![]() ![]() ![]() Due south of Heraklio is the heart of Crete’s wine country, centered in Archanes, Peza, and Dafnes with wineries open for tours and tastings and restaurants in the city proudly offering local varieties. Other must-see sights include the legendary Knossos Palace, the world-class Archaeological Museum, and the Palace of Phaistos, an unrenovated Bronze Age, Minoan complex, where the Phaistos Disk was found containing a text written in a thus-far undeciphered code (the disk itself is housed in the Archaeological Museum). Though not as pretty as Crete’s other towns, Heraklio offers its own charm in its friendliness, openness, and scrappiness – after all, the city held off an Ottomans siege over 21 years (do not miss a visit to the Koules Fortress – originally a 9th-century Arab fortification and completed in its current form by the Venetians in the 16th century). Heraklio is Crete’s capital, a mid-sized city with hot nightlife, exciting gastronomy, and numerous historic sites and museums. Heading south leads to less crowded beaches on Crete’s southern coast facing the Libyan Sea and Africa. ![]() East of Rethymno, upscale beach resorts like Spilies and Bali can be found. Its mostly pedestrianized Old Town extends from the Venetian harbor and fortress, showcasing a maze of tree-shaded footpaths adorned with Byzantine, Ottoman, Arabic, and Venetian landmarks such as minarets, domes, fountains, and archways. Rethymno offers a similar atmosphere to Chania but is less touristy and has fewer restored historical monuments. Chania is a perfect base for day trips to Samaria Gorge, Elafonisi Beach, or Balos Beach. Its narrow streets are filled with tavernas, cafes, boutiques, and museums. ![]() From west to east, Chania, Rethymno, Heraklio, Elounda, and Agios Nikolaos (both in Lasithi) are considered ideal bases for travelers, offering walkability and proximity to attractions and beaches.Ĭhania is my favorite place to stay in Crete.Ĭhania, known for its romantic charm, features a beautiful 14th-century Venetian Old Town centered around the Old Port and a 16th-century lighthouse. The island’s most populous cities lie along the northern coast, often sharing their region’s name. The legendary Palace of Knossos is a must-visit near the capital city, Heraklio.Ĭrete consists of four regions: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklio, and Lasithi. Traditional villages, such as Archanes and Anogeia, showcase Crete’s wine country, history, and crafts. The rugged interior features mountains, fertile plateaus, rivers, gorges, and attractions like the Lasithi Plateau and the Samaria Gorge, a World’s Biosphere Reserve. With over a thousand kilometers of coastline, highlights include Elafonisi, Vai, Balos, Matala, and Ammoudara beaches. Fantastic! The Best Areas to Stay in Crete See AlsoĬrete, Greece’s largest island, offers a mix of wild mountains, stunning beaches, rich culinary traditions, and a history dating back to the Minoans of the Bronze Age. If you're in the area, for example, visiting the college at Fredonia, Domus Fare is at the top of my list for dining suggestions.The Elounda Beach Hotel is our favorite beach resort in Crete. Both times she made it clear that it was delicious. My co-diner had a Buffalo Chicken Wrap that was more than enough and she took half of it with her for later - she ate it for dinner. I had a seafood omelette that was mind-boggingly tasteful. My co-diner and I both ordered off the specials menu. Domus Fare, which I'm guessing means home c ooking, more or less, is just how I can describe the dishes we had. That was incredibly quick when you consider that the place was understaffed, as most restaurants currently are. We went to one and everything was set right in under five minutes. There were no empty tables that didn't also need a quick cleaning. There wasn't a host but there was a sign telling us to seat ourselves. Casual atmosphere, home cooking, welcoming staff, quick service. ![]()
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