Book Crete holidays to uncover peaceful olive groves, shallow sandy beaches and the crumbling remnants of ancient Minoan settlements.
The main port town of Heraklion, on Crete's north coast, is guarded by Rocca al Mare, a stocky Venetian fortress from the 16th century. Shiny sailboats bob about in the sea, and locals bustle around the town centre's busy market to buy fresh oranges and lemons. Further east in Chania, mustard-coloured townhouses have been converted into trendy bars and coffee shops. The smell of freshly grilled sardines lures diners to nearby Souda Bay, a huge natural harbour, while inland, keen hikers try to tackle the limestone slopes of Crete's White Mountains.
Best of Crete holidays for...
- Kids & teens: Kids will have a blast at Limnoupolis Water Park, near Chania, where lazy rapids weave their way around big outdoor flumes.
- Romance: Take a romantic boat trip to one of the small islands close to Crete, such as Gavdos. Once you arrive, pick a quiet stretch of sand for a picnic by the water.
- Grown-up families: What better way to spend your holidays in Crete than on a tour of its wineries? With an organised trip, you can learn about the island's ancient production techniques. Afterwards, of course, you'll get a chance to quaff some of the local vintages!
- Babies & toddlers: The shallow beaches at Elafonisi are beautifully clean and the sea is usually as flat as a pancake - perfect for getting tots used to water. To get there, take a cheap and easy coach ride from Chania.
- Active types: The Samaria Gorge carves a 16km track through the southern part of the island, creating a beautiful environment for hiking and trekking. If you're pretty fit, you can walk all the way from Omalos to Crete's south coast.
- Shopping: Hot under the collar? Then go shopping! The air-conditioned shops in Hersonissos have some great deals on gold and silver jewellery. When you're shopped-out, pick a sunny spot outside to tuck into an ice cream.
- Free & cheap: It's not expensive to get into Knossos, an amazing Bronze Age site. It's believed this was once the centre of Crete's Minoan civilisation and you can easily spend a couple of hours checking out the impressive reconstructions of its old columns and frescoes.
Related Links:
Cheap car hire in Crete
Crete hotels
Cheap flights to Crete
