The largest of the Greek Islands, Crete's also the fifth biggest in the entire Mediterranean. And, it just misses out on being the fourth largest – an honour that belongs to Corsica – by only a few acres. So, it goes without saying, there's plenty of ground to cover on Crete holidays, including miles of sandy beaches, mountains and tonnes of historical sites – it's hard to believe that all this comes in at a flight time of just over four hours from Ireland.
Beach-wise, Crete's got the full package. For instance, the swathes of sand in Heraklion are well-suited to those who like to party the night away and retire to the beach for a day of rest. The 12-kilometre-plus stretches of sand in Rethymnon, on the other hand, provide the perfect playgrounds for families. And, the beaches in Lassithi – near to the sophisticated towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda – are favourites with a set who likes to mix their sunbathing with shopping for deals in chic boutiques and long lunches in the square. Finally, Chania boasts several Blue Flag beaches, interspersed with a charming old town.
With a history that dates back about 4,000 years, it’s no wonder that Crete packs in so many ancient sites. Some people even believe that western civilisation, itself, began in Crete. A claim that you can explore by wandering the ruins of the Palace of Knossos, where you can check out evidence of the advanced Minoan culture.
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