DK Travel : Crete

Although it could not be more Greek, Crete is really a country within a country, with its own history, folklore and traditions. It was the birthplace of Europe’s oldest civilization, the enigmatic Minoan culture which flourished over 4,000 years ago. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Venetians and Turks also left their mark. This rich human heritage is set against the backdrop of magnificent mountain scenery and beaches lapped by a deep blue sea.

1. Ancient Knosos

Knosos is among the most impressive relics of the ancient Mediterranean world. The Minoan palace was imaginatively reconstructed in the early 20th century (see Ancient Knosos).
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2. Irakleio

A good place to see a slice of everyday Greek street life, Crete’s capital is an eclectic mix of medieval Venetian fortifications, bustling markets and modern streets (see Irakleio).
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3. Irakleio Archaeological Museum

Crete’s leading museum houses amazing finds from Knosos and other great archaeological sites (see Irakleio Archaeological Museum).
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4. Chania

Once the island’s capital, this pretty little harbour town, with good beaches nearby and lots of open-air restaurants and shops, makes a great base for exploring Crete’s wild west (see Chania).
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5. Phaestos

One of the most important Minoan palace sites in Crete, Phaestos is a fascinating maze of walls, stairways and courtyards on a hillside overlooking the Messara plain and the Libyan Sea (see Phaestos).
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6. Rethymno

Crete’s third largest city is packed with reminders of a multi-layered history. A huge castle, Turkish mosques, Venetian town-houses and bustling markets are part of the charm, along with a beach esplanade (see Rethymno).
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7. Gortys

The bases of toppled Roman columns, the ruins of a Byzantine basilica, post-Minoan fortifications, an agora, acropolis and remains of temples to Athena and Apollo all hint at the chequered past of Gortys (see Gortys).
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8. Samaria Gorge

The “White Mountains” of the Sfakia region dominate southwest Crete. This rugged massif, most of which can only be explored on foot, as there are few roads, is cloaked in pine trees and traversed by the lovely Samaria Gorge (see Samaria Gorge).
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9. The Amari Valley and Mt Idi

Old-fashioned villages, empty mountain panoramas and legendladen caves seem like part of a different world, and can easily be explored with a rented car or escorted coach tour (see The Amari Valley and Mt Idi).
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10. Gournia

The best preserved Minoan town on Crete, has a honeycomb-like labyrinth of tiny houses and narrow lanes surrounding a small palace overlooking the Gulf of Mirabello (see Gournia).
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