Crete Holidays

Although Crete holidays place you on the largest of the Greek islands, there are plenty of smaller islands dotted around the main mass that are worth a visit too, most notably Spinalonga. A short boat ride away from the quiet, quaint town of Elounda, the nearby fortress island used to be a leper colony and in the past has been referred to as the Island of Tears; but don’t be put off by tales of love and tragedy because the Greek islands are nothing but beautiful. In fact, Santorini is Greece’s most photographed island while Dia is home to the extra special Kri-kri goats.

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, Crete still has numerous offerings to choose from. History fans may want to make a beeline for the award-winning Knossos Museum and get drawn in by the remains of the Minoan Empire, while Greek mythologists may be more interested in a date with Lassithi Plateau, believed to be the birthplace of Zeus.

 

Verging on gold star status, Crete's cuisine is top notch nosh. Health-bods will be more than happy tucking into fresh fish and Greek salads, complete with olives and feta; red-blooded meat eaters will love dining out on loukanika (Greek sausages) and moussaka, while those who want to immerse themselves in Greek culture can chow down on Meze, full of dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice), taramasalata and tzatziki, all washed down with some inexpensive Greek wine or a shot of the local tipple – Raki.It's not all drinking, eating and merriment though, as much of the Greek culture is centred around the Greek Orthodox church which still plays a huge part in the islanders' lives. Religious festivals and celebrations are a regular occurrence too, but with most Cretans fluent in English, you won't have to worry about missing them.Divided up into sandy shores, lush meadows and rugged mountains, the island's terrain is just as diverse as its heritage, and varies from each corner of the compass making it an idyllic destination for beach bods, activity seekers, history hunters and even geographical groupies.

For the younger crowd, Elafonisi on the south west coast is heralded as the best beach on the island, while water parks and boat trips will appeal to a livelier bunch of holiday-makers. And if you want to carry the party from the early evening to the early hours, pinpoint Malia on your map - the clubbing capital of the island - followed closely by Hersonissos and Aghios Nikalos.

 

Verging on gold star status, Crete's cuisine is top notch nosh. Health-bods will be more than happy tucking into fresh fish and Greek salads, complete with olives and feta; red-blooded meat eaters will love dining out on loukanika (Greek sausages) and moussaka, while those who want to immerse themselves in Greek culture can chow down on Meze, full of dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice), taramasalata and tzatziki, all washed down with some inexpensive Greek wine or a shot of the local tipple – Raki.

It’s not all drinking, eating and merriment though, as much of the Greek culture is centred around the Greek Orthodox church which still plays a huge part in the islanders’ lives. Religious festivals and celebrations are a regular occurrence too, but with most Cretans fluent in English, you won’t have to worry about missing them.

Divided up into sandy shores, lush meadows and rugged mountains, the island’s terrain is just as diverse as its heritage, and varies from each corner of the compass making it an idyllic destination for beach bods, activity seekers, history hunters and even geographical groupies.

On the Beach has a range of brilliant deals on cheap Crete flights and great Crete hotels once you're there! Come and revel in the beautiful beaches, crystal clear seas, blue sky, friendly locals, fascinating history and stunning sites that this delightful island has to offer. With our unique online booking system you can easily customise your holidays in Crete to suit your every need, and more importantly, your budget!