Contents
Crete is not only the largest of the numerous Greek islands, but also the most interesting of them. It is the largest economic, cultural and historical center of Greece. It was here that the oldest civilization in Europe, the Minoan, was born. The first settlements on the island, which arose more than 9 years ago, annually attract thousands of tourists to Crete who want to join the pages of the ancient history of this beautiful island.
The most beautiful places of Crete will give vivid impressions with their splendor and stunning views. The island and its attractions will appeal to tourists who appreciate a quiet relaxing holiday.
10 Knossos and the Palace of Knossos
The most beautiful and famous places of Crete include the ancient city Knossos и Knossos palace. They can be called the visiting card of the island. During its heyday, the city was the most influential settlement in the Mediterranean. The construction technologies and engineering solutions used to create the city and the Palace of Knossos amaze and amaze. The ancient Minoans built multi-storey buildings with natural and artificial lighting, ventilation, plumbing, sewerage and heating systems.
The palace of Knossos, despite the fact that almost only ruins remained of it, still amazes with its grandeur and beauty. It is so huge that in ancient times it was a real city with a huge number of rooms, halls, terraces. The palace had a bullring and an amphitheater. The Palace of Knossos is known all over the world primarily thanks to the legend of the Minotaur, who lived in a giant labyrinth built on the orders of the legendary King Minos.
9. Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge one of the most beautiful places in Crete. This is the largest gorge in Europe, reaching a length of 13 kilometers. Now it is a national park, which everyone can visit. Among the many plants growing in the Samaria Gorge, you can admire rare Cretan endemics. A popular tourist route passes through the gorge. It is better to visit this most beautiful sight of Crete in the spring, because in summer the suffocating heat reigns in the gorge.
8. Lake Kournas
Among the most beautiful places in Crete is Lake Kournas. It is the largest freshwater body of the island. The lake with clear turquoise water is located among low mountains. For tourists on the beach there are sun loungers with umbrellas. Here you can spend the whole day in peace and quiet, enjoying the surrounding views. Those who wish can go on a catamaran trip on the lake to see the turtles living in it.
7. Lassithi Plateau
Lassithi Plateau is one of the most beautiful places in Crete where you can admire the many windmills. Here is another popular attraction of the island – Dikteyskaya cave, in which, according to ancient legends, Zeus was born. Since ancient times, it has been considered a cult place. The cave is famous for the stalactites and stalagmites that cover its roof and floor. The path leading to the cave offers a magnificent view of the Lassithi plain.
6. Woolismen
In the city of Agios Nikolaos is one of the most beautiful places in Crete – a lake of almost perfect round shape. It’s called Woolismen and is the second largest freshwater body of the island. According to local legends, the ancient Greek goddess Pallas Athena chose this lake as her bathing place. The lake is fed by underwater sources, therefore, after the laying of a canal that connected the reservoir and the sea, the lower layers of Voulismeni still remained fresh. On the eastern part of the lake there are numerous city restaurants and cafes.
5. Island fortress of Spinalonga
Continues the list of the most beautiful places in Crete island fortress of Spinalonga. The fortress has a long and tragic history. It was founded in the XNUMXth century to protect against pirates and invaders. At different times, the island belonged to Venetian merchants and Turks. With the onset of the XNUMXth century, the fortress changed its purpose – it was turned into a leper colony, where lepers from all over Greece were brought. When visiting Spinalonga, it is recommended to have a hat with you – there is no shelter on the island from the scorching sun.
4. Bay of Balos
Bay of Balos – a stunningly beautiful place in Crete. As the locals say, the waters of three seas meet here, so at different times of the day the water in the bay acquires up to 17 shades. Here is one of the most beautiful beaches of the island. Its bottom is completely sandy. Although the beach is “wild” and not equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas, it is very popular. Tourists are attracted not only by the beauty of the bay and the beach, but also by the ancient fortress of Gramvousa located here.
3. Elafonisi
Another one of the stunning beauty of the beaches of Crete – Elafonisi. It is famous for its pink sand. The sand got its pink tint due to the presence of fragments of corals, shells and sea shells in it. Transparent clean water, shallow sea depth and unusual color of the sand made the beach one of the most popular places on the island. The beach is located on a small island, 100 meters away from the coast of Crete, which allows you to wade to it at low tide.
2. Matala beach
Among the most beautiful places in Crete is matala beach. It is located in the bay of Messara. The beach is interesting because caves were carved in the rocks surrounding it in ancient times. It is assumed that ancient people first lived in them, and later, in the Byzantine era, they were used for burial. During the period of early Christianity, the caves became a refuge for the followers of Jesus. Now the caves are deserted and open to the public.
1. Vai beach
One of the most beautiful places in Crete Vai beachlocated on the territory of the national park of the same name. The park is famous for the fact that a unique forest of endemic Theophrastus palms grows here. There are several local versions of the appearance of the forest. According to one of them, it was planted in ancient times by the Phoenicians, according to the other – by pirates. According to scientists, no one planted a palm forest – date palms have been on the island since ancient times.
Vai beach is very popular among the guests of Crete, despite the fact that the seabed here is not sandy, but rocky.