Sights of Crete

Posted by Tom Scott on May 23rd, 2008 at 02:22am

If you are going on a Crete holiday, it would be practically criminal to skip seeing some of the cities on the island. There are several cities on Crete worth seeing, and are the best places to get an understanding of Cretan culture. Here are some of the places you should visit on a Crete holiday.

The Minoan ruins around the island of Crete are truly an exceptional and rare sight. There are many different sites throughout the island. One of the most popular and breathtaking is the Palace of Knossos, in Heraklion. While the original palace was built in approximately 2,000 BC, it was subsequently destroyed and rebuilt in even grander fashion. It is this massive palace that remains and can be visited and walked around.

There are many other Minoan ruin sites around Crete and there are also several museums that contain many artifacts, art collections and information about this ancient civilization. Among these are the Historical Museum of Crete and the Archaeological Museum. The Historical Museum of Crete covers the more recent history of the island and includes many art displays, while the Archaeological Museum, as you can imagine, includes many artifacts of the ancient Minoans. The Archaeological Museum is located in Heraklion, very close to the Palace of Knossos.

One interesting activity is visiting and hiking the Samaria Gorge National Park. The Samaria Gorge National Park will provide absolutely stunning views and an amazing, pristine feel. However, be prepared that the hike is long and the sun can be very intense. Be prepared to spend an entire afternoon hiking the Samaria Gorge and be sure to bring shoes that will support the rocky paths and long trail.

Lake Voulismeni should not be passed over. You’ll find it near the town of Agios Nikolaos. Bronze Age ruins may be seen here as well. To get a feel for the culture of Crete, Agios Nikolaos is a place you should consider.

Crete is the largest Greek island and one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean. With its stellar climate it can be quite a busy tourist spot during various seasons throughout the year. Although it is an island, it is easy to get to. You can either board one of the many ferries or tour ships or catch a flight from the mainland of Greece or various other places.

If you are planning a Crete holiday, these cities should all be on your list. Each has different historical sites and cultural attractions. There is a lot going on in these cities, and you’ll want to take advantage of them while on a Crete holiday.

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