Travel to Crete by car. What to see on Crete independently? Sights of Crete

Crete is a small island, but you can visit many attractions. It can be museums, lakes, rivers, beaches, zoos, water parks and much more. Thanks to the island you will get to the real story. You will see how the Greeks lived in ancient times, what they did and what they did.

What to see on Crete independently? By car, traveling is quite interesting, and in the article you will find useful information for yourself.

Center of Crete: Knossos Palace

Many travelers begin to explore the sights from the city of Heraklion. Active tourists and young people stay there. The local residents will tell you what to see on Crete independently by car. Often they advise Knossos Palace, where you can get there without problems. On the road there are signs, so you can get there easily. Near the palace there is free parking.

This building is considered very large. The walls are beautifully decorated and restored. All the halls are beautiful frescoes, which are very well and correctly made. For those people who love history, ancient architecture, this place is created, which will certainly leave a trace in the soul.

In the middle of the palace there is a large courtyard from where you can get to any passage, hall or gallery. There are many legends about this building. One of them says that in the palace there is a labyrinth of the Minotaur, where lived a terrible monster, whose head is like a bull. They say that it used to eat people before.

The only problem is that there are a lot of tourists in this palace, so moving here is not always convenient. Everyone wants to discover something new and unusual, because people move around the palace chaotically.

In the palace itself you can book an excursion, which will be conducted by a guide who speaks Russian well. In another case, you are unlikely to receive full information. Without a guide, you can see the ruins and ruins and do not understand what's interesting in this palace. But the guide will tell many stories and legends associated with the Palace of Knossos. If you come to Crete by car, you will be able to see and learn more interesting places.

Resorts in Rethymnon

If you are going to Crete, the car has the opportunity to contemplate a lot of interesting and noteworthy. The city of Rethymno is famous for its beautiful resorts. It will not hurt to go to the village of Bali. Here you can see rocks, grottoes, clear water, where octopuses and colorful fish swim. In the village of Bali, taverns and shops are made in the Greek picturesque style.

If you ask the locals where to go to Crete by car, you will definitely be advised by the village of Panormo. It is here that a quiet and relaxing place. But if you get tired of the beaches, you can visit the monastery of Arkadi. Inside there is a beautiful garden, museums and a zoo that will delight children. The buildings are majestic and ancient. In one museum you will see a lot of ancient weapons, and in the second there are old books, clothes.

The village Adele near the town of Ratimno is famous for the beautiful monastery of St. Panteleimon and the museum, which is assigned to the hero of the Island of Crete K. Giambudakis. Here, clean and calm beaches, an authentic atmosphere.

Traveling on Crete by car is a pleasure. In Rethymnon, beautiful painting and clean beaches. In this region you can relax both passively and actively. You will see massive buildings, museums, monasteries, mosques, lakes and grottoes.

Eastern part of Crete: Lassithi

Here there are historical places and unforgettable landscapes. Many dream to get to the island of Crete. What to see on the car, you will tell the travel agency. Often recommend the city of Lassithi.

In it you can visit the cave of the main Greek god Zeus. Myths say that he was born in this grotto. In the cave there are ancient artifacts. The entrance fee is paid, but you will not regret, because the spectacle is truly unforgettable.

About Minoan Palace Zakros knows few tourists, so it's not crowded. He was discovered in the last century and began to excavate, which continue to this day. Historians are arguing, what kind of rooms there were and why.

In the monastery of Kera Kardiotissas there is an icon that creates miracles with people. It heals from various diseases and even from infertility. Many times the icon was abducted, but as it turned out, miracles happen - they always found it. To date, created and delivered a copy of the icon. However, strangely enough, she continues to treat patients.

The zoo is famous for its miniature and botanical garden. If you are with children, then it's worth visiting this place. In the zoo there are many exotic birds that you are unlikely to see anywhere. Some animals are allowed to pat or feed. On the path you will meet donkeys or peacocks, who are used to people and are not afraid of them.

As you can see, it is absolutely necessary to visit the island of Crete. What to see on the car, you will understand on the road, when you will pass the Greek paradise. Each city or district has its own sights.

The western part of the island of Crete: the city of Chania

This area is far from the center. However, you can see the sights of Crete by car without any problems. The road to the city of Chania is serpentine, but good. So you can enjoy the painting.

Near the city you can visit the botanical garden. It has many fruit and exotic trees. Also in the park there are beautiful large mesmerizing vineyards. At the end of the alley there is a small but cozy zoo. In it there are deer, donkeys, peacocks. There are no large animals.

If you love football, visit the famous museum, where you can see many memorabilia, cups, exhibits. In the gallery, helpful personnel who will answer any of your questions and tell incredible historical legends and stories.

Chrisoskalitissa is a beautiful monastery. It is often visited by tourists on the road to the beach of Elafonissi. It was built high so that you could admire the bay with blue water. To climb to the monastery itself, you need to go 99 steps. The latter is colored yellow. That is why the monastery is called the "Golden Step". In it they call in mainly to look at the icon of the Assumption of the Virgin. They say that when you pray to her, all the misfortunes come to an end at the same moment.

If you come to Crete by car, you have the opportunity to visit those places where tourists are rare. You will see a fine painting, try a local wine and chat with the friendly inhabitants of this island.

South-West Coast - the village of Sfakia

Many tourists are interested in what to visit in Crete. Independently by car you can come to any point of the island. Who knows Crete well, advises to visit the village of Sfakia. Tourists are few there, so rest is more comfortable. Here you can dive, swim and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

In Sfakia, a fortress called Frangokastello was built. The building is rectangular, in each corner there is a watch tower. The fortress was created during the war of the Turks with the locals, and the castle was besieged. However, it was won back, and since then many legends go about it.

For lovers of historical facts and ruins it will be interesting to visit the ancient city of Falasarnu. In it you will find ruins from the wartime. The city is slightly renovated for tourists.

Resort Agios Nikolaos

Attractions of Crete by car can start from this city. It is also called St Tropez. It is located in the northern part of the island of Crete. In the center of the city is Lake Vulismeni, which is famous for its very large depth (about 70 meters). Legend has it that in ancient times the goddess Athena herself loved to take water treatments here.

This city is the most industrial on the island. It has a lot of tourists resting, cafes and restaurants are crowded, and beaches need to arrive early in the morning, because if you come later, there will not be seats.

The city of Agios Nikolaos is famous for its architecture. You have the opportunity to see the buildings not only of modern construction, but also ancient. In the city there is the Archaeological Museum. There are exhibits in it, which were collected from different historical periods.

On the way to the city of Agios Nicholas you will see many different churches. They are painted with ancient inscriptions and patterns. If you stop near them and go inside, you will see a Byzantine fresco.

When the holiday season begins, many different celebrities and ensembles come to this city. Then comes the fun. Every evening you can go to concerts, festivals or exhibitions. Crete itself must be studied by car. If you stay in the city for a few days, leave the car in the parking lot and enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality of the locals.

Museum of Lychnostatis

It is remarkable that this gallery is located under the open sky. There are all the amenities for tourists. They get a card, thanks to which a person does not get lost. Even for a small extra fee you can get an audio guide: the tourist goes where he wants and listens to the information he needs.

On the territory of the gallery there is a cozy cafe. Therefore, if someone is tired and wants to relax, there is an opportunity to enjoy refreshing drinks and local food. In the mornings, every Wednesday is a holiday dedicated to grapes. To visit it, you need to drive up to 10.00 am. Tourists are invited to tread grapes, but few people agree to such entertainment.

If you are interested in where to go in Crete by car, visit this museum. From the road you will not see it, since it is on the beach. Therefore, you have to leave the main road. However, you will not regret it. The gate is fully embossed with grapes, and it can not be immediately noticed.

If you do not want to deal with the map, then for tourists everywhere there are arrows indicating where to go. At the very beginning of the open museum you will see a variety of fruit trees, and then old houses, where there are a variety of Greek objects. It is not necessary to have a guide to understand how people lived here in ancient times.

There is a cinema on the territory. When you get into it, you will be surprised. You will see and hear a variety of stories in different languages. This area is decorated with ancient wooden sculptures.

If the street is very hot, then you will not be long in the museum. Travel on it better during cloudy days. After all, he is in the open country, so it's hard for people to enjoy the excursion on sunny days.

Ideal vacation - go on vacation to Crete. By car there is a possibility not to depend on time and local transport, since it goes strictly on schedule.

For art lovers: Foundry

Almost every person dreams of visiting Crete. It is more interesting to visit sights on a car more than a group excursion. After all, you can visit at any time, wherever you want.

A tourist who loves history and ancient crafts can visit a foundry. The owner has been engaged in this fascinating business for many years. The reception here is welcoming. They treat local coffee, wine, show their foundry. Of course, you can buy souvenirs. However, the owner does not persuade, but tells about each product is so fascinating that you want to buy yourself a souvenir for your memory.

The casting specialist shows how and what he does. Tells about each his step. True, they speak there not only in Greek, but also in English, so you need to know at least one of them. In this area, only one person is engaged in foundry. He continues the generic activity of his generation.

Craftsman gives tourists to try to make figurines. Only everything is done under strict supervision. After all, it is dangerous for an unknowing person to work by himself near a heated oven, in which the heat is more than 400 degrees.

Most often, the artisan trusts to create models for men, and to extract them for women. The owner believes that each sex has its own duty. They do not have such equality, as in our Russian-speaking countries.

Now you know where to go in Crete by car and for rest, and for entertainment. Foundry production will not leave you indifferent. About it you will remember your whole life with warmth and nostalgia.

Beaches of Crete

Balos is a pirate harbor. Not far from it you will see a fortress, which, according to legend, belonged to sailors. As a result, the harbor was taken away by pirates, so the harbor was given such a name.

Palm groves are located on Wai Beach. The locals say that this is a tropical island. According to the legends, tourists who come here can make a wish, and it will come true.

Plaka is a beautiful beach, but it is unlikely that you will be able to lie down. There is one pebble everywhere. For this, the whole beach is covered with umbrellas and hammocks are issued for a fee. There are many tamarisks in this place. This beach is famous for its wide range of water sports.

Conclusion

Crete is the largest Greek island. It has many ancient museums, rivers, lakes. Probably, there was not a single place, not known by the tourist. In the article, we considered a small, but the main part of the sights.

Very beautiful island of Crete. By car you can visit all the most interesting places. It is best to start exploring the island from the central part. This is the city of Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Then you can visit other places. It all depends on your time and abilities.

This wonderful island is visited annually by about two million tourists. It is considered one of the famous and successful resorts. Reviews of tourists say that the prices for Crete are moderate. They are willing to pay for kindness, cordial reception and numerous stories about Greece.

Thanks to the mild climate, people rest easy. They can come at any time of the year. A person does not have to acclimatize for a long time. Tourists can choose accommodation for their finances or desires. For each there is a place, and the conditions, of course, are different. The cheaper the room, the less amenities are provided.

Lovers of history will find something to their liking. On the island of Crete in every city there are a lot of archeological monuments and museums. A lot of old things and things you'll find back from the Minoan era.

Zoology lovers can be offered a wide variety of birds. For example, in Lassithi you will see eagles of tremendous size, swallows fly all around the coast all year round, but pelicans walk exclusively along the coast in search of food. On the island you will find reptiles, turtles, various insects, arthropods.

The Greek island is famous for its mythology, gods, caves, islands. About them there are many fascinating legends. They can be about a monster, about the goddess Athena, Zeus. Since ancient times, the Greeks revere their traditions and tourists are asked to stick to them.

In the article you read the tips on what to visit in Crete by car. If you are going to come to the island on your own, then you are lucky. You will have the opportunity to visit places where the tour can not always be visited. From rest you will remain under the impression for the rest of your life.