Category Archives: Authentic Crete Travel
Explore Authentic Crete’s monasteries, gorges, tradition, culture and local life with Rental Center Crete. Learn about Crete’s heritage and history through the years.
August 20, 2024
8 Best Traditional Folk Dances of Crete
Crete is an island filled with mesmerizing culture that combines music, dance, and costumes from a variety of historic periods. Dating since the Middle Ages, Cretan dances reflect the island's varied influences. With each passing generation, new steps and music have been added to the traditional dances, making them even more exciting. The Cretan dances are popular not only among the locals but also with tourists who visit the island. Knowing about the different types of Cretan dances can help you enjoy them, even more, especially when you see them performed during festivals and other cultural events. Read article
August 4, 2024
Ierapetra Crete: Best things to do, Attractions, Beaches and Car Rentals
Ierapetra has traditionally been a significant island center, advantageously positioned and endowed with favourable natural conditions. It has developed into the biggest town in south Crete and a significant travel hub. This is a great place to visit, especially if you are looking for a town that is livelier than Agios Nikolaos or Sitia. Read article
May 11, 2024
Crete for Seniors: Things to Do in Crete for Older People and Pensioners
Crete, the largest Greek island, offers many experiences for seniors and older travelers. Seniors can explore the island by visiting ancient sites like the Palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum. They can also stroll through towns and villages, such as Chania and Rethymno. Crete features beaches for those interested in nature, such as Elafonissi and Balos, where seniors can swim in crystal-clear waters or simply relax on the shore. The island's rugged interior is home to hiking trails, including the famous Samaria Gorge, which physically fit seniors can enjoy. Foodies will delight in Crete's culinary offerings, with opportunities to dine in traditional tavernas, sample local wines and even take cooking classes. Read article
May 2, 2024
Snorkeling in Crete: Best Locations to Snorkel in Crete
Snorkeling in Crete is highlighted by its clear waters and abundant marine life. The visibility can reach over 30 meters, ideal for observing various species like fish, octopuses, sea turtles, and the Mediterranean monk seal. The rocky seabeds and underwater caves enhance the underwater experience. The optimal snorkeling season is May to October, with water temperatures between 20°C and 27°C. For fewer crowds and good conditions, June or September are recommended. Read article
April 29, 2024
West Crete: Attractions, Landmarks, Travel Guide and Car Rental
West Crete is in the westernmost part of the island of Crete, the largest and most populous of the Greek islands. This region has the regional units of Chania and Rethymno, stretching from the Akrotiri Peninsula in the north to the Libyan Sea in the south. The origin of West Crete can be traced back to the Minoan civilisation, one of the earliest civilisations in Europe, which flourished on the island from around 2700 BC to 1450 BC. The Minoans established several notable settlements in West Crete, including the sites of Phalasarna, Polyrrhenia, and Lissos, where valuable archaeological evidence, such as pottery, frescoes, and architectural remains, has been uncovered, providing insights into the daily life, trade, and religious practices of this ancient civilisation. Read article
April 29, 2024
East Crete: Things to do, Landmarks, Travel Guide and Car Rental
East Crete is a region in the easternmost part of the island of Crete, Greece. It is between the Ida Mountains in the west and the Dikti Mountains in the east. This region has a rich history dating back to the Minoan civilisation, one of the earliest advanced civilisations in Europe, which flourished from 2700 BC to 1420 BC. The Minoans were an advanced civilisation that developed an urban culture centred around major palace complexes like those found at Knossos, Malia, Zakros, and Palaikastro in eastern Crete. Their daily lives revolved around these palace centres, which served as administrative hubs, religious sanctuaries, and craft production centres. Read article
April 24, 2024
Matala Beach: Things to Do, Travel Guide, Beaches and Car Rental
Matala Beach is famous for its splendid beauty and exciting caves. Matala is a vibrant village located 75 km (46,6 miles) southwest of Heraklion, Crete, Greece. Matala boasts a village full of a hippie vibe from its colourful murals, street art, and famous Matala Beach. Matala Beach is one of the most lovely beaches on the island of Crete. According to Greek Mythology, it is on Matala Beach where Zeus swam ashore in disguise as a bull while carrying Europa on its back. Matala Beach is a sandy and pebble beach with crystal clear water. Several water sports are available at the beach, where numerous establishments offer the opportunity to practise some water sports. These water sports include riding jet skis, pedal boats, and snorkelling, to name a few. Inside the village of Matala There are various little shops, studios, taverns, small hotels, small pensions, and a campsite inside the village of Matala. Matala Beach is 250 M long and 45 M wide. It is famous for the carved caves in the rocks and hippies of the ‘70s. During the Roman and Christian period, it was believed that caves were used as burial tombs. Matala was once used as the port of Festos during the Minoan civilization and as the port of Gortyna during Roman rule. The collection of Caves at Matala Beach is carved into the soft white limestone at the north end of the beach. Most of the caves have separate rooms, windows, and stairways, displaying that they were used as living quarters. Read article
April 24, 2024
24 Most Famous Cretans: Artists, Chefs, Musicians and Scientists!
Crete, the largest Greek island, has been the origin location to many notable people throughout history. The people of Crete have made significant contributions to various fields, including art, cuisine and science. The Palace of Knossos was the ceremonial and political center of the Minoan civilization on Crete. It was used as a central storage point, administrative and religious center from around 1700 to 1400 BC. The people of Crete built the palace and used it for several centuries. Scientists from Crete have also made groundbreaking discoveries, with individuals like Eleftherios Venizelos, a prominent leader in modern Greek history and Nikos Kazantzakis, a computer scientist known for his work on computational complexity. Other notable Cretans include writers, musicians and athletes with international recognition. The people of Crete have demonstrated their talent, creativity and dedication across various disciplines, making the island proud of its native sons and daughters. Read article
September 26, 2023
Local Traditions in Crete: Culture, Food and Festivals
Crete has a long and illustrious history that extends back to ancient times, with the Minoan civilisation being one of the most iconic cultures in the Mediterranean. Crete’s way of life is profoundly influenced by its ancient culture, from its architecture and art to its traditions and cuisine. The exquisite palaces, frescoes and artefacts that the Minoans left behind shed light on their highly developed culture. The combination of Crete's current culture results from its historical background and the island's subsequent connections with various civilisations. Read article
November 15, 2022
Marmara Beach: A Small, Secluded Beach near Loutro Crete!
Marmara beach is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches on Crete. Marmara beach lies right at the end of Aradena Gorge on south coast of Crete. The journey to Marmara beach is definitely worth it. Marmara beach is a white sand beach and turquoise waters are breathtaking! Read article
November 2, 2022
Cretan Raki – Tsikoudia: Facts, Origin, Distillation and Rakokazano
Situated in the south of the Greek mainland, Crete is the largest island in the country. Crete is not only famous for its diversity and rich millennial history as the cradle of western civilization because many of its affluent traditions lie in the variety of foods available. One such product is Raki, a grape-distilled spirit that serves as a homecoming for guests to make them feel comfortable and have a good time laughing in merriment. It is a true spectacle of Cretan geniality. Read article
October 11, 2022
Rainy days in Crete: What to do in Crete when it rains?
Crete is an island graced with summer sun and beautiful beaches. Many tourists flock to Crete to enjoy its sunny weather and Mediterranean atmosphere. With a rental car, cruising through Crete as the locals do is an experience not to be missed, particularly when the sun is shining. But what happens when it rains? Despite its reputation for sunny weather, Crete does experience rain, especially in the winter months. Read article
September 27, 2022
24 Top Events and Festivals in Crete You Shouldn’t Miss
When on a holiday in Crete, one is guaranteed to be in for a treat. Other than gorgeous beaches, ancient palaces, historical sites, and friendly locals, Crete is home to several fun events you should experience at least once in your life. Many people from around the world travel to participate in these events, proving just how popular and significant they are. Read article
August 23, 2022
The Oldest and Sacred Olive Trees of Crete
As you may not know, 14 of Crete's 30 million olive trees are considered sacred. Their sacrality is the result of millennia of yearning for the divine, justice, liberty, and forgiveness. Each year, thousands of travelers from all over the world come to see these magnificent trees. It is said that their strength and beauty will leave you feeling humbled and inspired. Visiting one of these trees is a great idea if you want to skip the crowds at traditional tourist destinations and connect with the island's history and culture. Read article
May 10, 2022
Baptisms in Crete: The Beautiful Celebration of Christening
While baptisms in Crete take place all through the year, the warmer summer months - when visitors also favour Greece - are also very popular for baptism. Here are some Cretan customs around these festive and beautiful religious rites. Read article
March 29, 2022
Cretan Wedding: Customs and Traditions
Greeks are famous for their elaborate weddings - in fact, there’s even a famous movie about Greek Weddings. In a culture that celebrates family above all, every milestone in life brings people together, and none are more important than weddings. In this post we take a look at Cretan Wedding Customs. Read article
February 23, 2022
Greek Street Food: Where to Have Souvlaki in Crete
Even if you are familiar with the delicious “gyros” in your home country (it’s a justifiably popular Greek export!), to get a taste of the real thing you’ll need to come to Greece. We've compiled a list of everything you need to know about this popular Greek street food and where you can have the best souvlaki in Crete. Read article
January 5, 2022
Hiking in Crete: 7 Best Hikes
Crete is a unique destination in Greece. The largest of all the islands, it also has a spectacular topography. Mount Ida soars to a spectacular 2,456 meters - part of the Psiloritis range in the middle of the island. In the west are the famous “Lefka Ori” - White Mountains. And in the east, in the Lasithi region, are the Dikti Mountains. This combination of mountains, wild sea coast, and rivers make for some of Greece’s finest hiking. The famous gorges of Crete come in a tremendous variety, from the most challenging, to the most accessible, and everything in between. Read article
January 4, 2022
Traveling Solo in Crete: Is it Safe to travel alone?
Nowadays, solo traveling has become more and more popular. Soul searching, adventure-seeking, or just plain old curiosity are all reasons people want to travel on their own. However, one of the biggest decisions you need to make before taking the leap is to choose a destination. Many places are still not very friendly to solo travelers, but luckily there are a few exceptions. Read article
December 14, 2021
Must-see Minarets and Mosques in Crete
Crete is a popular vacation spot that offers tourists a wide range of activities. If you're planning to stay on the island of Crete and want to try something different, be sure to include a visit to one of the area's mosques with its unique minarets. Dozens of breath-taking mosques dot the island, but here are the most notable ones: Read article
