Greece, Fr. Crete, Agia Pelagia. Reviews of tourists, attractions and interesting facts

The picturesque town is located on the northern coast of the island of Crete - Agia Pelagia. Traveler's testimonies testify to the wide popularity that this area acquired recently in terms of tourist rest.

Prehistory of Agia Pelagia

Crete - the largest of the Greek islands - is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is washed by the waters of three seas: from the north - Crete, in the south - by Libyan, and from the west - by Ionian. Several thousand years ago on the island there was the oldest, according to scientists, civilization in Europe - the Minoan, which is confirmed by numerous archaeological excavations and monuments of history and culture. Ancient tombs of this civilization are found in the vicinity of the town of Agia Pelagia (Crete). The scientists' comments indicate the uniqueness of these findings. It is believed that this place was located the oldest city called Apollonia, or in another way Elefthera, built in the 9th century BC and subsequently destroyed by an earthquake.

Agia Pelagia is a popular resort

Only a small fishing village a few tens of years ago was on the island of Crete Agia Pelagia. Reviews of tourists, admiring the wonderful quiet bays, magnificent beaches and the unique beauty of the local nature, show that it has become a popular resort with excellent recreational facilities. Now it is connected by a new convenient road with the capital of Heraklion and other large populated points of the island. The town is formed by several small villages, the white houses of which are comfortably located on the mountainous slopes, which come down to the sea in a semicircle - Greece, Crete, Agia Pelagia. Reviews of tourists about this place are just wonderful.

Church of St. Pelagius

At the top of the hill is the church of St. Pelagia, which gave the name of the village. It is an active temple, in which church services are still conducted. During the Middle Ages, one of the first monasteries of the island of Crete-Savvatianon was located here, and next to it was built the chapel of St. Pelagius. According to legend, in it was in ancient times found the miraculous icon of St. Pelagius. Enter this tiny building can only bend over, and inside the room can not straighten up to its full height. However, numerous pilgrims came here, hoping for a cure for serious illnesses. The icon was tried to be transferred to a monastery church, but somehow she was again in the chapel.

Climate of Agia Pelagia

In a quiet bay at a distance of two dozen kilometers from the capital, Heraklion is comfortably located on the island of Crete (Greece) Agia Pelagia. Reviews of tourists characterize the local climate as a moderate subtropical with hot dry summers and a damp warm winter. The bathing season lasts from April to October. In the middle of spring, the air temperature reaches 23 degrees, and the water warms up to 20 degrees of heat and remains warm until the middle of autumn. July, August - the hottest period, at this time water in the sea warms up to 25 degrees. And the average temperature in winter reaches 16 degrees Celsius.

Features of Agia Pelagia

The main advantage of Agia Pelagia was the protection of its bay from the northern winds, raising high waves in the open sea. It is closed from three sides by mountains, so here the sea is calm even during a strong excitement. Small coves on the coast form comfortable windless beaches with clean white sand or pebbles, attracting a huge number of both local residents and tourists. Even for relaxation with children, wonderful beaches on the island of Crete (Agia Pelagia) are suitable. Reviews say that they are perfectly equipped for active recreation, and crystal clear water allows you to see the seabed.

Beaches of Agia Pelagia

1. In the village of Fodele, in the homeland of the famous Greek artist El Greco, there is a beach well protected from the winds. It is conveniently divided into two halves: the western part is perfectly equipped for a comfortable rest, the eastern one is designed for lovers of complete seclusion.

2. One of the popular beaches is Monofartis, located north of Agia Pelagia. Closed from the winds, it has an excellent recreational infrastructure and is a favorite place for diving. Here you can also take courses for beginners in the diving center with professional and very attentive instructors.

3. Nearby is the beach of Psaromura - it is also protected from the wind. On the beach there are sun loungers and umbrellas, and next door there are taverns and cafes.

4. To the west of Agia Pelagia there is a pebble beach of Kladissos with all modern conveniences.

5. The delightful beach of Phylacteres is surrounded by steep cliffs, it is necessary to reach it on water. This is perhaps the most beautiful beach on the entire northern coast. Fine clear sand and azure sea attract extremists for it.

6. Despite the narrow beach strip of the coastline, fine white sand and developed infrastructure of recreation attracts the central and longest beach of Agia Pelagia, Crete. Reviews rest here is characterized as excellent and comfortable.

7. Ligaria - a beautiful sandy beach, located in a closed lagoon and superbly equipped for outdoor activities. On weekends, it is especially crowded.

8. Maid Beach is named for the village. This pebble beach is very popular with locals and lovers of fishing and diving.

9. One of the most beautiful is the pebble beach of Amudy, it can only be accessed from the sea side. He is famous for the mysterious caves in the rocks.

Hotel service

A lot of various hotels - luxury and small villas, large modern hotels and economy class hotels - Crete, Agia Pelagia. Guest reviews of grateful guests are confirmed by their excellent service and convenient location. Thanks to the terrain, the windows of the hotels offer a magnificent panorama of the sea coast. Near the coastal beach are many hotels of Agia Pelagia (Crete). Reviews of tourists note that the most popular are those that are near the beach - do not climb after swimming on steep slopes. And for those who consider this walking tour to be beneficial for the body, there is a large selection of fine hotels located higher in the hills.

Some of the hotels of Agia Pelagia

1. A magnificent hotel on a green hill near the sea - "Diana Apartments". Spacious rooms overlook the balcony with a wonderful view of the picturesque bay.

2. The comfortable Pela Mare hotel is surrounded by a beautiful flowering garden. There are two swimming pools on its territory. The beach is also nearby. When leaving, many guests leave a tip: "Rest in Agia Pelagia (Greece, Crete) was simply amazing!"

3. The luxury hotel "Savvas Apartments" is located next to the beach of Agia Pelagia. The comfortable rooms have balconies and a terrace overlooking the sea.

4. "Sanday Life" - this cozy hotel is located a few minutes walk from the beach. Its French windows overlook a spacious terrace with a unique view of the sea scenery. The hotel has its own swimming pool, and the local restaurant serves food grown on its own plot.

5. Hotel Belvedere is located in a wonderful bay near the beach and away from the road, so it's quiet and peaceful. Spacious rooms open on one side to the balcony, under which grow lemon trees, and on the other - to the terrace with a beautiful panorama of the sea.

6. On the vast territory of the hotel "Kapsis Elite" there is a wonderful botanical garden and a zoo, as well as several swimming pools and restaurants.

7. Surrounded by lush gardens, the hotel "Out of Bleu Elite" has three own beaches and greenhouses, an amusement park for children. There is also a spa with hydromassage.

All about holiday in Agia Pelagia, reviews, tips - all information can be obtained at any hotel in the city.

Knossos

Not far from Agia Pelagia is the most famous historical monument on the island - Knossos Palace. Knossos was the main city of Crete in the time of the ancient Minoan civilization. The legend connects Knossos with the legendary name of the Cretan King Minos, familiar from Greek mythology. According to some assumptions, it is here that the famous Labyrinth is located, from which Ariadne's thread helped to get to Theseus .

On the hill Kefalos, where the Knossos was later built, the first settlement appeared in the 7th millennium BC, for many millennia it turned into a grandiose and powerful city-palace, consisting of one and a half thousand rooms. The palace has almost the shape of a square, but it does not have an ordered layout of the premises. They form a unique mess around the courtyard. Despite such asymmetry of rooms, lighting systems, sewerage, as well as water supply and ventilation are well thought out. All engineering communications are located in such a unique way that repair works can be carried out at any point. In the ceiling, light wells are arranged in a special way, thanks to which magnificent lighting was created. Water was supplied by means of two stone gutters from reservoirs, one of which was filled from a natural reservoir, and the second - during rains.

The richness and luxury of the palace is told by the magnificent frescoes adorning its walls. Most of them are kept in the museums of Heraklion. The frescoes depict flowers, plants and animals, elegant dancing people. There are no military scenes or images of leaders. There are also paintings devoted to religious themes.

Constant excavations of Knossos began only in the early 20th century. Thanks to the English scientist-archeologist, the world learned about the ancient civilization and its great monument.

The village of Fodele

Next to Agia Pelagia in the orange and lemon gardens is hidden the village of Fodele, famous for the fact that the famous El Greco lived and worked there. Now there is a museum of the artist with reproductions of his paintings and a bust made by a famous sculptor. Nearby is the church of Panagia with unique frescoes of the 14th century.

According to scientists, in the place of the village of Fodele in ancient times there was the ancient city of Astali.

The Caves of Zeus

On the plateau of Lassithi are the famous caves of Zeus - Dikteyskaya and Idea. According to legend, Zeus was born in Dikteiskaya cave. In the first room is its altar, which was decorated with statues, fine dishes and other ornaments, which are now stored in the archaeological museum of Heraklion. Going into the second hall, you can see the underground lake, where, according to legend, they bathed a newborn. Fantastic stalactites and stalagmites give the cave an unreal beauty. Nearby is the Idea Cave, in which religious ceremonies were held under the name of the Ideological rings.

Greece, Fr. Crete, Agia Pelagia is a delightful place, a paradise of nature, designed for a wonderful and comfortable holiday. For many families, this resort has become a favorite place for annual holidays.