Crete Island, Greece

Crete island is the largest of Greece and is located in the south of the Aegean Sea. Crete is one of the most famous Greek islands and often visited with Santorini. It is separated in 4 prefectures: Chania, Heraklion, Lassithi and Rethymno. The island has everything to offer: mountainous landscapes, a coast with many beautiful beaches and rocky coves, beautiful towns and charming villages and harbors, excellent food, ruins like Knossos, of the Minoan Civilization, one of the greatest civilization ever, an exciting nightlife…

 Chania

Various attractive mountain villages are embellishing the prefecture of Chania Crete (Hania). The most famous of those traditional and picturesque villages is the one Therissos, which is considered as the most beautiful and unspoiled village of Crete. The coasts of the prefecture are boarded by lovely and lively touristy resorts which are built on fine beaches and offer all kinds of accommodations and touristy facilities. Some other are: Chania Town, Kissamos, Platanias and others...  The prefecture of Chania has many beauties among which its numerous beaches. From warm sand to colorful pebbles, the prefecture has a type of beach for everyone. Small and secluded coves can be found everywhere as well as long, busy and fully equipped beaches. All beaches have crystalline waters.

 

Heraklion

 

The prefecture of Heraklion Crete is full of picturesque villages perched in high altitudes, on the top of beautiful hills or mountains such as the villages of Ano Vianos and Epano Arhanes. The prefecture also has a lot of lovely beach resorts and busy villages such as Limenas Hersonissou and Malia lying in front of beautiful sandy or pebble beaches. All villages have accommodations (rooms for rent, hotels or both) and taverns.  Various beautiful beaches can be found around the prefecture of Heraklion Crete such as the wonderful sandy beach of Matala with its turquoise waters and the fine beaches of Tsoutsouros, Analipsi or Amoudara. Many of the superb beaches offer sun beds and umbrellas rentals as well as various water sports while others are totally unspoiled.

Lassithi

 

Various small towns, touristy and busy costal resorts and picturesque mountainous villages can be found around the prefecture of Lassithi. The beach areas propose fine accommodations with various touristy facilities while the mountainous villages have a few accommodations (usually rooms rented by locals) and are the perfect place to experience the traditional Cretan way of life. Tzemiado is one of the most picturesque villages. Other villages that can be visited: Elounda, Krista, Sissi and many others...  Magnificent beaches can be found on the coasts of the prefecture of Lassithi Crete such as the unique Vai Beach with its incredible palm forest (5000 palm trees), its azure waters and its golden sand. More wonderful beaches are available.

Rethymno

In the prefecture of Rethymno Crete various coastal resorts can be found, offering from simple rooms for rent to luxurious hotels and various touristy facilities. Many picturesque mountainous villages are also scattered around the prefecture, proposing just the minimum in terms of accommodations and facilities but offering the possibility to see and live the local traditional way of life. Anogia is one of the most beautiful of those villages. You can't missed RethymnoTown, Plakias and others...  Like in the other prefectures forming the wonderful island of Crete, the prefecture of Rethymno possesses a plethora of idyllic beaches and secluded coves, with crystalline waters. The most popular and one of its most beautiful beaches is the one of Preveli which looks like a lagoon with its emerald waters, palm trees and warm sand.