Spotlight On Crete - About Crete

Crete island is the biggest of the Greek Islands and one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide. Every year, about 4 million people visit Crete island.

Apart from world-class resorts and beaches, Crete island features excellent filming locations, too. From the classical movie “Zorbas the Greek” of 1964 up to now, many productions have been fully or partially filmed in Crete.

Some of the most well-known locations in Crete island, from West Crete to East Crete, are the following:

Chania city is arguably the most beautiful city in Crete island, and probably in Greece. Its very picturesque Venetian Harbour and adjacent Old Town form together a magical natural stage for any kind of activity. Chania is the second largest city in Crete island.

In the Chania area, we find the Apokoronas peninsula, located between the imposing White Mountains and the Cretan Sea. Apokoronas, especially the area around Vamos, is one of the most popular locations in Crete island, regarding international real estate.

To the West of Crete island, and near Chania city, we find three of the best beaches in Crete island and Greece. Elafonissi beach, with its pink sand and warm waters, Falassarna beach, with its clear waters and breathtaking scenery, and Balos beach, which is in fact a very picturesque tropical lagoon.

Other places of interest in the Chania area are Paleochora village, to the South of Crete island, featuring a collection of excellent beaches, and Georgioupolis resort with its numerous luxury hotels.

Furthermore, near Chania and in South Crete lies the most well-known natural monument in Crete island: Samaria gorge, the longest gorge in Europe.

Rethymnon city boasts about its “Fortezza”, the biggest Venetian fortress outside Italy. Apart from that, Rethymnon, the third biggest city in Crete island, features a magnificent old town, which is full of traditional alleys and buildings.

Other places of interest in the Rethymnon area are Bali resort to the North, with its popular beaches, and Plakias and Agia Galini villages to the South of Crete island, where time seems to stand still…

To the South there is Preveli beach, the most well-known beach near Rethymnon. Located by the delta of Preveli river and featuring a palm tree forest, Preveli is one of the landmarks of Crete island.

Heraklion city is the capital and biggest city in Crete island. Although it is a modern city, it features an impressive Venetian fortress, and is close to the world class archaeological sites of Knossos and Phaistos, two ancient cities that marked the climax of the Minoan Civilization, the oldest organized civilization in Europe.

Other places of interest in the Heraklion area are Chersonissos resort to the North, and Matala village to the South of Crete island, with its famous beach.

The three most well-known towns to the East of Crete island are Agios Nikolaos and Sitia to the North, and Ierapetra to the south. All three enjoy many travelers during summer months, but have managed to keep their traditional side.

In the area of Agios Nikolaos, there is the most famous resort of Crete island, Elounda. Furthermore, after Sitia, and to the North-East end of Crete island, we find the palm tree forest of Vai.