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Property for sale in Crete, Greece

Area Guide
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The Crete area guide

Things to do

The birthplace of Zeus – an ancient Greek God - and home to Europe's first ever recorded civilisation, the Minoan civilisation. Crete is packed to the brim with mythical reminders and archaeological treasures.

Crete, the largest island in Greece, is a picturesque haven. One filled with stunning mountainous terrain, caves, dramatic gorges and miles of turquoise coastline. These Cretan features undoubtedly seduce holidaymakers and those looking to stay permanently.

Sun-seekers are ultimately drawn to the north coast where the capital, Heraklion, and other major tourist resorts lie. The ancient capital is cluttered with medieval buildings and offers an unrivalled nightlife scene. In the west, Chania, a waterfront city, dominated by the presence of the magnificent White Mountains further chronicle the island's intriguing past. From the ancient harbour to the churches and museums, each provides a deeper insight into the Venetian and Ottoman rule over Crete.

For those who venture to the south-west to tackle the stunning trek through the Samaria Gorge will be rewarded with soul-stirring scenery – one that will leave an imprint in your mind forever. And the breath-taking island of Elafonisi off the south-west coast of Crete, is perfect for bathing in the crystal clear waters, strolling along the pink coloured sand and soaking up the rays.

This diverse terrain coupled with the warm Mediterranean climate act as a magnet to lure people in.

Places to eat

Cretan cuisine is as simple as it comes, but don't let the simplicity fool you into thinking that the taste is mediocre. It is, in fact, flavoursome, fragrant and fresh. Utilising ingredients grown in the luscious grounds, meals often pack a tasty punch.

Everything from stuffed grape leaves filled with rice and a ground meat mixture (Dolmades) to snails is enjoyed on this colourful island. But don't fret, if your taste buds aren't as adventurous, restaurants of a world-wide influence can be found in major resorts like Chania and Heraklion.

For Cretans, dining out is an important social affair, one they partake in regularly and with friends and family in tow. Traditional Greek tavernas can be found everywhere in Crete and are usually overflowing with Cretans tucking into local delights. Thalassino Ageri in Chania, a traditional taverna, proudly specialises in seafood dishes and boasts hypnotising views of the emerald green coast. Coffee is another thing Cretans proudly enjoy. Kafenions – Greek style cafes – are found at every turn, and also serve alcoholic beverages and are, therefore, a stomping ground for many locals.

Shopping

There's no shortage of shopping opportunities in Crete. The major cities and resorts – Chania, Heraklion, Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos – are home to shopping districts which house top high street brands like Zara, Bershka and H&M as well as artisan stores selling specialised goods. Skrydloff Street in Chania, for instance, purely sells leather goods. Here, a selection of exquisite goods such as belts and bags can be picked up.

Numerous markets are also regularly held in most villages, towns and cities. Markets allow you to buy the freshest of produce as well as odd wares in a beautiful, colourful setting. Crete is also littered with Peripteros – small kiosks – selling all manner of items and quaint roadside stalls selling a variety of fresh hand-picked produce – usually fresher than the ones found in markets and supermarkets – for a fraction of the price.

Getting there & around

The gorgeous Mediterranean Island can be reached in just over 5 hours by air from London. With charter flights typically flying into one of the following two international airports: Nikos Kazantzakis in Heraklion or the Daskalogiannis in Chania.

The stunning isle is also well served by ferry with a majority of routes going to and from the ancient Port of Piraeus (Athens) to Heraklion or Chania and to the other Greek islands. This means that residents and visitors have the chance to island hop as well as visit cities along the coast in Italy and Turkey.  

Once you've landed firmly in Crete, the bus service will be your main source of transportation. The service takes you to almost all corners of the island and runs on a fairly regular basis. If, however, you want total control of the journey, it may be wise to invest in a car as it allows truly unrestrained travel, as well as the best way to explore the picturesque scenery.

Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the above information is up to date, some inaccuracies may occur. If you notice any inaccuracies please contact editor@zoopla.co.uk

All information was correct at time of publication and is provided in good faith.



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