About Crete Island |
Ahh, Crete! Just saying the name brings about thoughts of a sunny paradise, the charm of the Greek countryside, a rustic yet romantic oasis, and, of course, the heavenly Mediterranean. All of the Greek Islands are incredible destinations in their own right but Crete is something else. It's historic, bustling, and every bit the beautiful escape that it is. It's no wonder Crete is among the most popular islands in the country. Doesn't it always seem like every time you come here, you discover something new? Who knows? Going here might even change your life!
Out of all the Greek Islands, Crete is actually the biggest, most populous, and busiest. It's regarded as the 88th largest in the world and the fifth-biggest in the Mediterranean. It also currently has a population of 600,00 residents scattered all throughout the different towns and villages. Despite the hustle and bustle, however, Crete remains a provincial island, up a different side of Greek life that you won't see on the mainland. Although the place sees thousands, even millions of visitors each year, Greek remains the dominant language spoken here.
Since Crete is located right smack in the middle of the Mediterranean, it generally sees warm and sunny weather. Even when it's winter, the island doesn't get snow. In its coldest month, January, the lowest average temperature here ranges from 10ºC - 15ºC (50°F -60°F). On the other hand, in Crete's hottest month, July, the highest average temperature ranges from 20ºC -30ºC (70°F -90°F). If you can't handle this high heat during summer, you're better off traveling to Crete around late spring or early autumn. The months of May to June and October to November see mild weather conditions, not to mention fewer tourist crowds too.
As one of, if not the biggest island in Greece, there's reason to expect a lot out of Crete. You can already tell that it's a beautiful destination. Practically all the Greek islands are. But are the towns in Crete just as charming as all the rest? Of course, they are! From the bustling Agios Nikolaos to the historic Chania and even the peaceful Lasithi, there's no doubt that these places are worth discovering and exploring. Moreover, a good many of them have their fair share of luxury homes, offering up the finest accommodations anyone could ever ask for!
There are a lot of reasons why Crete is so popular. For one thing, even if you only have a day to spend here, you can already do and see so much! You can behold its natural beauty by going to the island's most scenic spots, which include the coastal towns of Agia Pelagia and Loutro.
If you're up for an adventure, you can also hike up Crete's famous trails like the Samariá Gorge and the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. These mountainous regions offer a different side to the island's natural glory, perfect for thrill-seekers. And, of course, you can't miss Crete’s stunning beaches too!
Despite how busy Crete can get, it's not exactly as bustling as mainland Greece. Hence, there will be parts of the island that are more remote and even uninhabited. To ensure that you stay safe and connected with your friends and family back home, you're better off joining a local mobile network. Fortunately, Greece has some that cater specifically to travelers going to place like Crete. The country's biggest mobile network, Cosmote, is a good example since the scope of its coverage is impressively wide. Meanwhile, Frog Mobile also has a big enough scope and is more affordable.
You shouldn't take the fact that Crete, despite how bustling it is, remains a provincial Greek island. In fact, outside of the bigger cities, most of the villages and small communes are pretty rural. And for anyone visiting their home, they expect that you all follow Greece's social customs.
You have to get used to the familial aspect of the country's culture, with strangers getting a bit too personal even on first introductions. When others invite you to their homes for a meal, you have to wait to be seated. And when someone offers you food, especially if it's raki, it's impolite to refuse outright.
When planning a trip to Crete, there's one question you have to answer first: how do you get there? Despite its popularity, Crete is still one of the many Greek Islands in the Mediterranean. Getting there isn't exactly as easy as going to Mainland Greece. You do, however, have a ton of options available to you. You can fly to Crete from Athens, the country's capital. The island has many airports that welcome domestic flights all the time. Some of them even welcome flights from other countries too! But if you want a more affordable way to get to Crete, you can always take a ferry!
Since Crete is both the most populous and the busiest Greek Island, it's only natural that it also has its fair share of great healthcare facilities. The likes of the General Hospital of Rethymno and the General Hospital of St. Geroge in Chania both welcome all patients, regardless of their illnesses, ailments, and other health conditions. However, it's important that all patients have the right health coverage too. Whether they're registered in Greek's healthcare system or they have private medical insurance, having some sort of health plan is necessary in Crete.
Another distinction Crete has against its fellow Greek Islands is that its local cuisine is second to none. In fact, it's even safe to say that many of the island's traditional dishes and delicacies help make the country's cuisine the flavorful and rich food that it is.
In many of Crete's best foodie hotspots, you can order the island's main specialties. They include the delectable Cretan cheeses, the scrumptious Hirina Apakia (smoked pork), the soothing Gamopilafo, and more. And don't forget the world-famous Raki (Greek wine) too! You can't say you've been to Crete without ever having drunk it!
It's important to remember that the culture and traditions in Greece are from what you've seen in other countries, even from its Mediterranean neighbors. A good example is the country's holidays. The Greeks celebrate certain occasions that no other country in the world celebrates. These include Clean Monday (Every February or March), Ochi Day (October 28), The Day for Glorifying The Mother of God (December 26), and the like. Also, instead of birthdays, the Greeks are more particular with their Name Days, which are the feast days of the saint that they were named after.
If you follow these important travel tips when you go to Crete, you're sure to have a good time on the island! A good one is to expect some mixed spelling in the signs. The town of Heraklion, for instance, will be spelled “Iraklio” on various signs throughout the island. If you ever see it, know that it's still pertaining to Heraklion.
Another important tip is that you're better off renting a home instead of getting a room at a hotel or resort. Not that there's anything wrong with the latter, but compared to the other Greek Islands, Crete can get so busy and crowded that hotel rooms can go up so high even on off-seasons.
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