Holidays In Hotels In Crete, Greek Islands

Crete is the largest amongst all Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. For decades it is a very popular vacation place in Greece for beach holidays, and as a result to this spot go every year millions of tourists and occupy all hotels in Crete. The main holiday attractions in Crete include the archeological sites of Knossos, Phaistos, and Gortys. Many other points of interest such as the Venetian castle from Rethymno, the Samaria gorge and other minor gorges (like Agia Irini or Aradena) are worth to a visit while holiday in Crete.

Crete was the center of Minoan civilization between 2,600-1,400 B.C. (this civilization is the oldest in Europe) and today is one of the top travel destinations in Greece for summer holidays due to the numerous high-end hotels and luxury resorts providing very attractive vacation deals and accommodation packages. Crete is the most popular of all Greek islands, 15% (representing more than two millions voyagers) of all tourist arrivals in Greece coming through the city of Heraklion.

Even if Crete is a famous vacation spot, there can be found all types of accommodations, from large all inclusive resorts and luxury villas lining awesome beaches up to family owned apartments and small houses for rent.

Holiday Attractions & Points Of Interest In Crete

Travelers coming to Crete for relaxing holidays arrive on the island through two international airports (located near Heraklion and Hania) or by boat, in the ports of Heraklion, Hania, Rethimno and Agios Nikolaos.

Heraklion (the "City of Hercules") or Iraklion is the largest city and the capital of Crete and of Heraklion Prefecture. The town is located close to the ruins of the palace from Knossos, which was during the Minoan civilization the biggest populated center on the island. The present city of Heraklion was founded in 824 A.D. by Saracen, who built a moat around the city for protection and named the city Handaq. The Byzantine Empire attacked Crete and defeated the fortress in 961, slaughtered the Saracen, looted the city and burned it to the ground. They ruled the rebuilt Khandak for the next 243 years! In 1204 the city was bought by Venice as part of a complicated political deal that included Crete. The Venetian built giant fortifications, from which most are still in place, including a big wall with 7 bastions and a fortress settled in the harbor, all these constructions representing today important holiday attractions of Crete.

The name Khandak became Candia in Italian. The Ottoman Empire defeated Venice and ruled the city for 22 years. During the Turkish occupation of Crete, the city was named Kania and the harbor silted up, and therefore most of business moved to Hania, in the western part of the island. The city became in 1908 part of the Cretan state, which was incorporated in the Kingdom of Greece in 1913.

On the island of Crete can be enjoyed some of the most rewarding holidays in Mediterranean because of the wonderful natural environment, stunning beaches, awesome sights, plentiful points of interest, numerous high-rise resorts, all inclusive hotels, and luxury villas. Due to the high popularity of Crete, tourists planning trips to this Greek destination are advised to book accommodation well in advance, otherwise in the peak season they could have the unpleasant surprise to not find any free hotel room!

Featured Hotels In Crete

Hotels In Crete
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