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Crete, Greece
Crete in Greece with e-travelguide.info
Welcome To the e-travelguide to Hotels, guest houses and attractions in Crete.
Make the most of your time in Crete, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links above to plan your visit.
The periphery and island of Crete is the largest island in Greece. It sits in the Mediterranean Sea, curving underneath the Greek mainland to become the southernmost point of the country. Crete is a mountainous island with an appealing coastline, and is the most popular resort destination in the country, especially around the capital Heraklion (Iraklio), to a lesser extent Hania (Chania) the island’s second city, and some of the smaller coastal villages. As you may expect from a resort destination, both Heraklion and Hania are especially busy in the summer, with sandy beaches to relax on during the day and a good nightlife and social scene in the evening. Within the other two of Crete’s four prefectures, Rethymno is popular for its summer wine festival, while Agios Nikolaos is a small fishing village on the east coast that has grown to become a welcoming visitor destination.
Historically, Crete has an important heritage as the birthplace of the Minoan civilisation. The Minoans were a significant Bronze Age culture with an advance societal structure and a substantial trade economy. The Minoan culture flourished as far back as 2700BC, preceding the Myceneans, on whom they had lasting impact. Archaeological evidence of the Minoan civilisation was discovered around the turn of the 20th century with the finding of Knossos. The Palace of Knossos remains the most famous site in Crete, and as well as illustrating the life and times of the Minoans it is also considered to be the location of the fabled labyrinth. According to the legend, the labyrinth held the minotaur, to whom the Minoans were regularly forced to sacrifice their young adults until he was slain by Theseus.
Further examples of Minoan culture can be seen at Phaestos and Malia, and are the only remains of a culture which is thought to have met its end following the volcanic eruption of Santorini in the Cyclades over 1500 years ago. Phases of Roman, Byzantine and Muslim, and Ottoman influence are also evidenced in the architecture of a number of Cretan settlements. For example, Hania has an old town based around the Venetian harbour, which stretches out into the newer city. Similarly, Rethymno has grown around its Venetian port and historic heart.
While Knossos and the Minoan remains are a major visitor draw to Crete, there are a number of other popular visitor attractions, including Samaria Gorge, a national park enjoyed by hikers; and Spinalonga Island, a former leper colony and Venetian fortress.