Crete: An Island For Every Season | All & About | Your lifestyle guide in Qatar

Crete, the largest island in Greece, is a land that awakens the senses. It’s an island with seductive beaches, a rich history and culture, full of culinary adventures and one of a kind hospitality. One can see the remnants of magnificent civilizations and moreover, the island is popular for the local music and the regional dances. Crete is always a good idea, no matter the season. Let’s explore together all the things you can do and all the places you can visit. We apologize in advance for missing any out- the Cretan beauty cannot be covered in only a few words!

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Once in Crete, be sure to visit Chania, the second largest city after Heraklion. Get wonderfully lost in the New and Old Town, explore the various options for food and drinks and visit the beautiful beaches. Rethymnon is a city full of students and one of the most beautiful in Crete. Stroll around the center and you will feel the Venetian vibes!

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Heraklion is the biggest city on Crete Island and the birthplace of Nikos Kazantzakis, a ‘giant’ of the Modern Greek literature. This city offers unlimited options when it comes to cultural and archaeological sites, tastes and nearby daily excursions. While Sfakia is located in the southern part of Crete and it’s a land that truly preserves its authenticity.

Ierapetra is a really special part of Crete and Greece in general. It is one of the most fertile areas, one of the most productive farming towns and has the highest temperatures in Crete. Another option, Agios Nikolaos, has multiple hotspots. The Lake and Port, the Kitroplatia beach and the Marina are the three most significant ones. Agios Nikolaos is also surrounded by cafes and restaurants.

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Elounda is an ideal place for those seeking a more relaxed holiday away from the hectic nightlife. Dazzling beaches can be found and you can also visit the famous island of Spinalonga. It is also known as the Leper Island, where lepers from Greece were quarantined until 1957. A few of the prettiest beaches in Crete that you must visit are Vai, Paleohora, Falassarna, Elafonisi, Sougia, Seitan Limani, and Balos. Just to name a few that are known for their charming environment.

What to eat in Crete?

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Well, this is a question that would normally require a separate article. I should begin by stating that the Cretan diet is amongst the healthiest worldwide. This is due to the local produce and the pure products. Besides the famous Cretan spirit, ‘tsikoudia’, the land is also popular for:

‘Dakos’ salad: made of rusks lightly soaked in water, accompanied with olive oil, tomato, and local cheese.
‘Kaltsounia’: mini pies served with honey or filled with local cheese
‘Gamopilafo’: the Cretan wedding rice.
‘Apaki’: the smoked pork.
‘Hohlioi boubouristoi’: which is basically fried snails.
‘Stamnagathi’: the wild leafy green.
Cretan cheese: Every part of the island has their own version and varieties. The most famous, though, is the ‘graviera’, the ‘ksigalo’, ‘mizithra’, ‘kefalotiri’ or ‘pichtogalo’. Each and every one has a unique flavor. Give them a try and decide which one suits you best!