Destination Info
Crete
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete is also the southernmost outpost of Greece and of Europe, and has one of Europe's oldest civilizations. Due to its natural beauty, it has been established as one most popular holiday destinations, where visitors can discover several unique villages, stunning landscapes and tranquil beach locations.
History
- Cretan history is surrounded by myths (such as those of the king Minos; Theseus and the Minotaur; and Daedalus and Icarus) that have been passed to us via Greek historian/poets (such as Homer).
- The first human settlements on the island, dating to the aceramic Neolithic.
- Crete was the centre of Europe's most ancient civilization; the Minoan which flourished from 2600 to 1100 B.C.
- Dorians (1.100-67 BC) The Dorian years were marked by the first appearance of iron tools, and the deterioration of the Minoan.
- Roman Period - First Byzantine Period (67 BC-824 AD) Crete was occupied at 67 BC by the Romans. The island became part of the Byzantine Empire from 325 AD to 824 AD and converted to Christianity.
- Arab occupation (824 -961 AD) Arabs occupied Crete, and founded the city of Chandax (Heraklion). The city was liberated by the Byzantine emperor Nikiforos Fokas at 961 AD.
- Second Byzantine Period (961-1204 AD) Crete becomes again part of the Byzantine empire.
- Venetian occupation (1204-1669 AD) During Venice's rule, which lasted more than four centuries, a Renaissance swept through the island as is evident from the plethora of artistic works dating to that period.
- Turkish occupation (1669-1898 AD) Ottomans conquered Crete in 1669, after a 21-year siege of the capital, Candia.
- Independent Crete (1898-1913 AD) In 1898, with the intervention of the Great Powers, Crete was declared an autonomous state.
- Independent Crete (1898-1913 AD) Crete remained autonomous until 1913 when it united with Greece.
- 1913 – today
Crete was the last stand off of the Allied forces in Greece during the Second World War. During World War II, the island was the scene of the famous Battle of Crete where, in May 1941, German paratroopers sustained almost 7,000 casualties.
Location – Geography Crete covers an area of 8,336 km², with a coastline of 1046 km; to the north it broaches the Sea of Crete to the south the Libyan Sea in the west the Myrtoan Sea, and toward the east the Karpathion Sea. It lies approximately 160 km south of the Greek mainland. Crete is extremely mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east, formed by three different groups of mountains.
Moreover the island is constituted by the prefectures of Heraklion, Lasithi, Rethimno and Chania .
Climate: the climate in Crete is primarily characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The atmosphere can be quite humid, depending on the proximity to the sea, while winter is fairly mild.
Location – Geography
Crete covers an area of 8,336 km², with a coastline of 1046 km; to the north it broaches the Sea of Crete to the south the Libyan Sea in the west the Myrtoan Sea, and toward the east the Karpathion Sea. It lies approximately 160 km south of the Greek mainland. Crete is extremely mountainous, and its character is defined by a high mountain range crossing from west to east, formed by three different groups of mountains. Moreover the island is constituted by the prefectures of Heraklion, Lasithi, Rethimno and Chania .
Climate
The climate in Crete is primarily characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. The atmosphere can be quite humid, depending on the proximity to the sea, while winter is fairly mild.
| Heraklion temperature in °C | |||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 12.4 | 13.2 | 13.6 | 15.7 | 20.2 | 25.9 | 26.4 | 26.1 | 24.5 | 18.9 | 14.4 | 14.0 |
| Water temperature in °C | |||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 17 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 20 | 22-24 | 24-26 | 26-27 | 24-26 | 22 | 20 | 18 |
Capital: Heraklion
Prefectures:
Chania
Heraklion
Lasithi
Rethymno
Population: 623,666 (2005)
Language:
Greek is the official language. However, English, German Italian as well as French are spoken in various tourist locations.
Religion: Greek Orthodox
Currency and Banking: there are several ATM's or Cash machines on the Island of Corfu.Euro exchange facilities are available at all ports of entry. Major credit cards are widely accepted.
Airport
There are three airports in Crete: Heraklion airport, Chania airport in Akrotiri and Sitia airport.
The Heraklion Airport is connected via Athens or charter flights to most European destinations.
Regular coach, taxi and local bus services are available to and from the airports. Facilities: Duty-free shop, cafe, bar and car hire.
Transport
Urban Buses (blue) serve the city of Heraklion from early morning until late at night. Intercity Busses (green) connect Heraklion with all the prefectures of Crete. The main routes from Heraklion are: Heraklion - Lasithi (Hersonissos-Malia-Agios Nikolaos-Sitia-Ierapetra-Viannos-Monofatsi) Starting point: Port of Heraklion.
Taxi ranks are available in various spots in central cities across the island. Rates are fixed for popular destinations or calculated with a meter for others.
Museums
Chania
Chania Archaeological Museum
Naval Museum of Crete
Frangocastello Fortress
Museums in Rethymnon
Archaeological Museum
Historical and Folk Art Museum
The Fortezza fortress of Rethymnon
Museums in Heraklion
Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Heraklion Historical Museum
Knossos
Phaistos (Festos)
Museums in Lassithi
Archaeological Museum
Places of interest
Spinalonga isle
Samaria Gorge
Arhanes Village
Matala Caves
Arkadi Monastery
Chrissopigi Monastery
Gastronomy
Crete has one of the oldest gastronomic traditions in the world. Specifically, Cretan cuisine is traditionally Mediterranean and is based on ingredients such as tomatoes, cucumber, feta cheese and especially olive oil. Seafood is also a major part of Cretan cuisine.
Moreover, the Cretan diet is the most characteristic example of the Mediterranean diet.
- Baked fish with tomato and olive oil sauce.
- Boureki (recipe from western Crete).
- Eggs with Tomato.
- Kolokithokeftedes, fried courgette or zucchini balls.
- Olive pate.
- Omelet with cauliflower.
- Pork with celery.
- Pork with Spinach.
- Rocks.
- Sarikopites (Crete cheese pies).
- Spicy Yogurt Salad.
- Stuffed Vegetables (Yemista).
- Veal with Aubergines (Eggplant).
- Walnut cake.
- Yoghurt pie with olive oil.
Entertainment
Crete offers a wide selection of night clubs, bars, cafes, and traditional tavernas, not only in the capital of each prefecture, Chania Town, Rethymnon Town, Heraklion Town and Agios Nikolaos Town, but also in Hersonissos, Elounda, Stalida, Matala, Plakias, Souda Bay, Agia Galini, Malia, Kastelli-Kissamos, Agia Pelagia, Paleochora, Ierapetra, Sitia, etc. Crete is also quite known for its traditional theatrical entertainment.
Festivals
- Navy Week is a countrywide event with celebrations and festivities conducted at ports off the Greek mainland and on most of the Greek Islands (June/July).
- Heraklion Festival is one of the island’s biggest annual events with a program of live music featuring some of Greece’s best-known musicians plus various theatrical and art performances (July to September).
- Festival of the Virgin Mary, 14-15 August: The day of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) is Greece’s second most significant religious holiday and is widely celebrated especially in Crete.
- Sultanina, Siteia, 16-20 August: Annual celebration of the grapes harvest, through a festival with music, dancing and local wine in the old Venetian fortress.
Sports
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Scuba diving,
- Windsurfing,
- Paragliding,
- Waterskiing,
- Jet-skiing,
- Horseback riding,
- Hiking, rock climbing,
- Mountain biking.
Driving in Crete
A national driving license is acceptable for EU nationals. EU nationals taking their own cars to Greece are advised to obtain a Green Card. Nationals of non-EU countries may need an International Driving Permit.
Major cities are generally connected by wide highways. Specifically, in northern Crete there is a highway from Agios Nikolaos to Kastelli (Kissamos) via Heraklion, Rethymnon and Chania. The part from Agios Nikolaos to Sitia is still narrow and has many sharp bends.
Driving in Greece is on the right.
Traffic signs throughout Greece are generally in Greek and English, and Greece uses internationally recognized traffic control and stop signs.
Passports
Passport required by all except: EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Shopping hours
Tuesday / Thursday and Friday: 09.00 to 14.00 - 17.30 to 21.00.Monday / Wednesday and Saturday: 09.00 to 14.00.
Supermarkets as well as local shops are generally open all day until late.
General information
There is a fairly good cable network throughout the island operating by OTE. Internet is also available via dial up connections and ADSL. Mobile telephony covers even the most inaccessible part of the island.
There is at least one general hospital in the major cities and medical centers in almost every smaller town. Very well equipped private clinics and doctors' offices of all medical specialties can also be found in the major cities.
The sun in Corfu is very intense, and the chances of getting sunburn are quite high even on the cloudiest of days.
