Κρήτη
AGIOS
NIKOLAOS
Agios Nikolaos is 65 kilometres east of Heraklion. Agios Nikolaos, or just Agios as
the locals call it, dominates the beautiful Merabello Bay, on the northeast coast of
Lassithi
Prefecture
in
East
Crete.
Agios Nikolaos has a population of 10,000. Though small, it is the second largest
town in Lassithi Prefecture, the easternmost prefecture of Crete.
Agios Nikolaos was one of the first towns in Crete to feel the effects of tourist
development, and the famous lake of Agios Nikolaos, around which the town centre is
built,
continues
to
impress
visitors.
Agios Nikolaos is set on the largest natural bay in Crete, Mirabello or Merabello Bay,
named for the beautiful view (mira bella) of the sea from the town. The history of
Agios Nikolaos is marked by its harbor in the Ammoudi area, which is still the
commercial port of the town. This site was chosen for a major harbor in East Crete,
because the islets of Agioi Pantes before it offered better defenses against possible
attackers and good shelter from the northwesterlies, which can blow quite strongly. In
the Venetian period, the harbor of Agios Nikolaos had a capacity of 25 galleys, a
fairly significant number for the time, and served the needs of East Crete. Today, you
can travel from here to Piraeus and various islands.
ELOUDA
Elounda is located in east Crete, north of Agios Nikolaos and south of the seaside
resort of Plaka. Elounda was once a picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello
Bay. The inhabitants lived from farming, fishing, salt extraction from the Venetian
saltpans, and emery mining. In the hills around Elounda is found a mineral unique to
Greece, “akonopetra” or whetstone, a type of fine emery used to make whetstones and
emery paper to hone tools used in many different jobs. The emery of Elounda had
long been known in Europe by the name of “Turkey stones” or “Naxos stone”. Once
discovered by tourism, Elounda developed into a resort famous for its beautiful
scenery and the luxury hotels which are still being built in the area. It is said to be the
place with the most five-star hotels in Greece.
HERAKLION
Heraklion is the largest city in Crete, located roughly in the centre of the north coast.
Heraklion has a population of 131,000 (2001 census), but it is thought that
approximately 200,000 people live in Heraklion Municipality and the neighbouring
Alikarnassos Municipality today.Heraklion is the 4th largest city in Greece. It has the
largest port and airport in Crete. Heraklion Airport is also known as “Nikos
Kazantzakis” International Airport, in honour of the most famous Cretan writer
worldwide. Over the approximately 3,000 years of its existence, Heraklion has had a
turbulent history. We do not know precisely when the low hill which now forms the
centre of the city was first inhabited. In antiquity the main urban centre was Knossos.
As for the name Heraklion, it probably comes from the Idaean Herakles, legendary
founder of the Olympic Games. The history of Heraklion can be divided into the
following periods:





Minoan Heraklion, creation of the first settlement by the name of Heraklion (9th century BC)
Byzantine Heraklion or Kastro
Arab Heraklion Chandax Great Castle
Second Byzantine Period
Venetian Heraklion or Candia


Turkish Heraklion
Heraklion at the turn of the 20th century Heraklion in the Second World War
Heraklion is the main city on the island of Crete and usually the starting point for
holiday visitors wishing to explore the island. The city, built on a fairly steep hillside,
has a huge harbor to accommodate ferries and cruise liners, and an international
airport. Heraklion is busy, bustling and full of hotels, fast food outlets, shops and
traffic. The main square of Plateia Venizelou is a pedestrian mall sporting cafés and
restaurants, with some fascinating shops in the surrounding streets. Like many Greek
cities Heraklion's architecture was influenced by Venetian occupation, and a Venetian
fortress dominates the harbor. Heraklion's pride and joy, though, is its archaeological
museum, which contains the world's most comprehensive collection of arte facts from
the Minoan civilization, which flourished on Crete around 1600 BC. Heraklion is
close to the major archaeological site associated with the Minoans at Knossos.
KNOSSOS
PALACE
The Minoan palace at Knossos, covering an area of 215,278 square feet (20,000 sq
metres), is one of the world's greatest sightseeing experiences. It consists of four
wings, arranged around a rectangular central court. The palace originally had many
stories, was built of ashlar blocks and had walls decorated with splendid frescoes.
British archaeologist, Arthur Evans, who excavated most of the labyrinthine Knossos
site, has painstakingly restored some sections of the palace. The remains now visible
are actually not those of the original palace, which was built around 2,000 BC and
destroyed by an earthquake about 1,700 BC. A subsequent more complex palace was
then constructed. The palace was first unearthed in 1878 by a Cretan merchant and
antiquarian, but was not systematically excavated until 1900. The Knossos site is
about three miles (5km) south of Heraklion.
LASSITHI
PLEATEAU
Lassithi Plateau is one of the few areas in the Mediterranean with permanent
inhabitants at an altitude over 800 metres. Lassithi plateau is 11 kilometres on the
east-west axis and 6 kilometres on the north-south - an area of 25 square kilometres.
MATALA
At 66 kilometers south of Heraklion, the beach of Matala, on the southern coast of
Crete, was the site of summer celebrations in honor of the Goddess of fertility from
the Minoans and yet the ancient port of Phaistos. According to mythology, when Zeus
kidnapped Europe from Asia, he brought the first Matala. Much later, namely the
70’s, the beach with the tourquoise waters of the Libyan Sea and the impressive caves
that resemble houses, became a gathering place and escape from daily routine,
thousands of young children from Greece and abroad (Flower Children). Today
Matala beach is one of the most famous beaches in Greece.
SITIA
Sitia is a nice amphitheatre city with population over 11.000 residents. This town is a
refuge for thousands of Greek and foreign visitors that starting off to visit various
traditional villages at that area. Sitia is famous for its Cretan hospitality. Visitors
discover with amazement that every corner of Sitia hides various archeological
treasures certifying great culture tradition. Sitia is named after the ancient city Itidos
or Itia that is located at East Crete.
SPINALONGA
ISLAND
The island of Spinalonga (official name Kalidon) is located in the eastern part of
Crete, near the town of Elounda. Harking back to the Venetian occupation, the name
Spinalonga is Italian, meaning "long thorn". In 1579, the Venetians built a fortress on
Spinalonga over the ruins of an acropolis. They kept control of the island until the
Ottoman Empire took possession of it in 1715. The island is notable for being one of
the last active leper colonies in Europe, being used in this manner from 1903 until
1957.
VAI
BEACH
Vai, or more specifically the palm forest of Vai, is one of the most popular sights in
Crete and one of the most beautiful and special places in the whole Mediterranean.
Vai draws thousands of visitors each year. They come not only for its wonderful palm
forest, but also for the large sandy beach spread out at its foot. In the 1980s Vai was
decreed a protected area and cleaned up. Today it is considered one of the most
beautiful parts of Crete and the beach has been awarded a Blue Flag by the European
Union.
ARCHANES
While in Archanes, it is worth visiting the exquisite byzantine churches of the area,
the Folklore Museum, the Museum of Cretan History and Tradition, the sculpture
workshop, the restored olive oil factory and the Church of the Holy Mary of
Archanes, where icons and ecclesiastic vessels and implements of great importance
are on display. Another important monument is the Morosini aqueduct at the gorge of
Agia Eirini. This aqueduct is considered to be a great project of its time. It used to
supply the city of Heraklion which suffered from drought with water from the springs
of Archanes through a stone built water pipe that was 15 km long. It was used during
the Venetian Period, during the years of the Turkish occupation and more recently
until 1927. This village has been characterized as a historical and traditional
architecture heritage.
PHESTOS
PALACE
The Minoan site of Phestos is 63 kilometers south of Heraklion city. This was the
second most important palatial city in all of Minoan Crete. The layout of the palace is
similar to Knossos, with rooms arranged around a central court. Pottery deposits
indicate that the site was inhabited in the Neolithic era around 4000 BC and then
destroyed by the earthquake that leveled many Minoan places. Ancient texts refer to
the palace’s importance and note that it minted its own coins.
SFAKIA
VILLAGE
Sfakia is a small fishermen’s village located south of Crete. During the summer, it’s
full of life because at its small port the ferry boats dock, that carry trekkers from Agia
Roumeli that is in the end of Samaria Gorge. From this village small boats begin for
the graphical, cosmopolitan and isolated village of Loutro (there is no road to this
village; you can travel only via boat). Sfakia is visible from the sea, this village is
built amphitheater above the bay. Multiple buildings of traditional architecture have
survived. Small alleyways, one and two story houses with petite windows and doors,
indoor “ayli” with old wells and stone ovens.
SAMARIA
GORGE
Samaria Gorge is located at ‘Lefka Ori’ (mountain of Chania region). This is one of
the biggest gorges of the Balkans. At the most famous spot of the gorge, at the
Xyloskalo, there is a tourist kiosk for the visitors of the area. It was declared as a
National Park of Samaria at 1962, since then it has rare flora and fauna. Starting south
of the settlement of Omalos, 42 Km south of Chania, spans for 18 Km as far as the
south Crete coast. It takes 6 to 8 hours to walk the gorge.
LOUTRO
SFAKION
Loutro Sfakion. At this village there aren’t large hotels with pools, there aren’t any
packed roads (there are no roads available) there are no crowded tavern’s or beaches;
there are no cars in sight! This is a small fishermen’s village south west of Crete, that
hasn’t been spoiled from mass tourism. Discover the beautiful beaches Gluka Nera,
Timios Stavros, Pervolaki, Marmara (also nudists beaches). You arrive there either by
boat or by foot. Enjoy the sun, the clean waters and the calmness.
FRANGOKASTELO
Frangokastelo is on the South side of Crete, 13 kilometers East of Sfakia and West of
Plakia. It is a magnificent fortress of 1371 that was built by the Venetians as a defense
against pirates and rebel Sfakiots, who resented the Venetian occupation as much as
they did the Turkish. It was here in 1770 that Ioannis Daskalogiannis surrendered to
the Turks. On 1828 many Cretan rebels, led by Hadzi Mihalis Dalanis, were killed
here by the Turks. Legend has it that at dawn each anniversary the ghosts
“Drosoulites” of Hadzi Mihalis Dalanis and his followers can be seen riding along the
beach. The castle overlooks a gently sloping sandy beach where you can find unspoilt
taverns and cafeterias.
ELAFONISI
Elafonisi is one of the loveliest sand beaches in Crete. At the southern extremity of
Crete’s west coast, the beach is long separated from the Elafonisi Islet by about 50
meters of knee-deep water. The clear shallow turquoise water and fine white sand
create a tropical paradise.
FALASARNA
Falasarna is 16 kilometers west of Kissamos. Visitors prefer the long, wide stretch of
sandy beach, which is considered one of the best in Crete. It is split up into several
coves by rocky spits and is known for its stunning sunsets and pink hues reflecting
from the fine coral in the sand.
GRAMVOUSA
Northwest of Kissamos is the beautifully wild and remote Gramvousa, whose main
attraction is the stunning lagoon like sandy beach of Balos on Cape Tigani on the west
side of the peninsula’s narrow tip. The idyllic beach with turquoise waters is
overlooked by the two islets of ‘Agria’ and ‘Imeri’. The rough but drivable dirt road
(best in a four wheel drive) to Balos begins at the end of the main street of Kalyviani
village and follows the eastern slope of Mt Geroskinos. From there the view is
spectacular.
CHANIA
CITY
Chania is unreservedly Crete’s most evocative city. At the Venetian port, the light
house is the most familiar picture when someone refers to this city. This is one of the
oldest light houses of the world that is still preserved. Restored Venetian townhouses
have been converted into restaurants, cafes, boutique hotels and attractive shops.
Small alleyways filled with visitors retain the exoticism of a city caught between the
East and the West. Chania’s war torn history has left it with only a few monuments,
but the city wears its scars proudly.
RETHYMNO
CITY
Rethymno is the island’s third largest town and one of the most picturesque with
charming Venetian harbor that is crammed with fish taverns and cafes. The old
Venetian city is a maze of narrow streets draped in floral canopies, graceful wood
balconied houses and ornate Venetian monuments, with minarets adding a touch of
the Orient. Rethymno’s 16th Century Fortezza is on the site of the city’s ancient
acropolis. Within its massive walls a great number of buildings once stood, of which
only a church and a mosque survive intact. This city has a beautiful character all its
own.
MONI
PREVELI
Moni Preveli is one of the most important Monasteries in Crete because of its
historical significance and because of the historical relics that are kept in its museum.
The monks that lived there had active participation in all the liberation battles of
Crete. At 1940 the German soldiers captured the monks and looted the monastery
steeling one of most important item, the Timios Stavros (Holy Cross), that was
returned years later. The monastery museum has significant exhibitions such as more
than 100 Icons some dating back to the early 17th century, holy cups, vestments and
Holy Gospels.
Episkopi
–
Argiroupoli
Episkopi is a village 23kilometers west of Rethymno, it is a pretty traditional town of
winding lanes and tiny houses overlooking the valley. The springs and waterfalls of
Argyroupolis are a delightfully cool surprise to your trip.