The beautiful island of Crete is the largest and most populous island of Greece with an area of approximately 8000 square kilometers, which is divided into four prefectures:
- Heraklion
- Rethymnon
- Chania
- Lasithi
Crete has much to offer to the tourists, enabling them to discover fantastic beaches, cosmopolitan or secluded, and seaside destinations, mountains, canyons and caves, beautiful cities and traditional villages.
You can also visit remarkable archaeological sites, historical and religious monuments, and nature areas of unique interest. Thus, if you like to explore every corner in the island, it is necessary to rent a car in Crete , giving to you the opportunity to see the beauties and know the culture and history of the island.
The Prefecture of Heraklion
The prefecture of Heraklion is the largest prefecture of Crete and has verdant valleys, low hillsides and plains, and beautiful beaches.
By hiring a car, you can drive around the beautiful city of Heraklion and see important sights such as the Archaeological Museum, the Natural History Museum, the imposing fortress “Koules” with its picturesque old port, the Historical Museum, and the Venetian Walls with the Tomb of Kazantzakis.
You can also visit the famous archaeological site of Knossos, very close to the city, and south of the prefecture the archaelogical sites of Phaistos and Gortys.
The prefecture has more than 70 villages and towns, where you will get acquainted with the Cretan culture and hospitality. It is worth visiting the traditional villages of Archanes, Houdetsi, Fodele and Krousonas.
Moreover, you can head to beautiful beaches, such as Agia Pelagia, Matala, Lentas, and Psari Forada. To have fun, you must go to Hersonissos and Malia, especially during the tourist season, which they will absolutely satisfy you.
The Prefecture of Rethymnon
The region of Rethymno with the highest mountain of Crete, Psiloritis, and the magnificent beaches on its southern coast, is a pole of attraction for thousands of tourists and visitors every year.
Except the city of Rethymnon with the old town, you can trip to the mountainous villages of the prefecture such as Anogia, Axos, Zoniania etc, the historical monastery of Arkadi, but also to the beautiful beaches of the southern coastline such as Agios Pavlos, Agia Galini, Triopetra, Plakias etc.
A fantastic route is the one that crosses the Kourtaliotiko Gorge and leads to the Preveli lagoon with the homonymous monastery.
In addition, the springs of Argyroupoli and Lake Kournas are destinations of incredible natural beauty. Finally interesting places, at the north and nearby to Rethymno, are the seasides villages of Georgioupoli and Bali.
The Prefecture of Chania
The cosmopolitan region of Chania attracts many tourists and has a lot to offer. Therefore, it is necessary to rent a car and drive around all the area. You will be impressed by the places you visit, the warmth and hospitality of the people, the habits and customs, and the unique Cretan cuisine you will taste.
Exotic beaches such as Elafonissi, Falasarna and Balos, the majestic Samaria Gorge – that starts from the Omalos Plateau to the White Mountains and ends at the magnificent beach of Agia Roumeli -, the small gorge of Therissos with picturesque tavernas, traditional villages such as Paleochora, Topolia, Sfakia, Sougia etc., and the Venetian castle of Frangokastello, are some of the many places of this region, which you should definitely see.
Just as impressive is the city of Chania with its narrow alleys and the Venetian harbor at the old town, while very close to it, are the seaside resorts of Agia Marina and Platanias, which are ideal both for young people to have fun, and for older people to relax.
The Prefecture of Lasithi
At the eastern end of Crete is the prefecture of Lasithi which will amaze you. Beautiful tourist resorts with excellent hotel complexes, picturesque mountain villages, deserted beaches, Byzantine chapels, remarkable archaeological sites, seaside villages and towns are in the area, giving a distinctive magical image.
The capital of the prefecture is the wonderful city of Agios Nikolaos, while other beautiful cities are Sitia, Ierapetra and Neapoli.
Having a vehicle, you should visit the unique palm forest of Vai, the Xerokampos and Makrigialos beaches, the famous town of Elounda with the islet Spinalonga opposite, the Toplou Monastery, the Lassithi Mountains with its picturesque villages, the Gorges of Ha and Richti, and many other beauties and interesting spots of the region.