Vacation Packages to Crete

General Information of Crete

Crete is the largest and southernmost island in all of Greece. It has an area of ​​8,300 km2 and around 620,000 inhabitants.

It is characterized by its crystal clear waters, sandy beaches, and low rainfall. Most of its resorts and cities are located on the north coast of the island, including the famous Agios Nikolaos, Rethimno, and Chania.

On the contrary, in the south of the island, you will find less urbanized areas and a large amount of nature. In this sense, four mountain ranges make up the column of this part and offer beautiful corners and formidable gorges.

The capital of Crete, Heraklion, is renowned for its Archaeological Museum and its active connections with national and international destinations.

Main Attractions of Crete

Surely as a traveller, you are wondering what to visit in Crete. Once in the southern Greek territory, we recommend the important monuments of its great history.

Palace of Knossos

It is necessary to highlight the tour of Knossos, the most important city of Crete during the Minoan civilization, which reached its maximum splendor in the second millennium BC. c.

Its most famous building, the Palace of Knossos, is the oldest palace complex in all of Europe. It is located about 5 km southeast of the modern city of Heraklion and west of the Kairatos River.

Homer, the renowned Greek poet and author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, mentions Knossos as the place from which Minos ruled. Also, according to mythology, this palace was based on the labyrinth of Crete, where a ferocious Minotaur was kept.

Walk in the Amári Valley

It is interesting to take a tour of the Amári Valley. To the east, it is surrounded by the peaks of Mount Ida (also called Idi). This valley offers incredible views of the wide green valleys and waterfalls of the region.

A tangle of tortuous but well-paved roads connects the numerous agricultural communities of Amári, where even today men with mustaches, high-top boots, and baggy pants (vrákes) stand outside the taverns.

The region is dotted with shrines, churches, and monasteries with Byzantine frescoes and icons. Many villages in Amári, a stronghold of the Cretan resistance, were devastated in World War II.

Chania Historical Tour

The city of Chania, especially the old town, stands out for its intercultural character, typical of the traces left by the civilizations that dominated the region in the past (Venetians, Ottomans, etc.).

Among the attractions found there, we can mention the old Venetian port, the Egyptian Lighthouse, the Firkas Fortress, the Janissaries Mosque, and the Agios Fragkiskos Monastery.

Monastery of Fraro

It is a Catholic building of the Franciscan order that was built in honor of Saint Anthony (Agios Antonios). It dates from the 14th century and is located in the center of the island of Crete, in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos.

Lake Kournas

It is the only natural lake in Crete. It is located in the village of Vrises, in the Apokoronas region. There you will contemplate the beauty of nature in all its splendor and the distinctive vegetation of the area.

Samaria National Park

It is a park that can be easily accessed by tour or car and is one of the most chosen places by tourists for hiking in Crete.

In it you will find long paths through forests, streams of crystal clear water, hills, and, of course, the Samaria gorge, the largest natural gorge on the European continent (13 km long).

The walk is of low difficulty and the path is perfectly marked. You can even find rest areas and bathrooms. It usually takes about 5 hours to go through it in its entirety.

Festivals of Crete 

On the island of Crete, Christian celebrations take on great importance in the lives of local Greeks. If you visit the area during Christmas Eve and Easter, don't hesitate to go to the main squares of each city to observe the events that take place there, such as musical shows, culinary shows, and fairs.

At the end of June, you can experience the Matala village festival, in direct relation to the hippie population, reggae music, and the '70s. It is a lot of fun if you are looking to have a good time, buy handicrafts or relax.

Around the middle of July, a festival called Frapsanioti Angioplasty is held in the city of Frapsano (very close to the capital, Heraklion), which is dedicated to the art of pottery and local traditions.

In turn, at the end of August, a festival is held in the Cave of Diktaion Andron (the Cave of Zeus) called Tzermiado. All kinds of artistic demonstrations typical of Greek culture, such as dances, music, and theatrical performances, take place here. A curious fact is that the main product of this celebration is the potato.

In addition, at the end of August, in the city of Chania, a festival dedicated to folk music is held, where you can enjoy popular songs from Greece and, especially, from the island. A similar festival is held at the beginning of November at the Monastery of Arkadi, which commemorates Cretan history and its resistance against Turkish domination.

You can also take into account the Chania Rock Festival, held at the end of June and attended by renowned groups from the region in the genre. The same thing happens at the end of July, with the Sitia Mediterranean Festival.

If folk music is your thing, you might be interested in attending the August celebrations in the village of Avdu, where every weekend of the month there are performances by Balkan bands and dances.

If colorful floats and events are your things, you can't miss the Rethymno Carnival.

Similarly, every May 1 there is a festival of flowers and wreaths in Crete, in which locals collect flowers from the field and assemble wreaths to decorate the entrances of their houses and the main streets of each town.

Getting to Crete by Plane

The island of Crete has three airports. On the one hand, its main airport is Heraklion International Airport (HER), which is about 5 km from the city center and is one of the busiest airports in Greece.

Many major European cities have direct flights to Heraklion. On the other hand, Chania International Airport (CHQ) is mainly frequented by low-cost airlines and private (charter) flights.

Sitia Public Airport is a small airport located in the eastern part of Crete, which has flights to Athens and other Greek locations.

To go from Heraklion International Airport to the center, you can take the public bus, a taxi, or private transfers. Getting around with a taxi or private transfer is the fastest option, although more expensive (around €20). For its part, public transport is much cheaper, but slow, as it only costs €0.75 and takes about 35 minutes.

Best Time to Travel to Crete

The geographical situation of Crete allows travelers to visit its territory at any time of the year, due to its relatively moderate temperatures.

The best time to travel to Crete is between April-June and September-October. However, if you can't stand the heat for long, you should bear in mind that during July and August the weather is very hot.

Requirements to Visit Crete

The requirements to travel to Crete are: to have a visa/passport valid for at least 90 days and for the traveler to prove that they have sufficient financial solvency to guarantee your stay in the city. It is not necessary to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter this territory, although it is necessary to wear a mask in public places.