Crete Facts
Details for Travelling
Name
Crete - Kríti - Κρήτη
Crete Facts – Location
Crete is the southernmost island of Greece in Europe.
Crete is located in the Mediterranean Sea at 35◦N 24◦E, it is one of the largest Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterreanean.
Geography
The population of Crete is approximately 620,000.
The island of Crete is 260 km long, 60 km wide at it's widest point and 12 km wide at its narrowest point.
The area of the island of Crete is 8,336 sq km.
The highest point on the island is Mt Ida, also known as Psiloritis, at 2,456m.
To the north of the island is the Sea of Crete, to the south the Libyan Sea.
The major ports on the island are at Souda Bay, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.
The major airports are at Chania, Heraklion. There is a smaller airport at Sitia.
The major mountain ranges include the White Mountains, Psiloriti Range and the Dikti Range.
Crete Facts – Maps
Below is a wonderful interactive map of Kriti.
Google Maps JavaScript API Example
Just click on the zoom buttons, at the top left, to get closer to Crete or further out, to the whole of Greece.
Click on the arrows at the top left to move in whichever direction you need. Double click to centre. You can choose a street map, a satellite image or a mixture of the two, (called hybrid).
Click for more on Crete maps…
Climate
The island of Crete experiences both Mediterranean and North African climates. An average of 300 days of sunshine a year. Crete has mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
Click here for more on Crete’s climate…
Currency
Crete's currency is the Greek Euro.
The code is EUR.
The symbol is €.
Weights and Measures
Metric measurements are used. For example, distances are in kilometres and weights in kilograms.
Crete Facts – Language
The official language of Crete is Greek. There is a Cretan dialect called Kritika with sounds, accents, words and phrases differing from modern Greek. Dictionaries and texts are available in this dialect, and it is spoken by Cretans in both Crete and the diaspora.
Capital
The capital of Crete is Iraklion, located in the centre north of the island, with a population of over 150,000 it is a bustling port city with an international airport.
Click here for more on Iraklion…
Prefectures
Crete is one of the 13 Peripheries of Greece, and in turn has four prefectures. The prefectures, from west to east are:
Chania
Rethymnon
Iraklion
Lasithi
Click here to see a map of Kriti with information markers
Crete Facts – Main Towns
Main towns apart from the capitals mentioned above, include
Kastelli Kissamos
Paleohora
Mires
Agia Galini
Hora Sfakion
Sitia
Ierapetra
Click here for more on our beautiful Cretan towns…
Time
Crete time is equal to GMT/UTC +2
Crete Facts – Getting to and from Crete
Click here for details on travelling to Crete…
Crete Facts – Getting around in Crete
Click here for details on travelling in Crete…
Declared Holidays 2008
| January 1st | New Years Day |
| January 6th | Epiphany |
| March 10th | Shrove Monday |
| March 25th | Independence Day |
| April 25th | Orthodox Good Friday |
| April 27th | Easter Sunday |
| April 28th | Easter Monday |
| May 1st | May Day |
| June 16th | Holy Spirit Day |
| August 15th | Assumption Day |
| October 28th | Oxi Day |
| December 25th | Christmas Day |
| December 26th | St. Stephens Day |
Useful Telephone Numbers
Emergencies
| Ambulance | 166 |
| Directory enquiries | 131 |
| Fire brigade | 199 |
| Police | 100 |
| Roadside assistance | 10400 |
| Ambulance | 166 |
International
| Country Dialing Code | +30 |
| International access code | 00 |
Transport
| Aegean Airlines | 80111 20000 | www.aegeanair.com |
| Athens Airport | 21035 30000 | www.aia.gr |
| Bus Schedules | www.ktel.org |
| Ferry Schedules | www.ferries.gr |
| Chania Airport | 21035 30000 |
| Iraklion Airport | 28102 82025 |
| Olympic Airlines | 20111 44444 | www.olympicairlines.com
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| Roadside Assistance (ELPA) | 10400 | www.elpa.gr |
Crete Facts – Store opening hours
Banks:
8am to 2.30 Monday to Thursday
8am to 2pm on Friday
Shops:
8am to 2pm Mon Wed Sat
8am to 2pm and 5.30pm to 8.30pm Tues Thurs Fri
Supermarkets tend to keep longer hours.
Crete Facts - Hospitals
Crete has excellent hospitals, mainly located on the northern coasts of the island near the four major town centres. See location map below and names and addresses of the hospitals also below.
The Chania General Hospital Agios Giorgos "St. George" (above) is situated in the outskirts of the city of Chania, near Mournies village.
The word for hospital in Greek is nosokomio νοσοκομείο.
List of Major Hospitals in Crete, Greece
| Area | Hospital | Address |
| Chania | Agios Giorgos General Hospital | Mournies, Chania |
| Rethymnon | Rethymnon General Hospital | 17 Trantalidou St, Rethymnon |
| Heraklion | Venizelio Hospital | Knossou Ave, Heraklion
| | Heraklion | University General Hospital | Voutes, Heraklion |
| Agios Nikolaos | Agiou Nikolaou General Hospital | Knossou St, Agios Nikolaos, Lassithi |
| Neapolis | Dialinakio General Hospital | Neapolis, Lassithi | |
| Ierapetra | Ierapetra General Hospital | Kalimeraki, Ierapetra, Lassithi |
| Sitia | Sitias General Hospital | Sitia, Lassithi |
Getting to Crete; flights, ferries and more...
Getting around in Crete; buses, ferries, transfers
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