Why Choose Crete for your Greek Holidays?

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Chania Old Town (image by Irene Shin)

Greek Holidays - We are guessing that a good way to answer that question is to tell you about Crete is and what it is not!

 Crete is well known for its:

• amazing beaches

• great weather

• ancient history especially Knossos Palace

• hiking especially the beautiful Gorge of Samaria

food, wine, tavernas and cafes

• relaxed lifestyle and very friendly and generous people

• organic farming especially olives and olive oil

• cosmopolitan historic towns

These are some of the things that attract travellers to take their holidays in Crete and here is why we love Crete.



Why We Love Crete

• Crete has variety and unique mix of landscapes found nowhere else in Greece

• Cretan character is independent and unique

• The Cretan music - we love it! – it is wild, wilful and melancholy

• The mountains are as untamed and rugged as the people

• The beaches on Crete are remote, unspoilt and the water is crystal clear pristine paradise

• The food is so fresh and tasty and full of vitality

• The history is endless and surrounds you, wherever you look there is another story

• Crete is one of the most hospitable places in Greece



Why Choose Crete for your Greek Vacation?

Paleochora Beach, (image by RGFotos)

It is difficult to choose between the various beautiful locations within Greece. Here are some reasons to choose Crete as either your only destination or major destination on your Greek holidays:

• You can fly directly to Crete from most major capitals in Europe, avoiding crowds, traffic and busy Athens airport

• There are two international airports in Crete with excellent facilities and services

• Crete is not crowded with package tourists

• As the largest Greek island, Crete has loads of wide open spaces, uncrowded beaches and clear, clean waters

• Because it is a large island, there is lots to explore and you will never get ‘island fever’

• The history of Crete is unique for Greece, the Minoan civilisation was the birthplace of civilisation

• Anyone will tell you that Kritiki musiki  is in a world of its own, not found anywhere else on the planet, unique and stirring, it forms the heart of Crete and her poetic character

• Crete is really well set up for Agro Tourism and Eco Tourism and you can experience the real life of the island here, travel sustainably and make a contribution to local lives



Greek Holidays
Incredible Crete!

If none of those reasons is good enough, how about sheer beauty? Check out the scenery on this video of Crete:




Day Trips and Activities

Spinalonga Island, in the east

Once you have relaxed on the beach, snoozed, paddled, swum, snoozed again and (shock, horror!), want to get up from the beach, there is plenty to do in Crete.

There is so much to explore on an island 60 x 260 km, with four mountain ranges, hundreds of beaches, four major towns and many, many fascinating villages.

You can enjoy guided or unguided trips to the following popular places in Crete:

Knossos Palace

Samaria Gorge

Spinalonga Island

Balos Lagoon

Chrissi Island


Guided activities such as these can all be enjoyed in Crete:

• Cycling Trips

• Creativity Tours

• Motorcycle Tours

• Photography

• Sailing Trips


Relaxing at a seaside taverna - nothing gets better than this on the south coast of CreteRelaxing at a seaside taverna - nothing gets better than this waterside cafe on the south coast of Crete


What Crete is NOT!

• Crete is not a classic small Greek island with white-washed cubed architecture, although this style of architecture is found in Crete

• Crete is not a small island where you get bored after two days

• Crete is not a touristic island where you have to bump into Euro trash in crowded narrow lane ways, spend a fortune and get home with a shopping hangover

• Crete does not have pick pockets, smog, trash in the streets or horrible traffic

• Crete is not a party island, you can party hard if you choose to

• Crete is not an over-developed, high rise, tacky resort island

• Crete is not a little Britain or little Berlin or over sold to foreign interests

• Crete does not have a beach named ‘Super Paradise’ with loud doof-doof music and sprawling bodies writhing to the beat!

• Crete is not like any other Greek island!



Greek Holidays on Crete

Balos Lagoon, in the north-west

So now you know what Crete is not, what type of Greek holidays can you enjoy here?

• Beach holidays not just on famous beaches, there are miles of beaches, there are secluded ones, family friendly ones, island beaches, you have hundreds to choose from!

Spring breaks from April to June

Summer breaks in July & August

Autumn breaks from September to November

Winter breaks November to March

Olive Harvest from November to January

Blue and white spiral

Short stays are popular, weekends, long weekends and 5 day stays. Get a taste of the island.

Island hopping en route to another Greek Island holiday destination are popular, particularly for international visitors. There isn't another island quite like Crete in the Greek islands

Nature-lovers holidays; Crete has beautiful birdlife, wild flowers, forests and a unique ecology to enjoy

Romantic getaways; in luxury spa resorts, country hideaways or pensions

Walking, hiking and rambling holidays from May to October

Blue and white spiral

Wind surfing holidays; come and watch the pros, learn to windsurf or see what you can surf whilst you are here

Cooking and cuisine holidays; learn how to cook and or enjoy the fresh organic local vegies and fruit, benefit from the healthy Mediterranean diet, including vegan, vegetarian and foraging holidays

Scuba diving and snorkelling holidays; learn to dive or simply experience some of the clearest visibility in the Mediterranean

Mountain and rock climbing holidays; many clubs and organised tours explore the vast mountain ranges and especially the rocky gorges which are perfect for walking, climbing, abseiling and canyoning up or down

History-buff holidays; for those who love to explore ancient archaeological sites

Naturist holidays; for those who love their Greek holidays in the buff!

Family holidays, you can please every member of the family here!




Tell us your stories


We trust you enjoy your Greek holidays, and ask that you share your stories and images with us here

Crete Travel Guide
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Travel to Athens
Crete to Santorini
Crete to Mykonos









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