Crete is Greece's largest island. It receives over 25% of the country's visitors and most towns are packed with tourists during the summer months. The island's mountainous interior, as well as its western coast are less developed and quiet even during the holiday season. Especially the villages of the Lassithi Plateau are worth a visit.
Europe's first advanced civilization was the Minoan culture, which existed on Crete between 2800 and 1450 BC. There are several sites on the island where remains of the Minoan culture can be seen. In Iraklio is the most important Minoan site, the palace of Knossos. Iraklio itself is not very interesting.
In the towns of Hania and Rethymno you will find many Venetian buildings, while the town of Paleohora is also worth a visit, as well as Agia Roumeli, which can be reached by a day-long trek through the magnificent Samaria Gorge. The gorge is 18 km long. Other interesting towns on the island's southern coast include Loutro and Hora Sfakion.
Accommodation and restaurants are available all over Crete. The island has a very nice climate and swimming is possible most of the year. Crete has air and sea connections with the rest of Greece.
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