Crete’s far east is a little less rugged than the wild west, and less populous than the central region of the island. It also sees rather fewer package holidaymakers, mainly because of its remoteness from the island’s airports. That said, the region’s largest town, Agios Nikolaos, is a thriving holiday resort, while Crete’s most expensive and exclusive hotel and villa complexes can be found around Elounda, on the Gulf of Mirabello. The east also has good beaches, on its north, south and east coasts, notably the famous palm beach at Vai, and there are Minoan ruins to be seen at Gournia, Mochlos, Zakros and elsewhere.
For the archaeological site of Gournia (see Gournia)-
Agios Nikolaos has the most attractive location of any town in eastern Crete. By the Gulf of Mirabello, it is built around an inner lagoon, Voulismeni, which is surrounded by palm trees and cafés. Modern hotels and apartments dwarf the surviving older buildings, but it is still a place of considerable charm. There is a small town beach, and boats take holidaymakers to larger beaches nearby. The town takes its name from the tiny 11thcentury church of Agios Nikolaos (which now stands in the grounds of the Minos Palace Hotel. The Archaeological Museum (see Agios Nikolaos Archaeological Museum) displays numerous finds from nearby sites including Mochlos and Gournia.
Agios Nikolaos harbour
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The place to go after dark if you are looking for more than a quiet brandy, if only for the fact that this is the resort’s sole gesture towards an upbeat nightlife.
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In an old house which has been imaginatively refurbished to create bars, a café and a restaurant, this is the most attractive place for a drink in Ierapetra.
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This café-bar, on a 1920s freighter in the outer harbour, makes a wonderfully serene spot for after dinner drinks.
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Ices, cocktails, soft drinks, freshly squeezed orange juice and milk shakes. Also has an internet café area where you can pick up your e-mail.
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Bar with a lake view and garden terrace shaded by greenery – a romantic place to laze away an afternoon or enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail or after-dinner digestif.
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Rates a European Blue Flag for clean sand and water. There are even better, more secluded beaches to the south.
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Owned by an expatriate Belgian, Mike’s offers sweet and savoury crepes on a breezy terrace by the sea.
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Elounda, on the Gulf of Mirabello, is Crete’s most expensive resort area, with several exclusive villa and hotel complexes in landscaped grounds. Several of these even have private beaches. The village itself is less upmarket, with a clutter of shops and restaurants surrounding a small fishing harbour from which boats depart daily in summer on trips to Spinalonga, the Venetian fortress-island and former leper colony not far offshore.
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Early in the morning, on any day except a Monday, head east out of Agios Nikolaos on the main coast highway. Gournia is south of the road, 24 km (15 miles) east of Agios Nikolaos. Try to arrive when it opens at 8:30am and allow a couple of hours to explore this well preserved Minoan site (see Gournia).
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Palace of KnossosThe Palace of Knossos is the oldest settlement yet found which belonged to the Minoan civilisation and was excavated in the early 20th century. It is the place where the fabled minotaur of Ancient... Read more
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Archaeological MuseumThis important museum in Heraklion houses archaeological finds from all over Crete, and is second in importance only to the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. Pride of place goes to the... Read more
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Historical Museum of CreteThe Historical Museum of Crete gathers together the riches of Crete's civilisation from the Byzantine and medieval periods. The collection comprises ceramics, folk art, models of the town and other... Read more
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Central MarketThe market of Heraklion is the richest in Crete and one of the finest in the Mediterranean. Visitors can buy souvenirs, gold, furs, clothes and delicious Cretan products such as olive oil, wine,... Read more
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