The Amari Valley is the green traditional heartland of central Crete, a fertile basin spread beneath the south-western slopes of Mount Ida in the Rethymno region. Stone villages sit among olive groves, orchards and vineyards, holding small Byzantine churches painted with old frescoes. The valley keeps a slow pace, built around village tavernas, local cheese … Read more
Kourtaliotiko Gorge slices through the limestone mountains of southern Crete, carving a dramatic passage between the Rethymno highlands and the Libyan Sea. Sheer cliffs rise hundreds of metres on either side of the narrow road that threads this ravine, while the Megalopotamos river rushes far below. Griffon vultures circle overhead, nesting on the towering rock … Read more
Spili sits high in the mountains of central Crete, a green oasis of plane trees, spring water and whitewashed charm on the road south from Rethymno toward the coast. The village is famous for its Venetian fountain, where nineteen carved lion heads spout cold mountain water into a long stone trough beneath the shade of … Read more
Bali sits tucked into the north coast of Crete, midway between Rethymno and Heraklion in the Rethymno region. This small resort spreads across hillsides above a working fishing harbour, built around sheltered coves and sandy beaches that include Livadi, Varkotopos, Karavostasi and Evita. The calm, shallow water and low-rise development create a relaxed atmosphere that … Read more
Agia Galini spills down a steep hillside to meet the Gulf of Messara on Crete’s southern shore. This former fishing village has grown into a relaxed resort that retains its small-scale charm and friendly atmosphere. The harbour forms the heart of town, lined with traditional tavernas and cafés where locals and visitors gather to watch … Read more
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
Arkadi Monastery, known in Greek as Moni Arkadiou, stands in the green hills about 23 km south-east of Rethymno in central Crete. This fortified complex is more than a place of worship. It is the great symbol of Cretan resistance, remembered across Europe for a sacrifice that turned a monastery into a monument of freedom. … Read more
Preveli Beach sits on the south coast of Crete, in the Rethymno region, at the point where the Megalopotamos river leaves the Kourtaliotiko gorge and meets the Libyan Sea. Locals and visitors also call it Palm Beach or Phoenix Beach, after the grove of Cretan date palms that shades the freshwater stream behind the sand. … Read more
Crete is a big island, so the smartest question is not which hotel to book but which region to base yourself in. The west, the centre and the east each open onto different beaches, ruins and old towns. Driving from one end to the other eats a large chunk of any day. Pick a base … Read more
Rethymno sits on the north coast of Crete, halfway between Chania and Heraklion. It holds the best-preserved Renaissance old town on the island, a tight grid of Venetian and Ottoman lanes running below the Fortezza fortress. The Rimondi Fountain still pours through its carved lion spouts, the Neratze mosque keeps its Ottoman minaret, and the … Read more