Crete island where better to relax reviews. The best beaches in Crete. The best resorts of Crete: Elounda

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The island of Crete is chosen for their holidays by millions of tourists every year. And this is not surprising, because the island is completely “given away” to tourists, and it seems to be specially made for recreation. Sometimes holidays in Crete cause conflicting reviews. Many are interested in: which sea and beach is better for relaxing, where are the best places to relax in Crete? In this article, we will try to deal with this and understand, so where are the best places in Crete to relax. And so, let's see.

Crete is an amazing place. It is washed by three seas at once, each of which is attractive and amazing in its own way. From the north, the island is washed by the Cretan Sea, which is not so well known, from the south the Libyan Sea flows, and the Ionian Sea in the west.


Every sea is different different temperatures, different currents and different water. But they are all loved by tourists and each sea has its pros and cons.

Western part of the island.
The western part of Crete has the longest beaches. They stretched for several kilometers along the sea. There are famous bays, caves and gorges. The entire coast and cities are surrounded by mountains that have a white and limestone appearance.


For fans of excursions here is also a paradise. You can visit ancient churches, museums and monuments. Also, palaces of nobles have survived to this day, the entrance to which is open to tourists.

The beaches of the Libyan Sea.
The Libyan Sea got its name from the country of Libya. It is warm and its waters are clear. A few hundred years ago, the Libyan Sea was larger, and its waters flooded Crete. Now the sea has receded from the shore and black sand remains on the shore. Here pass music festivals, holiday and other major events.


Chrissi Island is located in the Libyan Sea not far from the coast of Crete. Locals love to come here, they know where the best places to stay in their country are.
The whole island is covered in golden sand. It grows trees and grass. The trees are from two hundred years old, but at the same time they are only 10 meters in height. Chrissi Island is included in the protection program environment. There are many rare plants and flowers on the island. Therefore, here you can’t pick flowers, collect shells and do something that may cause bewilderment in local residents.

Red Beach - hard to get to, good rest.
Red Beach is so called because the sand on it is red. What caused this, no one still knows. But this is not important, because the main thing here is rest and the sea.


To get to this beach you need to try hard. After all, you have to go down the mountain, and after the beach go uphill. Not every tourist will do this, but there is no other way to get here.
It is worth noting that this beach does not have any water activities. There are no boats, no catamarans, no diving. There is only sand and sea. Therefore, people come here not for entertainment, but just to relax.

If you do not know which hotel to stay in, then see the map of Crete with the best hotels on the island. On the map, only hotels that are located on the coast and are popular with tourists.

Elafonissi beach is a beach from a fairy tale.
You can get to the island and the beach of the same name simply by fording the sea. You have to walk a hundred meters across the water and you are on the island. All this time the sea will be up to your waist, or a little deeper.


The sand on the beach is pink. There are legends why he became like that. But in fact, everything explains physics and the laws of nature.
Tourists with children love to relax here, because there are no great depth. Children will be able to enter the sea under 50 meters and at the same time the water will be knee-deep or slightly higher.
Although the island is small, it has infrastructure. There are cafes, bars, toilets and showers. It is also possible to rent water transport. Diving is at your service, but in order to do it here you will have to walk a long distance through the water before there is sufficient depth.

Crete is the largest island in Greece. It is associated with many different legends, myths and legends. Fiction and reality are so closely intertwined here that it is impossible to separate them. Crete is considered the birthplace of the father of all gods - Zeus. It was here that King Minos created his empire, and the bloody monster Minotaur was killed by Theseus. Exactly this unforgettable place on Earth, where tourists flock from all over the world. Here they are waiting - the bright sun, the gentle inviting sea, unique natural landscapes and happy residents.

General information

Crete (Κρήτη) - the fifth largest island mediterranean sea. Located 111 km from the European coastline. Asia is located 176 km from it, and Africa is 310 km away. Its unique shores are washed by the waters of three seas: from the north - the Cretan, from the south - the Libyan and from the west - the Ionian. The city of Heraklion is the territorial center of the island.

Holiday features in Crete

Crete attracts tourists unusual landscapes, mild and healthy climate. There is no suffocating heat here, even in the hottest months. The air is intoxicating and clean. There are almost no cloudy days. The sun pleases vacationers throughout the year - 345 days.
For good rest should choose a location appropriate to the nature of the planned picturesque beaches are available in all areas of Crete - pebbly and sandy, deep and shallow, noisy and quiet. There are beaches that can only be reached by swimming. The whole island is divided into four nomes (administrative centers):

  • Chania - west coast;
  • Rethymnon - northwestern part;
  • Heraklion - northeast;
  • Lassithi - east coast.

All zones are different. Each has its own characteristics. It should be noted that on southern shores Crete weather do not contribute to the development of tourism. The climate there is harsher, storms often occur.

Holidays in Chania

Despite the small size of the region, there is something to see here. Tourism in Chania is somewhat less developed than in other parts of Crete. So you can rest in the bosom untouched nature feeling the authentic Greek flavor. The area is considered the greenest on the island. Plane forests occupy a significant part of the space, and a stunning smell of pine needles comes from cypress thickets.
In the region, in addition to huge comfortable beaches, you can find deep caves, picturesque bays and mysterious gorges. The city is surrounded by limestone mountains. There are many ancient churches, palaces, fortresses, museums in Chania, which creates an unforgettable atmosphere.

Holidays in Rethymno

The region attracts tourists with sun-drenched meadows and hills, winding paths and endless beaches with developed infrastructure. The longest of them stretches from Georgioupoli to Rethymnon for 15.5 km. The view opens toy villages located on the slopes; the ruins of structures and the crystal sea. And tired of beach holiday and travel, you can relax in the local tavern, which serves excellent Greek dishes and local wines.
Tourists who prefer cultural recreation. There are many museums, archaeological sites, galleries, as well as the Monastery of Arcadia, the Rimondi Fountain and buildings from the time of the Venetians.

Holidays in Heraklion

Heraklion region is the most visited resort area. It contains the capital of Crete with the same name. Nearby is the airport, where all guests of the island arrive. Here are the most diverse resorts, a lot of entertainment facilities, water parks. Many of Heraklion's beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag, which increases their attractiveness. In addition to well-groomed beaches and impeccable service, Heraklion is the most major center entertainment and throughout the island, with a mass of shopping centers and shops.
In the center of the region are the palaces of Gortyn and Knossos, the museum of archeology and other cultural institutions. The whole region is literally permeated with ancient myths and fascinating ancient epics.

Holidays in Lassithi

The region is located on a kind of plateau with the same name. A variety of vegetation sprouts on amazingly beautiful landscapes. And also here is the most charming Mirabello Bay on the entire island. It is on the shores of the bay that the center of the region, the city of Agois Nikolaos, was built. mountain ranges located around are covered with coniferous trees and gardens. Everywhere you can see Greek villages immersed in flowers and windmills. And the coast is indented by many coves and bays. Early fruits and vegetables appear first in this part of the island.

Crete: features of tourism and recreation. Useful travel information about Crete.

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The small resort of Stavros is located in a quiet bay protected from the winds. Thanks to the calm atmosphere and the serene sea, this a good place for children. On many kilometers of sandy and pebble beaches Paleochory is a convenient entry into the water. Located in the north of Chania, the town of Georgioupolis is literally immersed in greenery. Its beaches can be safely called one of the best on the island, and the subtle scent of eucalyptus sets you up for a carefree vacation and contemplation of nature.

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Rethymno and Heraklion

The region is in great demand among tourists. Its most visited resorts are Rethymnon with surrounding villages and Heraklion. In addition to long sandy beaches with well-thought-out infrastructure, these places boast an abundance of historical sights, wide opportunities for shopping and incredible amount hotels of all formats - from luxurious five-star complexes to modest apartments.

Rethymnon and Heraklion are crowded and noisy, especially during the high season. Clubs and bars are always full of guests ready to have fun until the morning. These resorts are suitable for solo tourists, groups of friends and couples.

For more measured rest, peace and "postcard" landscapes, you need to go to Agia Galini, hidden in a bay sheltered from the winds, or Plakias, where one of the most beautiful beaches islands - Skinaria. In the Adele zone, consisting of several villages, and quiet Bali, travelers are waiting not only for an excellent sandy coast, but also for stunning sea panoramas. All this is seasoned with the sincere hospitality of the locals.

Popular resorts in the central part of Crete: charming Agia Pelagia, especially noted by tourists from Russia, dynamic Hersonissos, known as the "capital of entertainment", respectable Kokkini Hani and Gouves, suitable for families. It is also worth paying attention to the town of Malia. It is called the most prestigious in the region. Next to it, but still a little off the beaten track, lies Stalida, the choice of aged travelers and families with children. Diving and windsurfing are available in Amoudara.

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Lasithi

The center of the resort life of the Lassithi region is its capital, Agios Nikolaos, located in Mirabello Bay. During the day, tourists sunbathe on its sandy beaches, and in the evenings contemplate the magnificent sunsets on the waterfront. The city is full of bars, clubs, modern restaurants and traditional Cretan taverns, its city is quite a lively place. The infrastructure of the coast is perfectly suited for holidays with children. Little guests of the island can have fun in the play areas and swim in specially equipped pools.

There are not so many attractions in Agios Nikolaos itself, but there are interesting places: the ancient Minoan city of Gournia, the monasteries of Faneromeni and Kera Kardiotissa, the ruins of the Dorian settlement of Lato Etera.

It is worth coming to Lassithi at least for the sake of sunbathing on fantastic beach Vai, surrounded by a palm grove, and enjoy the magnificent views of the sea on the beach of Vulisma.

One of the most expensive resorts Crete - Elounda. Almost all hotels in the village have their own swimming area and yacht pier. Ierapetra, located in the south of Lassithi, has a serene atmosphere that allows you to relax from the daily hustle and bustle. In the north there is another interesting place - Sitia

Crete is the largest island Greek archipelago. He takes it southern part, while being surrounded by 3 seas at the same time. After Cyprus, this is the most sunny island, which attracts tourists with its exquisite coastline, picturesque mountain landscapes, fully equipped beaches, in addition, the brightest echoes of the architecture of the Minoan civilization (the oldest in the world). In this article, we will find out why holidays in Crete are so popular among tourists.

Climate

Crete is big Island with mountainous terrain. The climate is completely different in different parts of the island. So, in the north, separated by a central mountain range from the south, it is moderate Mediterranean, in fact, as in other resorts in Europe. The south is much hotter, sunnier and drier as it is dominated by the North African climate zone. IN mountain regions colder, with even snowfalls in winter. On the island as a whole, winters are mild and rainy, which, in fact, the whole of Greece can boast of. Crete, the rest on which is so popular among tourists, seems to freeze at this time. The level of air humidity here is determined by the proximity of the sea. For example, for coastal resorts due to high humidity, it is characteristic that the heat will be more difficult to endure, and in winter in coastal zone temperatures are lower.

Tourist season

Crete reminds small country with a huge number of possibilities. It is a space of spectacular valleys, fertile plateaus, golden sands, pleasant smells and stunning views. Holidays in Crete captivate with the fact that it approaches everyone with special care: for connoisseurs of silence there are secluded resorts, for party lovers - lively beaches, for active and sporty individuals - a variety of water activities. People start coming here in April, while the massive tourist season ends in mid-autumn.

"High season

Here it lasts all summer, when the air temperature is 28-30°C. The thermometer in the hottest parts of the island often jumps up to 40°C. There is one little secret for fans of midsummer: in Crete, not all beaches are crowded at this time. Yes, they are quite remote from the Cretan cities and offer few amenities, while some are ready to give a lot for the opportunity to relax in solitude. In the height of summer, on a vacation in Crete, it is usually worth going to northern part islands, on the coast of the Aegean Sea, although the number of tourists here is huge.

"Low" season

All 3 winter months, as well as in March, there is a decline in Crete tourist season. Then those who do not experience much interest in relaxing on the beach go to the island, but prefer to stay in solitude and tranquility. The weather here is changeable, the expected temperature is 16-17°C. It can get hot or cold. At the same time, you won’t find better weather and prices for visiting numerous sights.

bathing season

The holiday season here begins in mid-April. Then there is the discovery of the beaches of the island. In the Mediterranean Sea, the water becomes comfortable for swimming only at the end of May. In the middle of summer, when the weather is hot, in this place the water temperature reaches 25°C. In the daytime, the sun is very dangerous, therefore, try to get out to the beach early in the morning or in the evening. In September, holidays in Crete become the most comfortable, because heatwave. Due to this, the sea becomes a little cooler.

The Velvet season

Holidays in Crete in September can be called ideal. The very end of the month and October here belong to the velvet season. Now it is not as busy here as in summer, but it is just as sunny, while the weather conditions are conducive to swimming and long stays on the beach. Think for yourself: in September, the temperature sea ​​water is 24°C, in October - 23°C. Discomfort can only consist in the fact that holidays in Crete in October are not suitable for everyone: it is already cold at night (16 ° C), so you can swim only at the height of the day. Huge Advantage velvet season here it is low prices for food, housing and other services.

The best beaches

It is not even necessary to say that holidays on the island of Crete primarily attract lovers to lie on the beaches, which are actually at the highest level here. But at the same time there are special beaches that deserve close attention.


Youth rest

Holidays on the island of Crete are often chosen by young people. Companies mainly stay at certain resorts: noisy, with a huge range of entertainment. Among them is Hersonissos, which is characterized by the largest number of clubs and a rich nightlife. Sandy beaches are no worse than in secluded modest resorts. Nearby is a water park called Water City.

Another tourist centre the island where young people like to relax is Malia. This place offers a variety of entertainment, not only club life, but also active daytime activities, such as horseback riding.

You can also choose Rethymno with a fast-paced modern life. You will not be bored in this place either thanks to the various architectural sights that are located right on the territory of this city.

Vacation with children

For families, you need to choose resorts with a sandy beach and a gentle, convenient entrance to the sea. Elafonisi, mentioned above, is well suited, although the list of suitable places to stay is not limited to them.

Makryialos is also shallow, so it is safe to swim here even with very young children. This place is located far from noisy resorts, including Heraklion, and is perfect for a quiet family vacation.

Some hotels in Crete will help make your holiday with children as comfortable as possible. So, excellent service is offered by Club Marine Palace. Especially for infants, cots and high chairs are provided free of charge at this place. Also, even the smallest nuances are taken into account: there is a device for heating milk, an audio nurse. If adults need to spend time separately, it is possible to resort to the services of a professional nanny. There is a club for kids. Nearby in a picturesque bay there is a cozy sandy beach.

It's time for festivals

Eat Great chance the fact that, having got to the island of Crete, you will combine your rest with some kind of celebration taking place here. In Crete, Shrove Tuesday is celebrated in winter, after which Holy Week is celebrated on a grand scale in March, as well as Easter. Then March 25 is the Independence Day of Greece, April 23 - the day of the patron saint of the island (St. George). The inhabitants of Rethymnon celebrate the Wine Festival in mid-July, followed by the birth of the Virgin Mary on September 8th.

Attractions

Cradle Minoan civilization, bathed in the sun, oozes all history. The resort thrives as a completely contradictory island: the raucous parties of Malia and the loneliness of wild mountain areas, dramatic ravines and sugar beaches. Real beach paradise with a rich culture, you are offered a vacation in Crete, reviews of which can be found so admiring that you willy-nilly want to be there.

Minoan palace

The ancient castle grounds and Minoan palace located just south of Heraklion. It got its name from its owner - the famous ancient king Minos, who was the son of Europa and the god Zeus.

In this palace, according to legend, there was a labyrinth where at one time half a bull and half a man, the Minotaur, was imprisoned. For 9 years, local residents sacrificed young girls and boys to him until Theseus killed him. Since that time, the word "labyrinth" has appeared in everyday life.

For 6 euros (admission price) you have the opportunity to touch the traces of an ancient civilization, walk along the paths of the gods and kings: a huge number of halls, galleries, decorated with exquisite frescoes, stately pink colonnades, tapering downwards contrary to architectural laws, as well as the Small Palace, the Temple of Tombs and Royal Villa.

Samaria Gorge

This gorge is one of the largest in Europe, it is located in the southwestern region of the island, in the prefecture of Chania. This place is a National Park. The gorge is 16 km long. Here you can observe the rarest magnificent fauna and flora. For example, kri-kri are mountain wild goats with spiral horns.

The width of the Iron Gate of Sidiroportes, the narrowest section, is 3.5 m, and the widest is 300 m. All tourists who come here will have to overcome this on foot. Although the feeling that the path is exhausting is deceptive. In fact, it consists of continuous descents. In this gorge there is a whole village where the church of Mary of Egypt functions.

In general, the walk takes 5-6 hours. It takes its beginning at the wooden steps (beyond the Omalos plateau), ending at the coast of the Libyan Sea, where the village of Agia Roumeli is located. The entrance fee to the gorge is 6 euros.

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

This is one of the largest museums in Greece, it is located in the very center of Heraklion on the street. Xanthoudidou. The exposition presented here covers 5000 years (from the Neolithic period to the Greco-Roman era). It includes the largest and finest collection of Minoan works in the world.

The museum is currently under renovation, but there is a temporary exhibition at the back of the main building. It contains the brightest exhibits from the collection of artifacts, including the Goddess with snakes, the Phaistos disc, golden bees, a leaping bull. The museum has only twenty themed rooms, each of which is dedicated to its own period and area taken separately.

Best holiday: Crete, hotels

Those wishing to go here on vacation need to know that hotels here do not have stars, they are replaced by categories: A, B, C and Delux. The resort houses completely different establishments: from modest small rooms to completely luxurious apartments.

Since the island is one of the most popular among tourists choosing holidays in Greece, Crete hotels offer various formats for accommodation. Hospitality here is very well developed. Tourists want to relax without worrying about where to eat. For these vacationers, there are hotels with an all-inclusive service.

Traditional cuisine

Cretan food is not just food, but a way of life. It includes healthy eating and a great excuse to get family and friends together. Everything becomes today more popular vacation in Greece. The island of Crete, in addition to all kinds of entertainment, also offers tourists to get acquainted with its unique cuisine.

Cretan traditional cuisine for cooking uses products such as all kinds of cheese, lemons, wild herbs, oranges, lentils, beans, various vegetables, olive oil, barley, seafood and fish, meat, and wine in small quantities. By the way, here is grown the most in the country of organic products.

Breakfast in Crete

Classic Greek breakfast includes cigarettes and coffee. Of course, this is a joke, although not without a grain of truth. Greeks smoke a lot. And here, breakfast as such is not breakfast, it includes a cup of aromatic coffee, a couple of olives and a slice of toast with jam or honey. Sometimes it is complemented by all kinds of pastries, for example, "Tiropitu", spinach pies or cheese pies. They can also serve as snacks throughout the day.

Coffee

Coffee in Greece used to be called "Turkish". But after relations between these countries deteriorated, it began to be called Greek, which must be remembered when ordering it. There are several types of it:

  • "Sketo" - without sugar;
  • "varigliko" - sweet and strong;
  • "metrio" - semi-sweet.

Cretan cheese

IN mountainous areas countries, you can occasionally meet shepherds making cheese from their own milk. But there aren't many left.

In Crete, Feta cheese is not as popular as in the rest of the country. Here are the most used varieties:

  • Myzithru is a classic whey cheese that has been around in Greece for about 1000 years. There is unsalted fresh "Mizithra", slightly salted or salted and dried, used for its further rubbing. This cheese is made from whey that has been fermented from goat, cow or sheep milk.
  • "Gravieru" is a hard cheese with a slightly sweet taste, created in several ways. It is made from sheep's milk, which is sometimes mixed with goat's. At the same time, the cheese ripening period is at least five months.
  • "Anthotirus" is a light soft cheese, which is obtained from sheep's or goat's milk. It can be fresh, dried or salted. The first is added to various cheese cookies or simply served at the table.

Holidays in Crete: traveler reviews

Today, many tourists have already visited this resort. Accordingly, you can find a lot of information about holidays in Crete. Reviews about it are mostly positive. Many here find the resort that is right for them: family, youth, secluded. Travelers admire its architecture, national color, openness and activity of local residents, and incomparable cuisine. But still there are those who speak negatively about Crete. In most cases, they were here out of season, finding themselves either in sweltering heat or on the shores of an already cool sea. Although there are those who prefer more luxurious resorts, against which Crete pales.

If you would like to get to know unique history and the culture of the island of Crete, you can choose almost any resort, since almost everywhere it is offered excursion program with sightseeing of both the island and other territories, including mainland Greece.

Crete is a place where the myths of antiquity are wonderfully woven into reality. The unique combination of Turkish, Byzantine, Venetian cultures was able to give rise to stunningly beautiful mansions.

Crete is the largest and perhaps the most famous Greek island. It is here that the best resorts are located, while an incredible number of natural, architectural and historical attractions are concentrated. The island is perfect place for relax. It doesn't matter if you like to relax on the beach, spend your days on excursions or party all night in clubs - everyone will find what they need in the resort. In this article, we will look at the best resorts in Crete - description, attractions, and so on.

Peculiarities

Crete is largest island Greece, as well as the 5th largest in the Mediterranean. The island is washed by 3 seas - Ionian, Libyan and Cretan. Their shores are occupied by numerous beaches, as the waters of the resort are warm, calm and transparent. The resorts of Crete are dotted with an incredible number of hotels of all classes, it is possible to choose a hotel that is suitable for families, as well as extreme lovers.

Climate

It is the most favorable here, if you look at the rest of the resorts of Greece. Crete is flooded almost the whole year sunlight, while the temperature in winter is below +15 degrees. Here you can swim almost everywhere, while from May to October the water will be quite warm. For those who do not like the heat, it is better to go here in May or September.

Beaches

Even with a huge flow of tourists, the inhabitants of the island managed to save their nature. The resorts of Crete, the description of which can be seen below, have one of the cleanest beaches in the world, in some places the water is so clear that the bottom is remarkably visible even at a depth of tens of meters.

Heraklion

It is located in the north of the island in the region of Heraklion. Assessing the resorts of Crete, we can say that this The largest city in the region. It is located in places where the picturesque valleys of Malevizia and Messara grow green, and endless olive groves and dense vineyards make up the ecosphere of the region.

Heraklion is visited by millions of tourists every year. Both Greeks and representatives of various European countries go to this place. Developed transport infrastructure and the convenient location of the city, which makes it possible to verify the map of Crete with resorts, allow you to comfortably and quickly get to required point coast, while accommodation in city hotels allows you to save money, since the cost of local hotels is lower than on the coast Aegean Sea.

Chania

It is the 2nd largest city on the island. It is located on the shores of the Aegean Sea. This city, striking with a harmonious mixture of Venetian heritage and Greek culture, is one of the places that you should definitely visit during a trip to the island of Crete, the resorts of which can be selected for everyone according to taste and prosperity.

Tourists love the city unique architecture, interesting museums, an abundance of historical and natural attractions, as well as a huge variety of various entertainment venues. Looking for youth resorts in Crete, many consider this one. Young people who want to immerse themselves in the center of the hectic life of the resort mainly choose hotels in the center of Chania, families with children and older tourists prefer to relax in its vicinity, where the beaches are flatter, while the sea is calmer and cleaner.

Main tourist place resort is a port with an ancient lighthouse, as well as its surroundings. The museums of the city are also quite popular - maritime, archaeological, Byzantine art. Near the resort is the Zoniana Cave, the picturesque ruins of the Turkish and Venetian fortresses, an ancient convent, as well as ancient city, where the ruins of buildings of the 7th century have been preserved. In addition, Chania is an excellent base for onward travel Balos bay and Gramvousa island. But for a trip to Santorini, the resort is not very convenient, as it is far from the port of Heraklion (from here most ships depart for this island).

Resorts of Crete: Rethymnon

This city is the third largest on the island. It is located 78 km from Heraklion, although it is not inferior to Chania in popularity, while it is much more compact. Vacationers who come here can get acquainted with its stunning architectural sights - the Fortezza fortress, the ancient port with a Venetian lighthouse, ancient monasteries, the Rimondi fountain, which is located in the historical part of the resort.

The Archaeological Museum is famous for its collections of objects from the Minoan civilization, in addition to the exhibition of statues created during the Greco-Roman period. In the summer, classical festivals are held here, which bring together fans to dance and have fun right on the streets.

It should be noted that the resorts of Crete, including Rethymno, have a well-developed infrastructure - there are hotels for every budget and taste, shops, shops, restaurants, taverns, bars, clubs and excellent sandy beaches.

But lovers of excursions visit with pleasure the Kurtaliot Gorge, densely overgrown with lush Mediterranean vegetation, in addition, the Saintoni Cave, which fascinates with the radiance of bizarre stalagmites and stalactites.

Lasithi

It is located in the eastern part of Crete. If you do not know which resort to choose when you arrive in Crete, pay attention to Lassithi. This is one of the most colorful regions of Greece. This area abounds with green dense vegetation, while it has a minimum amount of rainfall compared to other areas. this island. Lassithi is the only area of ​​Crete where olive trees do not grow due to the extremely cold winters.

Except natural beauties, developed infrastructure and magnificent sandy beaches, these places are rich in historical sights, and are also attractive for lovers of ecotourism. Five-star hotels, which will satisfy the requirements of the most picky guests, adorn the coast, contributing to the high attention of noble and wealthy people. They buy luxurious mansions here and use them as country houses. But for the less demanding, there is a large selection of hotels with 3-4 stars.

Malia

This town is located in the north of the island. Choosing the best resorts in Crete, it can be safely considered as one of the best designed for families. It is easily accessible from Heraklion, which is only thirty kilometers away.

The city can be conditionally divided into 2 parts - new and old. The old part of the resort is represented by blooming cozy courtyards, narrow streets, neat Byzantine churches, but the new one is represented by modern clubs, shops, discos, bars. When choosing a hotel, you should take into account that in the center of Malia during the high season it is quite noisy, so if you are not going to take an active part in nightlife, then it is advisable to settle closer to the outskirts of the town.

Malia is an excellent base for traveling to Heraklion, as well as exploring the various attractions of this part of the island.

Not far from the resort are the remains of the palace of the Minoan period, which was not inferior in size to Knossos, you can also look at the ruins of residential buildings of those years and visit the ancient seal workshop. All objects that were found during the excavations are in archaeological museum, which is equipped in one of the restored buildings.

Hersonissos

This is the former sea ​​port. Only a few buildings remain of it. The city has won fame as the most party and youth resort of the island. In this small town, which is located near Malia, there are the most fashionable discos, clubs, pubs and taverns. Life here is seething - music sounds until the morning, shops are open until late, and dancing fun parties are held on the beaches.

There are practically no sights here - only a Roman basilica, port old buildings and some medieval buildings. At the same time, their lack is compensated by water parks, exciting excursions to historical places nearby (in Knossos and Heraklion), as well as interesting sea ​​travel to Athens and Santorini.

The best resorts of Crete: Elounda

This is the most fashionable resort Crete. Vacationers who prefer luxury resorts, do not think about where to go on the island - they go to Elounda. This favorite place recreation of film industry stars, politicians and other VIPs, there are concentrated best hotels, fashion stores, high-end restaurants, popular discos and nightclubs.

There is more than enough entertainment in Elounda. These are the cleanest, well-equipped beaches, diving centers, yacht clubs, volleyball and tennis courts, nightclubs, discos. Tourists go on excursions to Knossos and Heraklion, which are eighty kilometers away, as well as to Malia. From here it is possible to go for a walk to the island of Spinalonga, to the ancient flooded city of Olous, to Santorini and to Athens.