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East Crete

  • Crete East Crete
  • Crete East Crete
  • Crete East Crete
East Crete is embedded between the Ida Mountains in the West and the Dikti Mountains in the East. The most important and well-known archaeological sites are in the northeast of Crete. Tourism is in eastern Crete high developed and comes with inspiring retreats, luxury hotels and resort-villas. The harbour towns Elounda and Agios Nikolaos come with high quality restaurants where to have spectacular dinners with sea views. Luxury is here the star, but in the easternmost villages like Palekastro (surfer´s paradise) the visitors can expect an authentic landscape and hidden beaches. We´ve designed our website with you in mind. The detailed descriptions of our accommodations and destinations should help you make the right choice. Take a look at our photos and videos to get a taste.

One of the scenic highlights in the east is the Lassithi Plateau in the Dikti Mountains. A visit to this delightful scenic area is a must for any holidaymaker to Crete. Originally there were hundreds of small windmills here pumping water for the crops. Nowadays there are a few here and there and one can guess the function they once had.

The beautiful Mirabello Bay at Agios Nikolaos with its exposed position has been a centre of attraction since time immemorial. Those who want the genuine article should plan a visit to Sitia, a former Venetian town. Further east is the well-known palm beach of Vai. The excursion to Vai is better outside the main season otherwise there are at least 25 tourists sitting under each palm tree. The appeal of Crete for the traveller lies in its variety. There are mature towns, vibrant places, scenery ranging from tranquil, wildly romantic through to rugged and quite simply friendly people.

Expert travel guide East Crete

East Crete is embedded between the Ida Mountains in the West and the Dikti Mountains in the East. The most important and well-known archaeological sites are in the northeast of Crete. Tourism is in eastern Crete high developed and comes with inspiring retreats, luxury hotels and resort-villas. The harbour towns Elounda and Agios Nikolaos come with high quality restaurants where to have spectacular dinners with sea views. Luxury is here the star, but in the easternmost villages like Palekastro (surfer´s paradise) the visitors can expect an authentic landscape and hidden beaches. We´ve designed our website with you in mind. The detailed descriptions of our accommodations and destinations should help you make the right choice. Take a look at our photos and videos to get a taste.

One of the scenic highlights in the east is the Lassithi Plateau in the Dikti Mountains. A visit to this delightful scenic area is a must for any holidaymaker to Crete. Originally there were hundreds of small windmills here pumping water for the crops. Nowadays there are a few here and there and one can guess the function they once had.

The beautiful Mirabello Bay at Agios Nikolaos with its exposed position has been a centre of attraction since time immemorial. Those who want the genuine article should plan a visit to Sitia, a former Venetian town. Further east is the well-known palm beach of Vai. The excursion to Vai is better outside the main season otherwise there are at least 25 tourists sitting under each palm tree. The appeal of Crete for the traveller lies in its variety. There are mature towns, vibrant places, scenery ranging from tranquil, wildly romantic through to rugged and quite simply friendly people.
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Videos, images, hotel-recommendations with best hotel deals in East Crete

Agios Nikolaos
The city of Agios Nikolaos has about 12,000 inhabitants and is located in Mirabello Bay, about 47 km east of the capital Heraklion and about 30 km west of the city of Sitia. The city of Agios Nikolaos named after its small dome church "Agios Nikolaos" from the 10th century. The church is located on a cape north of the Minos Palace hotel. The city of Agios Nikolaos was one of the first developed regions for tourism in Crete. Hospitality has a great tradition here. There are many well-known hotels among our top-favorites.
If you want to live close to the city, we have a ray of the finest hotels.
Many of the town's houses and hotels were built on a slope. The city of Agios Nikolaos appears fairly new due to the buildings, but the city has a great history.
In the 3rd century BC Chr. Agios Nikolaos was the port city of the wealthy ancient settlement Lato in the inland. Today you can visit the remains of Lato, about 5 km inland from Agios Nikolaos. In 1904 Agios Nikolaos was declared the capital of the Lassithi prefecture. Since the 1970s, the city has become a tourist metropolis with business streets, tastefully decorated restaurants and cafes.
Today there are colourful fishing boats at the port, but also ferries that go to Athens, the Dodecanese Islands and the Cyclades. Cruise ships also anchor here. The freshwater lake "Voulismeni", is connected with the sea by a canal giving the city a very special ambience. The lake is surrounded by rocks on which the city of Agios Nikolaos is built amphitheatrically. Panoramic restaurants and cafes were built above these rocks commanding stunning views to the sea. There is a small theater stage at the lake for events, as well as an open-air cinema and countless bars and some clubs.
Elounda
Coastal Village Elounda is in North East Crete about 10 km away from the City Agios Nikolaos. The impressive panorama of the Mirabello Bay is a contributing factor to why most of the really luxury hotels like the hotels / accommodations in Elounda set in the well protected Bay. The offshore islets act as wave breakers.

Elounda is located in East Crete in the Mirabello Bay 69 km Crete 10 from the capital Heraklion and 10 km west of the small, picturesque port town of Agios Nikolaos. Elounda was a wealthy port city in ancient times, which was called "Driros". After a strong earthquake, this city is said to have sunk into the sea.
Today Elounda is connected to its peninsula by a dam, where there are also salt pans. Elounda is a small coastal town in the center of the village square with the village church. At the small harbor there are taverns, cafes and excursion boats that offer day tours to the offshore island "Spinalonga".

The Crete Golf Course is 49 km away. Handicap limit for all players is 36. Green fee for 18 holes is 80-90 €. We can offer a package including green fee. Contact: info@kreta.com
There are many luxury hotels in Elounda that can compete with the best hotels in the world.
Jewelry stores in town selling stylish and modern jewels in best quality. A narrow coastal promenade, better sidewalk, connects the port of Elounda with the small coastal village of Plaka. On the east side of Elounda, you can see three restored windmills that are part of the landmark of Elounda. Here you can also see the foundations of a three-aisled church with the remains of an early Christian basilica from the 5th century. Atthe edge of Elounda you can also see the ancient town "Olous", formerly the port of the town "Driros".
Gouves
Gouves is practically a quiet suburb of lively Chersonissos. Although it has some agriculture, the coastal region is developed for tourism. Everything is available: hotels, tavernas and supermarkets. The beach is a mixture of shingle and sand. The below photo shows the hinterland (2km behind the coast) of Gouves.
The coastal village Gouves is located in the northeast of Crete, 19 km east of the island's capital Heraklion.
Gouves has a well-developed tourist infrastructure. Opposite the coastal town of Gouves is the small offshore island of Dia, which you can reach by boat in summer-season. The hinterland of Gouves is relatively flat.
The actual village of Ano Gouves is 2 km in the inland.
Kato Gouves has an endless sandy beach, it is a bathing paradise for package tourists.
Gouves is the right place for those who focus on sandy beaches and entertainment.
Gouves is the "bathing paradise" in front of the gates of the capital Heraklion, which is why this beach is also well attended by the "city people" at the weekend
There are many large 4 & 5 star hotels in the Gouves area The "Creta Aquarium" is also very close to Gouves / "Thalassocosmos", where the underwater world of the Mediterranean can be admired in 32 pools. The design of the pools corresponds to the natural living space of the animals. It is the largest aqua museum in the Mediterranean, with 1,600,000 liters of sea water 4000 sea creatures! The Aqua Museum is part of the "Thalassocosmos" research center for marine research. Just marvellous!
Heraklion
The city of Heraklion Heraklion is the capital of Crete and has approx. 200,000 inhabitants, business and administrative center of the island, cultural and historical highlight, chaos and lively activity.
The city has a long history. Minoans, Saracens, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks, they all gave the city a special ambience .
In 1972 Heraklion became the capital of Crete. The coastal region around the capital Heraklions is the largest tourist region in Crete. But the hinterland is mainly used for agriculture. Olive groves and vineyards characterize the hinterland of Heraklion.
Most of the archaeological sites are located in this region around Heraklion.
The large "Freedom Square" (Platia Elefterias) forms the center of the city. This is where Dikeossinis Street, one of the most important commercial streets, goes off.
Odos Delalou, the pedestrian alley with cafes, restaurants and many souvenir shops, runs at the same height. If you follow this street you come to Platia Venizelo, the most beautiful square in the city. Here tourists mingle with locals. Narrow streets with beautiful little places where you can relax and drik your wine under a plane tree. Anyone who has the opportunity to get to the city by public transport is well served, otherwise the search for a parking space can take some time. The one-way streets alone are time-consuming.
In the past, as well as today, Heraklion is an art-loving city. In summer there is the "Heraklion Summer Festival". Events from the thematic area, music, dance & theater take place. Throughout the year Heraklion offers lively night life with many cultural highlights.
Malia
The long sandy beach of the seaside Village Malia in eastern Crete was the starting point for the tourism development of this former village. Today the coastline is surrounded by hotels and apartments of every category on offer, especially all inclusive hotels.
Malia has grown together with Stalis. Those looking for a beach holiday with lots of entertainment and contacts will be in their element here. The narrow streets in the old village of Malia have good eating places. The Cretan Golf Club is only 18 minutes´drive away.
Malia is a perfect destination for young families fearing long airport-transfers or for those preferring all amenities of a well developed tourist - sector.
The former village of Malia is approximately 32 km east of the capital Heraklion and its airport. Malia has together with the village of Stalis and the surrounding villages of Mochos and Krassi 6200 inhabitants. It is the oldest tourist region of Crete. A mature tourist sector with many affordable all-inclusive hotels. The sandy beach of Malia and Stalis offers holidaymakers on 4 km in length a variety of water sports facilities and a wide range of entertainment. Many pubs, cafes and discos line the streets of Stalis and Malia. An ideal holiday destination for guests who value an intense nightlife. Inland from Malia and Stalis there is not much of a hype of tourism.

At the foot of the Selena Mountains, in the hinterland of Malia, lies the beautiful old mountain village of Krassi. Hardly not anyone gets lost in the beautiful hinterland. Krassi is located on the western slope of the Selena Mountains. In the village square you can sit under an ancient plane tree (natural monument over 2000 years old!) And enjoy the good local cuisine. The trademark for this village is the handcrafted art of the old springs from 1890. The visit is worthwhile!


Crete: East Crete
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