The Sarakina Gorge has a length of 1.5 kilometres, and its width ranges from 3 to 10 metres. The borders of Sarakina Gorge reach a height of 150 kilometres. The narrow wall of the gorge makes the visit impressive. Krypotamis river flows all year in the gorge. The name Sarakina comes from the locals' faith. The locals believed that Saracenes used to hide there. The locals named the gorge Saranyapihos. Sarakina Meskla is a gorge in the village of Meskla, in Chania. The majestic rock formations are highly impressive and worth the time to visit. Tourists and visitors love the landscape that changes after the first 10-minute hike to boulders of limestones. It is an incredible sight and a true miracle of nature. The beautiful scenery of the gorge receives high ratings from tourists. The tourists enjoy its well-maintained trail with a perfect viewpoint at the top. The Sarakina Gorge is popular with its amazing rock formations and tranquil silence. It takes an average of 2 hours and 30 minutes to complete the trail with a moderate level of difficulty. Read article
Spinalonga Castle is located on an island in the gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete. According to Venetian documents, the name of the island originated from a Greek expression. The Venetians could not understand the expression, and they familiarised it using their language. They called it spina, which means “thorn”, and longa, meaning “long”. The strategic location of the place made it a very important port and base. Spinalonga remained under Venetian rule even after the rest of Crete was occupied by the Ottomans. However, in 1715, the Ottomans managed to conquer the island but eventually left in 1903. In the first decades of the 20th century, Spinalonga Castle served as a leper colony. During those times, leprosy was a serious illness and there is still no available medicine to cure it. By the year 1948, the first drug to treat leprosy was discovered. Patients on the “Greek Leper Island” began to be treated, and until the last one left in 1957. The leprosarium then was permanently closed. Today, the island is a popular tourist attraction in Crete. Spinalonga Castle is known for its small pebbled beaches and shallow waters. A beautiful novel, called “The Island”, told the story of Spinalonga. It made people more curious about the fascinating history of Spinalonga Castle. It was once called the “grave of the living”, but it is now the second most visited archaeological site in Crete. Read article
On Crete’s northern coast, in the Heraklion Regional Unit, is where you can find the Malia Palace Archaeological Site. It is the third-largest palace created during the Minoan time. In accordance with tradition, it served as Sarpedon’s residence. In history, Sarpedon is Minos’ younger brother. The French School of Archaeology resumed the systematic excavation of the palace itself and the Minoan city after the archaeologist losif Hatzidakis began the initial excavations in the early 20th century. Malia Palace Archaeological Site offers a unique historic experience as it is about 1900 BC when the palace was first constructed. Moreover, Malia Palace Archaeological Site has a footprint of 7,500 square metres and the design resembles the Palace of Knossos. Read article
Lato Ancient City is one of Crete’s best-preserved non-Minoan ancient sites. It was founded by the Dorians in the 7th century BC. Lato reached its peak in the 3rd century BC, but was slowly abandoned. Its administrative centre had moved its port to present-day Agios Nikolaos. The city was presumably named after the Goddess Leto, Apollo and Artemis’ mother. Lato Ancient City ruins were first noted by 19th-century travellers. Their identification and dates remained unclear. Lato Ancient City was built in a highly defensible location. It was protected by a strong circuit wall. The slopes of the mountain were terraced to make it easier to build all the necessary structures. Lato was an ancient mountain city built on a saddle between two hills. The most important monuments of the site are the Fortified City, The Temple, The “Agora”, and The Prytaneion. To access the ancient city, one needs to take a path from the entrance of the site leading to the main gate. Most of the visible structures that remain are houses. The main street consists of steps that lead from the gate to a large, flat area in between the site’s two peaks. Read article
Crete is the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, located between the seas of Aegean and Libya. It is ranked as the 88th largest island in the world. The land area of Crete is 3,219 square miles and has a coastline of 650 miles. Crete is 160 km south of Greece and 100 km south of Anatolia. Its population is approximately 630,000 people. The main city of Crete is Heraklion. The island has multiple ancient cities, beaches, and food offerings. Crete is good for individuals that want to learn about rich history and culture. Tourists visit Crete for its weather, beaches, and its historical landmarks. The historical landmarks of Crete are located all over the city. Read article
Crete is the largest and most populous island of Greece. It is famous for its beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and busy cities. Crete is a perfect destination to experience different kinds of adventure and enjoy the attractions and Crete Restaurants that Greece has. The weather in Greece is medium and doesn’t have extreme weather conditions, which is ideal for visiting. For sunseekers, the best time to visit Crete is between May and September. Read article
Have you ever dreamed of taking a break from life and retreating to a peaceful seaside village? If the answer is yes, then consider heading to one of the most stunning Greek islands: Crete. Home to spectacular beaches, enchanting small towns, gorgeous mountains, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine – what's not to love about this island paradise? Read article
Cretan Villages have a unique charm and some interesting tales to tell. Seeped in culture and steeped in history, these villages will make you feel like you've stepped back in time as soon as you enter them. From quaint cobbled streets to photogenic views of the sea, discover the beauty of old Cretan villages for yourself. Here are our top picks for old and historic villages that should be on your Crete trip itinerary! Read article
Escape the hustle and bustle of cities and experience a world of peace and tranquillity in some of Crete's most stunning mountain villages. From picturesque ancient churches to lush Mediterranean greenery, these breathtaking locations are ideal for anyone looking to discover the unique charm this Greek island has to offer. Whether you’re seeking adventure or just want to relax and unwind, here we explore some of the top mountain villages in Crete that will surely offer something for all tastes! Read article
Who doesn’t want to go to a beach with their family and spend a day next to the water? You can find a place near the Bali village called Livadi in Crete, Greece. Livadi beach is an approximately 60-metre-long sandy beach located in an open bay. The name Livadi translates to meadows and is generally windier than other beaches in the area. Read article
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
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
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
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
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
Visiting a mountain retreat in Crete has always been a popular choice amongst tourists. One particular mountain village is Milia Chania. Milia is a one-of-a-kind and ambitious project that combines a Cretan hamlet, an ecological farm, and a mountain lodge. This tiny town was utilized as a shelter by WW2 resistance fighters and afterward abandoned, high above the Topolia canyon in the western foothills of the White Mountains, at the top of an enclosed valley bursting with chestnut and arbutus trees. Read article
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
The eastern region of Crete, Lasithi, is a less-visited area of the island, but it is also home to some of Crete's most spectacular beaches. Clear, blue waters, white sand, and dramatic cliffs make for a picturesque coastline. You can indulge in plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and even snorkeling. Whatever your preference, we have put together a list of the top-rated east Crete beaches for you to check out. Read article
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
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
