Top 10 Most Favorite Places to Visit in Crete when you spend your Holidays to Crete
1. Balos: On the northwest coast of cape Gramvousa, in a bay shaped among the lesser capes of Tigani and Vouha, lies the sea-lagoon of Balos. A quiet beach, opposite the two Gramvousa islands (wild and tame), it enjoys warm, turquoise waters and white sands. The closing is honestly partially composed of minutely crushed sea-shells, which impart a pinkish hue to the white sand. The water without delay offshore is shallow but deepens somewhere else. In the course of July and August, Balos receives a day by day inflow of crowds of vacationers. For this reason, in addition to stagnant reaches of water, components can get incredibly stinky.
2. Elafonissi & Kedrodasos: Elafonisi seaside is one of the maximum emblematic of the island and is featured on countless postcards. It is to be observed eighty km from the Chania. Elafonisi is a small island, connected to the Cretan mainland by way of a shallow crossing of numerous hundred meters, which may be made walking. The entire location, that's part of the Natura 2000, is characterized by means of its faded sands, its shallow and crystal-clear waters, turquoise in shade, and the small purple patches made up from beaten sea-shells. Preferably one should visit Elafonisi outside of the visitor season, while it is not overcrowded! Camping is not authorized here. South of Elafonisi is any other area of wild and outstanding beauty – Kedrodasos or the forest of cedars.
3. Chrysi (Gaidouronisi): Gaidouronisi (or Chrysi) is some 5 km long and by 1 wide. Uninhabited, it is very lovely with beaches appropriate to Paradise. The general impression a visitor receives is that he is on some exotic south-sea island! The beaches have white and golden sands, coloured pink from crushed seashells that are strewn far and wide. The waters are crystalline and translucent with a turquoise colouring. On Chrysi there survives a large cedar forest, of some 85 acres extent, with large and impressive specimens.
4. The Old Town Of Chania: The old town of Chania embodies the long history of the city; in the picturesque alleys, visitors can see the marks left by every civilization that has settled here for a period of time in the past. Venetian, Ottoman, Neoclassical monuments and architectural elements, old neighbourhoods, historical sites and a lot of local colour characterize the old town of Chania, which is justly called by some “Venice of the East”. It used to be surrounded by walls, however, only parts of them survive today. It extends inland from the Venetian port and it includes the districts of Topanas, Splantzia, Kasteli, Santrivani and the Jewish quarter.
5. The Minoan Palace Of Knossos: Knossos, the largest and most brilliant Centre of the Minoan civilization, is located 5 kilometres south of the historical Centre of the city of Heraklion. In the labyrinthine arrangement of corridors and rooms of the palace complex, many scholars have visualized the famous Minoan “Labyrinth”. Such a notion of the existence of a labyrinth may be only a mythological remembrance of a great civilization, however, one could say that it really does correspond to the architectural structure which can be seen today in Knossos.
6. Elounda & Spinalonga Island: Feeling for a celebrity hunt? Elounda is the part of Crete where all the rich and famous people come for a vacation. Here you can gaze at all the luxurious villas and hotels but also enjoy the charming old fishing village. From Elounda you may take a boat ride to Spinalonga Island recognized for its Venetian fort and is one of Europe's ultimate leper colony. Spinalonga is a small island-citadel placed on the northern entrance to Elounda bay, at a strategic factor that secures manipulate over the natural harbour of Elounda. An ancient fortification existed on the site of the fortress that can be seen today, for the protection of the port of the ancient town of Olous.
7. Crete Aquarium: Explore the wonderful life of the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can see hundreds of different fish and other marine species and let your self-be fascinated by their shapes and colours. Crete aquarium, as a fruit of scientific research, is coming to give us knowledge and the experience of Mediterranean marine world. Crete aquarium is representing the Mediterranean marine life with modern ways and means and provides a unique spectacle that will always fascinate children and adults and it will inform, educate and sensitize the public about the diversity of Mediterranean species and the habitats.
8. Samaria Gorge: Walking down the Samaria gorge, one discovers a numerous panorama, with water springs, pools and staggering large rocks lying within the watercourse, in addition to numerous bushes, consisting of aircraft bushes, pines and cypresses. trees and deciduous alright rooted on the best cliffs, ineffable scents of herbs and an occasional Cretan wild goat (kri-kri) hiking on a steep slope make this gorge unforgettable. After its narrowest factor “Porte's”, the landscape evens out a piece and the watercourse begins to widen. Front tickets are re-checked at the outlet of the gorge, to ensure that no person has been left in the back of or determined to camp inside the gorge.
9. Minoan City Of Phaistos: The palace complicated and the town of Phaistos was constructed on a hill, supplying a breathtaking view, particularly to the east, to the north, and to the south. On the history, you can still see the mountains of Lassithi. The view is stunning all day long, in particular inside the afternoon; this panorama on my own makes Phaistos well worth journeying. Phaistos become the second one largest Minoan city and an essential administrative Centre of south-primary Crete. The Minoan city covered a huge vicinity across the palace complicated. Mythology hyperlinks Phaistos to Rhadamanthus, a brother of Minos, whose dynasty is thought to have dominated within the town.
10. Lake Kournas: Between the cities of Chania and Rethymnon, at the north edge of the White Mountains, you can find Lake Kournas, the only freshwater lake in Crete. It lies in a beautiful valley and this is a perfect spot for an afternoon picnic. If there are any ports the ducks waddling around are most likely interested. The lake creates a fascinating environment, which changes with the seasons. In winter the water level rises and the lake grows, in summer it falls, revealing sandy beaches and the spring that feeds it – the Amati. The dark colours at the Centre of the lake are the result of algae growth.
Martin Wynn
