Overview
Crete is the largest and southernmost island in Greece. It sits at the crossroads of no less than three continents - Asia, Europe and Africa. The island was regarded by the ancient Greeks as the birthplace of Zeus, the most important of the gods. It boasts gorgeous beaches, stunning mountain ranges and charming old towns to explore.
The city of Chania, in northwest Crete, dates back to the Stone Age. Chania is considered the island's prettiest town, because it's positioned gloriously between the turquoise blue waters of the Aegean Sea and the towering white mountains. Looking around the old town, you can see the various cultural influences - Minoan, Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman. Invaders always focused on Chania because it's a harbor city, and the mixture of the west and the east in the architecture is absolutely spectacular. Unlike Mykonos and Santorini, Crete has lots of colors. Because Cretans had more money, they could afford to paint with pastel and dark red colors.
Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is a central location for exploring two of the island's powerhouse attractions - the Archaeological Museum and the Palace of Knossos. It's also the island's main transportation hub, so as a visitor you will most likely arrive here.
Sights/Landmarks/To Do
Koum Kapi Bay, Chania: You'll find lots of action on Koum Kapi Bay. This area is where the young, the cool and everyone else eat, drink iced coffee, and play backgammon all day and all night.
Agreco Farm, Chania: Farming used to be Crete's main economy. Today, it's tourism, but at Agreco Farm, they've blended the two. Agreco Farm re-creates a traditional 17th-century Cretan farm and mini-village. It showcases traditional farming methods, including grape crushing by foot and a donkey-driven oil press. You can take part in some of the activities, and at the end of the day, enjoy a well-earned feast of Cretan delights. Be sure to taste the raki. A fiery local spirit, it is the traditional drink of Crete.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Palace of Knossos: This museum houses the most important finds from the ancient Minoans, considered the very first civilization in Europe. The Minoans worshipped female gods, and the women in their culture were given positions of high status and authority. Many of the artifacts were found at the Palace of Knossos. The palace is one of the most visited sites in Greece, second only to the Acropolis in Athens. It was the political, economic and religious center for the town around it. The main structure has around 1,400 rooms, and the archaeologists who excavated it were astounded to find multi-story buildings, bathtubs and flushing toilets.
The Cretan Knife, a Souvenir: The Cretan knife is a popular souvenir on the island. It's what the Greeks buy when they go to Crete. Every Cretan man has got to have his own proper knife for defense, work, or just peeling his fruit and opening a walnut.
Hotels
Halepa Hotel, Chania: The Halepa Hotel is just a short walk from the bay. It's a charming, family-owned business housed in what used to be the British Embassy. The palm tree-lined courtyard is the perfect place to begin your morning with a cup of coffee, and the rooms are clean and simple. If you want one that has a little more character to it, ask for one of the rooms in the historical building. One downside of staying here is that you are a 20-minute walk to the city's center. But that's OK, because you should position yourself to explore many parts of this island, not just one.
Lato Hotel, Heraklion: The Lato Hotel is considered one of the highest-rated hotels in Heraklion. People love it, because it has a more modern, updated feel than other hotels in the city. The rooms are all decorated in earth tones and woods. After a long day out in the scorching sun, it's like walking into a big pair of sunglasses. It's relief, a gift from Zeus himself. The hotel has a great breakfast buffet as well as high-speed Internet access. It also looks out over the old Venetian harbor, so be sure to request a room with a view.
Food/Restaurants/Bars
Tamam Restaurant, Chania: This restaurant is located at a narrow intersection, in a building that used to hold the city's old Turkish baths. The menu includes locally grown greens, fried croquettes, tomatoes, peanuts, fava beans, zucchini and dakos - a Greek bread salad made with crispy bread, fresh tomatoes and Anthotyro cheese (similar to cottage cheese).
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