Plakias sits on the southern shore of Crete, a low-key resort village that has kept its independent spirit intact. The long sandy beach sweeps around a bay framed by mountains and the dramatic mouth of the Kotsifou gorge. Waterfront tavernas serve fresh fish and local wine, while the village attracts hikers, backpackers and travellers seeking … Read more
Richtis Gorge offers one of eastern Crete’s most rewarding nature walks, combining lush greenery, flowing water, and a dramatic waterfall finale. The trail winds through a shaded ravine near Exo Mouliana, passing beneath plane trees and over old stone bridges before reaching Richtis Waterfall, which tumbles into a clear pool. The path continues to Richtis … Read more
Moni Toplou rises from the arid landscape of eastern Crete like a fortress, its thick defensive walls concealing centuries of spiritual devotion and resistance. The monastery takes its name from the Turkish word for cannon, a testament to the artillery that once defended these sacred grounds in the Lasithi region. Visitors journey here to witness … Read more
Kissamos, also known as Kastelli Kissamou, offers a refreshing alternative to the busier resorts that dominate much of Crete’s coastline. This working port town on the island’s far western edge serves as the main departure point for boat excursions to the legendary Balos lagoon and the Venetian fortress on Gramvousa islet. The town itself retains … Read more
Three days on Greece’s largest island demands focus rather than frantic island-hopping. Crete rewards travelers who choose one region and explore it thoroughly, whether you base yourself in the Venetian charm of Chania on the west coast or the cultural richness of Heraklion in the centre. This itinerary prioritizes quality over quantity, giving you time … Read more
Frangokastello stands as a perfectly preserved Venetian fortress on the remote southern coast of Crete, its honey-coloured walls rising dramatically against turquoise waters and rugged mountains. Built in the fourteenth century to control the fiercely independent Sfakia region, this rectangular castle with four corner towers guards a pristine sandy beach where shallow, warm waters lap … Read more
Lake Kournas is the only natural freshwater lake on Crete, and it sits like a quiet green mirror in the Apokoronas hills between Rethymno and Chania. Mountains ring the water on almost every side, so the surface stays calm and the light changes hour by hour. The colour shifts through the season from bright turquoise … Read more
Crete is Greece’s largest wine-producing island, and its vineyards carry a tradition that reaches back to Minoan times. The hills south of Heraklion hold estates that press indigenous grapes grown nowhere else, from crisp white Vidiano and Vilana to deep red Kotsifali and Liatiko. Visitors can tour cellars, taste flights and learn how each variety … Read more
Crete rewards families with warm, shallow water, sandy beaches and a relaxed pace that suits every age group beautifully. Young children paddle safely at Elafonisi, Georgioupoli and Almyrida, where the sea stays calm and warm long into the afternoon. North-coast resort beaches add sunbeds, lifeguards and tavernas within easy reach, so parents can unwind while … Read more
Driving in Crete is the practical way to reach the island’s best beaches, gorges and villages, most of which sit well off the bus routes. A hire car turns a fixed itinerary into a flexible road trip, letting you chase a quiet cove or a mountain taverna on your own schedule. Rental cars wait at … Read more