Crete Villa Holidays

Welcome to the Villa Holidays guide to Crete villa holidays and planning your villa holiday to Crete.

Introduction To Crete

Crete is the largest and most southerly of the Greek islands. It is the second largest island in the eastern Mediterranean (after Cyprus) and lies approximately half way between the south coast of the Peloponnesus and the north coast of Egypt. It is dominated by its mountains, which run west to east across the entire centre of the island.

Overview of Crete

Crete is the site of the oldest Greek civilisation, the Minoans, which dominated ancient Greece. It has a resident population of about 650,000, in some six major cities. The largest city is the capital Heraklion, which is sited central to the north coast of the island and is also its major port. Most other large towns are situated along the northern coastal plain, where much of the tourist sites and Crete holiday villas are situated.

Central Crete is largely mountains, although they offer some stunning views and natural sites. The mountains form a barrier between the two distinctive climate areas of the island.

Climate of Crete

Crete is affected by two climatic zones – the Mediterranean and African. Most of the island has a similar Mediterranean climate to other Greek islands and the mainland, which is mild, with warm summers and very little rainfall. There is rather more wind than many islands, but the Crete villas tend to be sited in the more sheltered areas.

The southern coast, however, is decidedly more African and experiences rather higher temperatures. There is also the affect of the Saharan wind, which can be strong, particularly during the winter months, bringing sand across the island.

Best Areas for Villa Holidays in Crete

Generally the most favoured Crete holiday villas sites are along the northern coast. There are a number of villages, adjacent to the excellent beaches, but the larger sites are at Chania, in the eastern end of the coast, and Loutra at the western end.

These two towns, together with Kalyes and Almyrida, also benefit from their specific sites. Because they are set into bays, they are largely unaffected by the wind at any time of year

Transport

Most visitors arrive by air and have a choice of airports – at Heraklion or Chania. During the summer season a large number of charter flights link the UK with Crete as well as the major airlines.

Alternatively, tourists can arrive by sea to the main port at Heraklion. There are direct links to Piraeus (Athens) and to all the major islands in the Aegean Sea. The road system is very good throughout the island, so transfers to the holiday villas in Crete is straightforward whether by car or bus.

There is an excellent public bus service throughout the island. This links the major towns and provides excursions to the historical sites.

Things to do in Crete:

  • Enjoy the gorgeous beaches on the miles of beautiful coastline
  • Visit the ancient Minoan sites of Knossos or Phaistos
  • See the ancient Roman capital at Gortis
  • Try a round of golf at Hersonissos, in the centre of the island
  • Water ski or scuba dive from many of the beaches.
  • Stroll through the traditional street markets

Festivals and events in Crete

The major festival in Crete, as in all of Greece, is Easter. If the Crete holiday villas are near a village, with a church, there will be traditional processions and celebrations to enjoy throughout Holy Week. At midnight on Easter Sunday there will be fireworks and celebrations – at Hersonissos and Agios Nikolaos, bonfires are lit on the beach.

On Easter Sunday, itself, join in the egg contests, to see whose, red-dyed egg lasts the longest. Enjoy traditional roast lamb or goat.

Just before the beginning of Lent, is carnival time in Crete. Everyone parties in the tavernas and the streets, with music and fancy dress. There is sure to be a party somewhere near your Crete villas.

Epiphany (January 6th) is celebrated as a time for bringing blessing to the home and country. In many villages, the sea is blessed by the priest, who throws a cross into the water. Intrepid locals jump in to try to retrieve the cross even though the water is not very warm at this time of year.

Typical cost of living in Crete:

  • A car rental is approximately €25 -30 a day
  • A meal in a taverna with wine €15 -20, assuming local produce and wine is served
  • Frappe (iced coffee) €3 – 3.5
  • A Bottle of wine €1.75 – 10, depending on whether it is local or imported (from the mainland) and the quality

Useful tips when visiting Crete

Taxis are relatively cheap in Crete, but if you are travelling some distance to your Crete holiday villas, agree the cost before you agree to travel.

If visiting during official holidays, remember that the shops and businesses will be closed, although some tourist facilities near Crete villas, such as tavernas, will stay open. Official holidays include “Ohi” day in October, “Clean Monday”, the beginning of Lent and Epiphany.

Crete Food and drink

Many local dishes are variations on traditional Greek food, with local ingredients, such as:

Boureki - like a vegetarian moussaka

Sarikopites – cheese pies using the local mizithra cheese

Marathopita – similar to spinach pie but with fennel and the local soft cheese.

The best known Cretan product is probably Raki – a spirit distilled from grape skins and quite powerful!