Travels to Top Destinations in Crete with Car Hire Services
Posted by Cretarent on June 14th, 2016
Crete is not as small an island as the maps would have you believe. Most of its attractions are spread throughout the island in various towns and villages. To be able to see them all, you will need to do a fair bit of traveling. The best way to get around is undoubtedly using a rental car.
Rental cars in Crete can be pre-booked to be ready for you upon arrival or hired on the spot right at the airport or port. Whichever way you prefer, access to your own set of wheels will make your travels in this beautiful island much smoother and enjoyable. Heraklion and Chania are the main cities, but there is plenty of other stuff to see and do on the island. Here is a small list, in no way complete. It is advisable to find out about the attractions and places you would like to visit before you land in Crete, but leave room for recommendations and hidden spots you may discover on your travels.
Top Destinations in Crete
• Beaches: Crete’s beaches are its biggest draw, and with good reason. The Mediterranean climate and crystal clear blue waters make for some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are a number of beaches spread around the island. Some of the popular ones are Balos lagoon, Elafonisi, Seitan Limania, Stalis, Falassarna, Chrissi Island, and more. The beaches are somewhat reminiscent of what you might expect in the Caribbean, but they have a unique charm of their own.
• Samarian Gorge: There are a few gorges on the island, but Samarian Gorge draws the most hikers. The trek is not too challenging, but does require some time to get to the top and come back. The gorge is deep and thin, almost resembling a crevasse in places where the walls may be separated by only a few feet. The biggest attraction here is the view. The greens of the forest are vibrant, and the view of the sea is breathtaking.
• Archeological Sites: Knossos is perhaps the most popular archeological dig that is open to the public. A large section is still being excavated and off limits. The site dates back to the Bronze Age and is considered to be Europe’s oldest city. Parts of the area have been speculatively restored, but this is the closest you will get to see an actual Minoan city, including the palace. Other Minoan ruins can be found in Malia. Little remains, but as far as ruins go, many of the details are fairly well preserved.
• Souda: The bay town of Souda is most famous for its cruises, but has a few other places of interest too. In particular, the Museum of Typography is a hidden gem that people of all ages love. The Souda Bay War Cemetery is a well-maintained tribute to the lives lost in the Second World War.
• Rethymnon: This quaint classical city about midway between Heraklion and Chania is a marvel. Aside from its beaches, the city has some of the best folk and contemporary art museums on the island. But the biggest draw is its architectural heritage. Few other towns have such extensive examples of Venetian architecture. The old town is a favorite haunt of tourists and locals alike. The Venetian Fortezza is a must visit and one of the few forts to survive the Ottoman era. The sacred monastery of Arkadi is also nearby, where hundreds of Greeks sacrificed their lives in rebellion against the Ottomans. Another notable location is the Moni Preveli Monastery, nestled on a rocky slope. The path leading up here is straight out of the middle ages, and the view of the sea from the monastery defies belief. Do not forget to drive over to the lighthouse in the old town before you leave the city.
About The Author:
Ioann is Kastrinais is client representative at Cretarent.gr, a renowned car rental Crete company with 40 years of experience of providing rent a car in Heraklion, Chania, Rethymnon and hiring cars in Heraklion and Chania airports. If you are looking to hire a car in Crete then you can visit http://www.cretarent.gr/ car rental services in Crete.
