of the 16th century. The distance to it is four kilometers along a dirt road. Both Agia Triada and Gouverneto are active monasteries, so you should follow the appropriate dress code (or use the suggested capes and skirts).
In addition, the Guverneto is closed to the public from 12:30 to 16:30.

Guverneto

If you walk through the territory of the Guverneto monastery, you will find yourself at an observation deck with an excellent view of the mountains. Here begins the path to the third monastery of the peninsula - the abandoned monastery of Katoliko, also known as the monastery of St. John Xenos (Agias Ioannis Xenos). Head down, the path is paved with stones and is easy to walk. The road to Katoliko will take approximately 25–30 minutes one way.

After about a ten minute walk down you will come across the Arkoudiotissa Cave with the Church of Our Lady at the entrance. This is a cult place known since ancient times. Artemis was once worshiped and honored here. During the festive month of Gamelion (from January 10 to February 6), girls who were getting married performed a ritual dance here dedicated to the goddess of the hunt.

Catholico

The Catholic Monastery is considered the oldest monastery on the island (founded in the 6th–7th centuries). A stone bridge spans over the gorge leads to the entrance to the monastery, while the buildings of the monastery themselves are hewn out of the rocks. For example, the Church of St. John Xenos has ordinary walls only on the facade side, while the main room is located inside the rock. Also carved into the rock are the hermit monk hermitages, two of which can only be climbed by crawling. It is likely that you will explore the monastery alone - tourists are not brought here.
If you follow the path even further down, you will go down to the sea - to a small secluded beach, where you can gain strength before heading back up.

Advice: If you walk along the path quietly and are very lucky, you can meet an absolutely charming animal - the Cretan marten. The main thing is to have time to look not only at your feet.

Devil's Harbor Beach (Seitan Limania)

One of the most beautiful and inaccessible beaches of Crete - Devil's Harbor, is located near the city of Chania. Getting there is not easy - the last section of the road is replete with serpentines and inclines, and after that you will have to stomp along the descent (be sure to wear comfortable shoes, not flip-flops or slates). Be sure to bring water.
The beach is unequipped - no sun loungers, no water tray, no lifeguard. But there are no crowds of tourists here either. But there is beauty, silence and solitude.

Devil's Harbor

Lake Kournas

Kournas is the only lake in Crete. It is located 48 kilometers from Chania to the east, towards Rethymno. The lake is picturesque, with clear water to the very bottom.

Local tourism sellers claim that if you look closely, you can see Caretta caretta turtles (they say “see the turtles”). This, of course, is a tourist story: there is no trace of Caretta caretta here, but flocks of geese roam freely on the banks, and goats graze on the distant steep slopes. According to reviews from PRTBRT readers in 2017, turtles do exist in Lake Kourna!

We recommend renting a small pedal boat with a canopy for a couple of hours (about 7 euros per hour) and exploring the lake from the water, of course, with breaks for swimming. Then you can have lunch at one of the coastal restaurants (prices are quite consistent with city ones).

Lake Kourna

Balos and Gramvousa

From Chania it is convenient to explore the far west of the island and explore the Balos Lagoon - one of the calling cards of Crete. It is famous for the fact that in this place three seas merge: the Ionian, Aegean and Libyan. According to local residents, in sunny weather in the bay you can distinguish dozens of different shades of water. The bay itself is a large shallow and sandy beach. You can easily spend a couple of hours here, enjoying the view of the three seas.

Laguna Balos

The most convenient way to get to Balos is by one of the ships that regularly depart from the port of Kissamos (also called Kastelli). It is important to remember that ships depart from 10:00, but only in the first half of the day, the latest one leaves at 12:30 (and then only in high season). We recommend arriving at the port before ten to choose the boat you like.

As part of the trip, you will be taken to the island of Gramvousa, on the top of which rise the remains of a once impregnable fortress, built in the 16th century to protect the strait. However, after 100 years, the fortress, like the entire island, could not resist the Ottoman conquerors, and then became a refuge for pirates (hence the second name of the island - pirate). The fortress is well preserved, it is interesting to walk around it, and an amazing view opens from its walls.

Gramvousa Island

Keep in mind that you will not find shade on either Gramvous or Balos beach, so we recommend stocking up on strong sun protection cream and a hat.

This trip will take a full day until dinner.

Elafonisi

Another island and beach of the same name in the far west of Crete is located 72 kilometers from Chania. Elafonisi is one of the most popular beaches among tourists and one of the best in all of Greece.

The island is connected to the mainland by a long sand spit, at the base of which Elafonissi Beach is located. Here you can sit in the shade of trees and umbrellas on sun loungers, and then stroll along the shallows, which go far from the shore. Those who love deep water will not be interested here: many meters ahead, the water reaches almost up to the middle of the thigh. The place is very beautiful, although favored by tourists. You can get here from Chania along a beautiful mountain road.

Elafonisi Beach

Chrysoskalitissa Monastery

On the road from Chania towards Elafonisi, just a few kilometers away, you will come across a sign for the monastery of Chrisoskalitissa - the monastery of the Golden Steps. Be sure to wrap it there. The white stone monastery rises above the sea on a cliff. It is believed that seven of the 90 steps of the staircase leading to the monastery are made of pure gold (hence the name), but a sinful person will not be able to distinguish them from ordinary ones.

South coast

Gorges

Crete is all strewn with gorges. The most famous and tourist destination is Samaria. Excursions here are sold literally at every turn, along with excursions to the Palace of Knossos and the Cave of Zeus. If you have no experience of hiking, but want to see the gorge, you can take advantage of an organized tour. By bus you will be taken to its northernmost point, and you will go south, towards the sea, where after 18 kilometers of the journey a boat will be waiting for you. Please note: this is a full day hike in the sun, even if you are going with an organized group, so shoes, hat and water are required. And don’t forget, you should go hiking to enjoy nature.

Samaria Gorge

You can also organize this hike on your own, the main thing is to keep in mind that one day is not enough to travel there and back, and spending the night in the gorge is prohibited. However, on the southern coast, in the village of Agia Roumeli, you can book a hotel, spend the night there and go back with renewed vigor.

Since the Samaria Gorge is the most popular on the island, be prepared for the fact that you will literally walk through it in a crowd of people. It is somewhat more deserted here in spring and autumn, but then it often rains in the region, and when it rains the gorge is closed to the public.

For lovers of less popular routes, we can recommend, for example, the Imbros Gorge or the Agia Irini Gorge. The path along them is shorter (7 and 8 kilometers, respectively), and there are many times fewer tourists.

Island of Crete: attractions on the map, route by car around Crete

Vacation is a miracle in itself. It doesn’t matter where and how you are going to spend it, the main thing is the mood to have a good rest. We went to the island of Crete in July on a last-minute tour package that turned up. The goal was to rent a car and go around all the most interesting places and attractions.

I’ll tell you right away about weather— it was very hot, even unbearably hot, but despite this, we did not get the pleasure of swimming in warm water, although we visited all the beaches. On our hotel beach the water was simply cold, 19 degrees. On the others it was a little warmer, but still, unfortunately, not like in tropical countries.

The infrastructure of the island of Crete is expanding and improving. Which is logical. Tourists are the bread in addition to the island's olives. In the tiniest Cretan village, you can rent a clean room with a bathroom from the owner for 20–30 euros per night with the same sea view, for which a hotel will charge you 50–70, and so on. The good thing about Crete is that it is huge compared to Mallorca, Phuket and the Maldives: there is a holiday here for every taste. There are fashionable, noisy resorts in the east, although not as advanced and glamorous as in Ibiza. There are huge hotels where everything is included, and all you have to do is turn over on a sunbed under an umbrella.

Car rental in Crete - where is it cheaper?

We spent a long time looking for the best office to rent a car from, but on the Internet you mostly come across world-famous companies - Sixt, Budget, Alamo, Europcar, Hertz, etc. After reading the forums, we realized that it is easier and cheaper to find a car locally, so we didn't book anything in advance. That’s how it all happened - after walking around the hotel we found at least 5 local offices. Prices are much lower than those of the above market leaders. No deposits, bank card blocks, full insurance and we got a completely normal small car for 30 euros/day.

Car rental in Crete

Roads in Crete

I'll start with the most important thing - if you have a weak vestibular system, stock up on tablets for motion sickness. I haven’t been sick in cars for a long time, but I barely survived the trips around this island. Serpentine roads that take you up sharply into the mountains, so that your ears are blocked and your head is dizzy, are quite common in Crete.

If you are a car enthusiast, then on Cretan roads you will take a crash course in extreme driving, where around the corner there is another bend and then the next. And here on the corner there is a toy chapel with a candle in memory of the one whose turn was not successful. Fines for speeding and not wearing a seat belt are high. But everyone goes as they please. If you exceed the speed limit, it's your own fault. The warning signs are where they should be. Speed cameras are methodically smashed with cobblestones. The police here are mainly busy with accidents, traffic control and helping tourists. However, the roads are quite good.

Map of Crete attractions and our route by car

We only had a week and wanted to combine sightseeing with passive relaxation on the beach, so we chose the most interesting places for ourselves. Only the main ones are marked on the map, in fact, because... We drove around everything by car and saw a lot more of course. I do not mention some places due to the lack of suitable photographs and their insufficiently high degree of importance in my opinion :)

When planning an individual route, a great help is the Google map - Google Earth. There, among other things, ordinary travelers post their photos and clips. They often climb into places that you won’t find in any guidebook. You can take note and try to find something interesting.

Crete is a must-visit place for lovers of historical stones, because there are entire cities from the time of the Minoan civilization, Venetian fortresses, ancient monasteries, both active and crumbling.

Knossos Palace of the Minotaur

Address: Crete, Minoiton, Heraklion 71409

GPS coordinates: 35.302524, 25.159571

Palace of the Minotaur, Crete

Palace of the Minotaur in Crete

Oceanarium on Crete - “Cretaquarium”

For fans of civilized tourism - the Cretaquarium water park and oceanarium. We didn’t go to the water park, but we decided to stop by the aquarium.

GPS coordinates: 35.332615, 25.282405

Opening hours: May-September: 9:30 – 21:00, October-April: 9:30 – 17:00

Chania city

GPS coordinates: 35.549412, 24.015620

The picturesque towns on the northern coast are Rethymno and Chania, where ancient quarters remember Venetian merchants, and in a restaurant on the embankment you can eat a strange sea reptile with claws for lunch. Clean, bright buses and taxis with a single fixed tariff run regularly. The city of Chania is also called the “Greek Venice” - it really does resemble something.

Chania, Crete

Bali - fishing village on Crete

We had a hotel in Bali and rented a car here. The place is touristic - many cafes, restaurants, hotels.

GPS coordinates: 35.422748, 24.782186

Embankment, Crete

Heraklion

GPS coordinates: 35.410137, 25.138332

Beaches on the island of Crete

For connoisseurs of natural beauty - picturesque gorges and streams, a mountain lake with turtles. And the beaches! There aren't any here. With the azure sea, Hawaiian pink sand, pebble, many kilometers of sandy, rocky grottoes with bright fish, crabs and hedgehogs. Both secluded, semi-wild, and civilized ones, where a handsome young man will approach you from behind and very politely ask for five euros for a sunbed and an umbrella. Or feel free to lie down on a towel for free.

There are many city municipal beaches (public) in Greece. Hotels often have their own small beaches, entry is also available to everyone, you just need to pay for a sunbed.

City beach in Crete

Hotel beach, Bali (Crete)

The most beautiful places in Crete

Mountain lake Kournas Lake

Address: Rethymnon, Kournas

GPS coordinates: 35.330872, 24.276206

Mountain lake Kournas on Crete (Kournas Lake)

Balos Bay on Crete

Stalactite cave Sfendoni

The cave is large and beautiful, decorated with multi-colored lighting. For fans, it's definitely worth a look.

Address: Zoniana village, Crete

Opening hours: April 10-October 31: daily 10:00-17:00; November 1-April 9: Sat-Sun 10:30-14:30

GPS coordinates of the cave: 35.299606, 24.840210

Stalactite cave of Sfedoni on Crete

Crete by car

Hotels on Crete

What is Crete like for a guest, not a tourist?

There is another, not a postcard, but a living and warm Crete that you can breathe in and touch with your hands. These are small mountain and coastal villages, which the road cuts right through. They are in the far west and south of the island, a little away from the main tourist villages. On the roadsides there are simple coffee shops with plastic furniture, and Cretan grandfathers sit there for hours with the imperturbable air of elders. Cars are not locked here, and owners who have rooms for rent also have to call and search around the yard. There are few dogs, for some reason they are not gibberish. But the cats stick out from every other corner, reminiscent of the favorites of the Egyptian pharaohs - thin, flat, with especially long paws, full of royal dignity.

It may seem that the whole village is just one street. But no, the narrow alley begins to wind, and the second and third levels of buildings open up. Partially abandoned, but whitewashed. Here, in the mini-market, you will be offered thyme honey (produced by local bees, of course) and fragrant olive oil bottled in water bottles. An ice-cold glass of raki – grape vodka – is immediately arranged. And for a snack you will be given salted shortbreads or sun-dried peanuts from your own garden. Just for the acquaintance. And the landlady from whom you rented a room just now will give you a broom of mountain tea and a bunch of fruit as a farewell gift and recommend the best beach in the area. This is how guests are received. They are very happy when you ask for local beer or the same raki for dinner. At the market they greet you cordially, but unobtrusively.

In small villages they greet us especially touchingly when they hear that we are Russian. There aren't that many Orthodox Christians around the world, and Greece is a very, well, just a very religious country. And 98% of the population here is Orthodox. Kriti is a feminine word in Greek, and like a true woman, she inadvertently lifts the lid on the next secret that she wants to unravel when she returns here again.

If you love Greece, be sure to check it out

The island of Crete has a very long and rich history. This island was once home to the ancient Minoan civilization, which was one of the most influential in the region. Greek civilization appeared later.

Crete has always been a special place for me. Even at school, the Minoans sank deeply into my soul. I even remember the report I gave about their civilization in 9th grade. What first attracted me was the ruins. But Crete also has beautiful beaches, interesting trekking routes, quaint historic towns, and delicious food and wine. The people of Crete are open and friendly.

I hope you love Crete as much as I do. This guide will help you save time and money.

When to go on holiday to Crete

The choice of month for a holiday on the island of Crete depends on your preferences. The weather in Crete is warm all year round. If you feel like it sunbathe on the beaches Crete, then plan your vacation from April to the end of October.

The beach season in Crete officially opens in April, but the sea is still cool. May is a great time for a vacation. It is not very hot, there is practically no wind this month, and the sea is cool 20 - 22 degrees Celsius. Another pleasant month is September. It’s also not so hot, but the sea is noticeably warmer than in May.

July and August are the high tourist season. The weather is hot, there are a lot of tourists, prices almost double.

From November to the end of March there are very few tourists. Winter in Crete is warm, sometimes the temperature rises to 20 degrees. This is a good time to come if you are interested in the culture and history of Crete. Prices will be noticeably lower than in summer.

Prices on the island of Crete

You can spend the night in Crete from 1000 rubles in an inexpensive 2-star hotel, or you can rent an apartment in Crete from 600 rubles/day on Airbnb. Prices for rental property in Crete are relatively low.

Lunch at a restaurant for two will cost 20 euros. If you cook yourself, you can spend 30 - 35 euros per week on groceries. Estimated daily budget with costs for housing, food and entertainment - from 40 euros per person. But traveling together is always more profitable.

Where to go on holiday in Crete

The island of Crete is divided into 4 regions: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, Lassithi. Each area has its own characteristics: slightly different weather conditions, resorts, beaches, attractions. Crete is a big island. Certainly more than it might seem to a person who has never visited it. Therefore, it is worth planning in advance which region you will live in. To make your choice consciously, you need to study a little information about:

How to organize a holiday in Crete

If you want to visit the island of Crete on your own, then you need to get a visa, book a hotel and buy air tickets.

Prices of flights to Crete

If you are going on vacation for a short period of time - up to 2 weeks, then it is cheaper to buy a ticket. If you want to live longer, then traveling to Crete on your own will be more profitable.

In 90% of cases you will land at Heraklion Airport - Nikos Kazantzakis. If you are traveling on your own, follow the link to find information on how to get from the airport to Heraklion. If you are traveling on a tour package, you will be provided with a transfer.

Car rental in Crete

According to statistics, more than half of the vehicles on the island of Crete are cars rented by tourists. Which is not surprising, because... this is the most convenient way to get to know the island. Car rental in Crete costs from 1000 rubles/day. In the article you can find out about the necessary documents, where to rent a car, traffic rules and many other important details.