When you hear people speak about beach holidays in Europe, you will often hear them speak about Crete and all that it has to offer.
From astonishing hotels, to villas to companies like Plus Villagreat food, astonishing beaches, and everything in between, there is a reason why Crete is on many tourist maps.
We explore why below:
There’s Lots of History
Chania exudes tradition and history, being probably the most lovely towns on the island. The jaw-dropping architecture makes you feel like you have stepped back in time, particularly as you explore the Venetian Harbor, Old Town, and rows of Turkish and Venetian-style mansions.
Plus, no trip there would be complete without tasting the local drink, ‘tsikoudia’. This 45% alcoholic drink is a local favourite.
The beach is Sensational
What beach vacation would be complete without wonderful beaches?
Crete’s beaches may be a little further away from the hustle and bustle of the city, but this makes it more serene and thrilling.
Which beach should you try?
Balos Beach which looks like a lagoon (that’s why it’s probably the most photographed beaches in Crete) and offers great natural beauty, Elafonisi Beach which is accessible by a small walkable reef and even features pink sand in places, and Falassarna beach with its clear blue water and incredible sunsets.
The Canyon Is Amazing
Natural beauty is something Crete has in abundance and one of its most iconic features is the canyons.
It not only makes an amazing outing but also the perfect place to take a stroll. Many are accessible and let you explore the local nature and meet the island’s famous goats.
Some of the best canyons to visit are Samaria Gorge, Agia Irini Gorge and Kourtaliotiko Gorge.
It’s Highly Accessible
Another big draw for Crete is that it is extremely accessible from many areas, including its three airports. You can even take a ferry from the port of Athens (these tend to cross 2 or 3 times a day) or if you’re exploring the island there are ferries from Santorini, Rhodes, Karpathos, Mykonos, Gythio and Gavdos (some of which only run during high season).
It’s Great for Island Hopping
This island-hopping ability is also what appeals so much to many travelers as it gives them the opportunity to explore a number of islands (and cultures) in the holiday of a lifetime. Crete is usually the starting point for these adventures (thanks partly to its own airport) and there are a number of tours available. Or, if you prefer to do it on your own, there are the ferries mentioned above which will easily get you from one place to another.
Now, if these top five reasons to visit Crete have not got you attempting to find flights, we do not know what will!
