Crete has long been on the list of places admired by tourists. Every year millions of people come here to get a lot of positive emotions and have a good rest. To date, the sights of Crete, which are worth seeing, are clearly expressed by architectural structures, natural and historical monuments.

Slow life in Crete

Crete has an area of ​​8.335 sq. km. Its main tourist industry is located on the north coast, however, in the south side of Crete, all lovers of a quiet secluded holiday enjoy deserted beaches. This island does not have its own volcano, but Mount Santorini is located 130 km from it., the eruption of which at one time led to the appearance of a tsunami. In the history of Crete, this event was the most tragic.

However, life on the island passes slowly, which can be felt even on the first day of your vacation. An atmosphere of calm and harmony reigns here. And so that you can feel as comfortable and cozy as possible, you should initially learn not only about the habits and traditions of the local population, but also what sights there are in Crete.

Museums, architecture and other attractions of Crete

The ability to surprise is the main art of Crete. Here are ancient historical buildings that delight and never cease to amaze tourists, returning them to the past. When planning your unforgettable vacation on your own, be sure to include excursions in your program, and they can be the most different on the island. Believe me, in Crete you will find something to see! Indeed, even a day is not enough to list at least the best sights of the island. The top most popular places include the following attractions:

And these are all only the main attractions of Crete, and how much more interesting things you can see with your own eyes - you can’t even imagine.

Regions of Crete that you must visit

Going on vacation to Greece on the island of Crete, it will be unforgivable for a tourist if he does not visit at least some of its regions and their attractions, among which we highlight the best.

The most active, large and developed region, where the capital of Crete and the international airport is located, is the city of Heraklion. For active tourists and young people who cannot imagine their holidays without discos, nightlife, bars and evening walks, such island resorts as: Malia, Stalida, and Chersonese.

The beaches on them are sand and pebble with a smooth entry into the sea, and in themselves they represent an open strip of coast. In the region of Heraklion there are also areas for a quiet holiday:

• Agios - Pelagia;
• Ammoudara;
• Honey;
• Kokkini;
• Gouves;
• Analipsi.

These resorts are excellent for self-guided tours, and since there are quite a few 2-star hotels here, you can save money on accommodation, which means there is a chance for rent a car to go on a trip to the cities of Crete and their attractions. This region is also ideal for family vacations: there is a water park nearby and, of course, 5 and 4 star hotels, which are intended for a romantic, respectable and prestigious vacation.

East Crete will interest tourists in a remote region - Lasithi, which is designed for an elite and relaxing holiday. The beaches here are gentle small bays with a calm sea, a convenient entrance and sandy beaches. Also here is the most elite resort of Crete - Elounda. And if you have already headed to the eastern part of the island, then you should look at such sights:

• the villages of Vai, Psychro, Sisi;
• Vidyani monastery;
• Mirabello Bay;
• Toplou Monastery;
• Cave of Zeus, rich in stalagmites and stalactites.

For young people, independent tourists, a relaxing holiday and with a family, the Rethymnon region is suitable. The beach here is sand and pebble, mixed with a gentle descent into the sea. If you want to spend your holidays in this region, then head to one of these resorts:

1. Sfakaki;
2. Adele;
3. Panormo;
4. Bali.

By the way, here you will also find many interesting sights:

• Monastery of Diskuri, Preveli and Arkadi;
• Patsos Gorge;
• Plakias beach;
• Archaeological Museum;
• City of Rethymno;

The western part of the island of Crete will interest guests with the most its remote region - Chania, to which a serpentine road will lead you. Here is the most beautiful nature, a riot of colors and dense vegetation due to strong rainfall and spring time. The beaches in Chania are the widest on the island and sandy, so this resort is suitable for romantic and family holidays, as well as with teenagers.

The beauty and immensity of the northwestern direction of the island delights. In the bay of Almyros, where the sea meets the land, near the picturesque fishing village of Georgioupolis, there is an amazing place, considered the best on the island. Exactly here, according to legends and stories, Zeus, the God of Hospitality, was born. It also offers a stunning view of the sandy magnificent beach of Georgioupolis and the ridge of the Levka Ori mountains.

Most southern resort of the island - Ierapetra, which is also considered the most luxurious city of Crete. This is a serene quiet town, where there is a feeling of a complete stop of time. Compared to the northern resorts, the city of Ierapetra is practically not focused on tourism, as well as the small village of Stalis, but here you will find how to spend your holidays. And if you are attracted by a more rhythmic lifestyle, then you are definitely not here.

40 minutes from Hersonissos is the resort of Agios Nikolaos, which can be called one of the most beautiful places in Crete. He is known for the famous lake Voulismeni, in which, according to the myth, the Goddess Athena herself bathed. It is also the most comfortable resort, where with the onset of night comes the time for incendiary entertainment, significant meetings and various adventures. We can say that the city comes alive with the onset of night.

Acquaintance with the various sights of Crete will allow each tourist to immerse himself in the world of various "mirages" and at least temporarily disconnect from the everyday bustle. An unforgettable combination clean water sea, green valleys, majestic mountains and endless sandy beaches - will be remembered for a lifetime!

The Greek island of Crete is one of the most popular in mythology Ancient Greece. It is Crete that is considered the birthplace of Zeus, as well as many other mythological figures. Crete is one of the most famous resorts in Europe due to its unique climate and beaches. The island is washed by several seas and has an ideal tourist infrastructure for lovers of beach tourism. But even if you like to sunbathe on the beach, you should not deprive the attention of the sights of Crete. In this compilation, I will tell you about the most popular places on the island that are worth exploring during the tour.

The ancient city of Gortyn

Among the ancient sights of Crete, you should pay attention to the ancient city of Gortyn. It belongs to the most important archaeological sites in Greece and is located a few tens of kilometers south of the capital of Crete. Many people have lived on this land for centuries. different peoples, whose cultures are reflected in the partially preserved ruins. You will find here elements of Greek, Roman and even Egyptian cultures. Another interesting place nearby are the catacombs that were formed during the extraction of stone during the construction of Gortyn. Unfortunately, this labyrinth is not accessible to travelers due to security measures.

Fortress of Spinalonga

For centuries, these territories of Crete were empty and only after the advent of the Venetians began to develop, as they discovered rich reserves of salt here. Spinalonga was founded on a small island in 1579. The fortress was built for defensive purposes, as the settlement was often attacked by pirates and Turks. The history of the island and the fortress of Spinalonga is very rich in numerous events. This place constantly changed owners and passed from one owner to another. To this day, many old buildings and defensive walls have been preserved here. There are also dark spots in the history of the island. For example, at the beginning of the 20th century, Spinalonga was a kind of prison for lepers from all over Greece. However, it was here that electricity first appeared on the island of Crete. The fortress is one of the must-see attractions in Greece.

Dicteian cave

Among the natural attractions of Crete, it is worth noting the Diktea cave, which is located in the mountains of the same name. This is one of the most beautiful places throughout the island, where, according to myth, the god Zeus was born. During excavations, many ancient artifacts in honor of this ancient Greek deity were found here. The cave is very popular among travelers who visit the legendary place en masse. Dikteyskaya cave consists of the so-called vestibule and the main hall. Here you will find a large underground lake with special wooden bridges that lead along fantastic stalactites and other geological formations. To diversify your journey, you can get to the cave with the help of donkey excursions.

Lake Kourna

The attractions of Crete include several lakes, but this is one of the largest freshwater reservoirs in Crete. Kourna is very popular among the other natural wonders of Crete. The lake is located 50 kilometers southeast of Chania. You will certainly be surprised to meet turtles and other rare inhabitants of fresh lakes here. For this reason, the lake is a nature reserve and is protected by European nature protection laws. Numerous studies claim that lake water is so pure that it can be drunk even without purification and boiling. There is also a nice cozy beach where both locals and numerous tourists relax. Qurnas can be safely included in the list of the most beautiful lakes in the world.

Lake Voulismeni

Another wonderful lake of Crete is Voulismeni. This freshwater reservoir is located in the city of Agios Nikolaos. The lake is famous for its round shape and great depth of several tens of meters. There have long been myths that Vulusmeni is completely bottomless. According to these legends, the goddess Athena herself bathed here. It is a proven fact that during the Second World War, the inhabitants of Crete flooded the German military equipment. Voulismeni was the object of research by the legendary Frenchman Jacques Yves Cousteau, who dived here with his bathyscaphe.

Samaria Gorge

The Samaria Gorge in Crete is the largest gorge in Europe. This is one of the most picturesque natural sights of Crete. This gorge has been inhabited since prehistoric times and has managed to preserve elements of ancient buildings and shrines. About a century ago, the Samaria Gorge became a national park and protected reserve. Thus the government decided to protect the unique animal world and flora of Samaria. A special hiking trail runs through the gorge, along which hundreds of thousands of tourists pass every year. Sometimes there are so many people here that even traffic jams form. The Samaria Gorge is open to tourists during the summer and autumn period, when there is the least rainfall. Traveling here is dangerous during the rainy season, as the gorge often fills with water.

Minotaur Labyrinth

Not surprisingly, many sights of Crete are associated with myths and legends. In the case of the labyrinth of the Minotaur, it was here that the monstrous monster was kept, terrorizing the inhabitants of Athens. With his help, King Minas collected requisitions from people, but the brave hero Theseus saved the inhabitants of the city from the minotaur. And so another myth of Ancient Greece appeared. Interestingly, the exact location and plan of the labyrinth are not known. It is believed that the ancient labyrinth was located in the ruins of the Knossos Palace in northern Crete. Some of the underground routes have indeed survived to this day, but none of the researchers have been able to decipher its plan and real purpose.

Knossos palace

The Palace of Knossos is mentioned in the list of architectural sights of Crete as an integral item. This palace was the main building of one of the oldest cities in Greece called Knossos. You can find the famous Ruins in the north of Crete, near the current city of Heraklion. Throughout history, the palace was repeatedly damaged by earthquakes, but was soon restored again. When the archaeologist Evans bought the land in the north of Crete, he tried to partially recreate this ancient structure. It is thanks to his efforts that today it is possible to look deep into history and see some elements of the Knossos Palace.

Ruins of ancient Olus

A very popular place among scuba divers is the Ruins of the ancient city of Olus. The city was under water after a powerful earthquake, being a powerful port and trading center. By diving underwater today, scuba divers have a unique chance to observe the legacy of several civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans. Here you can rent diving equipment and even hire a private guide to take you on an underwater tour. Not everyone can visit this unusual attraction of Crete, as certain diving skills are required. Olous is included in the list of the most mysterious underwater cities in history.

Kera Kardiotissa

A less visited attraction in Crete is one of the island's most important shrines. The monastery of Kera Kardiotissa includes a number of buildings that are about 800 years old. Today it is a quiet place where services are still being held. Orthodox tourists are attracted here by a copy of the icon of the Virgin, which is considered a healing disease. Many believe that by touching this icon they will be able to recover, or gain longevity. This peaceful place creates an atmosphere as if life had stopped many centuries ago.

Museum of Agios Nikolaos

One of the attractions of Crete is the Museum of Archeology in the city of Agios Nikolaos. Here you can see many archaeological finds found during excavations. The exposition of the museum reveals to the visitor the history of the island of Crete. Various epochs of the life of the island are presented, but the most outstanding exhibits are the statue of the goddess Metra and the skull of a young Roman.

Water City Waterpark

Many will certainly be interested in the modern landmarks of Crete, including the WaterCity water park in the city of Anapolis. Numerous tourists rest here after a tour of the ancient ruins. The water park can be found near the village of Kokkini Hani. There are water slides for both adults and young children. The most modern range of attractions is presented, which can only be found in European resorts.

Rethymno city

In the western part of Crete is the picturesque town of Rethymno. It was built by the Venetians during their reign on the island. Many sights of this city are perfectly preserved to our time. But among them it is worth highlighting the magnificent Fortezza fortress from the 16th century. There are also museums here, including the archaeological and historical-ethnographic ones. Numerous tourists like to gather near the Rimondi Fountain in the port of Rethymno.

Elafonisi beach

Elafonisi beach is included in the list of the best beaches in Greece and is located 20 kilometers from the city of Chania. Elafonisi is famous for its pink sand and scenic views. It is for the sake of this beach that many tourists from different countries Europe choose the island of Crete as a destination for holidays. Such an unusual color of the sand was formed due to the remains of special corals, and the water in the lagoon is always crystal clear. It has everything you need for a quality holiday, so I strongly advise you to visit this attraction of Crete during your trip.

Vai beach

In the final part of our review, let's go through the best beaches of Crete. Among them is the palm beach of Vai on the territory of the national park of the same name. It is famous for the largest palm forest on the European Continent. Even more surprising is that endemic Theophrastus palms grow here. Vai Beach is very popular with tourists, so during the summer season it is always very crowded. However, this place is recommended to visit due to the picturesque views and the opportunity to watch the sunrise.

Bay of Balos

Many come to Crete just for the sake of this amazing place, where one of the most beautiful beaches in the world is located. The beach of Balos bay with white-pink sand and turquoise water in shallow water is surrounded untouched nature. There is no infrastructure here, since Balos Bay is a protected area. Numerous tourists come here on foot from the nearest parking lot, but such a journey is worth it. As an alternative, donkey rides can be booked, especially for children.

Matala beach

This is not just a beach, but an important historical site near the small Greek settlement of Matala. Matala is located in a cozy bay formed by rocks. People have lived in this place since prehistoric times, and supporters of Jesus Christ hid from persecutors in numerous rocky caves. The ruins of ancient temples and burials are still preserved here. This is the case when history, a picturesque beach and the beauty of nature are combined in one sight of Crete.

TOURIST ANSWERS:

Crete, with its amazing nature and centuries-old history, is so rich in various sights that it will take quite a bit to see them all. a large number of time and even for several trips to rest, you will not be able to see everything. Therefore, I will talk about some of them that you can see or visit, combining these excursions with a vacation on the island.

The first, probably, what tourists who first came to Crete are 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 as a donation . As a result, Theseus managed to defeat the Minotaur and, using the ball of thread that Ariadne gave him, got out of the labyrinth. The history of the palace has more than four thousand years, during which it was destroyed by earthquakes and rebuilt. The Palace of Knossos is located near the capital, or rather the administrative center of Crete, the city of Heraklion, named after the hero of Greek mythology Hercules. You can get to it on your own by bus, which departs from a kiosk located next to the bus station with the inscription "Knossos Palace". The bus runs quite often and the round trip fare is approximately four euros. You can also get there by rented car, there should not be any problems with the search, as there are signs everywhere, which can be quite easy to navigate. Of course, it is better to visit the palace accompanied by a guide, since the main interest is precisely the stories associated with the Knossos Palace. Signs are 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 movement 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.

Immediately in Heraklion, the coastal fortress of Kules immediately catches the eye. It was built in the 14th century, but what we are seeing now is a building of a later period, restored after an earthquake already 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 dwellings for the defenders of the fortress, warehouses and even a prison. A walk through the territory and the interior of the fortress will seem quite interesting and exciting to you. The citadel is open for 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 of ancient Crete was one of the administrative centers and is currently the best preserved. During the excavations, the ruins of the 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 different items were found, including tablets with a linear script, rock crystal dishes, and in one of the amphoras, perfectly preserved olives, whose age is about three thousand years, were found. For independent travel 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 drinking water, especially if your travel time falls in the months of July or August, when it is especially hot in Crete. Entrance to the territory of the complex costs three euros, opening hours from 9.00 to 15.00 daily, except Monday.

One of the most visited places in Crete is the Dictean Cave, which is located in the Dictian Mountains in the southern part of the island near the village of Psychro. It is also called the Cave of Zeus, because 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 stalactites and stalagmites with their bizarre shapes. During the excavations, tables for offerings and an altar were found. In the depths of the cave itself is a small mountain lake in which Zeus bathed. You can buy an excursion with a visit to the Diktea cave at any travel agency in Crete. For a more comfortable journey, I advise you to wear comfortable shoes, since from the bus stop to the cave itself, go 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 don't forget to bring some warm clothes with you as it's quite chilly and damp inside, where again you'll need comfortable shoes to avoid slipping on the wet rocks. The entrance to the cave is paid and is four euros, when buying 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, can be very interesting. For many years it served as a shelter and shelter for the inhabitants of the island, first from the Turks during the Ottoman invasion, who could not take possession of the gorge. In the last century, rebels hid here, dissatisfied dictatorial regime and resistance fighters fighting against German troops. Half a century ago, the gorge received the status national park and the population living in 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 local residents living at different times, and the creation of a reserve on the territory of the gorge involves preserving interesting species of animals and fauna, as well as the nature of the White Mountains. I want to immediately warn tourists who are going to go through the gorge that this is a rather difficult excursion, it’s definitely not worth taking children, and it’s not worth talking about drinking water supplies and comfortable equipment at all, it’s clear that you can’t do without it. It is best to choose a not hot period, then the trip will be more comfortable. The entrance ticket costs five euros.

: a doctor, traveler and blogger Nikolai Romanov. The topic of his competition article is the sights of Crete, which are worth seeing for sure, no matter, on your own or with a guide. The recommendations of an experienced traveler will be of interest to many readers!

Highlights of East Crete

I was recently asked for advice on where to go in Greece. Like, I want to have time to visit the islands and Athens. I asked how much time do you have for the trip. The answer was - two weeks .... A young woman is going with her mother on her first trip abroad, their budget is small. Big plans...

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: there are only 166 inhabited islands in it (and another 1259 (!) Uninhabited). At the same time, the islands occupy only 20% of the territory.

Greece is great not so much in terms of territory as in terms of historical and mythological richness. We were twice in Crete, but, relatively well, managed to see only the eastern part of it; and only slightly looked into the western one during the tour.

For many, Greece is associated with a good beach holiday. And it is right. In Greece great amount Blue Flag beaches. The resort areas have a well-developed infrastructure. Greek taverns are something special: they not only serve tasty food, but also accompany the process of eating with pleasant free treats and dances.

Eating in Greek taverns, as we found out, is pleasant and healthy, but it’s time to finish feeding you, dear reader, with general reasoning!

Let's talk about islands. And I promise, there will not be a banal enumeration of attractions, there will only be highlights.

Highlight #1. Knossos palace

In Crete, a visit to the ruins of the Minos Palace of Knossos near Heraklion is considered mandatory. Moreover, this palace is covered with such legends that modern thrillers are no match for. And yet, I will not dwell on the description of this Palace.

Palace of Knossos - restored part

I will only say my opinion - is it necessary to visit this palace with a tour. I am a supporter of economical self-guided visits to attractions and museums. But in this case in order to imagine not only how these ruins looked 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 a large group at that time.

I also remember this grandfather. Barely walking, with a wand, he patiently stood in the heat of May in a line (“privileged”, not general) in order 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 consider this fortress not only beautiful, but also having a very instructive history. I will touch on it briefly.

This Venetian fortress 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, which 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. It did not take a long siege with heavy weapons. A group of lepers was landed on the island. The Turks were blown away by the wind! A leper colony was built, the state-owned houses of which were preserved much worse than the Ottoman ones.

For 50 years, the tragedy of life and death of the terminally ill continued. Some of them, unable to endure physical and moral torment, climbed the walls of the fortress and jumped into the sea .... The exposition of the 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 territory of the fortress. Lepers don't look in the mirror...

Amazing views of the bay and Elounda open from the walls of the fortress.

There are several churches on the territory, one of them is active.

You can get here by boat. Some boats go from the city of Agios Nikolaos, but they sail for 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 rather pleasant 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 sails back on purpose in a different way. It seems that he is about to sail away to the open sea. In fact, tourists are invited to see Spinalonga around, as well as swim to the islet opposite.

Highlight number 3. Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful, typically Mediterranean town. But its main highlight is a fresh lake, a narrow channel that merges 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) - you will rock!

Other highlights (smaller)

Of course, there is still a lot of interesting things in the eastern part of Crete. Zeus cave, interesting not only for its legend about the non-random birth of the future ruler of Olympus. We have seen many similar caves with bizarre figures of stalactites and stalagmites in different countries.

But this one is not so much great in length as in depth - for the entire size of the mountain (which you must first climb). It is not difficult to go down into it, but to go up, and even if you are in a hurry to have time to return to the sightseeing bus, it is hard - the stairs are steep. And from the mountain, in addition, very beautiful views open up.

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 are to blame for this (they say), who landed on this shore a long time ago. They didn’t have any food, except for dates (well, what else do Phoenicians eat?!). They ate the dates and spit out the pits on the sand and earth. This is how palm trees grew.

They say that it was here that the famous Bounty advertisement (“paradise delight”) was filmed. Others do not agree with them. But the place is very beautiful.

Cliffs rise above the bay, from which there are wonderful views.

Very interesting convent Kardiotissa (Virgin Mary 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 Turks-invaders. The icon was miraculous - it healed heart diseases. The first time the icon easily ran away and returned.

The second time she was chained to a pole. But such was the strength and loyalty of this icon to Crete that it pulled out a pillar with chains and returned again. True, later a simple Italian merchant again stole the icon and took it to Rome. There she remained - still a 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 Lassithi Plateau can be seen in one tour Eastern Crete. The remains of medieval mills have been preserved on the Lassithi plateau.

There is one such mill on the territory of the hotel where we lived in 2012 - Aldemar Knossos.

In the same hotel, we twice visited the wonderful master classes of 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 this year; this salad should now enter the Guinness Book of Records.

Well, it is also worth mentioning the easternmost city of Crete Sitia- a typical Mediterranean town with its own interesting story. It looks a little more modest than Chania, Rethymno and Agios Nikolaos, but it is also worthy of a walk and acquaintance.

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 it geographic location . This place is washed right away four seas:

The island is in eastern part mediterranean sea , its structure heterogeneous.

Crete is made up of 4 districts:

Attractions of the island - photo and description

Like herself Greece, Crete has eventful history and very memorable nature. This is evidenced by numerous memorable places And beautiful landscapes.

Architecture

Falasarna is ancient Greek port city. The remains of the former power of this city are evidenced by dilapidated remains of fortresses. This is real paradise for people interested in archeology. Here all the time excavations are underway, scientists are finding new and new artifacts. Also here is museum, having visited which, you can see found archaeological rarity.

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 the remains of the city, if not one "but". This city is under water. "Sight- invisible“, that's what they called this place before scuba gear was invented.

Tourists can now go scuba diving into the depths of the sea and explore sunken ancient Olus.

There is one place where fortress wall the city is very high and comes to the very surface of the water. Travelers love to take pictures there, as if they walk on water. It is a favorite place for tourists photo sessions.

One of the architectural sights of Crete is labyrinth of minotaur. Associated with this place is an amazing Greek legend. Once lived in this labyrinth Minotaur, which the king kept in order to terrify in local residents, as well as in order to collect from them tribute. This went on until the brave Theseus Not delivered people from a terrible monster and not freed beautiful Ariadne.

Greece- country with centuries old history and culture. Therefore, it is worth visiting as much as possible. historical sites . Find out what else to see in Greece here.

Even more beautiful local legends you can find out if you visit Museum of Agios Nikolaos. This museum is dedicated archeology. The museum has 4 large halls, which is sufficient for fully feel the spirit of Greece and learn some curious facts about the history of Crete.

All sights of Crete can be visited from excursion. Many guides talk in Russian, so there will be no problems with understanding.

Nature

Natural attraction of the island, Dicteian cave, represents mesmerizing spectacle. Dikteyskaya cave welcomes tourists stalactites, stalagmites bizarre, underground lake, mysterious bridges. This place permeates mystical setting.

It is known that after Second World War inhabitants of Crete dumped to Lake Voulismeni German technology How symbol of liberation.

In addition to the above attractions, every self-respecting tourist should visit Lake Voulismeni. It's very deep fresh lake, which has practically round shape. This place shrouded many legends. According to one of them, here in general missing bottom. According to another legend, she bathed in this lake herself goddess Athena- Goddess of military strategy.

Entertainment

Not a single tourist will be left indifferent Elafonisi beach. In general, not a single beach of Crete with its crystal clear turquoise water cannot fail to impress the traveler. But to the one who was in Crete and didn't visit on Elafonisi, the locals say that he didn't see anything. Distinctive feature this beach is pink sand. From such a landscape breathtaking.

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One of the most popular entertainment on the island is considered water park. Water City can present you 34 water games choice, many water slides, water racing and a lot of activities that will help to relax both the soul and the body. You can easily get to this water park by car because it is in 10 minutes drive from Heraklion. Ride everything-nothing, and it's worth it!

What else to see in Crete?

On your own you can visit Knossos palace. This place is shrouded in all sorts of legends, and every year many tourists. You can get here as by car, and by bus. The starting point is a stop in Heraklion next to the kiosk "Knossos Palace".

Here's to the beach Elafonisi, which was mentioned above, you can safely get under its own power since the bay is there not extended, and the water depth is not higher than knee-deep.

If you rent a car, then it will travel more comfortable And faster. So, by car you can visit labyrinth of minotaur and many other attractions as they are relatively near the capital Crete - Heraklion.

If you are going on a trip with kids then you just can't get around 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 turtles are found. And in Kournas allowed to swim. Also, with children, you should definitely go to the Watercity water park.

Having visited these remarkable places, you will definitely want to visit Crete again!