Kamari beach with its black magical sand, attracts tourists like a magnet Kamari beach, sitting about 4 miles southeast of Fira on the island's east coast, is extremely popular with...
Perivolos beach is ideal for lovers of fun, games and social...gossip! Perissa and Perivolos beaches are essentially one very long beach that caters to the backpacker crowd and party scene...
There is no shortage of organized beaches in Santorini, catering to every taste From the exclusive Red Beach to the family oriented Monolithos beach and from the cosmopolitan Perivolos to...
Donkey rides: a controversial means of...transport in Santorini SANTORINI TOURS: Until a few decades ago, the only way you could get from the Old Port of Santorini to the main...
Take a tour of a Santorini winery for a true taste of its viniculture SANTORINI TOURS: Santorini's unique soil composition, a true volcanic gift, combined with the microclimate conditions of...
Discover Santorini's underwater world via a scuba diving course SANTORINI TOURS: Santorini, being an exceptionally rocky island, offers plenty of scope for scuba diving in its clear warm waters. Several...
Explore unique views of Santorini on top of a kayak SANTORINI TOURS: An island like Santorini has plenty of scope for water sports, including kayaking, which you can either enjoy...
Experience Santorini from inside its great crater, on a boat tour SANTORINI TOURS : Before you leave Santorini, keep in mind that no journey to this island can ever be...
At Megalochori one gets a feeling of Santorini's old glory Megalochori, meaning large village, probably got its name before the advent of tourism with Fira and Oia stealing the show....
A great beach, lively nightlife, cosmopolitan Kamari has it all. Kamari, is a cosmopolitan resort on Santorini’s south east. Its volcanic sand and pebble beach rolls out for over 2...
Don't miss Ammoudi bay, the hidden gem lying underneath Oia Oia, the village sitting on the northernmost tip of Santorini, is truly mesmerizing, probably the most photographed place ever and...
Do not miss Finikia, an oasis of tranquillity in the midst of vineyards Finikia is a picturesque village sculptured into the banks of a torrent and one of the most...
Emporio is a great vacation spot, combining culture and leisure Emporio, Santorini's largest village, beckons visitors with its enticing sequence of old windmills on the hillside, its narrow white-washed alleyways,...
The black lava sand at Perissa beach is a magnet for visitors Perissa is a sea-front fishing village that has expanded to become a tourist magnet in its own right,...
Visit Pyrgos the enchanting village on Santorini's highest spot What makes Pyrgos unique is that it is located at the highest spot in Santorini, providing great panoramic views on both...
Visit Exo Gonia for a true flavor of rural traditional Santorini Exo Gonia, at the southeastern side of Santorini close to Pyrgos village, almost 8 kilometers away from the capital...
Karterados is a peaceful scenic village in the heart of Santorini Karterados lies almost at the centre of Santorini, approximately 2 km from Fira. It is a village dating back...
Messaria is the center of Santorini's viniculture with a distinct architecture Messaria, in a nutshell, is vineyard country. A small quaint village 4km southeast of Fira that dates back to...
Oia, built on a steep slope, is one the most photographed villages in the world Perched on the northern tip of the island, the village of Oia reflects the renaissance...
Santorini's churches offer endless photo opportunities with their blue and white contrasts With over 250 churches in Santorini, you cannot turn round without viewing yet another beautiful little church just...
Santorini villages cater to the tastes and needs of the most demanding visitors Santorini’s commercial development is focused on the caldera-edge clifftops in the island’s west, with large clusters of...
In Santorini's volcanic soil lies the secret of its splendid wines Santorini’s breath-taking views are not the only thing that makes the island famous. In recent years, it’s the island’s...
Immerse in the lost civilization of Santorini in the Museum of Prehistoric Thira SANTORINI TOURS: Located at Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, is built on the site of the...
The Icon and Relics Collection traces Santorini's religious history SANTORINI TOURS: The Icon and Relics Collection museum is located in Pyrgos in the renovated chapel of the Holy Trinity (Agia...
Visit the Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center for a glimpse in Santorini's past SANTORINI TOURS: Megaro Gyzi, housing the samename Cultural Center, is one of the few 17th century family mansions...
Get a glimpse of Santorini life in the 1800's in the Folklore Museum SANTORINI TOURS: The folk tradition of Santorini is kept alive at the Folklore Museum in the Kontochori...
Relive the naval glory of old Santorini in the Maritime Museum SANTORINI TOURS: In Oia, the picturesque town on the northwest coast of Santorini, a 19th century mansion has been...
Get a feeling of ancient Thira in the Archeological Museum of Santorini SANTORINI TOURS: While many outstanding archaeological finds from Santorini will be found at the National Archaeological Museum in...
Taste Santorini's gastronomy based on local products and talented chefs Santoríni is known for its distinctive cuisine and ingredients, courtesy of the peculiar volcanic soil. Sample staples like fáva (yellow split peas,...
Santorini is the top wedding destination par excellence What could be more romantic than exchanging vows whilst watching the sun set against the Aegean Sea? The islands studding the blue...
Fira has everything a visitor needs, plus one of the most famous panoramas in the world Fira, Santorini’s capital, is the island’s commercial and cultural center. Apart from the museums,...
The quaint Athinios port welcomes you to Santorini Santorini, one of the most southern islands of Cyclades, has two ports; the first one is located at Fira (capital of the island)...
Your feet, two or four wheels or the public bus, are all you need to explore Santorini A car is the best way to explore the island during high season,...
Discover Santorini by bus, an efficient and sociable mode of transport. If you don’t have your own car in Santorini, the cheapest and most reliable way of getting around is...
Santorini's unique architecture reflects the island's climate and history. From prehistoric Akrotiri, built on the coast and protected from the strong northerly winds, to the amazing yposkafos (‘dug into the rock’) homes we see...
Santorini's rich history is prevalent everywhere one looks Santorini’s history is as exciting as the island’s looks! The island is what is left of a colossal volcanic explosion 3,500 years...
Banks with ATM's will cover your money needs in Santorini With Santorini, along with Mykonos, being the undisputable winning duo of Greek tourism, it is not surprising that every major...
Be a clever shopper in Santorini, look around and bargain Santorini is definitely a shopper's paradise. Besides the usual tourist junk, the island is full of one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries...
Do not miss the unique Santorini shopping experience until late at night Santorini is a great shopping destination. Small boutiques are omnipresent in the villages that sit on the famous...
Santorini is a shopper's paradise with long shopping hours and endless choices Santorini is a great place for shopping that can actually be combined with nice evening strolls looking down...
Port of Souda: The natural and strategic port of Western Crete Souda is located in western Crete, 6 km east of the city of Chania and south of the Akrotiri...
Kouremenos Beach: The ideal beach for windsurfing and kite surfing lovers! Kouremenos is 91 km east of Agios Nikolaos and 21 km east of Sitia, 1 km east of Palaikastro....
Cover the whole length of Crete in half a day with a rented car Every large Cretan town, and some of the bigger villages, have car rental agencies. They're also...
It can be done! Discover Crete riding the KTEL buses Every large town in Crete, like every large town in Greece, has a KTEL rural bus station from where the...
Trust the KTEL buses to visit Rethymno and many other places in Crete The KTEL intercity bus station at Rethymno has one of the best locations any bus station could...
From Knossos, the path of history leads to the modern region of Heraklion Heraklion, the principal city of Crete, is the center of a fascinating slice of central Crete that...
Rethymnon province, an area rich in history and natural beauty Rethymnon is a region peppered with historic sites and natural wonders. Descend into the spooky darkness of grotto-like caves; explore...
Picturesque towns, amazing gorges and beaches, form the identity of Chania The Chania region, often informally termed 'Western Crete', is a beautiful and in many parts unspoiled part of the...
Explore the Lasithi plateau to discover the secluded rural Crete Lasithi, at the easternmost side of Crete, has few truly touristic spots, such as Elounda and Sissi, while the rest...
Spinalonga will transport you to a very special period in Crete's recent past Spinalonga is a Venetian era fortified island off the coast of northeast Crete, not far from Agios...
Toplou is a living museum of the monastic history of Crete Toplou Monastery or Monastery of Panagia Akrotiriani (Our Lady of Akrotiri) is one of the most significant and beautiful monasteries in...
Sitia calls out to the traveller who seeks peace and quiet Οne of the least "touristy" parts of Crete, Sitia is ideal for holidays for those who want peace and quiet...
Explore Heraklion's many facets and rich multi-cultural past Heraklion is Crete’s biggest city, whose emblem is the Venetian fortress of Koules and it harmoniously combines a multilingual past with Byzantine churches standing...
Discover Rethymno and immerse in its rich history Although Rethymnon is not a big city, there is much to discover and the best way to do this is on foot! The...
Chania is the picture-postcard city of Crete, a true blend of cultures Chania, one of the most beautiful cities of Greece, managed to preserve its original colors and historical character,...
Cretan towns and villages form a magic kaleidoscope for all tastes Crete’s diverseness is one of the island’s biggest assets. The first thing one notices when arriving in Crete is...
Cretan architecture is a melting pot of various influences Climate and history are the two main factors that have shaped the architecture of Crete. Due to the island’s long history...
Crete combines amazing landscapes, history and a rich gastronomy In Greece it is said that Crete could be its own country. Probably because Greece’s largest island has it all, splendid...
Neapoli still retains some of its old glamour as capital of the Lasithi region Neapolis, at about 54km east of Heraklion, is located in a green valley with dense olive...
Visit Lastros, a very old, idyllic village in the mountains of eastern Crete Lastros is a tiny, postcard village clinging to the mountainside of eastern Crete. Its quaint white houses,...
Lithines with its unspoiled character, has become a popular vacation spot Lithines is a village that has been rapidly gaining in popularity in recent years thanks to its unspoilt character...
Elounda is a high profile resort set in a beautiful scenery Elounda Village, once a picturesque fishing village in lovely Mirabello Bay, nowadays is an ideal destination for people who...
Set in splendid Mirabello bay, Plaka caters to many tastes Plaka is a small community in the northeast of Crete, located in the stunning setting of the Mirabello bay close...
Be bold and make the right turn: wonderful villages like Myrsini await you The main highway serving the north coast of Crete, from Chania in the west to Sitia in...
At Pefki, not yet reached by tourism, you will feel like a true Cretan Pefki is a typical Cretan mountain village situated at an altitude of 420 m with panoramic...
Visit mountainous Sfaka for amazing views of the southern Aegean Sfaka is the second of a string of attractive mountain villages that you come across along the main eastbound roads...
Choose the traditional village of Tourloti for a true feeling of rural Cretan life The village of Tourloti is located in the eastern part of Crete, on the road from...
Choose Mochlos for a truly relaxing stay in Crete Mochlos is a small picturesque fishing village located in the gulf of Mirabello in Eastern Crete, easily within reach of Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra...
Ierapetra combines splendid beaches, history and gastronomical pleasures On approach Ierapetra cannot be accused of being the best looker in Crete, but on closer inspection this sea-facing town backed by snowcapped...
Visit Panagia Faneromeni, one of the most popular monasteries in Crete The Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni (Revealed Holy Mary) or Virgin Mary of Gournia is located northwest of Pachia Ammos,...
As if carved into the hills, scenic Kapsa monastery can be combined with a refreshing swim The Κapsa monastery on Crete’s southeast is situated at the mouth of Perivolakia Gorge and...
Immerse in the Minoan civilization in the Archeological Museum of Sitia The Archeological Museum of Sitia houses an important collection of local finds spanning neolithic to Roman times, with emphasis...
Do not miss Spinalonga, the source of inspiration for V. Hislop's book "The Island" Spinalonga is the small island that inspired Victoria Hislop’s book “The Island”, a living museum located...
The eerie island of Spinalonga is a living museum of the lepers' resistance to social prejudice Spinalonga is a tiny island off the northeast coast of Crete, not visited until...
Chiona beach with its shallow and calm waters is ideal for families with children The serene landscape of Chiona beach perfectly portrays the character of eastern Crete. Thin sand, shallow...
Xerokampos, still unspoilt, awaits those seeking tranquillity and privacy Xerokampos is actually not really a village or a beach, but it is more like a collection of different beaches, and groups...
At stunning Vai beach you get a feeling of the Carribean in Crete One of the most visited places in Crete is beyond doubt the Vai beach with its heavenly...
Discovering and exploring Heraklion town with John Carr! Heraklion, as well as Chania, has a great history and although its physiognomy has changed from past interventions of the past, there...
In the summer Zaros is a cool refuge for rare birds and people alike Zaros is a particularly attractive, refreshingly unspoilt village famous for its spring water, which is now...
Visit Agia Varvara, a true 'balcony' into the region of Malevizi Agia Varvara is a town built along the road connecting the Messara plain and the Malevizi region at an...
Matala retains the charm and character of a small fishing village Matala is a secluded resort near the southernmost point of Crete, the preferred haunt for those who prefer no-frills...
Do not miss Archanes, a village that won an award for its beautiful restoration The lovely village of Archanes,14 km from the capital Heraklion and only 7 km from the Palace of Knossos in...
Vori is an interesting village with an acclaimed Ethnology museum Vori is a beautiful village in the Messara Valley, 60 km south of Heraklion. The village stretches on a slope,...
Trust your...feet and discover the many secrets of Heraklion Heraklion today is living between the fast moving currents of regeneration and a deep desire to maintain links with a past, both...
The Historical Museum of Crete presents a comprehensive view of Cretan history The Cretan Historical Museum at Heraclion was founded and is run by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies,...
At the Lychnostatis Museum you are transported in the life of pre-modern Crete There are several places in Crete where you can get a glimpse of what the island was...
Discover El Greco's humble beginnings at his museum in Fodele, his place of birth "The place where I was born is surrounded by orange trees, springs of drinking water and...
In CretAquarium you can ‘dive’ in the rich ecosystem of the Mediterranean CretΑquarium, just a few minutes walk from the Heraclion port area, is an expert in presenting species and...
A trip to Crete is incomplete without a visit to Knossos, centre of Minoan civilization No visit to Crete is complete, of course, without a trip to the Minoan palace...
The Nikos Kazantzakis Museum is a tribute to the great author's life and work During your stay in Crete don't miss to visit one of the few literature museums in Greece,...
Explore the Cretan ecosystem in the Natural History Museum of Crete The Natural History Museum of Crete (NHMC) at Heraclion demonstrates in an impressive manner the natural environment of the...
Do not miss the ancient palace of Festos, the finest and most typical of all Minoan palaces The remains of the Minoan palace at Festos are, apart from Knossos, the...
The virgin beach of Listis will mesmerize you with its blue crystal waters and big rocks Listis is located 69km southeast of Iraklion, between Keratokambos (2km western) and Tsoutsouras. The...
Visit Kommos beach and swim right next to the ruins of ancient Festos Kommos is located 66km southwest of Heraklion, just 2km north of Matala and close to the seaside...
Ammoudara is a popular resort, mainly for its magnificent beach Ammoudara, is one of the most popular north coast resorts of Crete, some 5 km west of Heraklion. Almost a continuation of Heraklion, Ammoudara...
Agia Pelagia beach is for those who seek calm waters and a laid back atmosphere About 21 Km west of Heraklion, one can visit the beach of Agia Pelagia. It...
Legendary Matala beach is a Blue Flag winner with all kinds of amenities Matala, at 68km southwest of Heraklion, on the boundaries of the plain Messara and Asteroussia Mountains, is...
A stunning beach is the hiker’s reward after crossing the Agiofarago gorge The beach of Agiofarago is located about 80km south of Heraklion city, at the exit of the gorge...
Psaromoura is an attractive beach, protected from the north winds Psaromoura, located 22km northwest of Heraklion and just 500m north of Agia Pelagia, like all beaches in the area faces...
Voidomatis is a stunning secluded beach with beautiful rock formations Voidomatis beach is located 62km south of Heraklion and 2.5km east of the hamlet Tris Ekklisies. The impressive Mesosfini gorge...
Koudoumas beach is for adventurers and those seeking unorganized swimming spots The quiet and secluded beach of Koudoumas is located between Agios Ioannis and the Monastery of Koudoumas in the Asterousia mountains.To get there on...
Discover Macha beach, a hidden gem in an unspoilt landscape Macha beach is a hidden and totally secluded treasure located on the southern shores of Asterousia mountains. It is about...
Lendas is a busy beach with amenities and friendly...ducks Lendas is a remote coastal village located 74km south of Heraklion, on the southern slopes of the imposing Asterousia Mountains. It...
Walking around Rethymnon Old Port with John Carr! During my trip in Crete I decided to visit the wonderful old port and town of Rethymnon. Rethymnon is one of the...
Rethymno port emanates the atmosphere of an old Venetian settlement Like all Cretan coastal towns, the port of Rethymno lies in the shadow of a Venetian-era castle. The castle, called...
Visit quaint Spili for a cool break in the hot summer months Spili is a small town situated south of Rethimnon on the route Rethymnon - Spili - Agia Galini....
Visit Plakias for great outdoor activities and excursions Plakias is a popular tourist destination on the south coast of the Rethymnon Prefecture. The main beach is some 1.3 km long, sandy and organized (sunbeds,...
Do not miss Anogia for its scenic landscape and true Cretan flavors Anogia has a history that is both powerful and tragic - burned by the Turks, then by the...
Verdant Argyroupolis will reward you with its history and natural beauty Modern Argyroupolis, located 27km south of Rethymno, is built near the important ancient city of Lappa. The area is...
Zoniana is the location of one of Crete's most interesting caves One of the most interesting caves in Crete is found at the village of Zoniana, just 43 km from...
Visit Episkopi for a feeling of a traditional Cretan village Episkopi is a small town of the prefecture of Rethymno, at 22.5 km from the city of Rethymno on the way...
Settle down and relax at Agia Gallini, the seaside village of tranquillity Agia Gallini, with its strange but apt name (meaning "Saint Serenity"), is a small, labyrinthine village built in...
Margarites is a vibrant centuries old pottery center in Crete The traditional village of Margarites, 27 km east of Rethymnon in the foothills of Mt. Psiloritis, is one of Crete’s four main pottery...
Let yourself get carried away by the old Rethymnon aura Although it is the third largest town in Crete, Rethymnon does not feel like a city as Chania and Heraklion do....
In the Museum of Woodcraft at Axos you will see sculptures made from dried up trees The Museum of Woodcraft of Axos, is located at the entrance of Axos village,...
Get a glimpse of modern Greek art at the Center of Contemporaty Art in Rethymno Formerly known as the Kanakakis Gallery, this municipal museum was founded in 1992. Since 2008...
Fortezza is Rethymno's landmark, seen from every part of town The Venetian stronghold of Fortezza is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. The hill is known...
The Arkadi Monastery is a sight not to be missed for its history and grandeur The Arkadi monastery in the hilly country of Rethymno province, comes out at you dramatically...
A magic world of stalagmites and stalactites await you in Sfendoni cave. One of the most remarkable caves in Greece, the Sfendoni cave covering an area of about 3.000 square meters, is...
Hidden in a sheltered bay, Agios Pavlos is ideal for families The coastal village of Agios Pavlos is located 58km south of Rethymno, west of Agia Galini, on the edge...
Tou Maliou to Riaki beach will enchant you with its impressive rock formations Tou Maliou to Riaki beach (i.e. Malios’ stream or Spilies) is located 15km east of Rethymnon city,...
Triopetra is an impressive beach with beautiful rock formations The beach of Triopetra (meaning "Three stones", after the three rocks in the sea) is a long and wide sandy beach...
Preveli with its riverside palm groves is one of Crete's most famous beaches Preveli is located about 35km south of Rethymno and 10km east of Plakias. The beach of Preveli,...
Skinaria beach combines numerous features for all tastes There are people who will argue that Skinaria is the most beautiful beach in Crete. Immoderate as this might sound, Skinaria Beach...
Your children will greatly enjoy the calm, green seas of Bali beach The seaside resort of Bali is located in a large gulf, 30km east of Rethymno and 43km west...
Damnoni offers all kinds of amenities, even a tavern on the beach Damnoni, located 35km south of Rethymno and 5km east of Plakias, is a popular tourist resort, very well...
Panormos' two beaches will welcome you with their calm clear waters Panormos is situated about 20km east of Rethymno, in the region of Milopotamos. It is a tranquil resort, which...
Walking around Chania old port was one of the first things I did once I arrive in Crete. Chania is the second biggest town after Heraklion and is situated on...