Where do the rich go in Crete?
There are a lot of incredible accommodations in Crete, but two luxury properties stand out as top-tier choices for travelers seeking both style and substance: Phaea Blue Palace and Elounda Beach Hotel. But, thanks to an unrivalled resort experience currently being offered by Blue Palace, stars are flocking to Crete, the largest island in Greece, that, until now, was much less associated with five-star luxury compared with some of its smaller counterparts.
What is the hippie city in Crete?
Excursion to Matala Crete. Matala may only be a tiny village with less than 100 permanent inhabitants, but it is world famous. Its good reputation is especially thanks to the hippies who lived here from the end of the 60s and into the 70s. Crete is the largest island in Greece, so choosing the best area to stay in Crete for you, will dramatically influence your experience of the island. The best areas to stay in Crete are Chania or Rethymno, but if you’re visiting Crete to see the Minoan Palace of Knossos, you may want to stay in Heraklion.Chania is famous around Greece for its incredible architecture. Though Heraklion has several impressive buildings, it pales in comparison to Chania. On the other hand, Heraklion is more authentic, for lack of a better word. Both have a lively local population, but Chania is more touristy.So, yes, we made the right decision by choosing Chania over Heraklion. It’s Crete’s most beautiful town and some of the island’s best beaches are an easy day trip away.Here are some of the best villages on Crete island: Towns of Chania and Rethymno, Anogia in Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos in Lassithi, and more.
What is a must do in Crete?
Nestled within the White Mountains of Crete, the Samaria Gorge is a hiker’s paradise, renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and the exhilarating experience it offers to outdoor enthusiasts. The gorge stretches over 10 miles, making it one of the longest in Europe and a haven for flora and fauna. One of the best places to see in Crete, Samaria Gorge Walks through this beautiful landscape take in streams, unusual wildlife (such as the Kri-Kri) and some much needed shaded spots. Vertical walls soar up to 500m high all carved by the river that flows between Mount Avlimaniko and Volakias.
Where to avoid in Crete?
Where should I not stay in Crete? While Crete is a beautiful and charming destination with plenty of incredible places to stay, there are certain areas that you should avoid. Unless you’re looking for a party atmosphere, staying away from Malia and perhaps Hersonissos is advisable, as they are quite busy and noisy. Crete has better beaches but they’re spread out and it takes a fair bit of effort to see the best beaches. Santorini is small and it’s easy to get around to all the popular beaches. Crete has more small traditional (non-touristy) villages. Santorini is more romantic and better suited to a honeymoon.Crete became part of Greece in December 1913. Crete is predominantly mountainous, characterized by a range that crosses the island from west to east.It’s also possible to explore both east and west Crete in 10 days. But your itinerary in Crete will be rushed and it would be best to rent a car to maximize sightseeing. The minimum days we’d recommend you spend in Crete is 7 days. A week in Crete will allow you to explore either the west or east part of the island.Despite being much further south, Crete has similar daytime temperatures, with slightly more hours of sunlight in the day. Figures for other popular islands such as Mykonos and Santorini are pretty much the same.