Everything you need to know when traveling to Crete. Territory and major cities of Crete

Crete is the mysterious home of the Minotaur. A luxurious resort for the whole family amidst olive groves.

Crete beaches and sea

The shores of Crete are favored by three seas: in the west they are washed by the Ionian Sea, in the north by the Aegean, and in the south and east by the Mediterranean. Sometimes the northern waters are called the Cretan Sea, and the southern waters are called the Libyan Sea (these are parts of the Mediterranean Sea). The water warms up very quickly, so already in mid-April, the first tourists arrange a swim off the Cretan coast.

They have a different coverage - there are sandy, pebble, and mixed areas. Perhaps the most favorite beach among vacationers is Elafonisi. Couples with children come here, to the south of Crete - the entrance to the water is very smooth, and the sand is soft, light pink in color. Lovers of white sand, palm trees and silence choose the eastern Wai Beach. Divers come to Balos Bay looking for pirate treasures in a sunken ship. In the capital of the island - in Heraklion - the popular sandy and pebble beach of Paleokastro. In the Chania region, two beaches are noteworthy: Falasarna and Frangokastello (near the Venetian fortress).

Resorts of Crete

Crete is usually divided into four resort areas: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno and Lasithi. At each resort, the tourist is guaranteed an azure sea and spacious clean beaches surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.

Heraklion is a large city, the capital of Crete. Tourists are more often accommodated in the areas of Ayia Pelagia, Amoudara, Hersonossis, Stalida. From Heraklion it is convenient to go on excursions around the island and on sea cruises.

Lassithi is known for the "protected" place for tourists in Agios Nikolaos, which is on the shores of the Mirabello Bay. Attractions in the Lassithi region include the Zeus Cave and the Valley of the Windmills.

The cozy town of Chania is famous for its long beach. It is pleasant to walk along the local narrow streets, hiding from the heat in the hospitable taverns.

Rethymno is a picturesque resort town with several satellite villages. It has a vibrant nightlife, colorful shops and beautiful long beaches.

Crete landmarks

The main Cretan brand is, of course, the Minotaur. You cannot do without visiting, where, according to legend, the monster lived. The myth says that the Minotaur was the main trump card of the Minoan civilization - they were traditionally intimidated by neighbors - so much so that they annually sent seven young men and seven girls "to feed" the horned creature. The end of the sacrifices was put by Theseus, who was helped by the princess Ariadne with a ball of thread.

The palace of Knossos was destroyed by an earthquake caused by the eruption of the Santorini volcano, 130 km from the island. It was not possible to restore it entirely - the territory of the palace is huge, its corridors, rooms and dungeons really resemble a labyrinth. and everyone can admire the ancient frescoes.

The second myth, which is also inextricably linked with Crete, is the birth of Zeus. According to legend, he was born in one of the caves, which is now called Dikteyskaya. The cave is really impressive - it contains stalactites, stalagmites, and even a beautiful underground lake.

The third myth is associated with Artemis and Athena. According to legend, the goddess of wisdom and the goddess of the hunt loved to swim in the "bottomless" lake Vulizmeni. The lake is relatively small, but its depth is wow: in the middle it is almost 64 meters! The lake is located in Agios Nikolaos.

Lovers of natural attractions will also like it - the longest in Europe, as much as 18 kilometers. It is located in the Chania region and is famous for its unique flora and fauna - only here the Cretan cypress grows and the kri-kri goat runs. If you are going to the gorge, do not forget about comfortable shoes. This place is very picturesque, there is even a palm forest - according to legend, the father of all date palms on the planet.

Cruises to the island, white and blue churches and black sand beaches are popular. We recommend a trip to the island of Spinalonga, where half a century ago was the largest leprosoprium in Greece. Now this secluded place has turned into a find for tourists - there is an ancient fortress, narrow streets and many taverns and restaurants.

Crete cuisine

Cretan cuisine is famous for its seafood and vegetables. Be sure to stop by the restaurant and try the fish, octopus, shrimp and snails, which the locals call "khokhlyi" or "escargot".

Goats and sheep are raised in Crete, so the cheese and meat are always fresh and delicious. Try ofto - grilled lamb or goat meat; skafiani - lamb with cottage cheese; delicious fried kalitsunya pies with white cheese filling. Of course, you can find in restaurants and horyatiki salad, and moussaka. Homemade wine, tsikoudia, ouzo are served for the meal. You can try all these dishes at the "Cretan evening" - the tables will burst with dishes, and the eyes will delight the national dances.

Hello everybody. I want to tell you about the island of Crete the way my husband and I saw him. We rested there at the end of October 2019. About the hotels in which I managed to visit, see reviews here. And find out how I managed, against my will, to visit two hotels in one vacation.

In the same review, I will tell you about the sights, prices, traditions, people, customs and life of the island. And also what you need to bring from Greece.

We were very lucky that on the second day of our stay we went to a small souvenir shop "Oi-DA" in the city of Stalida (Stalis). The store itself is located next to the I-Resort Beach Hotel & Spa. If you leave the hotel and immediately turn right, then after 50 meters on the opposite side of the street, he lives. We were attracted by the sign “We speak Russian”. It is owned by two sisters Luba and Raisa, who came to Crete from Georgia in 1991. Both speak excellent Russian. They told us about the main places on the island that you should definitely see, about souvenirs that you need to buy and how it is better and more convenient to get somewhere.

But we people are a little lazy, and I do not like being in a place unfamiliar to me, besides, without knowing the language. Therefore, having found out where you can hire a guide who speaks Russian and owns a car, we turned to him. So that this person does not have trouble, I will not give a name and say where we found him. (In general, you can contact any street office. The most important thing is to read the reviews about this company. The Greeks cherish their reputation very much, realizing that one bad review can ruin all the "raspberries" for them.) If you need information, you can ask the sisters. In general, for two days we rode around the island, we were shown the main tourist places. But we talked more about the life and life of Greece. Finding a lot of similarities with our country. Although we are somewhat diametrically opposite and vice versa.

Tourist places. Crete starts when you leave the hotel.

Of course, we didn't see very much, but the nature of Crete is so beautiful that even just being in the car and moving from point to point, you can see a lot of amazing things. By the way, about the cars. At every corner of all the cities we have visited, you can rent a car, motor scooter, motorcycle, ATV for rent. Small cars will cost about 2,000 rubles a day. We need a license, a passport and money.

City of Stalis.

This is where our hotel is located. An ordinary resort town with many bars, restaurants, shops. Greeks practically do not live here, mainly hotels, apartments. If you want to buy, for example, delicious local cheese, then do not go to the supermarket, but ask the locals and they will show you the points where you need to take it and where they buy it themselves. We took the famous olive oil from Oi-DA. They sell a variety that is sold in only three shops in Greece. Very delicious. We took two types. We paid 8.20 euros for a liter bottle. Small half-liter - 5.20. You can also buy local cosmetics. The Greeks are very proud of the fact that everything is natural. Here are the cosmetics too. I didn’t buy, I took samples, used them at home and regretted that I hadn’t bought it. For prices: face cream with a lifting effect costs 20.50, hand cream around 15.00. Also in Stalis I bought wonderful handmade leather sandals for 20.00 euros. It is clear that it was not without any little things: such as an ashtray (2.00), a Pythagoras mug (5.00), a blouse with embroidery (18.00).

Malia city.

Stalida smoothly turns into the city of Malia and only local residents and Google know exactly where one city ends and another begins. If you are in Malia, then you definitely need to go a little further than the center. There are many beautiful picturesque narrow streets that evoke thoughts of Italy. A very bright city. Be careful when ordering food from local restaurants. Be sure to ask for the portion size. We ordered 2 dishes like our potato chips (6 euros each) and one burger (6.20). We were each brought two potatoes the size of my two fists each, generously sprinkled with cheese and stewed beans on top. And for a garnish half a head of iceberg lettuce. And the huge burger came with French fries, which we didn't even look at. One dish would be enough for two of us.

Mojos village.

From the story told to us by the guide, we learned that it was the inhabitants of Mojos who once descended the mountain and founded Stalis, which used to be a pasture. (By the way, the richest profession in Crete is a shepherd. There is even such a saying: when a girl does not marry for a long time and picks her suitors, they say to her: “What? the village where we saw traditional Crete. It is surrounded by Cretan mountains and olive groves. Picturesque streets, small taverns, smiling Greeks - everything creates a unique atmosphere of some other world, far from the hardships of civilization, from bustle and problems. Here you want to sit on the street in a wicker chair and slowly, sipping coffee, talk on philosophical topics, not in a hurry. You can see the small cozy church of St. Praskeva, where icons of the 16th - 18th centuries hang. By the way, we were surprised that such ancient icons hang just like that, even without the protective glass. And they just told us: "They don't steal from us."

The city of Agios Nicholas.

Our guide brought us to this wonderful port city. It is famous for its lake, where the salt waters of the Mirabello Bay and the fresh waters of Voulismeni merge, where Artemis and Athena loved to bathe their beautiful bodies. And, of course, the island of the living dead of Spinalonga. This island, in fact, from 1903 to 1957 was a leper colony, where patients with leprosy were brought not only from Greece, but also from all over Europe. Now it is just a tourist place that can be reached by boat or boat. For about 15 euros.

Village Krasi. Located on the road to the Lassithi plateau (Zeus's cave). She is famous for her plane tree. This is a huge tree with a trunk over 20 meters in diameter and over 2000 years old.

City of Heraklion. It is the capital of Crete. We visited there on our second day of excursion. The city itself did not make any special impression on us. Many people, many cars. Everything is like in Moscow, adjusted for the weather and the smell of the sea. But there are places to visit.

Of course, first of all it is Knossos palace , built by King Minos in the second millennium BC.

End-of-season entry costs € 6 per person. You can wander there as long as you like. We were very impressed not by the frescoes and ruins, but by the pieces of marble dotted with furrows left by water and wind.

Then you understand that these stones are many hundreds of years old and you feel the power that comes from them. There is a gift shop near the entrance, but everything is very expensive and there is a very small assortment.

But if you leave the palace and cross the road, then right opposite there are wonderful shops where you can buy a lot of very necessary things. T-shirts (from 15 euros), handmade silver bracelets (from 5 euros), figurines and figurines of various shapes and sizes (from 2 euros).

Cathedral of St. Minos. Built at the end of the 19th century. Impressive and stately building

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Big market in the center of Heraklion ... Product prices are purely for tourists. Everything is very expensive. I wanted to buy high wicker sandals. They cost 80 euros there !!! I will buy winter boots in Moscow for that kind of money.

Archaeological Museum ... Ticket 6 euros (this is the end of the season) The largest museum in Greece dedicated to the Minoan civilization. Exhibits from 6000 BC until the 20th century A.D. You will see many famous things: a fresco from the Palace of Knossos "prince with lilies", Malia's bees, a goddess with snakes, a rhyton in the form of a bull's head, gold jewelry, seals on stones, sarcophagi, earthenware, of course, the Fest disc, the inscriptions on which still not decrypted and much more. You can wander there for hours.

Zeus cave or Dikteyskaya cave. I will not describe the cave itself - all this power of time must be seen with my own eyes. I will give just a few tips:

• The road to the cave is a steep ascent uphill along stone ledges that very remotely resemble a staircase, so choose very comfortable shoes so as not to slip

  
  

• The climb is long and difficult. My husband and I decided that, of course, it was because of the thin air, and not because of poor physical shape.
• Be sure to bring water with you. There's a shop upstairs, but it's VERY expensive. A 200ml can of cola costs 3 euros.
• Take yourself some kind of jacket / windbreaker, it's cold downstairs
• Do not believe if they say that you definitely need a guide. Buy a ticket at the entrance to the cave and enter

  
  

• Go down and go up into the cave, following the signs on the stairs so as not to create traffic jams; hold on to the railing

  
  

• You can use the services of donkeys, but this is a paid service

  
  

• You can go back along another road lined with smooth stone slabs.

Selinari (St. George) Monastery. This is a very beautiful temple built in the Byzantine style. It is located in the picturesque Selinari gorge. The place is very popular not only among pilgrims and tourists, but also among local residents. There is a tradition that when driving by, the driver must make a stop and light a candle. In Crete, St. George is considered the patron saint of travelers and drivers. White-headed vultures live on the slope of the gorge.




Now a little about the features of modern Greece.

We read a lot about traditions and laws of Greece before the trip. I really didn't want to get into an unpleasant situation simply because of ignorance. Although there are several points that are at odds with reality. Plus, I'll write some tips here.

• Many people write that Greeks are very lazy people. After talking with the locals, we realized that this was true, but in part. On the one hand, they work the entire tourist season almost around the clock. And many of them do not have one job, but three or four. On the other hand, walking around the city, you see many men who sit all day on the verandas of cafes, drinking coffee, watching sports broadcasts and chatting among themselves.

  

• Rain season... We rested in late October - early November. On the internet, they write a lot about the fact that in Greece, October is the rainy season. They asked our guide, she said that she didn't even have an umbrella at home. It rains on the coast, but very rarely. It pours more often in the mountains. Out of 9 days of rest - once in the evening there was a thunderstorm. And it rained for a couple of hours. We were told that this is the first time in the past few months.

  
  

• Smoking... The law on smoking assumes that this will only be done in strictly designated areas. In fact, you can smoke wherever ashtrays are. There are pots of sand on the beaches, ashtrays on the streets. The taverns have smoking rooms.
• Greece is Orthodox. But there are slight differences in rules of conduct in the temple... There are boxes with candles at the entrance. Put the money in the hole on the box. Give as much as you do not mind. You can 1 euro, you can 1 cent. Nobody stands over you and does not point.
• You can enter the church freely if there are no instructions. Some have a paid entrance.
• For women in the temple you can be without a scarf, in trousers, you can sit on chairs / benches. In Greece, temples are created so that you feel comfortable and bodily discomfort does not distract from spirituality.
• If you buy in season ticket to the palace of Knossos, then 15 euros is the entrance fee, and for 16 euros you can buy a ticket to both the palace and the museum.
• Take water with you everywhere. You can buy it in supermarkets or shops. But you can take it from the hotel, where you will be given it for free.
• Cash (Euro) take with you. Yes, cards are accepted almost everywhere. But ... Greeks don't like to pay taxes, so they prefer cash. We were at the end of the season and many shops had already closed contracts with banks and did not accept cards from us. I had to change the rubles brought with me. But this is already a problem. The bank did not change us. Since they do not accept Russian currency. At ATMs - terrible interest for withdrawals. Changed in the exchange office for 79 rubles (in Moscow in Sberbank I bought for 73 rubles).
• Try to learn a few words in Greek (good morning / evening, hello, thank you, goodbye). Believe me, they will immediately smile more sincerely at you. And during the bargaining for this or that thing, they will make a discount.

  

• Don't hesitate to ask the locals, where you can eat tasty and inexpensive, and where, what to buy.
• Everywhere you can get on buses, taxis are privately owned and expensive. To the same place, a bus will cost 6 euros, and a taxi - 40.
• Medicines take with you. There are many recipes only.
• In supermarkets prices for groceries higher than in small private stores
• Cigarettes in some shops only for cash
• If you are persistently invited to the tavern, you can simply refuse politely. Nobody will bother and insist.
• Greeks do not tolerate rudeness even from clients, the door may well be closed in front of you if you start to "vyzhivayutsya".
• Crete is a very popular tourist destination, but if you don't want to see crowds of tourists, come as we do in October. Empty beaches, empty streets. True, many shops are closed. But shopping in Heraklion was enough for us.

  
  

  
  

  Total: Crete is not only hospitable Greeks, wonderful sandy beaches, warm transparent sea, picturesque nature, but also the opportunity to plunge into the past, the opportunity to touch the thousand-year history. Be sure to come.

  
  

Accommodation in Agios Nikolaos and routes in East Crete: Elounda, Sitia, Toplou monastery, Vai palm beach, Ierapetra, Chrissi island, Lasithi plateau, Diktei cave. Description of attractions with a map and video.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos (Agios Nikolaus) was chosen by our base in Crete due to its proximity to the main attractions, infrastructure development and beautiful views. We booked the Miramare Resort & Spa 4 * hotel at the exit of Agios Nikolaos, we liked the fact that it stands on the shore, but away from the main road.

It is easy to get around from Agios Nikolaos by public transport, but traveling on your own by car gives you more freedom and comfort. For those who travel all day, it makes sense to take only breakfast from food.

Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful city, along the coast there are main hotels, around Lake Voulismeni - restaurants, at every step there are clothing and souvenir shops. The youth from our hotel spent all the evenings in the center of Agios Nikolaos.

East Crete Attractions Map

Attractions of East Crete

Lassithi plateau

Agios Nikolaos is the center of the Lassithi district. The most interesting natural attraction of this place is the Lassithi plateau (Lassifi). When you climb the mountain, and then stop and look down into the valley, its size, the incessant bleating of sheep and the number of mills are striking.

Dikteyskaya cave

From the side of the village of Psychro there is an entrance to the Dikteyskaya cave, in which, according to legend, Zeus was born. This is a very touristy place, so we arrived early and didn't stay late. It's cold in the cave, you need to take a long-sleeved jacket and comfortable shoes. Small villages around live on the sale of souvenirs and textiles, the prices for everything are tourist.

Panagia Kera Church

The closest attraction to Agios Nikolaos is the Panagia Kera Church in Kritsa. You pay for the entrance and examine the frescoes of the XI-XIV centuries.

Elounda resort

In this part of the island we also liked Elounda, it is located just 10 km to the north, but away from the main road. The town is built around the harbor, we dined at the psarotavern (fish restaurant), watching the fishermen work. We drove along the length of the sandy spit to the peninsula, walked and swam on the clean, almost empty beach. In recent years, Elounda has developed into a popular resort with all-inclusive club hotels.

Spinalonga island

Spinalonga Island in Elounda

The most visited attraction in Elounda is the island of Spinalonga, where there is a Venetian fortress, which at first served as a shelter for the Cretans from the Turks, and then was a place of isolation for patients with leprosy. Ascending from Plaka to Cape St. Ioannis offers a panoramic view of the bay.

City of Sitia

We traveled twice to the very East of Crete. The road to Sitia is very winding, the head is dizzy from the constant turns. Sitia is a large city with an airport and port, but it cannot be called a tourist center. The compulsory program includes an ascent to the fortress, a walk along the embankment and lunch at a tavern on the shore. The shops have good prices for souvenirs, local alcohol and olive oil. Staying in Sitia, you can feel like a local and save a lot.

Toplou Monastery and Vai Palm Beach

15 km northeast of Sitia is the famous Toplou Monastery (Moni Toplou), with a valuable collection of icons. Even further is the palm beach of Vai, where tourists are brought, a beautiful place, palm trees and white sand.

Ancient Itanos

The easternmost point of Crete where we got - ancient Itanos, once it was a large port city that went under the water, from which "disorganized" ruins remained on the hill. Winds blow on the East Coast, surfers come here, there is a windsurfing school and equipment rental on Xiona Bay beach, and many nudists were spotted right there. Rooms are rented everywhere.

Ierapetra city

From Agios Nikolaos it is very quick to reach the South Coast to the city of Ierapetra. It is the narrowest (14 km) part of Crete. In the middle is the village of Episkopi, strangely attracting clouds to itself, every time we drove into it, we got into the rain.

In the Libyan Sea, 10 km from Ierapetra, there is a small island called Chrisi or Gaidourounisi. We sailed to Chrissi on a boat, we bought tickets right at the port. A sandy island with dwarf trees, the arrivals go to swim on the Golden beach.

From Ierapetra you can travel both ways along the South Coast. To the left (southeast) is the beautiful Kapsa monastery, during our visit there was no one except monks and monastic cats, at the top of the cave where the hermit lived.

Next to the monastery is the entrance to the Pervolak gorge. Unlike the well-known route, it is a short and easy route. We reached the town of Goudouras, where the road ends. Agriculture is well developed on this side, along the way there are many greenhouses.

To the right of Ierapetra (southwest), the road leads to the seaside village of Myrtos, where tourists from Europe stay. We drank coffee and took a dip. Climbing up through the villages, you can go to Heraklion, but this is a long route.

A week is enough for the described routes. On this trip, we examined another region of Eastern Crete -.

A journey to the center of Crete will lead you to the “soul of the island” - the cave where, according to myths, the Thunderer himself was born. On the beautiful Lassithi plateau, you will get acquainted with the traditions and life of mountain villages, ride in a sled with donkeys, visit a family oil mill and a pottery workshop. You will also meet a mighty plane tree, visit a nunnery and listen to myths about the Greek goddess of love on the shore of the lake, where, according to legend, she bathed.

Duration

It is possible with children

€ 365 for 1-4 people or €89 per person if there are more of you

What awaits you

Life of a mountain village, an ancient plane tree and an ancient monastery
We will make our first stop in a small picturesque village high in the mountains. Here you will see an ancient and mighty plane tree - it is more than 2000 years old, and the circumference of the trunk reaches 20 girths! Get to know the centuries-old way of life and visit an old Venetian laundry. After that, we will head towards central Crete, and on the way we will stop at the monastery of Our Lady of the Heart. The monastery is run by nuns and is widely known among the pilgrims who come here to pray in the hope of absolution.

Landscapes and atmosphere of the Lassithi plateau
Moving further into the interior of the island, through the mountains, we arrive at a picturesque plateau, presumably the crater of an ancient volcano. This unusual place in the middle of the Dikti mountain range is like a patchwork of green and yellow fields, each of which is irrigated by its own windmill. The Lassithi plateau is one of the most fertile places in Crete, it fascinates with its salutary coolness, vegetation, picturesque villages and the hospitality of the locals. We will stop at a mountain village for lunch, orange break and souvenir shopping. And then you will examine the stalactites and stalagmites in the cave of Dikteon Andron, where, according to legend, Zeus himself was born. If you wish, nearby you can ride a donkey in a traditional harness.

The art of working with clay and tasting traditional products
Getting to know Crete will be incomplete if you leave aside such ancient traditions as pottery, winemaking and olive oil production. The workshop will tell you about the intricacies of working with clay and techniques rooted in the distant past. You will taste Cretan wines and taste natural olive oil produced by one of the local family farms.

The city of St. Nicholas and the lake of Aphrodite
Leaving the Lassithi plateau, you will see an opening panorama of the province of Pediada. Passing the mountain ranges, through traditional villages, we will go to one of the most beautiful cities of Crete - Agios Nikolaos, which will become the final point of the route. Here you will have time to go shopping, drink coffee, and also admire the bottomless lake, where, according to the myth, Aphrodite bathed. Located on the hills, the city is interesting for the abundance of stairs that have become its characteristic feature, impressive landscapes and a wonderful pine park in which you can walk.

Who is the excursion for?

• For guests with children, gourmets and wine lovers, nature lovers, adventure seekers and those who simply want to get to know the life of authentic Crete.
• In my excursions, I put more emphasis on the modern life of Crete, but the historical and cultural component is always present in my story.

Organizational details

• The tour usually starts in the early morning and ends in the evening.
• The tour is accompanied by a driver and guide. The tour is conducted in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan manufactured in 2019. We provide child seats free of charge if required.
• Transportation and driver services are included in the tour price.
• Transportation costs are included in the tour price. We will pick you up at your hotel if you live in the following locations: Hersonissos, Analipsi, Anissaras, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Malia, Stalida, Heraklion, Karteros, Amoudara, Agia Pelagia, Lassiti region, Agios Nikolaos.
• By agreement - Ierapetra, Elounda, Sitia, Bali, Rethymno, Chania
• Carrying out excursions on luxury transport for an additional fee by agreement.
• Not included in the price: lunch in a tavern - 10-20 euros / person; entrance tickets to museums, archaeological and historical monuments, wine tasting - 5 euros / person, entrance to the cave, donkey riding.
• What to take with you: comfortable shoes, sunglasses, a charged camera with free memory, light sweaters or jackets for visiting the cave.
• I myself compose the routes for walking in Crete and carefully choose only the most interesting, exclusively those places that I love myself.

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Book an excursion on any of the available days in the calendar

• This is an individual excursion in Russian, the guide will conduct it for you and your company.
• On the site you pay 23% of the cost, and the rest of the money - to the guide on the spot. You can ask the guide any questions before payment.

Day is free

The day is busy

Discount 32%

My name is Anya and for almost a decade I have been living on the fabulous island of Crete. My passion is, first of all, unexplored corners that reveal the local flavor. Excursions to mountain villages, vineyards, olive groves, deserted beaches are waiting for you with me. You will see gorges, rock churches, waterfalls, traditional workshops and more. During friendly walks, I show Crete from the inside, give it a taste, look into a traditional house and be a resident of it! And we spend full-day family excursions in a comfortable car together with my husband: we show his native places and talk about the life of the locals.

More details

10 camper reviews

I would like to thank Anna and her husband for a wonderful excursion! :) The day passed in one breath, the whole family was delighted! A lot of interesting information regarding not only historical aspects, but also life in Crete at the present time.
We will definitely return to Crete and will only contact Anna :)
Special thanks for the fact that Anna organizes not only sightseeing tours, but also helps in solving everyday issues. She is very nice and helpful.
Thank you thank you thank you!

Good day! We were in Crete for the first time. We are a married couple and two children, 6 and 18 years old.
Anna and her wonderful, silent husband did everything to make our small company interesting and very comfortable. The route was laid in such a way that I wanted to go further, and further get to know this wonderful island. So you have next year.
And also, tell Rosa that her recipe works like clockwork !!!
Thanks for the recommendation with the cheese, everything is delicious.

We were on excursions with a child of 9 years old. I liked it very much, a lot of interesting things, Crete opens up from a new side. Informative, dynamically rich and soulful. Recommend. We got a lot of positive emotions, and Anna is a wonderful guide and person!

In July 2019, I was with my son and husband in Crete. Literally three days before the trip, we chose 4 excursions on the island. Very easy to understand information on the site, quickly answered the guide Anna. Exactly at the indicated time, Anna was waiting for us at the entrance to the hotel. And then there was a sea of ​​delight! Anna is an unusually light and tactful person, an excellent storyteller. The whole trip was imbued with boundless love for Crete. Thanks to Anna, we fell in love with this island, she showed the most wonderful places, monasteries of extraordinary beauty, the life of the Cretan villages. We moved in a brand new minivan. Driving is Anna's spouse. Cool driver! Very neat on the road. It was calm with him even on the mountain serpentine. And I was especially pleased that our excursions were very comfortable, there was no rush and fuss. We stayed in atmospheric taverns with stunning views, drank coffee or dined, went to our favorite shops, but at the same time managed to see everything planned. Anna puts her soul into her work, we felt like long-awaited friends, whom we are very glad to. Many thanks! I will definitely recommend Anna to my friends.

I liked the excursion very much. There were 2 adults and children 4 and 9 years old.
It was nice to ride in a new and comfortable car. Anna is very pleasant to talk to and disposes of herself as a person. It was very convenient that we ourselves could decide whether we want to visit this or that place. Since we were with the children, we tried not to make the children very tired, so we limited ourselves to visiting the village of Krasi with its centuries-old plane tree, the Homo-sapiens museum, a pottery workshop, then an excellent lunch and Zeus's cave. The children rode to the cave on a donkey, which they were very happy about. The cave itself made a huge impression on them. It was also interesting for them in the pottery workshop to make products themselves on the potter's wheel. My daughter liked that Anna told, besides the history of Crete and myths, also just about the life of people in Crete, their customs, how they celebrate the wedding, etc.
In general, we all liked everything very much, everyone was satisfied. On the way back, the son fell asleep to Anna's stories in a comfortable child seat.
Thanks to Anna and her husband Sterio for a great tour.

Vsjo bilo zamechateljno! Otziv popodrobnee napishu pozze.

We came to Crete with such a company: two mothers and two children (a small electric broom 3.5 years old, and a princess 7 years old). Our main task was to take a break from a tough schedule, where all the time you need to run, keep up, fit into the framework and fit our uncomfortable children into them (we and children do not particularly like this). But a completely "cutlet" rest quickly tires us and begins to depress us.
We wanted to see Crete. Lively, authentic, not postcard tourist.
It is clear that with such requests, the format of the bus tour, where "they got out, lined up, took a picture, listened to a lecture, reviewed, retold, plunged in, we go further" did not suit us from the word "at all."
Of course, we read a lot in advance on the Internet. But Wikipedia will not tell those living stories that the island is saturated with and which only those who live by them can tell. Will not take you to a tiny cafe built in the crown of a huge plane tree over a cliff. He will not collect a bunch of fragrant sage from the mountain slope for you along the way.
Our meeting with Anna and Steries was a special success.
On the go, we could change the route, depending on our desire and our preferences. Anna honestly told where it is really interesting, and there is something to see, and where is just a publicized tourist place, which they visit only in order to put another tick in the travel report.
If something did not go exactly as planned, Anna was very worried that we might get upset, but that's all we need! We are passionate lovers of improvisation, and in the company of friendly and empathetic guys who know the island, its history and geography as their home, which they love and are proud of, we had an excellent trip.
We have already managed to visit somewhere, and we were amazed by the beautiful view, there were many questions. And Steries (they say he does not understand Russian, but then we began to doubt))) directs the car exactly there, so that we can get a better look at what struck us so much. And Anna, meanwhile, satisfies our curiosity, tells everything that we, of course, did not google, returning home after the first, independent visit.
When all the adventures planned for that day ended, we found ourselves on a stone veranda above the Lassithi plateau. I cannot explain what exactly captured us there (there are many more picturesque views in Crete). The long-awaited coolness descended, all the tourists left. We sat in the alpine silence on the veranda, dangling our legs over the cliff, drinking coffee and eating ice cream. We, like our children, had to digest a huge amount of impressions, emotions, information received during the day. And the guys perfectly understood that there was no better place for this.
In general, thanks is not the right word! We got not just a vacation and a tick - "We've been here." We got a fascinating story, a story about CRETE and ABOUT US, a story to which we would like to return. Anna, THANK YOU! From the heart!

For the first time in Crete. We ordered an excursion from Anna. Impressions:
You could order at a travel agency and get the standard "look to the right, look to the left, and in this store I have a percentage of your purchases, oh, here are the best goods at the best prices, a step to the right, a step to the left is an attempt to escape, because we are group".
Ordered from Anna. We got a family vacation with friends in their car, with a nice bonus - friends know all aspects of Cretan life and are ready to share their knowledge, adjusting to the interests of us and our children. What have you learned:
- about mythology and not only ...
- about the geology of Crete and not only ...
- about the traditions of the Cretans and not only ...
- about the kitchen and not only ...
- about monasteries, religion and not only ...
- about modern life in tourist areas, beyond and beyond ..
- about oil mills, the creation of ceramics and more.
We walked, admired the views of the Mirabello Bay, went to Spinalonga, visited monasteries, examined the Lasithi plateau, ate in a real tavern, not attacked by tourists, and talked, talked, talked. We are happy, the children are delighted.
A day with Anna and Sterio is the best day in Crete. We recommend to everyone!

I would like to sincerely thank the wonderful Anna and her husband for the wonderful excursion, which was remembered by Anna's good knowledge of Crete, how could it be without legends and local tales! And most importantly, we changed the route on the spot, having gone to those places where tourists from large companies definitely do not reach, where there is no that crowd and everything is told with feeling, with sense, with an arrangement! The whole trip was very interesting to listen to, ask questions, it became clear a lot about the inhabitants of Crete))) Super comfortable minibus with child seats, delicious Cretan food, warm company, any whim - all this will be if you go with Anna! Recommended!

63 reviews for other excursions guide

Wonderful Crete !!! Wonderful excursion !!! Excellent Anechka !!! We are completely delighted with communication with this wonderful couple. Everything is easy and simple, as if they were visiting relatives, but at the same time they examined the whole of West Crete and even more!. Happiness, love and prosperity, convey to them all our best words of gratitude! Best regards, Nina and Igor Chaplygin

Anna had a great excursion, interestingly told about Crete and its peculiarities, hysterical and cultural parts, had dinner in a tavern with good food and a beautiful view. The husband drove the car neatly and comfortably, so everyone is happy, we will definitely recommend it to our friends who are going to Crete.

Thanks to Anna for a wonderful day :) An interesting route, we wanted to see the southern coast for a long time - I really liked Matala. I would like to go to Crete again!

Greek resorts are known all over the world, especially in the insular part of the country. But Greece has made Crete its main tourist brand. A large island located in the "heart" of the Mediterranean, with dozens of attractions and hundreds of beaches, has become a real tourist klondike for the country. Millions of travelers come here every year, and each of them is impressed by Crete in its own way. And there are more than enough opportunities to leave a vivid impression on the island! In today's article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Crete before traveling to this unique Greek region.

Crete island - geography and general information

Let's start our review of the main Greek resort with encyclopedic information that will form a complete picture of what the island of Crete is.

Territory and major cities of Crete

Much later than this catastrophe, at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC, the Dorians arrived in Crete and began the rapid construction of new policies. An ancient Greek tribe ruled the island until the collapse of the state, after which Crete experienced a long period of foreign protectorate.

First, the Byzantines settled on the island ( 767 BC), then the Muslims took over the territory ( 824 BC) and founded an emirate here. Even later, the Byzantines moored to the shores of Crete ( 1210 BC), who ruled for several centuries. Then again control over Crete passed to the Arabs ( 1669 g.) and held on until the Cretan uprising broke out ( 1898 g.) After a successful revolution, the island became an autonomous state, and later merged with the revived Greece ( 1913 g.), of which it is still a part.

Mythology

Crete's significant role is also expressed in mythological subjects. According to legend, the island became a refuge for Rhea, who gave birth to the god of thunder Zeus. His father was Kronos, who killed his children in fear of losing power, so running away from her husband was the only way for Rhea to save her son.

Later, the island appears in myths already as a haven for Zeus and his wife Europa, who was kidnapped from the Phoenicians. She gave birth to three sons to God, one of whom became the famous ruler of Crete - Minos. In turn, Minos already appears in myths as the instigator of the construction of the famous Palace of Knossos, in which the king arranged the Labyrinth of the Minotaur. The myth of Theseus and Ariadne is associated with the bull-monster, and together with them, King Aegeus, Dionysus and other famous heroes of Ancient Hellas already appear indirectly.

Greece Crete - top attractions

There are countless monuments of nature, history, religion and culture on the island, and the region of Heraklion is especially rich in them. For example, it is here that the famous Knossos is located - a palace of the Minoan period, which is considered the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur. The ruins of the building, which once had 1000 chambers, were discovered at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, the complex has been reconstructed, the frescoes have been partially restored and a whole museum dedicated to local archaeological finds has been assembled.

Also not far from the capital are the ancient palace in Malia, the Koules Fortress, the Cretan Aquarium and the village of Fodele - the small birthplace of the artist El Greco. In addition, there are many caves and gorges in the surrounding area, and many towns and villages boast ancient temples and churches.

Of course, the rest of the island has its own attractions. Rethymni is famous for the Fortezza fortress, the Zamintos palace, the monasteries of Preveli and Arkadi, as well as the highest mountain on the island of Crete - Ida (Psiloriti). Western Chania will show tourists the Omalos plateau, Lake Kurna and the Frangokastello fortress. There is also a test of strength for lovers of active tourism - the Samaria Gorge, stretching for 13 km.

The east of the island is also rich in unique places. So, in the Lassithi nome there are:

• Minoan Palace Zakros;
• Archaeological Park of Vasiliki;
• Zeus cave;
• Antique Polis Dryros;
• Islet of Spinalonga and much more.

Thus, sights can be found in any area of ​​Crete, it is not without reason that car rental is so popular on the island. Many tourists on vacation get a car and travel all over Crete, visiting various beaches and notable corners of the island.

Holidays on the island of Crete and entertainment for tourists

Like the rest of Greece, the island of Crete is focused on the development of tourist attraction, for which the appropriate infrastructure has been built here. Guests of the island are offered accommodation in hotels and inns of various comfort classes, visits to equipped beaches and entertainment centers, as well as trips on excursions even to hard-to-reach attractions. The Greeks really care about the local level of service and try to keep a high class in all its areas: transport, food, accommodation and leisure. Let's take a look at some of the prime examples of Cretan hospitality.