At the beginning of summer Phil and I visited Crete for the first time. We were travelling out for a friend’s wedding but decided to stay for the week. We stayed in a hotel but if we go back again we’ve decided we’d like to rent a villa with friends or family. I was browsing Clickstay and they have lots of villas to rent in Crete with private pools and stunning views. I’ve got my eye on this one for next time.
Crete is the largest of the Greek islands though it’s not somewhere that had been on our radar before. Now we’ve been we know exactly why so many people love it. Crete is quite simply, beautiful and today I’m going to share 8 reasons why you should visit Crete.
Excellent food – Wherever you go in Crete you’re met with the most delicious food. There’s no end to the fresh fruits and vegetables and of course, they’re all local. I had some particularly good salads during my stay. Phil enjoyed all the different cheeses on offer and the mini cheese pies were very popular. The moussaka was another favourite of ours and available almost everywhere. Finally, I must mention the baklava, it’s a very sweet pastry dessert filled with chopped nuts and honey. It’s so good and goes down perfect with a cup of black tea.
Friendly people – The locals are always very welcoming and hospitable. They’re proud of Crete and want you to experience the best of it. Many of the taverns are family-run and have been in the villages for years. The staff in the hotels, shops and taverns go above and beyond to ensure you enjoy your stay.
Rich history – The island is filled with history and you can visit many ruins. I’ve heard that the Palace of Knossos is a must visit although we didn’t manage to get there. We took a relaxing boat trip over to Spinalonga during our trip. Spinalonga was used as a leper colony from 1903 to 1957 and now you can take a boat over and explore the ruins on the island. I highly rate the trip but just so you know, you’ll have to pay for the boat and entrance to the island (around €8 at the time) separately.
Crystal Clear water – The water is so clear in Crete that even if you only usually dip your toes in the sea it will entice you in a little further.
Warm weather – We went out to Crete at the start of June and it was very hot. You can relax by your villa pool and read or explore the beach. If you want guaranteed sunshine then I’d suggest planning your trip for the end of June or throughout July (the hottest month of the year). Remember that these times are much busier though. We prefer to go out of season, or at the very start of the summer season.
Old towns – There are many old towns and villages within Crete. They give you the option of staying somewhere a little more unique than a city and they’re very picturesque. One of my favourite towns was the coastal town of Agios Nikolaos. We walked around the port and the marina before exploring the town.
Boat trips – There are plenty of tours to get involved with in Crete. There are segway tours, diving trips and horse riding. I personally think a boat trip is a wonderful way to see the island and you can even visit Santorini for the day.
Perfect for all ages – You can have a lazy day at the beach, go hiking in gorges or up the mountains or visit the sweet little old towns. There’s just so much to do on the island and I think it’s perfect for family trips, especially if you have little ones.
Leave a comment below and let me know if you’ve ever been to Crete.
Thanks to Clickstay for collaborating with me on this post.