Crete interesting places. Tips for vacationers or the best places about. Crete

April 28, 2015 9:20 am Crete, Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, Kissamos, Bali + 1 city - Greece August 2014

Crete is the largest of the Greek islands. Its length from west to east is 250 km and from 14 to 37 kilometers from north to south. The huge size of the island allows any traveler to find here exactly the place that will be especially to their liking, because Crete is famous for both popular tourist areas and calm, secluded mountain villages.

In anticipation holiday season I suddenly thought that this year, as usual, many will decide to spend their holidays on the Greek island of Crete. And I wanted to make the organization of the trip a little easier for those who plan to actively travel and see the whole island, as we once did, and make a brief announcement of Cretan sights and places that are definitely worth a visit.

1. The first place in this ranking undoubtedly receives the city of Chania. You can get to Chania by regular buses and car. You can also fly directly to Chania airport.

Chania is mainly famous for the fact that the Venetians had a hand in its construction. And there is a well-preserved embankment, similar to Venice. But along the embankment, the whole city consists of narrow quaint streets with beautiful houses and big amount bright impressive details. As a place for a beach holiday, the city itself is not suitable, but next to it there are small cozy villages with good beaches. Accommodation in Chania is quite expensive and it will be difficult to find a place to sleep during the season, but it is quite possible.

For example, we went into almost every house and eventually rented a very nice room with all amenities and a stone's throw from the embankment.

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Chania. Houses.

2. I rightfully give the second place bay of Balos. According to the Greeks, this is the confluence of three seas. The place is very beautiful. Balos beach is a breathtakingly beautiful and unusual beach in Crete! Former pirate harbor with an old fortress Gramvousa on top of the mountain and white sand on the beach. It is located in the northwest of Crete, on the very edge of the Gramvousa peninsula. There are two ways to get there. By land by car (the closer to the bay, the worse road). Or by sea on a boat from the city of Kissamos. The ship also sails to the fortress of Gramvousa. Time is given to climb the fortress. The views from the fortress are insanely beautiful. So I'm for the ship. Moreover, it is still dangerous to puncture, for example, the wheels on a rented car.

Personally, I stayed overnight in Kissamom, bought a boat ticket in the evening and sailed from there to Balos in the morning. This trip will take a whole day. The ship returns back around 6 pm. You can get to Kissamos by car or by bus from Rethymnon or Chania.

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Bay of Balos.

3. I will give the third place to the fresh mountain lake Kournas. The only way to get to the lake is by car or guided tour. The lake is located among the mountains, different the purest water beautiful turquoise color. Ducks roam the shore, turtles are found in the water.

On the beach there are several cafes, free sunbeds and umbrellas. You can also rent a catamaran and swim around the lake in search of turtles that are hiding on the other side of the lake. A great place to spend the whole day enjoying nature.

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Fresh lake Kournas.

4. The pink beach of Elafonisi- amazing a natural phenomenon. There are two versions of its origin. First, rational: this color near the beach appeared due to the content a large number impurities in the sand, as well as small fragments of shells, sea shells and corals. The second, historical: in 1824 Elafonisi was attacked by the Turks; as a result of the massacre, more than seven hundred local residents were killed. In memory of the massacre of the Greeks on the very high point a memorial was erected on the island. And the pink color of the coast of Elafonisi is still a reminder of those tragic days. This island is separated from Crete by a small narrow strait, about 100 meters. At any time of the year, the depth in this strait does not exceed 20 centimeters, and therefore it will not be any problem to wade this strait. People come to this island to relax with children for a quiet holiday. Due to the fact that the depth of the sea near Elafonisi is shallow, it is safe to swim even during a storm. Elafonisi Island is located in the southwest of Crete, 42 km from Kastelion and 76 km from the city of Chania. From Heraklion to Elafonisi can be reached by car along the E75 highway, which turns into E65 closer to the west coast. Before the town of Castellion, you need to turn left, deep into the island - and continue moving. Be careful: at the entrance to Elafonisi, a mountain serpentine will begin, with sharp ascents and descents; the road winds up southwest coast Crete. Since this is a mountainous section of the route, the path will, as a rule, take more than the planned time. For example, the road from Chania to Elafonisi can take up to an hour, but the colorful views of Crete that open up from the steep descents are worth it. During the summer season, a bus runs from Chania to Elefonisi. You can get from other cities with a change in Kissamos, from where Shuttle Buses several times a day. Also, in the period from May to October, you can visit the pink beaches of Elafonisi by purchasing sightseeing tour for 1 day.

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Elafonisi.

5.Matala- a very interesting, original place. And it is not the beach itself that is original, but the rock against which it rests. The rock has a layered structure, thanks to which nature has created, as it were, multi-tiered long balconies. And on different levels people dug caves - rooms that were used for burial in the Byzantine era. However, in the 1960s, the caves were occupied by hippies with different corners of the world, American young people hiding from the army. Even such famous personalities as Bob Dillan, Joni Mitchell lived there. But one fine day in one of the caves, a man fell to death, and the hippies were kicked out of the caves. Now no one lives there, but the caves can be visited. You can get to Matala on your own by car or bus, or with a guided tour. On the way there will be beautiful views of the central mountainous part of Crete, small villages where locals live, as well as the zero kilometer of Crete - its central point.

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Matala. Aegean Sea.

6. The town of Rethymno. The cutest Cretan town. It is located in the west of Crete between Heraklion and Chania. Northern part the city has an endless beach with hotels and cafes. It is very convenient to live in Rethymnon while traveling around the island. From there you can take buses to any part of Crete, and you can also fully enjoy the sea and walks around the old town.

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7. Spinalonga island. Leper Island, which can be reached by boat from the village of Agios Nikolaos.

There are very beautiful views from the island. Be sure to take hats with you, there is absolutely no place on the island to escape from the scorching Greek sun.

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8. Volcano island of Santorini. Santorini is served by speed boats from Heraklion city pier. You can buy them both independently and with a tour. Santorini - beautiful place. But the season has a big drawback - a huge number of people. It is also hotter in Santorini than in Crete. My advice to you - when sailing to the island, take a quad bike and a map, this is all you need to feel a surge of happiness on this island. Drive around the island. Let the warm sea wind blow over you. Go around all the various beaches of the island: with red sand, with black volcanic sand .... Get up early and take a walk along the streets of the island, empty of tourists, among the white houses of its cities. And in the evening, take a seat in a restaurant with a view of the sunset in advance. In the evening it will be very difficult to find a free place not only in a restaurant, but also just on the street. sunset in Santorini is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. And the island itself is one of the most romantic places.

In ancient Greek mythology, Crete is the most mentioned island, the birthplace of the god Zeus, the habitat of the Minotaur in a terrible labyrinth. King Minos, Ariadne, Theseus, Daedalus, Icarus - the list of mythological characters associated with Crete is endless. And today it is one of the most popular European resorts, washed by many seas. The largest Greek island, with a very developed tourist infrastructure. All this is Crete! But later in the article we will talk not about a beach holiday, but specifically about visiting interesting and beautiful places, which are not so few on the island. So what sights of Crete need to see?

The best places in Crete

1. The sunken city of Olus

Belonging to the ancient Greeks, and later the Romans, the rich port city was located in the east of Crete, attracting many tourists. He went under water after one of the earthquakes that periodically shake the outskirts of Europe. To date, you can enjoy the preserved remains of the architecture of several civilizations that left their mark on the city, using scuba diving equipment. By visiting this attraction of Crete, you can almost literally plunge headlong into the mysteries of ancient Greece, which will be very interesting and unusual.

2. Palace of Knossos

The acquaintance with Crete and its sights will not be complete if you miss visiting the famous palace, which is the basis of the ancient Greek city of Knossos. It is located in the northern part of the island, near modern Heraklion. Knossos palace - a prime example reconstructed ancient architectural structure. In its original form, the building was several times subjected to the destructive effects of the elements (earthquakes and fires). When land near Crete administrative center bought by the Englishman Evans, restoration work began here, the purpose of which was to recreate according to reliable sources appearance the buildings.

Currently, only certain parts are available for viewing for tourists. architectural ensemble. The image of a panoramic view adorns postcards sold everywhere in local souvenir shops. The ancient monument is related to the heyday Minoan civilization. At the best of times, the interior space could accommodate a thousand spacious halls. The luxurious interiors housed noble persons belonging to the ruling elite of Knossos.

3. Labyrinth of the Minotaur

According to Greek mythology the monstrous Minotaur of Crete was kept in a labyrinth and terrified the Athenians. King Minos used it to impose tribute, and the hero Theseus delivered the Athenians from the Minotaur, at the same time freeing the beautiful Ariadne. Another beautiful Greek myth. Geographically, many tend to locate the ancient labyrinth in the ruins of the Knossos Palace, in the north of Crete. Many of the surviving fragments of the palace are arranged in such an intricate order that they can indeed lead to thoughts of the ominous labyrinth of the Minotaur.

4. Samaria Gorge

The Samaria Gorge is the largest in Europe. It rightfully belongs to the most popular and beautiful sights in Crete. Inhabited since ancient times, the gorge keeps the remains of ancient settlements and temples. In the middle of the 20th century, this beautiful natural area gained the status national park and a nature reserve with its unique flora and fauna. tourist trail through the gorge Samaria is so popular that walking along it you can get into a "traffic jam" - often the number of tourists can be up to three thousand. The park is closed to visitors in winter and spring, when it rains on the area and streams of water run along the bottom of the gorge, and stones fall off the walls.

5. Lake Voulismeni

In addition to architectural sights, two freshwater lakes are worth visiting in Crete. One of them - Voulismeni - is located in the town of Agios Nikolaos. The pond is almost perfectly round in shape, in some places it reaches a depth of more than 60 meters. And based on urban legends, the bottom is completely absent here. According to legend, the goddess of military wisdom Athena herself bathed in the lake! Perhaps that is why the inhabitants of Crete at one time dumped the military equipment of the fascist invaders to the bottom of the reservoir. Also, Lake Voulismeni was the object of close study of the famous French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

6. Lake Qurna

Kournas is the second largest freshwater lake in Crete. The attraction is located 48 km southeast of the city of Chania. This is the source of the river Delfinas. Freshwater turtles live here, the corresponding area is fenced. The object is under the protection of the organization for the protection of natural beauties with speaking name Natura 2000. This is the ideal place in Crete for an outdoor picnic in the lap of nature. Those who wish can stay overnight by renting an apartment in the nearest settlement. The water in the lake is not entirely transparent, the bottom is covered with silt, algae, in some areas it falls below sea level. A trip to the lake can be combined with a visit to Agriroupoli, a village where elements of aqueducts have been preserved since Roman times.

7. Dicteian cave

The unique attraction of Crete is located in the mountains of the same name at an altitude of over 1000 m. Here, according to legend, the supreme god of the Greek Olympus Zeus was born. Behind the unremarkable entrance is a large-scale recess, amazing in beauty and grandeur, framed by stalactites and stalagmites. An amazing spectacle is formed, visual solemnity, a mystical flair is created due to subdued lighting. This is not one cave, but a whole underground complex karst origin. Photographing underground treasures is possible only without a flash: bright light destroys the structure of formations. The tour culminates with a view of the inner lake. Walkways have been built inside the cave for ease of movement.

8. Spinalonga Fortress Island

This piece of land in Crete is famous for several controversial episodes. Enterprising Venetian merchants discovered salt deposits here, so they hurried to fortify the most valuable location with fortresses and high walls. The businessmen feared the raids of sea robbers, later - the Ottoman Muslims.

In the 20th century, the island served as a kind of closed zone, where sick people were sent to avoid the spread of epidemics. Such an order for a long time scared the Turkish interventionists away from the seemingly attractive land. The organization of the leper colony turned the picturesque place into a citadel of pain, sorrow, alienation, exile. Only in the middle of the last century, when the necessary vaccines reached these places, patients began to leave the shelter, and soon the island turned out to be a deserted, silent keeper of the secrets of the past. Currently, the authorities are trying to revive the attractiveness of this landmark of Crete, not only visually, but also historically, focusing on Byzantine monuments.

9. Fortress Fortezza

In the north of Crete, at an altitude of 17 meters above sea level, there is a large city of Rethymno. An interesting attraction here, from a historical point of view, is the fort built in the city during the Venetian patronage. The fortification dates back to the 16th century. The need for construction was due to the presence of a clear threat of an attack by Turkish hordes, and the Venetians wanted to strengthen their positions on the island, which was a significant staging post on the way of trade routes.

Previously, temples flaunted on the hill, which the Hellenes erected as a sign of admiration for Artemis and Apollo. In the present, it is a venue for celebrations and festivals. Tourists visit observation platforms, which offer a panoramic view of the sea and the city. Outside the fortress walls, several outbuildings and a church have been preserved.

10. The ancient city of Gortyn

If you do not know what sights to see in Crete, do not miss it. This is one of the most valuable archaeological sites in Greece. The ruins of the ancient city are located 50 km from Heraklion. It was rebuilt in the "heart" of a fertile valley and reached its peak of development when local government represented by the Dorians. More than 2 thousand years ago, there already existed a strict system of legislation, a set of strict regulations and laws carved into the wall of the amphitheater and strictly observed by the natives. Here appeared the first market Square. This is a real storehouse of antique building elements: columns, marble floors of the Roman theater, its stone seats. There are sculptures, you can look at them only through the fence, due to safety reasons. Along the perimeter of Gortyna, covering 2000 square meters, you can explore ancient history, starting with the empire of Hellas and ending with the period of the birth and spread of Christianity.

11. Kera Kardiotissa Monastery

Although not the most important attraction of the island of Crete, Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, nevertheless, is able to offer its visitors a weighty argument for its viability. Several buildings built almost eight hundred years ago, a quiet quiet place, a small contingent of ministers. But it is here that there is a copy of the icon of the Mother of God of the Heart, which, like the original, is considered miraculous. For Orthodox visitors to the monastery, the icon is the subject for which they actually come, because the monastery cannot boast of an abundance of other entertaining objects. However, many who visited the monastery of Kera Kardiotissa in Crete speak of him as bringing peace and tranquility.

12. Elafonisi Beach

There is a small island near Crete. Between the land areas is a sand spit. desert island and the beach of the same name (on the spit) are famous for the unique color of the sand. He is pink. A peculiar shade was formed due to the “blurring” of shells and corals, which ended up in shallow water and are constantly being polished by waves. An interesting color consonance is formed by combining the shade of the beach strip and azure water. Despite the fact that no one permanently lives on the island, there is no hotel service, the beach is ennobled and well-groomed, equipped with the necessary attributes comfortable rest on the sea. on the mediterranean sea ​​coast this natural landmark of Crete, due to its original location against the backdrop of steep mountains, is conditionally considered the most picturesque place and is popular among tourists.

13. Heraklion Archaeological Museum

An outstanding museum that stands out noticeably against the background of similar institutions in the country in terms of the scale of its exposition and the size of the territory it occupies. The peculiarity of the museum's collection is the most complete collection of the achievements of the Minoan civilization. In the space of two floors, objects are concentrated that relate not only to the arrangement of the life of the Hellenic society, many artifacts are related to the development of culture and art in the context of the development of ancient states around the world. A special pride of the indigenous population is a written monument discovered during excavations in Phaistos. This is a round object, on both sides there are images of people, animals, weapons. Dating marks an era Bronze Age, coinciding in part with the development of the Aegean civilization of Crete.

14. Anopolis Watercity Waterpark

You can relieve fatigue after a tiring acquaintance with the natural and architectural sights of Crete in the local water park. It is located near the village of Kokkini Khani. Watercity water park embodies the idea of ​​modern recreation, as opposed to the rest of the archaeological tourism. A variety of attractions will satisfy any water-loving taste. A dozen different pools, hydraulic pipes, rivers, waterways, super races, cyclones - this is a small list of services provided by the water park. This and much more awaits visitors on its territory, so be sure to check it out here.

15. Arkadi Monastery

This religious attraction of the island is associated with a sad story that occurred during the famous Cretan uprising. On the Sunset 19th century the monks sheltered 7 hundred women and 300 Greek soldiers behind the monastery walls, who fought desperately for independence from the Ottoman yoke. Turkish soldiers managed to get through the gate, then the desperate rebels set fire to the gunpowder arsenal. There was an explosion that claimed the lives of all the partisans and finally enraged the Ottomans, tormented by rage from impotence. The feat of the common people inspired the Greeks to continue the struggle and informed the world about the cruelty and ruthlessness of the invaders. On the territory of the monastery, in addition to the dominant, there is a refectory and a mill. Behind the first - you can observe the preserved Turkish shell, at the second - a crypt was organized, where the remains of the brave rebels who fell in an unequal struggle found their rest.

16. Faneromeni Monastery

On the eastern side of Crete is a male monastery - the monastery of Faneromeni. Like many similar sights of Crete, it is located on a natural elevation (about 500 meters). This famous place pilgrimage, where many believers flock, seeking to touch the shrine, to pray to the icon of the Virgin Mary Faneromeni. The legend tells of a shepherd who watched the sheep grazing in the highlands. Every day one ram separated from the flock and went to the cave. Following his path, the shepherd saw a source of water among the rocks, and in the recess was an icon. She couldn't be moved. Locals claim that the face periodically appears to this day. In mid-August of each year, the space turns into a platform for a bright holiday, veneration of the main Shrine.

According to the architectural features of the monastery, the features of the fortification are clearly visible: there are small windows resembling loopholes, there are high walls and holes from which, in the old days, a red-hot liquid based on lead, resin or oil was poured onto the heads of approaching enemies.

17. Maritime Museum of Crete

There are 2 ports in Crete, one in Heraklion, the other in Chania. The latter housed an exhibition space dedicated to the kingdom of Poseidon. Tourists have the opportunity to use visual sources to trace how the Greek fleet developed, as well as what role the maritime location played in the urban planning and political life of Greece. Guests are presented with 13 halls located on two floors. Values ​​are grouped according to belonging to a specific chronology. On the second floor - an echo of the war with the German fascists, on the first floor - evidence of the previous period, when Crete became part of Greece. In addition to models of ships and exhibits of the technical equipment of ships, the museum has a collection of stamps and shells.

18. Historical Museum of Crete

In the middle of the 20th century, a museum was opened on the sea coast with an extensive exposition, consisting of many artifacts inherited by contemporaries from past eras. It clearly demonstrates the extent to which the development of Cretan art and culture was influenced by the peoples of Europe, Asia and the African continent.

The museum has a separate exhibition dedicated to the Second World War. The general museum space is organized in chronological order in relation to the dating of the exhibits presented. Icons, engravings, ceramics, sculptural monuments, weapon samples - far from complete list of what can be seen within the walls of this landmark of Crete. The true decoration of the halls dedicated to painting are the original paintings by El Greco. In Crete - only two paintings by the famous painter, both - are presented in the spacious perimeter of the mansion, built in the classical style with modern features.

19. Imeri Gramvousa

Imeri Gramvousa is part of an uninhabited archipelago of two islands. A small "patch" of sushi is a subject of curiosity for many tourists. The Venetians traditionally built a fortress here. When the republic lost control over the territory, the island on the border of two seas (Tyrrhenian and Aegean) was chosen by pirates. Since ancient times, the castle and the church of St. George have been preserved here. The ship "Dimitrios", which crashed off the coast in the late 60s of the last century, has become a modern landmark.

After visiting the island of Imeri Gramvousa, you can relax on the beach, you can get to the island by a pleasure boat. Often the location is visited as part of the route leading to Balos Bay, famous for its clear emerald water and picturesque views.

20. Frangokastello Fortress

This landmark of Crete is a model of Venetian defensive architecture. Focused on successful trade, representatives of the state controlling the island sought in every possible way to secure the territory subject to attacks by the Ottomans and pirates from the sea. The protective object was named after the name of the Catholics in Greek. Bas-reliefs, portals and coats of arms remained from the Venetians.

Many legends and legends are dressed in extremely simple architectural forms. In the 19th century, Crete was under Turkish rule, but the Greeks did not give up hope of returning their ancestral lands. The rebels gathered in detachments and decided to attack the fortress, but to no avail. The authorities brutally dealt with the rebels: their ghosts, according to legend, remained imprisoned in the stone perimeter. Locals see ghosts in the morning, but as soon as the dawn is gaining strength, weightless entities dissolve into the air.

Crete is not a simple Greek island. It was once the center of the Minoan civilization, one of the oldest in Europe. Therefore, if it stands at the origins of European culture, then at the origins of Ancient Greece is the Minoan culture. All the peoples who ruled on the island left their imprint here, and there were many of them here: Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks.

Generally tourism infrastructure Crete is better than other Greek islands, it is one of the most popular European resorts. And if you are going on vacation to Crete, then here are the TOP 8 places that you definitely need to see.

TOP 1: Knossos Palace

The Palace of Knossos is the most visited attraction in Crete. The first buildings in these territories date back to the sixth millennium BC, but the heyday of the Minoan civilization fell on the period from 2700 to 1450. BC. Most of the finds belong to this period.

The Palace of Knossos is very impressive: just imagine, there were about 1300 rooms that could accommodate up to 12 thousand people. This is even by today's standards a gigantic figure (for example, today's record - the palace of the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah has 1788 rooms). Here's what he looked like:

Well, it was also in this palace that the legendary king Minos lived, and some researchers believe that it was here that the labyrinth of the Minotaur, built by Daedalus, was located.

TOP 2: Samaria Gorge

The Samaria Gorge is visited by about half a million tourists every year. It is located in the southwest of Crete and is one of the longest in Europe. The length of the gorge is 18 kilometers. Scared of such a long walk?))

In fact, tourists usually start in the village of Omalos early in the morning (they stay here for the night), and almost the entire journey is downhill, so you don’t feel a huge distance. Yes, and while you stare around and examine the local beauties, time flies unnoticed, and the path seems easier.

And there is something to see here: in some places the gorge narrows to 3 meters, and steep cliffs rise into the sky for all 300.

TOP 3: Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

The Archaeological Museum is the real pride of Heraklion. It is here that all the artifacts from the excavations are brought.

Of course, the main highlight of the museum is the exposition of the Minoan civilization; no other corner of the world has such a huge collection. But it is only a small part of a huge number of collections that cover about 5 thousand years: from the Neolithic to the Greco-Roman period.

TOP 4: Old Town and Chania Harbor

Chania is the main city of Western Crete and probably the most beautiful on the island. Venetian buildings give Chania a special beauty: this is the Firkas fortress, cobbled streets, and stone houses that you don’t want to part with.

And restaurants and souvenir shops harmoniously fit into all this beauty. What can we say, here they knew a lot about beauty and comfort.

Well, if you get bored walking around the Old Town, then you can visit the Archaeological and Maritime Museums, which are dedicated to the history of western Crete.

TOP 6: Elounda and Spinalonga Island

Elounda is a former fishing village, and today a fashionable resort. They are very proud of the city in Crete, there are very good, world-famous hotels. Well, the beaches of Elounda are annually awarded the Blue Flag for their cleanliness. But, despite the fact that the village has become a very fashionable holiday destination, it has not lost its charm.

The island of Spinalonga is connected to the city by a sandy spit, on which the Venetians built a fort to hide from the Ottomans. And they managed to keep the fortress for a long time: for half a century it stood unconquered, although the whole of Crete was already subject to the Turks.

TOP 7: Lassithi Plateau and Dikteon Andron Cave

The Lassithi Plateau is located approximately on the border between East and Central Crete. And do you know what makes it so special? The fact that the local landscape is not much like Greece, but rather the Alps. Mills, canals and gardens give a special flavor to these places, travelers remain impressed.

Well, not far away is the picturesque mountain village of Krasi, which has preserved the aqueduct of the Venetian era, as well as one of the oldest trees on the island - a giant plane tree.

And, of course, the most beautiful of all the caves of the island is the Dikteon Andron cave: it was here, according to myths, that Rhea gave birth to Zeus.

There is even a small lake here, where, according to legend, Rhea bathed the little god.

TOP 8: Agios Nikolaos

This city is called the local Saint Tropez, it is believed that here are the best hotels on the island. Only you need to go here not for the beach and the sea, but just to stare, immerse yourself in the local atmosphere and huddle in the crowd. There are many restaurants in the city, however, the prices for dishes are often overpriced here, but the food is excellent. But Agios Nikolaos is especially good at night, when all its nightclubs and bars open. Therefore, for everyone who is tired of history, antiquities, hiking through caves and gorges, there is a great opportunity to hang out properly.

Crete represents biggest Greek island, it is clearly visible on the map Greece. This place attracts every year thousands of tourists: developed infrastructure, a bunch of attractions, warm climate, gorgeous nature. All this cannot but please the eye.

• Crete and its regions
• Architecture
• Nature
• Entertainment
• What else to see in Crete?

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Crete and its regions

Popularity Krita is also due to it geographic location. This place is washed right away four seas:

The island is in eastern part mediterranean sea , its structure heterogeneous.

Crete is made up of 4 districts:

Attractions of the island - photo and description

Like herself Greece, Crete has eventful history and very memorable nature. This is evidenced by numerous memorable places And beautiful landscapes.

Architecture

Falasarna is ancient Greek port city. The remains of the former power of this city are evidenced by dilapidated remains of fortresses. This is real paradise for people interested in archeology. Here all the time excavations are underway, scientists are finding new and new artifacts. Also here is museum, having visited which, you can see found archaeological rarity.

Another historical monument is Olus. This ancient city once rich and powerful. There really is something to see here. But what is he is different, say, from Falasarna? The same the remains of the city, if not one "but". This city is under water. "Sight- invisible“, that's what they called this place before scuba gear was invented.

Tourists can now go scuba diving into the depths of the sea and explore sunken ancient Olus.

There is one place where fortress wall the city is very high and comes to the very surface of the water. Travelers love to take pictures there, as if they walk on water. It is a favorite place for tourists photo sessions.

One of the architectural sights of Crete is labyrinth of minotaur. Associated with this place is an amazing Greek legend. Once lived in this labyrinth Minotaur, which the king kept in order to terrify in local residents, as well as in order to collect from them tribute. This went on until the brave Theseus Not delivered people from a terrible monster and not freed beautiful Ariadne.

Greece- country with centuries old history and culture. Therefore, it is worth visiting as much as possible. historical sites. Find out what else to see in Greece here.

Even more beautiful local legends you can find out if you visit Museum of Agios Nikolaos. This museum is dedicated archeology. The museum has 4 large halls, which is sufficient for fully feel the spirit of Greece and learn some curious facts about the history of Crete.

All sights of Crete can be visited from excursion. Many guides talk in Russian, so there will be no problems with understanding.

Nature

Natural attraction of the island, Dicteian cave, represents mesmerizing spectacle. Dikteyskaya cave welcomes tourists stalactites, stalagmites bizarre, underground lake, mysterious bridges. This place permeates mystical setting.

It is known that after Second World War inhabitants of Crete dumped to Lake Voulismeni German technology How symbol of liberation.

In addition to the above attractions, every self-respecting tourist should visit Lake Voulismeni. It's very deep fresh lake , which has practically round shape. This place shrouded many legends. According to one of them, here in general missing bottom. According to another legend, she bathed in this lake herself goddess Athena- Goddess of military strategy.

Entertainment

Not a single tourist will be left indifferent Elafonisi beach. In general, not a single beach of Crete with its crystal clear turquoise water cannot fail to impress the traveler. But to the one who was in Crete and didn't visit on Elafonisi, the locals say that he didn't see anything. A distinctive feature of this beach is pink sand. From such a landscape breathtaking.

You decide to make journey to Greece? We recommend you check out the list. hotels of different categories In this article.

One of the most popular entertainment on the island is considered water park. Water City can present you 34 water games choice, many water slides, water racing and a lot of activities that will help to relax both the soul and the body. You can easily get to this water park by car because it is in 10 minutes drive from Heraklion. Ride everything-nothing, and it's worth it!

What else to see in Crete?

On your own you can visit Knossos palace. This place is shrouded in all sorts of legends, and every year many tourists. You can get here as by car, and by bus. The starting point is a stop in Heraklion next to the kiosk "Knossos Palace".

Here's to the beach Elafonisi, which was mentioned above, you can safely get under its own power since the bay is there not extended, and the water depth is not higher than knee-deep.

If you rent a car, then it will travel more comfortable And faster. So, by car you can visit labyrinth of minotaur and many other attractions as they are relatively near the capital Crete - Heraklion.

If you are going on a trip with kids then you just can't get around Lake Kournas. This is a lake of rare beauty with picturesque nature. But children, of course, will be interested in something else: in this lake turtles are found. And in Kournas allowed to swim. Also, with children, you should definitely go to the Watercity water park.

Having visited these notable places you will definitely want visit Crete again!

Island Crete- the largest and beautiful island in Greece, where everyone can find something interesting for themselves: stunning with deserted bays, an abundance of historical and unique monuments, modern entertainment centers for the whole family. waves of the Aegean, Libyan and Mediterranean Seas, this magical land attracts travelers from all over the world. A bunch of resort towns and the villages of Crete are amazingly picturesque and diverse, and the Cretans are friendly and smiling! In Crete, everyone will be able to choose a hotel or inn, a cozy boarding house or, taking into account their financial capabilities. In cozy restaurants and colorful cafes, national taverns and bars, you can try delicious dishes, and most importantly from environmentally friendly products. Taste the famous Cretan wine and visit amazing festivals. Fans will be able to enjoy shopping in various shops with branded clothing, interesting souvenir and jewelry shops. There are four magnificent water parks built on the island of Crete, and several with stunning and amazing marine life that will interest adults and children.

Active children and adults, tourists accustomed to wealth and luxury, amateurs extreme species sports, and those who expect to spend their holidays with minimal costs for the family budget - everyone will enjoy exciting adventures in Crete.

The most beautiful places in Crete

Bay

One of the most the best beaches Crete on the picturesque peninsula of Gramvousa, 55 km from the city.

This is probably the most stunning and exotic beach in Crete. The vast territory is covered with snow-white and clean sand, which cuts through the majestic sea with amazing braids. The rarest composition of minerals that give the sea a stunning and magical azure color, shimmering with many colors in the rays of the hot sun. The land road leading to the bay of Balos is fairly easy to overcome. Tourists who decide to overcome the path from the height of the majestic mountain will be able to admire fantastic and exotic landscapes.

Despite the fact that Balos Bay is very popular with tourists, it has retained its wild natural uniqueness, which has not been spoiled by civilization.

At the end of the nineteenth century, a fantastic resort town Agios Nikolaos, which is the capital. In the charming town of Agios Nikolaos there is an amazingly beautiful bottomless lake Voulismeni, which is surrounded on one side by formidable reddish rocks, and on the other side there are colorful restaurants and taverns.

Happy truancy

Walking along the colorful streets or along the promenade, you can see fantastic seascapes, and go on a wonderful trip on a yacht or boat. Here, shopaholics will find a lot of exclusive gizmos in shops and shops, and gourmets can enjoy amazing wine and delicious Cretan cuisine. The Archaeological Museum is located on Paleologou Street, where a valuable collection of archaeological finds is presented. And at the beginning of this street, there is the Ethnographic Museum with an interesting collection of national costumes and many handicrafts. In the evening, the town lights up with stunning multi-colored lights with music playing, which gives a fabulous sense of celebration!

The town of Agios Nikolaos has wonderful sandy beaches with equipped playgrounds and swimming pools. Fantastic beaches, which are located in the beautiful and picturesque Mirabello Bay, are surrounded by tall trees that create secluded corners for lovers.

Elafonisi is one of the amazing and fabulously beautiful beaches not only on the island of Crete, but also in the Mediterranean. Elafonisi beach is located in Chania region.

The beach has unique pink sand, which has such a shade even at depth. Sand formed due to the content of a huge amount of impurities - small particles of starfish and shells, the remains of corals. You can wade to the islet of Elafonisi or along the picturesque sandy spit. The beach is just perfect for an exciting holiday with children, as the depth is very shallow and there are no tall and dangerous waves. Despite the fact that Elafonisi beach is well equipped, it has preserved wild corners of nature.

The Palace of Knossos is the most ancient, beautiful and mysterious monument of the Minoan civilization in all of Greece. This picturesque palace is located near the capital of the island of Crete.

Ruins of the ancient palace complex scattered on the ogre

Omnoy territory, among giant pines, surrounded by majestic and beautiful mountains. The strange and intricate architecture of the palace has several levels, while some of them lead deep underground, several thousand rooms, dead ends and intricate corridors, secret passages.

The palace of Knossos has amazing technical equipment, wonderful flush toilets, sewers and wonderful water systems, pools and baths, which are considered the achievement of modern civilization. Archaeologists have discovered ancient clay tablets, but not all of them have been deciphered. And in the deciphered it was said that the local inhabitants of Knossos made gold and bronze vessels, fabrics and perfume oils, chariots.

Knossos Palace is open to tourists daily from 9.00 to 15.00. Entrance costs 6 euros, children enter for free.

The most beautiful and mysterious cave on the island of Crete, which is located above the Lasithi plateau on the northern slope of Mount Dikti. Dikteyskaya cave is shrouded in ancient legends, which tell about the birth of the ancient Greek Supreme God Zeus.

Once inside the cave of Zeus, the soul freezes from the centuries-old frozen beauty. For thousands of years, extraordinary natural compositions of stalactites and stalagmites have grown, which create a fantastic and magical view in the cave. At the bottom of the Dikteyskaya cave there is a mysterious lake, into which tourists throw coins in order to visit the mysterious abode of the gods again. Ancient bronze figurines, unique gold jewelry, and weapons that were used in the Minoan era were found in the cave.

The Cave of Zeus is open from 10.00 to 17.00, the ticket price is 4 euros.

Moni Preveli Monastery, founded more than 400 centuries ago, attracts not only deeply believers and pilgrims, but also connoisseurs of unique and beautiful, picturesque places. Moni Preveli is located 32 kilometers from the Rethymno region.

Moni Preveli became the most important center of resistance during the difficult years of the Second World War and the Turkish occupations. One day, the monks sheltered Australian and British soldiers who thanked for their help in 1991 by erecting a beautiful monument near the Holy Gate.

Nowadays, the monastery of Moni Preveli has a complex of buildings: an old church, beautiful living and utility rooms, a souvenir shop, a museum. The main and unique relic is the miraculous cross of Ephraim of Preveli, which was made in the eighteenth century from silver and precious stones. Over the years of its existence, the monastery has accumulated a lot of wealth: the ancient icon of the "King of Kings", the icon of Agios Ioannis and Theodoros, various church utensils. On the territory of the most beautiful monastery are interesting objects to visit: a holy spring and a two-nave cathedral, a wonderful mini-zoo, a heroic monument.
The monastery is open daily from 8.00 to 18.30. Ticket 2.50 euros.

Resort

Bali is a picturesque fishing village on the coast of the Cretan Sea, 25 kilometers from Rethymno. majestic mountain slopes, covered with a beautiful green carpet, deserted bays with crystal clear and transparent water - this is a divine place for contemplating the picturesque nature.

Bali has many interesting souvenir shops, colorful taverns, which are famous for their amazing cuisine and huge portions. Fans of water activities can go diving or fishing, canoeing, sailing or pirate boats. Resting in Bali, you can visit the stunning caves of Sendoni and Gerondospilios, visit magical bays.

In general, the resort of Bali attracts couples, young people and couples in love who are looking for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Beautiful places to visit with kids

The largest and most interesting seawater aquarium fifteen kilometers from Heraklion.

The aquarium has more than 2500 uniquely beautiful marine life, which are represented in 60 different aquariums. In the marine aquarium you can see huge predatory sharks and giant rays, fantastic and graceful jellyfish, tiny seahorses and amazing fish of various sizes. The Cretan Aquarium provides visitors with an amazing opportunity to dive into the amazing and magical underwater world.

In the hall of the marine aquarium there is an excellent souvenir shop and a cozy cafe where you can enjoy a delicious dessert. The Cretan Marine Aquarium is open daily from 9.30 to 17.00. A ticket for adults costs 9 euros, children - 6 euros, and the smallest visitors will go for free.

On the northern coast of Crete, eleven kilometers away, is the charming Skaleta embankment. This stunning and picturesque area is home to the famous and huge sand beach, where luxurious five-star hotels and ordinary, but cozy rooms for every taste are located.

The village of Skalet is just an ideal place for a cozy holiday with children, as well as lovers of moderate and more a relaxing holiday, surrounded by the sea and the hot sun, amazing atmosphere. The beach is well equipped with umbrellas, sun loungers and a lifeguard station, which guarantees the safety of vacationers.
Night and active life in the village of Skalet there are practically no, and those who wish to go shopping or visit noisy cafe, you will need to go to neighboring villages.

Water City is one of the largest and best water parks in Greece, located between Heraklion and Hersonissos.
Water City Water Park has a huge territory, which has 13 swimming pools, two picturesque waterfalls and a mountain cascade, twenty-three water slides and many other water activities. The most popular attractions are: Black and Red Hole, Crazy River and Kamikaze slides. The park employs experienced lifeguard coaches and doctors who closely monitor the rides. On the territory of the park there is a cafe and a recreation area, and in the evening there are performances and barbecues. Adults and children will be very pleased with visiting Water City.

The park is open from 10.00 to 18.00, and from November to March the park is closed. A ticket costs 25 euros for an adult, 17 euros for children, and admission is free for children under three years old. Alcohol and glassware are prohibited in the park, so for small children you need to take plastic.

Pretty big water park Aqua Plus, which is near resort village Hersonissos.

Acqua Plus is located on top of a mountain from which you can contemplate fantastic landscapes. The park has a stunning garden with unique and exotic varieties of plants. The most favorite attractions of the visitors were: Aqua Slalom, Kamikaze and Stormy River, while most of the attractions have sound and light special effects. Also, visitors can play billiards and tennis, table hockey or stroll through the shops, go to a cafe.

The cost of a ticket to the park for adults is 20 euros, for children under 13 years old - 12 euros, and for children under 5 years old - admission is free.

Limnoupolis Water Park is located in a stunning green area, close to beautiful city Chania.

The park can safely boast of a wonderful design in which most of paved with artificial stone: wonderful mountains, beautiful caves and grottoes. Limnoupolis Water Park has a huge swimming pool that includes a Jacuzzi and a charming artificial island with wooden toys. The park has amazing slides and an artificial long river, you can overcome the wall for climbing, equipped with children's and volleyball courts, shopping mall. Visitors will be able to go to the restaurant and cafe.

The park is open from May to October, opening hours from 10.00 to 18.00. The ticket price for an adult is 19 euros, for children under 12 years old - 14 euros, for children under 5 years old and people over 65 years old - admission is free.

Star Beach Water is located on southeast coast, in the heart of Hersonissos resort.

The main and special distinguishing feature of the park is that it is located near the warm sea, allowing vacationers to combine fun rides with sea swimming. On the territory of Star Beach Water Park there are many slides, pools and trampolines, you can bungee jump, scuba dive or have fun riding a scooter, extreme people can fly on a parachute. On the territory of the complex, visitors can taste fantastic dishes in the cafe, go to the Spa-center, trampoline and playground, visit a fun beach soap party.

Star Beach Water Park is open from April to October. Entrance to the park is free.

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