Agia Pelagia
 A modern tourist village, about 20 km west of Heraklion (a 30 minute journey), stretching along the shores of an attractive sheltered bay, which is beautifully protected from the occasional summer winds. It is the long beach with enticing golden sand, and white shingle that accounts for the popularity of Agia Pelagia as a resort. This former fishing village with its quiet small bays is ideal for surfing, water skiing, and scuba diving. There are friendly tavernas, shops and bars, which make this a great place to unwind and to have a wonderful holiday.
There is a regular bus service to Heraklion, with its bustling town life, 20 km away. It's a good position from which to set off sightseeing, or to explore some of the more interesting villages. Particularly worthwhile, are for example the Archeological museum of Heraklion, the famous Minoan Palace at Knossos, and a trip to Rethymno with its old Venetian and Turkish quarter, and picturesque harbour.
Chersonissos & Stalis
 Chersonissos is well known as one of Crete's liveliest resorts, and there is a wide range of tavernas, shops, cafes, discos and other tourist amenities. Its sand and shingle beach offers a wide variety of water sports. Nearby on the hillsides the villages of Koutouloufari and Piskopiano however are quieter and offer visitors a much more relaxed and lower key style of holiday.The neighbouring coastal resort of Stalis has beautiful sandy beaches and a rather laid back atmosphere. There is a wide choice of nightlife in the neighbouring resorts of Chersonissos and Malia, just a short taxi ride away.
Kamilari/Kalamaki
 This typical Cretan farming village, just over one and a half hour's drive from Heraklion, has kept its original character, and remains largely untouched by tourism. Kamilari is picturesquely set on a hill, with fabulous panoramic views over the Ida mountains, over the fruitful Messara plain and to the sea beyond. Thanks to Greek hospitality, the warm welcome given to children and rural village life, it is the sort of place where one quickly feels at home. Alongside the small shops there are Greek tavernas and Kafeneions, which will give you a flavour of Cretan village life. Around the village there are lots of places to explore, perhaps by setting off on foot along some of the country footpaths, or going further afield by car. Among some of the possible outings to choose from are the Minoan archaeological sites at Phaistos and Agia Triada, only 3 km away, and Matala with its famous cliff side caves. For those seeking the sea, the kilometre long sandy beach of Kalamaki is 2,5 km away, with its cliff sides and wooded areas, as well as the 12 km sandy beach of Komos. At both of these places there are further tavernas, and little shops.
Lentas
 The little fishing village of Lentas lies on the south coast of Crete, at the foot of a mountain range. Lentas sits on a promontory, in the shape of a crouching lion, which runs down to a 300 metres long strip of fine shingle that merges into the azure blue of the Libyan Sea. According to mythology, one of the lions, which pulled the goddess Rhea's chariot was turned into stone here, thus giving the area its name. Until very recently the village had no electricity and was reached only by a tiny unpaved road. Today, however, Lentas is a small holiday resort, which attracts many visitors, drawn by the natural beauty of the spot. There are lots of tavernas on the beach, but the village retains its quiet simple character. This place is ideal for visitors who want a simple and relaxing seaside holiday. In ancient times, Lentas was probably the port of the old Roman capital of Crete, Gortys and which is also well worth a visit. There are old Roman remains to be seen if you are walking in the area of Lentas, such as the two ancient pillars of the Temple of Asklepios.
Matala
 A place saturated in history. The town of Matala in ancient times was the second most important of the Minoans. It is just over one and a half hour's drive from Heraklion and only 10 km from the famous and atmospheric Minoan site of Phaistos. Many hundreds of years after the destruction of Phaistos, Matala became the Roman harbour for the town of Gortys. Today, a beautiful 300 metre half crescent shaped sandy beach is protected on both sides with great cliffs forming a pretty little bay. In the 60's and the 70's Matala became renowned as hippies came from around the world to live in the caves carved out of the cliff sides of the bay. These famous Stone age caves, are now undergoing archaeological research and so spending a night in caves is not an option! About 2 km from Matala, lies the beautiful long open sandy beach of Komos with its crystal clear water, where visitors will find only the smaller of hotels, pensions, tavernas and shops. There is much to explore in the surrounding area. Apart from the second largest Minoan Palace of Phaistos, there is the Minoan Palace of Agia Triada, the famous ancient Roman capital of Gortys, the tiny village of Vori with its ethnological Museum, the mountain villages of Kamares and Zaros with their countless natural springs, and much more.
|
|
About Crete 