Crete

Crete, Greece

Crete, the largest Greek island, is a place where Myth meets History, where the age-old Cretan culture teems in modern villas, where the sea meets the mountains and unspoiled nature coexists with modern tourist infrastructure. Crete has a thousand faces: one for each and every sort of traveller: the nature-lover, the explorer, the cosmopolitan, the lover of history and the classic vulture.

Population:

632,674

Currency:

Euro €1 = 100 cent

Emergency Numbers:

European emergency number: 112
Police: 100
Ambulance: 166

Opening Hours:

Shops usually open around 09.00 and close around 1.30pm or 2pm from Monday to Saturday. On Tuesday, Thursday and Friday they're are also open from around 17.00 to 21.00. Always closed on Sundays and holidays.
In tourist areas and resorts they are usually open every day from 9am to 9pm.

Newspapers:

Crete Gazette
Crete Post
Apokronas News

The Island

Crete, the largest island in Greece, is one of the most popular travel destinations of the Mediterranean. It's an island with a thousand faces that combines everything a traveller might ask for: a rich history, several major attractions, a unique food culture, a vibrant nightlife, magnificent nature and pristine beaches.

On Crete flourished the first prehistoric civilization of note on European soil, that of the Minoan Bronze-Age, and its majestic palaces can still be visited today. In the long history of the island, a multitude of different cultures and conquerors have passed through, leaving behind important traces on the island. As a result, present-day Crete has a high level of historical, archaeological and cultural points of interest.

The heart of Crete beats in its cities: Chania, the Venice of the East, Renaissance Rethymno, cosmopolitan Heraklion and picturesque Agios Nikolaos, Sitia and Ierapetra. In addition museums and historical sites and buildings, you'll find many shops selling local products, lively bars and cafés, as well as restaurants where you can try the both delicious and healthy Cretan cuisine.

At the same time, Crete stands out for its unique natural environment. On one hand, a seemingly endless and indented coastline offers countless beaches for each and every taste. At the other extreme, there is a spine of high mountains ideal for hiking and mountaineering. Gorges to wander through, caves to explore, valleys to admire, all waiting the visitor’s glance. In Crete, you'll never fall short of things to do.

Cities & Towns

From the colorful Old Town of Chania to the Renaissance buildings of Rethymnon, and from the cosmopolitan city of Heraklion to the picturesque Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, each and every Cretan city has its own attractions and personality.

Do & See

Crete is filled with history and scenic landscapes. Archaeological sites, historical landmarks, fascinating museums, isolated monasteries, wandering walking trails and much more await you in this amazing place.

Beaches

Crete has over 1000 kilometers of coastline, composed of seemingly endless stretches of sand, pebble beaches, deserted beaches, beaches for camping, water sports, and more.Try going to more than one before choosing your favourite - which will likely still prove a challenge.