The top 4 cities of Crete that you should visit in Crete.

Cities of Crete

Stunning Crete is the largest of the Greek Islands, and also the fifth largest in the Mediterranean. It boasts gorgeous beaches and mountains and is dotted with quaint villages.
During the Bronze Age, this beautiful island was the home to the Minoan civilization, which is considered to be the first advanced European civilization, so there are also many historical attractions in Crete.
Besides Minoan ruins, visitors can also still see the remains of Ancient Greece, the Venetian era, and the Ottoman period scattered around this island today. Visitors come to Crete for several reasons. But don't worry, Crete is an island with so much variety that it can probably offer something attractive for everyone. Here you will find the top 4 cities of Crete.

Heraklion

Heraklio crete car rental

Heraklion is a city where warm hospitality, rich architecture, culture, leisure conveniences and urban nightlife have successfully intertwined to provide every visitor with a sincere Cretan stay. Visitors can take advantage of the variety of sights they could see and experience in and around the prefecture of Heraklion by investing some quality time with their loved ones and going on a tour, cultural or nature, to see this splendid island of Crete. For the independent visitor who doesn't want structured itineraries, exclusive tours can be arranged to fit their requests or fine car hire can be arranged to ensure a visitor a sound and comfortable ride on the coastal and inland roads.

Heraklion awaits to welcome all its guests and the Cretan people await to invite you to a bit of warm hospitality where music, food and drink are always on hand.

Heraklion International Airport, “Nikos Kazantzakis” ( HER, ) is the primary airport on the island of Crete, Greece, and the country’s second busiest airport after Athens International Airport. It is located about 5 km east of the main city centre of Heraklion, near the municipality of Nea Alikarnassos. It is a shared civil/military facility.

The Heraklion airport is named after Heraklion native Nikos Kazantzakis, a Greek writer and philosopher. Nikos Kazantzakis Airport is Crete’s main and busiest airport, serving Heraklion (Ηράκλειο), Aghios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος), Malia (Mάλλια), Hersonissos (Χερσόνησος), Stalida (Σταλίδα), Elounda (Ελούντα) and other resorts.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos, capital of the Prefecture of Lasithi, is one of the most highly developed tourist towns in Crete and one of the nicest.

It lies along the west of the Mirabello bay. The climate in the area is mild with extremely low humidity. It is an ideal place to relax and recover one's energy in some of the great bars and restaurants. (Try one of the bars) which is moored in the Harbour.

Agios Nikolaos is the administrative, communications, cultural and commercial centre of the Prefecture of Lasithi and has approximately 8500 inhabitants.

The sea in Agios Nikolaos is superb and the surrounding area of the city is noted for its sandy beaches and beautiful bays.

The landmark of the city is a small lake, known as "Voulismeni" that is located in the centre of the city, at the foot of the cliffs. Its shape is circular with a diameter of 137m.

According to the mythology, the goddess Athena used to take her bath in this lake. It is so deep that it was thought years ago to be bottomless but it has now been found to be 63m deep. It is said that at the end of the 2nd world war all the German tanks and armoured vehicles were thrown into the lake. Whether that is really true or not is unknown as swimming is not allowed and only The French diver and explorer Jaque Cloustuo has been allowed do dive in it. and was connected to the sea only recently, with a canal opened in 1870.

It is an especially picturesque site with many open-air cafes and restaurants along the bank. Small boats leave the harbour to visit the Venetian fortress of Spinaloga, near Elounda.

Every summer the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos organizes cultural events, music and dance events, theatrical performances, exhibitions, shows. Also, during the Naval week, artistical swimming, water skiing, wind-surfing contests are organized.

The place where the Town is used to be the ancient "Lato pros Kamares", which was the harbour of "Lato Etera", The Ancient City of Lato was once an important and powerful city after Lato was abandoned the port carried on and it also served as a harbour in the Roman and the first Byzantine period. During the Venetian occupation, a fortress called Mirabello (beautiful view) was built on the site where the Prefecture building stands today. Nothing of the fortress remains.

Rethymno

Rethymno is the only city in Crete which is built on a cape, and more specifically, “on the boundary between calmness and fierceness,” as the location is eloquently described by local writer Pantelis Prevelakis. To the east stretches a vast sandy beach, while the coastline is rocky to the west. Unlike Irakleio or Hania, Rethymno never had a large port that would have made it a centre of trade. But it does have a wonderful old harbour, full of colour, lined with Venetian and Ottoman buildings that have for centuries been reflected in its calm waters. The best time to explore the city is very early in the morning when the light is perfect and the tranquillity a sheer delight.

Rethymno town is a rare combination of history and modern-day luxury, with its Venetian-era Fortezza and old town, tropical beaches and exquisite Cretan cuisine. The Fortezza (fortress) sits atop Rethymno’s magical old town like a crown. It’s like travelling back in time, to the period of the Venetians. You’ll climb to the fortress and hear the echoes of the sea. You’ll walk along with the Venetian port with its old lighthouse and get lost in the maze of alleyways, admiring the ornate doorways and the Venetian crests that decorate them. You’ll visit the mosques and their minarets and hop between the dozens of shops, restaurants and cafes.

The cool air of the morning is also propitious for making your way up to the Venetian citadel, the Fortezza. When it was built (1573-1580), on the hill once occupied by ancient Rithymna, it was the largest fortress on Crete. High up on the battlements, you will feel the salty breeze from the Sea of Crete; you can walk along the old defensive trenches, between the towers, bastions and gates, among the solitary palm trees.

As in all Cretan cities, Rethymno is full of Venetian features. Until today, Rethymno has very a strong relationship with Venice, since it constitutes one of the best-preserved Venetian cities in the Mediterranean. The landmark of the city is the Castle of Fortezza, which was built to protect Venetians from Ottoman navy attacks. Behind the castle, lays the Old Town of Rethymno, with numerous scenic alleys and memorials. Visit one of the several traditional coffee shops, get to meet the locals and make sure that you try the traditional Cretan cuisine. You will never forget the experience.

Chania

chania with okay rent a car Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. It’s known for its 14th-century Venetian harbour, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants.

For many, Chania is the most beautiful city in Greece, a characterization that has not been attributed to it at all by chance. Exceptional examples of architecture from previous centuries, despite the alterations that have been made from time to time, largely retain their original glory.

Chania will steal your heart. Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Venetians, Ottomans… all came through here, creating a multicultural corner of Crete. Wandering around the port, you’ll encounter the Venetian lighthouse, the Grand Arsenal, Kum Kapi and Halepa. You’ll enjoy luxurious accommodation in elegant villas, pulsating bars and restaurants, as well as significant cultural sites.

Beyond the town of Chania are the famous beaches of Agia Marina, Stalos and Platanias. Go a little further and you’ll find the exotic beaches of Balos and Falasarna. In southern Chania, the world-famous Samaria Gorge invites you to explore it. So much to do, so little time!

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