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Greece Travel Secrets’ potted guide to Eastern Crete and why you should consider it for a holiday, including seeing Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, Vai Beach and Zakros.
Eastern Crete has seen some of the densest tourism development on the island, particularly in the north between Irakleio and Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello, where bustling resorts have gobbled up the coastal landscape.
Beyond the gulf, however, the far eastern region holds some of the most stunning scenery on the island, from rugged mountains to an unexpected palm beach.
North-Eastern Crete
Crete’s main centre of package tourism lies east of the capital, Irakleio, stretching along the north coast to Malia. Here a string of resorts have all but usurped the old villages with cheek-by-jowl hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, travel agencies, and souvenir shops.
Around Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos, set prettily around a little lake, is another bustling centre. Amid this hedonistic coastal strip, the ancient palace of Malia and the Minoan town of Gournia anchor this changing landscape to the past.
Where to Stay in Agios Nikolaos
Far Eastern Crete
A short drive inland takes you into another world. The provincial hill town of Neapoli is a gateway to the windmills and timeless farming villages of the Lasithi Plateau, High in the Dikti Mountains is the Diktean Cave, birthplace of the Greek god Zeus. At Kritsa, the fresco-covered Church of Panagia Kera is an artistic jewel.
Sitia and Beyond
A stunning coastal drive, not to be missed, brings you further east to Sitia, with its attractive waterfront and relaxed pace. From here you can strike out across a starkly beautiful mountainous landscape to reach the monastery of Moni Toplou, the palm-fringed Vai Beach, and the remains of the Minoan palace at Zakros.
South-Eastern Crete
Ierapetra, Europe’s southernmost town, is the largest on the south coast, with some fine beaches in small untouristy resorts on either side. Here on the south coast it’s a total contrast to the busy resorts on the north coast.
Where to Stay on Crete
Other Crete pages
Cretan Writers and Artists
The most famous Cretan writers and artists include the painter El Greco and the author of Zorba the Greek, Nikos Kazantzakis.
Best Things to Do on Crete
The best things to do on Crete and top things to see include the Samaria Gorge, the Minoan Palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the towns of Chania and Rethymnon.
Where to Stay in Central Crete
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.
Lasithi Plateau Drive
This Lasithi Plateau drive on Crete starts in Neapoli and ends in Malia, covering a distance of 80 km (50 miles) and taking two to three hours.
Diktean Cave, the Birthplace of Zeus near Psychro on Crete
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
Zacharioudakis Winery
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.
The Icon Painter
Icon painting is a centuries-old tradition in Crete and the rest of Greece, and Greece Travel Secrets meets a modern-day icon painter in Elounda on Crete.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a pretty and popular town on the north coast of Crete and this page on Greece Travel Secrets covers its history, museums and beaches.
Western Crete in Five Days
Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.
Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.
How to Make Petimezi
How to make Petimezi, the sweet Cretan syrup made from wine must, is explained to Greece Travel Secrets.
Central Crete in Three Days
Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.
Matala Beach
Matala Beach on Crete is a guest blog for Greece Travel Secrets from the We Love Crete website, inviting you to Awaken Your Inner Hippy in Matala, Crete.
Phaistos Minoan Palace on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets page on Phaistos or Faistos, the site of one of the finest Minoan palaces on Crete and is where the mysterious Phaistos Disc was found.
Gortina ancient archaeological site in southern Crete
Ancient Gortina is an archaeological site in southern Crete famous for the church of Ayios Titos and for the Law Code inscribed here, the first in Europe.
Arkadi Monastery
Visiting the Arkadi Monastery near Rethymnon is one of the best things to do on Crete.
West Coast of Crete Drive
This drive along the west coast of Crete and inland from there will take a whole day and starts and ends in Kastélli Kissámou, west of Chania.
Best Crete Hotels
The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.
Crete’s Wildlife and Landscape
Crete’s wildlife and landscape are two of the island’s attractions, including gorges for hiking, rare raptors like the lammergeier, wildcats and ancient trees.
Crete
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
Paleohora and the South-West Coast
The area east from Paleohora along the south-west coast of Crete includes resorts like Agia Galini, gorges like the Imbros Gorge and quieter towns like Sfakia.
Eco-Tourism Accommodation on Crete
The Dalabelos Estate offers luxury eco-tourism accommodation on Crete in the hills near Rethymnon with its own farm, vineyard and olive groves.
Ancient Gournia Minoan Site in Eastern Crete
Ancient Gournia is a Minoan archaeological site between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia in Eastern Crete where the visitor can see evidence of a maze of back streets.
Crete Olive Oil Tour
For a Crete olive oil tour Greece Travel Secrets visits Biolea, one of the few olive oil factories on Crete that you can visit.
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Latest Posts
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Spetses: The Ultimate Autumn Guide
Oct 01, 22 04:38 AM
Timeless hangouts, useful addresses and cool tips for an unforgettable weekend on the Saronic island of Spetses, just two hours by ferry from Athens. -
Recipe: Soumada, the Drink of Happiness
Oct 01, 22 04:38 AM
Traditionally served at happy occasions, this sweet almond drink scented with orange flower water is easy to make, and a wonderful treat for guests. -
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Oct 01, 22 04:38 AM
With its rugged, untamed beauty and rich history, Samothraki in the northern Aegean doesn't fit into any of the familiar molds. -
8 Excellent Athens Restaurants for Sharing Food
Oct 01, 22 04:38 AM
These restaurants in the heart of Athens celebrate the quintessentially Greek tradition of bringing people together to share plate-loads of delicious food. -
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Sep 30, 22 05:13 AM
Greece Travel Secrets gives its choice of the best hotels in Athens from budget and moderate options through to 5-star luxury choices. -
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Sep 30, 22 03:22 AM
Greece has not stopped breaking one record after another in recent years - from tourism to important economic indicators that testify to the enormous dynamics that the country has developed in recent… -
Jet2 Adds New Routes to Greece, Increases Seat Capacity to 1.3 Million
Sep 29, 22 04:09 AM
UK airline and tour operator to Greece Jet2 on Tuesday announced that it was expanding its 2023 program for the country even further with the addition of new routes, increase of seat capacity and seas… -
Ultra-runners to Set Off for the 40th Spartathlon from the Acropolis on Friday
Sep 29, 22 04:09 AM
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