Crete, an island to enjoy with all your senses.

Located at the junction of three major landmasses – Europe to the north, Africa to the south and Asia to the east – Crete is a magnificent place, where the distilled essence of Greece is augmented by the influence of Greeks, Romans, Francs, Venetians and the Ottomans.

Being the home of the Minoan civilization, Crete’s remarkable history is evident across the island: from the 3,500-year-old frescoes in the ruins of the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the birthplace of the legendary Minotaur, and the important archaeological findings at Phaistos and Gortys in East Crete, to the Venetian fortresses of Rethymo in West Crete; from old mosques, Byzantine monasteries and historical churches dated back to the 14th century, to the cave that is the legendary birthplace of Zeus. The remainings of a glorious past that invite the visitor to an exciting journey back in time are scattered all over the island.

Visit West Crete and let this charm of previous times captivate you when strolling around the pretty Venetian quarter that culminates at a magnificent harbour in Chania, Crete’s most evocative city. Enjoy its excellent local handicrafts next to modern galleries, its modern boutique hotels next to atmospheric restaurants in old townhouses. Get lost in the lyrical maze of lanes draped in floral canopies and punctuated by graceful wood-balconied houses in the venetian-ottoman quarter of Rethymno, one of Crete’s most delightful towns.

Explore East Crete and dive into the island’s best shopping and lively nightlife in Iraklion, the largest city on Crete. Walk through the fertile valley of Fodele and visit the house and museum where the world-famous Spanish Renaissance painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos, known as El Greco (“The Greek”), is said to be born in the middle of the 16th century. Or turn your time machine back and get a taste of the Sixties, when hippies known as the Flower Children – among them Janice Joplin and Bob Dylan – spent their days and nights under the Cretan sky, living in the celebrated caves of Matala.

But there are many more jewels on the southernmost island of Europe waiting for you to be discovered. Crete is renowned for its natural beauty and fascinating diverse landscape, with an exquisite 1,000 kilometer-long coastline dotted with numerous coves, bays and peninsulas, which afford a multitude of golden, sandy beaches along the crystal-clear blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. After all, it's among the finest in the world and has established Crete as one of Europe's most popular holiday destinations. Spectacular mountain ranges are sliced by dramatic gorges that spill out to sea, like the famous Samaria Gorge, offering unrivalled hiking conditions in a stunning landscape.

Travelling through this fascinating island you’ll not only enjoy spectacular landscapes but also get a glimpse of the traditional cretan way of living in the picturesque mountain villages. It is the place to meet the real Cretans: proud and friendly people with a great sense of humour, famous for their hospitality and tradition of welcoming visitors. Enjoy a glass of the locally produced “tsikoudia” drink offered to you along with delicious dishes from the distinct Cretan cuisine, renowned for its life-prolonging qualities. Come across men in traditional black dress, pass shepherds tending their flocks, listen to the Cretan lyre and breath in the ever-present scents of wild herbs, orange blossom and jasmin.

This is Crete. A place to deeply enjoy with all your senses.