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Map of Crete Island in Greece
Crete
Only 4 hours flying time from the UK, the
largest and most southerly of the Greek Islands is rich in history
and legend as well as in beaches and bars. Famous for its good
climate, the sunny weather starts early here and lasts longer than
in any other location. Crete is also the most visited island by
far and attracts over 2 million holidaymakers each year.
Three quarters of Crete is mountainous or hilly; the remaining
flat land is used for agricultural farming. Inland scenery is
varied and there are interesting mountains, gorges and ravines all
worth exploring. In the Southwest you will find beautiful small
fishing villages and clean beaches without crowds. Sites of
interest worth a visit include Knossos Palace archaeological site,
home of the mythological Minotaur, Samaria Gorges and Spinalonga
Island.
Crete`s main tourist resorts all lie on the North-East coast
between Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos where, as well as beautiful
beaches, there are watersports, good nightlife, windsurfing and
great areas for trekking and cycling all within easy reach. For
those wanting a quieter break, Chania and Rethymnon both have
traditional old towns with tavernas and restaurants centred on
pretty harbours. Young groups wanting mad nightlife favour Malia
and Hersonissos.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the Lassithi
province of Crete. It is built around a picturesque lake. The
beauty here is endless with the seasons succeeding one another.
The climate is uniquely dry, without humidity.
Agios Nikolaos is the ideal place for rest and fun, all year round
and for all ages, combining the traditional hospitality with the
authenticity of the genuine Cretan way of life.
Elounda
Many years ago, Elounda was a small fishing
village. Its community is made up of five villages, of which only
Schisma is located next to the sea. A few years ago large, luxury
hotel complexes were built, transforming the region into one of
the island`s major tourist attractions. Today apart from the
luxurious hotels, there are large number of taverns and
restaurants with Greek or international cuisine and numerous
coffee shops by the harbour as well as discos and music bars. For
your shopping there is a good selection of shops and last but not
least there is a wonderful sandy beach offering water sport
facilities. Elounda is the top place of Crete`s tourist traffic,
hosting some of the world`s rich and famous.
Milatos
Milatos is a traditional village situated on
the eastern wider touristic area of Malia - Hersonisos. It is 40
km far from the international airport in Heraklion. It is a
beautiful fishing village with lots of traditional little tavernas
offering visitors fresh fish. Lovely, ever clean beaches and
picturesque landscapes satisfy holidaymakers who look for real
natural challenges.
Sissi
Once a fishing village only really accessible
by boat, Sissi is now fully developed as a tourist resort. While
there is a general untidiness about the place, it has a quaint,
slow air very different from the rather manic neighboring resort
of Malia. The main focal points are the centrally placed church
and an attractive harbour fronted by cafes and bars.
Malia
The original old village of Malia lies inland
to the south with the sprawling, highly commercialised resort in
the North, towards the beach. Most holidaymakers choose to stay in
the resort area, although there are a few traditional pensions in
the village. It`s a tightly packed, 24-hour party town, with
plenty of bars, restaurants, fast-food outlets and nightclubs. The
main `strip` is the best part of a mile long, leading down from
the main high street to the seafront. Everything is in English.
Hersonissos
Lively and cosmopolitan Hersonissos, is ideal
for those seeking an action packed holiday. Popular with the
younger crowd, its waterfront is lined with music bars, discos,
tavernas and superb shopping. You will also find a new Water Park
situated in the resort, this is a must see and provides an
excellent day away from the beach for all the family. Hersonissos
has one of the largest and most beautiful beaches on the island.
The sand and shingle beach and small coves are perfect for hours
of sunshine and relaxation, following the hectic nights full of
late night entertainment. For the more energetic all type of
sports are available in this thriving resort.
Gouves
A friendly, relaxed town with little going on,
Gouves was developed - and is still developing - purely for
tourism so there is no older `village` area. It mainly comprises
various groups of accommodation with rugged farmland in between.
The holiday action is mostly centred along one main street full of
friendly bar and tavern owners trying to reel you in.
Amoudara
Amoudara was developed for tourism and is
popular with all. The resort contains enough shops, bars and
restaurants to satisfy most tastes, plus a couple of clubs.
Because of its central location and proximity to Heraklion`s
extensive public transport services, it is often used as a base
from which to explore other parts of the island. There is a
congregation of touristy shops around the larger hotels but no
matter where you stay, you are never more than a stone`s throw
from some type of shop. The resort is still developing with new
places opening all the time.
Agia Pelaghia
Agia Pelagia is built along a wonderful sandy
bay, where the sea is calm and the water crystal clear even in the
windy days. The bay is ideal for water sports or just to sit back
and relax. Agia Pelagia offers unique high standard hotel
facilities. Its unique location, only 24 km southwest from
Heraklion, allows to the visitor to enjoy all the benefits of a
seaside resort without being away from the challenge of the big
city of Heraklion and the archaeological places around it. Agia
Pelagia is very popular with tourists, since it provides all the
amenities they expect from a modern resort.
Fodele
Famous as the birthplace of the 16th-century
painter, El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos), this quiet compact
village is still very traditional but now has rows of souvenir
shops lining both banks of its tiny river. Determined local women
ply their trade of lace-making while you watch - and hopefully
buy.
Bali
A former fishing village which has now
developed through tourism to become a sprawling mass of pretty,
colourful holiday properties. The resort offers loads to do, from
dance clubs to traditional tavernas, yet still remains relatively
peaceful. It has no fewer than four sandy beaches and a harbour
from where boats depart to various other parts of the island.
Rethymnon
The old Venetian town in the center of
Rethymnon makes it one of the most interesting destinations in
Crete. In the compact resort there are fine beaches, harbours, and
museums. There are numerous activities along the water, including,
boat rides, snorkeling and swimming, and dolphin spotting.
Nightlife in Rethymnon revolves around the streets of the old
quarter, the Venetian harbour that offers choices of bars and
cafes.
Georgioupolis
Georgioupolis was a small village located by a
very long sandy beach. There are now a few hotels built along the
beach. Although the village is now entirely geared towards
catering for the tourists it remains attractive with its small
fishing harbour, its river and large eucalyptus trees.
Chania
Chania is situated on the western part of the
island. The landscape varies in Chania prefecture; there are
exotic sandy beaches with crystal clear seas, high green
mountains, gorges, like the famous gorge of Samaria as well as
traditional mountain and coastal villages. During your tour, visit
the impressive monasteries of the area, Chania town the capital of
the prefecture of the same name, which is the most charming place
and the Archaeological museum of the town.
Blue Flag Awarded Beaches in Crete
Herakleon Beaches in Crete Greece
- Municipality of Gazi
Linoperamata
Fodele
Ammoudara 1
Ammoudara 4
- Municipality of Gouves
Gouves 1
Amnissos
Kokkini
Chani
- Municipality of Chersonisos
Limenas Chersonisou 5
Aghios Georgios
Anisaras
Aghios Georgios 2/ Panaghia ryzi
Drapanos
-Municipality of Mallia
Potamos
-Municipality of Tymbaki
Matala
Lasithi Beaches in Crete Greece
-Municipality of Neapoli
Boufos
-Municipality of Ag. Nikolaos
Poros 1
Poros 2
Elounda
Schisma
Elounda 1
Driros
Chavania 1
Chavania 2
Aghios Nikolaos 1
Aghios Nikolaos 2
Aghios Nikolaos 3
Ammoudi
Mirabello
Kitroplatia
Ammos/ Marina
Ammos/ Municipal
Almyros Pilos
Ammoudara
-Municipality of Sitia
Sitia 1
Sitia 2
Sitia 3 / Karavopetra
-Municipality of Itanos
Vai/ Finikodasos (Palm Tree Forest)
-Municipality of Makrys Gialos
Analipsi
Makrygialos/ Langufa
-Municipality of Ierapetra
Ierapetra 1
Ierapetra 2
Aghia Fotia
Myrtos
Koutsounari
Rethymno Beaches in Crete Greece
-Municipality of Rethymno
Rethymno 1
Rethymno 2
Rethymno 3
Rethymno 4
Platanias A
Platanias B/ Rethymno 6
Koumbes
-Municipality of Arkadi
Adelianos Kambos A
Arkadi
Pigianos Kambos
Skaleta
-Municipality of Geropotamos
Panormos/ Limni
Lianos
Kavos/ Lavris
-Municipality of Finika
Damnoni
Plakias
Chania Beaches in Crete Greece
-Municipality of Pelekanos
Pachia Ammos
Chalikia
-Municipality of Kolymvari
Kolymvari
-Municipality of Platanias
Gerani
Platanias
-Municipality of N. Kydonia
Stalos
Aghii Apostoli 1
Aghii Apostoli 2
Chrysi Akti
Aghia Marina
-Municipality of Chania
Nea Chora
-Municipality of Akrotiri
Marathi
Stavros
Aghios Onoufrios
Kalathas
-Municipality of Armeni
Kalyves/ Xyda
Maistrali
-Municipality of Vamos
withdrawn - Almyrida
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