: is a doctor, traveler and blogger Nikolay Romanov. The topic of his competition article is the sights of Crete that are definitely worth seeing, no matter on your own or with a guide. Recommendations from an experienced traveler will be of interest to many readers!
Highlights of Eastern Crete
Recently I was asked for recommendations on where to go in Greece. Like, I want to have time to visit the islands and Athens. I asked how much time you have for the trip. The answer was two weeks... A young woman and her mother are going on their first trip abroad; their budget is small. And the plans are grandiose...
Yes, Greece is significantly smaller former USSR, yes and modern Russia Same. And at the same time, Greece is a very large and diverse country: it has 166 inhabited islands alone (and another 1259 (!) uninhabited). At the same time, the islands occupy only 20% of the territory.
Greece is great not so much in territory as in its historical and mythological richness. We were in Crete twice, but, relatively well, we only managed to see its eastern part; and we only briefly looked into the western one during the excursion.
For many, Greece is associated with good beach holiday. And it is right. Greece has a huge number of Blue Flag beaches. The resort areas have a well-developed infrastructure. Greek taverns are something special: they not only serve delicious food, but also accompany the meal with pleasant free treats and dancing.
Eating in Greek taverns, as we found out, is pleasant and healthy, but it’s time to stop feeding you, dear reader, with general arguments!
Let's talk about the islands. And I promise, there will be no banal listing of attractions here, there will only be highlights.
Highlight #1. Knossos palace
In Crete, a visit to the ruins of the Knossos Palace of Minos near Heraklion is considered mandatory. Moreover, this palace is covered in such legends that modern thrillers cannot hold a candle to. And, nevertheless, I will not dwell in detail on the description of this Palace.
Palace of Knossos - restored part
I’ll just tell you my opinion – is it necessary to visit this palace with a tour? I am a supporter of economical independent visits attractions and museums. But in this case, in order to imagine not only what these ruins looked like in ancient times, but also to understand the purpose of each room, each stone, and how the life of the greats of the world was built, it is better to listen to a good guide. We were lucky; a former resident of Georgia, Nina, managed to load large group while.
I also remember this grandfather. Barely walking, with a cane, he patiently stood in the May heat in the (“preferential”, not general) line to enter the queen’s chambers for a minute.
Highlight #2. Impregnable Spinalonga - the last refuge of lepers
Not all tourists consider it necessary to visit Spinalonga. Well, a fortress and a fortress located on a small island. I think this fortress is not only beautiful, but also has a very instructive history. I'll touch on it briefly.
This Venetian fortress had good review and served to protect nearby Elounda. It was not just a fortress, but also a city with its own life. The remains of houses from the Venetian period are poorly preserved.
The houses of the 18th century that belonged to the Turks are much better preserved. The Ottomans captured this impregnable, long-resisting fortress somewhat later than other parts of Crete. And they also lived here longer than the main occupation - until the beginning of the 20th century.
In 1902, the Greeks figured out how to smoke out the annoying invaders. There was no need for a long siege with the use of heavy weapons. A group of lepers were landed on the island. The Turks were blown away by the wind! They built a leper colony, the state-owned houses of which were preserved much worse than the Ottoman ones.
For 50 years, the tragedy of life and death for terminally ill patients continued. Some of them, unable to bear the physical and moral torment, climbed the walls of the fortress and jumped into the sea... The exhibition of a modern Greek artist is dedicated to this.
A mutilated (armless) figure of a woman ready to jump on the fortress wall, a huge shiny cross at the foot of the fortress, clearly visible from the sea, and mirrors scattered in different places around the fortress. Lepers don't look in the mirror...
From the walls of the fortress there are amazing views of the bay and Elounda.
There are several churches on the territory, one of them is active.
You can get here by boat. Some boats come from the city of Agios Nikolaos, but they take a long time. It is more convenient to get from Agios Nikolaos to the village of Elounda by bus (15 minutes), and from there take a boat (15 minutes).
Elounda itself is a pretty nice place where you can wander around for half a day (we had much less time).
We also got to Agios Nikolaos from Hersonissos by bus (about an hour).
Sailing on a boat is interesting - the fortress seems to be approaching us, the cross and the figure of an armless woman on top gradually become better visible. And the boat deliberately sails back a different way. It seems that he is about to sail off to the open sea. In fact, tourists are invited to see Spinalonga around, as well as swim to the island opposite.
Highlight #3. Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful, typically Mediterranean town. But its main highlight is the freshwater lake, with a narrow channel, merging with the sea. And it turns out that there are two embankments in the city. And the views from the hill above the lake (you can climb the stairs) will rock you!
Other highlights (smaller)
Of course, there is still a lot to discover in the eastern part of Crete. Cave of Zeus, interesting not only for its legend about the non-accidental birth of the future ruler of Olympus. We had a chance to see many similar caves with bizarre figures of stalactites and stalagmites in different countries Oh.
But this one is not so great in length as in depth - the entire size of the mountain (which you first need to climb). It’s not difficult to go down into it, but to go up, especially if you’re in a hurry to get back to the excursion bus, is a bit difficult - the stairs are steep. And in addition, there are very beautiful views from the mountain.
He became famous for his wild palm trees. There are many palm trees in Crete, but they are all imported and planted. And they grew up here.
The Phoenicians, who long ago landed on this shore, are to blame for this (they say). They had no food except dates (well, what else do Phoenicians eat?!). They ate dates and spat out the pits on the sand and earth. That's how the palm trees grew.
They say that it was here that the famous Bounty advertisement (“heavenly delight”) was filmed. Others disagree with them. But the place is very beautiful.
Rocks rise above the bay, from which there are wonderful views.
Very interesting nunnery Cardiotissa (Our Lady of the Heart). In the middle of the courtyard there is a stone pillar associated with an amazing legend. The icon of the Mother of God, miraculously found by a shepherd, was twice taken to Istanbul by the Turkish invaders. The icon was miraculous - it healed heart diseases. The first time the icon easily escaped and returned.
The second time she was chained to a post. But such was the strength and loyalty of this icon to Crete that it tore out the pillar with chains and returned again. True, later a simple Italian merchant stole the icon again and took it to Rome. There she remained - still Christian country. And now there is a copy in the monastery. But the chains next to her are the same; they also help the sick.
This monastery, the cave of Zeus and Lasithi plateau can be seen in one excursion - around Eastern Crete. The remains of medieval mills are preserved on the Lasithi plateau.
There is one such mill on the territory of the hotel where we lived in 2012 - Aldemar Knossos.
In the same hotel we attended two wonderful master classes in Greek cooking by the chef Petros Lamprinidis– winner of many international competitions. By the way, this chef, together with volunteers, prepared a giant Greek salad in Moscow, on Red Square, on September 4 of this year; this salad should now be included in the Guinness Book of Records.
Well, it’s also worth mentioning the most eastern city Crete Sitia- a typical Mediterranean town with its own interesting story. It looks a little more modest than Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos, but is also worthy of a walk and acquaintance.
TOURISTS' ANSWERS:
Crete with its amazing nature and its centuries-old history is so rich in various attractions that it will take quite a lot of time to explore them all, and even in several vacation trips, you won’t be able to see everything. Therefore, I will tell you about some of them that you can see or visit by combining these excursions with a vacation on the island.
The first thing that tourists who come to Crete for the first time are probably trying to see is the Palace of Knossos, which is associated with many different myths and legends, the most famous of which is the myth of the Minotaur, who lives in the labyrinths of the palace and devours young men and women who were sent here in the form of donations . As a result, Theseus managed to defeat the Minotaur and use the ball of thread that Ariadne gave him to get out of the labyrinth. The history of the palace goes back more than four thousand years, during which it was damaged by earthquakes and rebuilt. The Palace of Knossos is located not far from the capital, or more precisely the administrative center of Crete, the city of Heraklion, named after the hero of Greek mythology, Hercules. You can get to it yourself by bus, which departs from a kiosk located next to the bus station with the inscription “Palace of Knossos”. The bus runs quite frequently and the round trip fare is approximately four euros. You can also get there by rented car; there should be no problems with the search, since there are signs everywhere that you can navigate quite easily. It is, of course, better to visit the palace accompanied by a guide, since the main interest is the stories associated with the Knossos Palace. There are signs installed on the territory of the complex, by which you can navigate what this or that section of the palace is like, as well as the direction of further travel for inspection. The Palace of Knossos is open to the public from 8.00 to 19.00 in summer and from 8.00 to 15.00 in winter. The entrance ticket costs six euros. 
Right there in Heraklion, the coastal fortress of Koules immediately catches your eye. It was built in the 14th century, but what we see now is a building of a later period, restored after an earthquake in the 16th century. It acquired its current name after Turkish rule, and the original name was Rocca al Mare. The lower floors served as housing for the defenders of the fortress, storage facilities and even a prison. A walk through the territory and interior of the fortress will seem quite interesting and exciting. The citadel is open to tourists from 8.30 to 15.00 every day except Monday. The entrance fee is two euros. 
On the east coast of the island you can visit the excavations of the settlement of Zakros, with an approximate age of about four thousand years and which belongs to the Minoan civilization, named after Minos, who was the mythical king of Crete. Zakros on the territory ancient Crete was one of the administrative centers and is currently the best preserved. During excavations, the ruins of a palace and about a dozen different buildings were discovered here, which served as workshops, storage rooms, a bathroom, a swimming pool and even an archive. In addition, many were found various items, among which were tablets with Linear writing, rock crystal dishes, and in one of the amphorae well-preserved olives were discovered, the age of which is approximately three thousand years. For an independent trip, you need to get to the village of Kato Zakros, near which this open-air museum is located. Don't forget to bring a supply with you drinking water, especially if your travel time falls in July or August, when Crete is especially hot. Entrance to the complex costs three euros, opening hours are from 9.00 to 15.00 daily, except Mondays. 
One of the most visited places in Crete is the Dictian Cave, which is located in the Dictian Mountains on the southern part of the island near the village of Psychro. It is also called the cave of Zeus, since according to legend, the goddess Rhea, hiding from her husband, gave birth to Zeus in this cave, where he grew up. The cave is decorated with its bizarre shapes by stalactites and stalagmites; during excavations, offering tables and an altar were discovered. In the depths of the cave itself there is a small mountain lake in which Zeus swam. You can buy an excursion with a visit to the Diktean Cave at any travel agency Krita. For a more comfortable journey, I advise you to wear comfortable shoes, since from the bus stop to the cave itself it is a walk of eight hundred meters, and uphill, since the cave itself is located at an altitude of more than a thousand meters above sea level, and the road is quite difficult. Also, do not forget to take some warm clothes with you, since it is quite cool and damp inside, where again you will need comfortable shoes to avoid slipping on wet stones. Entrance to the cave is paid and costs four euros; when purchasing an excursion, they are usually included in the price. 
For lovers of ecotourism, an excursion to the Samaria Gorge, which is considered the largest not only in Crete, but throughout Europe, may be very interesting. For many years it served as housing and refuge for the inhabitants of the island, first from the Turks during the Ottoman invasion, who were never able to take possession of the gorge. In the last century, rebels dissatisfied with the dictatorial regime and resistance fighters fighting against German troops were hiding here. Half a century ago the gorge received the status National Park and the population living on its territory was resettled. Every year this gorge is visited by more than two hundred thousand tourists from different countries. Here, in addition to the amazing and unique nature, you can see the preserved buildings of people living in different time local residents, and the creation of a reserve on the territory of the gorge intends to preserve interesting views animals and fauna, as well as the nature of the White Mountains. I would like to immediately warn tourists planning to walk through the gorge that this is a rather difficult excursion, it’s definitely not worth taking children, and it’s not worth talking about supplies of drinking water and comfortable equipment, it’s clear that you can’t do without it. It is best to choose a non-hot period, then the trip will be more comfortable. The entrance ticket costs five euros. 
Crete represents biggest Greek island, it is clearly visible on the map Greece. This place attracts every year thousands of tourists: developed infrastructure, a bunch of attractions, warm climate, gorgeous nature. All this cannot but please the eye.
- Crete and its regions
- Architecture
- Nature
- Entertainment
- What else to see in Crete?
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Crete and its regions
Popularity Krita is also due to its geographical location . This place is washed right away four seas:
The island is located in eastern part Mediterranean Sea , its structure heterogeneous.
Crete consists of 4 districts:
Sights of the island - photos and descriptions
Just like myself Greece, Crete has eventful history and very memorable nature. This is evidenced by numerous memorable places And beautiful landscapes.
Architecture
Falasarna- this is ancient Greek port city. The remnants of the former power of this city are evidenced by the dilapidated remains of fortresses. This is real paradise for people interested in archaeology. Here all the time excavations are underway, scientists are finding more and more new and new artifacts. There is also museum, having visited which you will be able to see found archaeological rarities.
Another historical monument is Olus. This ancient city, once rich and powerful. There really is something to see here. But what is he is different, say, from Falasarna? The same remains of the city, if not one "but". This city is underwater. "Sight- invisible“, that’s what this place was called before scuba gear was invented.
Now tourists can scuba dive into the depths of the sea and explore sunken ancient Olus.
There is one place where fortress wall city is very high and reaches to the very surface of the water. Travelers love to take pictures there, as if they were walk on water. This is a favorite place for tourists photo sessions.
One of the architectural attractions of Crete is Minotaur labyrinth. There is an amazing connection with this place greek legend. Once upon a time I lived in this labyrinth Minotaur, whom the king kept in order to inspire terror to local residents, as well as to collect from them tribute. This continued until the brave Theseus Not delivered people from a terrible monster and not released beautiful Ariadne.
Greece- country with centuries-old history and culture. Therefore it is worth visiting as many as possible historical places. Find out what else to see in Greece here.
Even more beautiful local legends you can find out if you visit Agios Nikolaos Museum. This museum is dedicated archeology. The museum has 4 large halls, which is quite enough to fully feel the spirit of Greece and learn some interesting facts about the history of Crete.
All the sights of Crete can be visited with excursion. Many guides are talking in Russian, so there will be no problems with understanding.
Nature
Natural attraction of the island, Diktean cave, represents a fascinating sight. Dictey Cave welcomes tourists stalactites, stalagmites weird shape, underground lake, mysterious bridges. This place is permeating mystical setting.
It is known that after Second World War residents of Crete dumped to Lake Vulismeni German technology How symbol of liberation.
In addition to the attractions described above, every self-respecting tourist should visit Lake Vulismeni. This is very deep fresh lake, which has practically round shape . This place shrouded many legends. According to one of them, here in general bottom missing. According to another legend, she swam in this lake herself. goddess Athena- Goddess of military strategy.
Entertainment
No tourist will be left indifferent Elafonisi beach. In general, not a single beach in Crete with its crystal clear The turquoise water cannot fail to impress the traveler. But to those who were in Crete and didn't visit on Elafonisi, locals say that he didn't see anything. Distinctive feature this beach is pink sand. From such a landscape breathtaking.
You decided to commit journey to Greece? We advise you to familiarize yourself with the list hotels of different categories In this article.
One of the most popular entertainment on the island it is considered Watercity water park. Watercity can introduce you 34 water games to choose from, many water slides, water racing and a lot of activities that will help you relax both soul and body. You can easily get to this water park by car, since it is in 10 minutes drive from Heraklion. All it takes is nothing to go, and it's worth it!
What else to see in Crete?
You can visit on your own Knossos palace. This place is shrouded in all sorts of legends, and flocks here every year many tourists. You can get here as follows: by car, so by bus. The starting point is a stop in Heraklion next to the Knossos Palace kiosk.
And here's to the beach Elafonisi, which was mentioned above, you can easily get under its own power because the bay is there not extended, and the water depth is no higher than knee-deep.
If you rent a car, then he will travel more comfortable And faster. So, by car you can visit Minotaur labyrinth and many other attractions, since they are relatively near the capital Crete - Heraklion.
If you are going on a trip with kids then you just can't ignore Lake Kournas. This is a lake of rare beauty with picturesque nature. But children, of course, will be interested in something else: in this lake there are turtles. And in Kournas swimming allowed. Also, you should definitely go to the Watercity water park with children.
Having visited these remarkable places you will definitely want visit Crete again!
Crete is the ancient and largest island of Greece. There is a healing climate, beautiful beaches in warm, cozy bays, luxurious resorts, generous nature, invigorating air, cypress and yew alleys, flower beds, alpine lakes, fabulous waterfalls, olive trees and vineyards. And we know about the ancient structures that are found here literally at every step from school textbooks.
The island is steeped in ancient legends; literally all the places here are famous for their stories.
Thirty centuries ago, according to legend, here in the dungeon of the Knossos Palace, the cannibal monster Minotaur lived with King Minos, who ate beautiful girls and young men.
The hero Theseus dealt with the monster, and ancient state died after the eruption of the Santorini volcano.
The best attractions of Heraklion and other cities of Crete
You can write a lot about Cretan attractions, because throughout its centuries-old history the island has seen prehistoric Dorian times, the Minoan civilization, witnessed Byzantine rule, survived the Venetian era and the capture of the Ottoman Empire.
The town of Gortyna is located 46 km from Heraklion. This is almost the only ancient city that has been partially preserved.
The city intertwines different eras and styles. The ancient Greek amphitheater and Temple of Apollo in the olive grove are adjacent to the Egyptian sanctuary of the gods Isis and Serapis.
Excavations of Gortyn continue, and perhaps in a few years it will appear in a completely different form.
The city of Aptera was mentioned in clay tablets found in the Palace of Knossos, dating back over 33 centuries. It had 2 seaports, was famous for trade, crafts, navigation, and minted 76 types of coins. It is located on the top of a hill. The name stands for "wingless".
According to legend, the Sirens lived here and were deprived of their wings by Zeus. The outline of the city resembles a bird in flight. Huge tanks for storing either water or grain, cannonballs and drawings of a catapult are well preserved here. Aptera is located 15 km from Chanea.
Where to go and what to see in Crete with children?
Crete is a very good choice for a holiday with a child.
There are clean beaches, a healthy climate and delicious food similar to ours.
The Greeks are very well-mannered and love small children. The best time to relax is in May or September-October. In Crete, there are two types of holidays with children – a hotel or an apartment.
Usually hotels provide a crib, menu, playgrounds, and a mini-club. Behind 10 euros per hour A nanny can sit with the child.
Supermarkets sell baby food in cans, formula, milk and other necessary goods for children. So, if you live in an apartment, you can buy them at a local store.
A holiday for three in a decent hotel with meals costs on average 60-70 thousand “wooden” in 2 weeks. Resorts for family vacation with children a lot.
These are fairly quiet places, there is all the necessary infrastructure, sandy beaches with a smooth entrance to the sea, for children there are swimming pools with sea water.
It is interesting to visit the following attractions with children:
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Marine Aquarium in Gouves near Heraklion will delight you with colorful fish and huge sharks.
It is open all year round. summer season from half past nine in the morning to nine in the evening, and in winter - until five in the evening. Cost of admission for adults 8 euros, for children – 6, for children under 5 years – for free. There is also a cafe here. -
IN water park “Aqua Plus” near Hersonissos there is entertainment for adults and children, swimming pools with slides for kids. It is open during the summer season from ten in the morning to seven in the evening.
A visit to it will cost adults 20 euros, and for children over five years old - 12. The cafe has ice cream. You can also take photos there.
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It is considered the largest in Crete Water City water park next to the Kokkini Hani resort. There is everything for the little ones - swimming pools with slides, fountains, bridges.
He works from ten in the morning until half past seven in the evening. The ticket costs 22 euros and 16 euros. Electronic tickets are 10-15% cheaper. The cafe has everything you need to have a good meal.
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Waterpark “Star Beach”- the only one located on the seashore.
Entry is free, but you have to pay for a sunbed 3 euros. There are several swimming pools with slides for children and adults.
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Lake Kourna near Gergioupolis west of Rethymnon quiet, calm a nice place with small fishes near the shore.
The restaurants have playgrounds for children, and there are many ducks and geese around, who happily take food from your hands. Catamaran rental costs 7 euros per hour. You can sunbathe on the shore.
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Very interesting excursions on trains to Rethymno and many other resorts. On such trips you can learn a lot of interesting things about the crafts of the island - pottery, production olive oil, growing vegetables.
Cafes and restaurants located on tourist routes have a separate children's menu.
Routes for independent travel by car
Renting a car in Crete is not a problem; there are many small companies involved in this business.
It is more economical to choose a small car, the roads here are excellent, and the traffic is not very intense.
Although there are a lot of “reckless people”. Fines for speeding are significant. Parking is very difficult to find. There are often traffic jams due to goats scurrying everywhere.
Gas stations do not operate 24 hours a day; few of them are open until 11 pm.
Excursion routes should be chosen based on what you want to see.
Monasteries of Crete– this is a must see. This is a special national flavor, calm, restraint and tranquility, all of them are located on hills, from where a beautiful panoramic view opens. There are many legends and stories associated with them.
On the mountains of the Akrotiri peninsula, in a deep gorge, there is the amazing rock monastery of Katoliko. This truly secluded place is located away from busy routes - the oldest Orthodox monastery in Crete, dating back to the 5th century. Hermits lived here.
You can get to the monastery along a rocky path, passing Ursa Cave. According to legend, in this cave there was a healing spring, which a bear got into the habit of going to, bullying people. The Virgin Mary turned her into stone.
Indeed, the large stalactite in the cave resembles a bear. From the cave you can cross a stone bridge to the monastery. You can get to it from the city (20 km), and then go down on foot.
If you are planning to visit several interesting places in a day, then an approximate route could be like this. Visit first Sfendoni cave(Sentoni, Sendney). Near it there is a tavern where they sell tickets for 4 euros with a diagram of the cave in Russian. At the same time, you can have breakfast here and admire the view of the valley.
After this you can inspect old church of Axos, climb the path to the remains of a fortress dating back 30 centuries and admire the panorama of the sea from here. The nearest village on the coast is Panormos. Here you can have lunch, sunbathe and swim on the beach.
Then continue the route to Arkadi Monastery- a symbol of the struggle for the independence of Crete. The territory of the monastery is buried in flowers. You can attend the evening service. An ancient legend says that the monk Arkadius saw the glow of an ancient icon at this place, and a monastery was built here.
It is famous for the art of gold embroidery, which can be seen in the monastery museum. At the end of the 19th century, rebels surrounded by Turkish invaders exploded gunpowder stored in Arkadi's storeroom and died themselves, destroying half of the enemy army.
The monastery was rebuilt, preserving the memory of the heroes.
That's all. The day is over and it's time to return to the hotel. Rethymnon is just a stone's throw away.
Rightfully considered the cradle of European civilization, then, without a doubt, Crete with its Minoan culture is the cradle of Greek.
What to see in Crete?
No. 10 – Loutro
The small picturesque village of Loutro is located in the southwest of Crete between the villages of Sfakia in the east and Agia Roumeli in the west. There are only two ways to get to Loutro - by boat or on foot; there are no roads here, and this fact gives the village a special charm.
Arriving here by boat, you will invariably fall under the spell of both the settlement itself and the bay in which it is located. Swimming, coffee or a lazy lunch in one of the taverns on the shore - that's all the local entertainment.
No. 9 – Elounda and Spinalonga island
Located just ten kilometers from Agios Nikolaos on the coast of Mirabello Bay, Elounda was once just a fishing village, but now it is a fashionable resort, famous throughout the world for its hotels.
At the same time, the small fishing port of Elounda has not lost its charm, maintaining the atmosphere that reigned here long before this place was given luxury status. The local beaches are just as good and prove their worth every year. high level receiving EU Blue Flags for the cleanliness of waters and coastlines.
Off the coast of Elounda is the island of Spinalonga. In 1579, the Venetians equipped the island with massive fortifications to protect this part of Crete. Thanks to this, even when the Turks completely subjugated Crete in 1669, Spinalonga remained unconquered, and for almost 50 years the Venetian fortress was a constant source of headaches for the Ottomans. Spinalonga is also famous for being the last leper colony from 1903 to 1957.
During the summer months, from both Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, you can take a boat to Spinalonga to explore the island's past in more detail.
No. 8 – Agios Nikolaos
This is where the notorious Mirabello Bay is located. Where did you think? I’m willing to bet that if you hadn’t known about this for sure, Crete would have been named far from the top ten. But this is a digression, and now let’s return to the city itself. Of course, Agios Nikolaos is definitely worth a visit, both for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and views. This task is made easier by the fact that it is located only 70 kilometers from Heraklion. You should come here just to mingle with the crowd and immerse yourself in the local atmosphere.
By the way, Mirabello translated from Italian means “beautiful view” - and this is true, but Lake Vulismeni, located in its central part, gives the city a special charm. In the century before last, the lake was connected to the bay by a canal, raising the local landmark into a square. The promenade of Agios Nikolaos is teeming with many restaurants, taverns and eateries that offer tourists a taste of local dishes, and the city's museums will offer their unique exhibits from both the pre-Christian period and our era. It is also worth visiting the 12th century church of Panagia Vrethotrophou, located in the western part of the bay.
No. 7 – Village of Anoia (Anogia) and Cave of Zoniana
The village of Anogia is a fairly large settlement, located at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level in the prefecture of Rethymno. During the Second World War it was completely destroyed by the Germans, and the entire male population who failed to escape was shot in retaliation for the participation of local resistance fighters in the kidnapping of General Von Kreipe.
This place is also known as the birthplace of Nikos Xylouris, one of the most famous Cretan musicians of all time. He died in 1980 at the age of 43 and became a Cretan legend. Every July, Anogia hosts a local festival dedicated to music, theater and the arts.
However, the greatest interest of tourists in Anogia is associated with the nearby cave of Sfedoni, also known as Zoniana. 145 meters long and more than 8 million years old, it is famous for its numerous stalactites and stalagmites in three colors: white, red and gray.
No. 6 – Lasithi Plateau and Dikteon Andron Cave
Situated on the peculiar border between Central and Eastern Crete, the Lasithi Plateau is one of most interesting places on the island. Firstly, this is the highest inhabited plateau in Greece, secondly, the local vegetation is more reminiscent of the Alps than Hellas, thirdly, this is one of the most picturesque places on the island, famous for its mills, canals and gardens, fourthly , – the local color that distinguishes this place from advertising posters resort and, finally, a whole series of bright and truly “special” places.
Mandatory points of the route include the mountain village of Krassi with its Laundry of the Venetian period and a giant plane tree, considered the oldest tree on the island, the monastery of Our Lady of Kera Cardiotissa with miraculous icon and, finally, the Dicteon-Andron cave, where, according to legend, Rhea gave birth to the baby Zeus. The latter is especially popular among tourists and the reason for this is not only its connection with the Supreme God Ancient Greek mythology: Located at an altitude of more than 1000 meters above sea level, Dicteon Andron Cave is considered the most beautiful of the more than 200 caves on the island. Of the attributes that connect the cave with Zeus, the small lake in which Rhea bathed the baby, as well as a forest of stalactites called the Mantle of Zeus, are still preserved.
No. 5 – Lake Kournas, Argyroupoli and Ancient Lappa
Located between Chania and Rethymnon, Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater formation in Crete. Surrounded by lush vegetation and mountains, it is a place where you won't regret spending your time. To entertain tourists, Kournas has a river bus and catamarans, and numerous taverns are located on the banks. Girls in Kournas are fascinated by the small freshwater turtles that live here in large quantities. According to legend, the lake is connected by underwater channels to underground springs in Athens, but it is difficult to believe that this myth is reality.
A few kilometers from Kournas on site ancient city Lappa is located in the village of Argyroupoli. First of all, this place is famous for its water springs, which, under the hot Cretan sun, contributed to the growth of lush tropical vegetation, while the changes in topography led to the formation of numerous waterfalls. Enterprising locals use the water wealth of the surrounding area to drive water mills, and many local houses are built, among other things, from the stones of ancient Lappa. IN Ancient city, by the way, there is also something to see.
#4 – Chania: Old Town and Harbor
Located 160 km from Heraklion, Chania is the main city of Western Crete and one of the most beautiful settlements on the island. The main attraction of Chania is the old town with the harbor and the Venetian fortress of Firkas. Cobbled streets that harmoniously fit into the interior of the city, numerous restaurants and the spirit of antiquity give Chania a special atmosphere, which is always very difficult to part with later. What can I add here, the Venetians knew how to give comfort to their settlements, and in the old town of Chania their skill is still felt like nowhere else in Crete.
The Archaeological and Maritime Museums deserve special attention in Chania. The first presents a rich collection of exhibits reflecting rich history western Crete, the feature of the second is an accurate model of the city of Chania from the 17th century with a harbor and Venetian shipyards.
No. 3 – Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
Located in the heart of Heraklion, the Archaeological Museum is the pride of the city, being one of the most important museums in Greece and the richest in the world regarding the Minoan civilization. However, Minoan culture is only part of the exhibition, which covers a period of history of 5000 years - from the Neolithic to the Greco-Roman period. The highlight of the museum is the fact that new exhibits are delivered here directly from the excavations. The main exhibits of the museum include the artifacts of the Goddess with Snakes, the Theta Disc, the Ax from Arkalochori, as well as the frescoes of the Game with the Bull and the Prince with Lilies. Since 2006, the museum has been closed for reconstruction, but there is a temporary exhibition that includes all the main exhibits.
No. 2 – Samaria Gorge
Located in the southwest of Crete, the Samaria Gorge is the longest in Europe and attracts about 500,000 tourists annually, being the second most visited attraction in Crete. 17 km of walking against the backdrop of enchanting landscapes - this, of course, sounds quite extreme, but in fact, most of the way you have to descend, so even not very athletic tourists can do such a rush.
The starting point of the route is the village of Omalos, where it is recommended to spend the night in order to get into the gorge with its opening and thus avoid crowds. In addition to all the delights of the first part of the path, in the second you will find the “feature” of the route - the so-called Iron Gates of Sidiroportes - a passage in which the width of the gorge is up to 3 meters, and the slopes rise up to 300.
The walk ends with access to the village of Ayia Roumeli and finally to the sea. Hence the regular by sea you can get to Chora Sfakion or Sougia, which in turn are connected by regular buses to Chania. By the way, the village of Omalos, where our route began, is also easily accessible from Chania by regular bus from the local bus station.
When visiting the Samaria Gorge, you are guaranteed a very challenging day, as well as an indelible impression. Oh, and don't forget to take stronger shoes and water flasks.