Crete island Travel & Leisure - Greece VIP services

To list all of the places to visit in Crete would be impossible. This is a spectacular land of beauty with an endless variety of landscapes. From rugged snow-capped mountains and ancient ruins to turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, Crete can satisfy every traveler’s needs. Most visitors coming to Crete between spring and fall are here to lounge on the island's beautiful beaches. Not all beaches here are created equal. Some of Crete's beaches are pebble, but some are among the most beautiful soft-sand beaches in the world, with crystal-clear water that glows a turquoise color under the Mediterranean sun. The most famous beaches are Elafonissi, known for its white and pink sand, and Balos, or the Balos Lagoon as it's also frequently called. Both of these are within striking distance of Chania. And while these are must-see places, these are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to outstanding beaches on Crete. For dramatic scenery, head to the remote south coast. Here, you'll find Matala, a lovely small town with a fantastic stretch of beach, lined at one end by caves. Preveli beach, set at the end of a gorge and backed by huge cliffs, yet still accessibly via a short hike, is another top attraction on this side of the island. On the north coast, you may also want to set your sights on beaches around Agios Nikolaos, on picturesque Mirabello Bay. One of the top choices here is Voulisma beach, but if you have time to explore a little further afield, Vai Beach, also known as Palm Beach, is one of the top beaches on Crete. Knossos is the most important archeological site on Crete. Rimmed by beautiful beaches and looking across scenic Mirabello Bay, Agios Nikolaos is a charming small city on the north coast of eastern Crete, about 65 kilometers east of Heraklion. Although it is definitely a tourist town, it feels much less touristy than places like Chania. Chania is the main town in Western Crete, and was the capital of the island until 1971 when it moved to Heraklion. Overlooking the Aegean Sea and backed by the White Mountains, which are snow-capped in winter, the old town's appearance dates from the centuries spent under Venice (1204-1645). Chania is a lovely place to explore on foot. Crete is known for its outstanding gorges, but the most impressive is the Samaria Gorge. Contained within the Samaria National Park, it is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Heraklion is the island's capital and a pleasant surprise for first-time visitors. The Old Town is a maze of lovely pedestrian streets lined with shops and restaurants. Huge trees provide ample shade in the squares, where you can linger over a coffee for hours at an outdoor café. Midway between Chania and Heraklion, Rethymnon's lovely old town is made up largely of Venetian-era buildings, though there is some evidence of the year spent under Turkish rule (1669-1898) such as the towering minaret. Preveli Beach is considered one of the most spectacular beaches on Crete. Located on the south coast, it is set at the mouth of a small river and hemmed in on both sides by towering cliffs, and looks out over the Libyan Sea. What once started as a humble fishing village has now changed into one of the most relaxed and enjoyable beach towns on the south coast. Unlike many of the northern beach areas, which are highly developed, Plakias retains a small-town feel and has some of the best dining in the surrounding area. Matala Beach is one of the most interesting and most visited beaches on the south coast of Crete. The beach is a huge arc of sand with a rock wall on one side riddled with ancient caves that look down on impossibly blue waters. If you are searching for a friendly small town with not a whole lot going on, FrangoKastello may be just what you're looking for. This seaside town does not have tourist shops but does have good restaurants, an ancient fort, and some lovely beaches. It's one of Crete's true hidden gems. Crete private jet charter flighs, helicopter transfer, yachting, luxury car rental services in: Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Sitia, Souda, Hersonissos, Ierapetra ...