Crete

Knossos

Crete is 257km (159 miles) long with a surface area of 8,259sq km (3,138sq. miles) - making the island two and a half times the size of Majorca. Crete is 62km (38 miles) wide while the narrowest distance between north and south is a mere 12km (7 miles). Inland mountain ranges dominate the Cretan landscape with mount Ida or Psiloritis reaching a height of 2456 metres (8058ft.). The mountains drop steeply into the sea on the southern coast but more gently through the coastal plains of the north. The three main groups of mountains are divided by deep valleys, the slopes swathed by olive trees and vineyards. There are coastal plains and the varied geography offers a wide range of vistas and microclimates.

Not surprisingly, tourist accommodation is concentrated on the north coast. According to Detorakis (1994:x):

"The north coast is indented with deep natural harbours and hospitable bays, while the south coast is rugged and harsh with few bays and virtually no decent harbour apart from Ierapetra. This difference explains the development and precedence of the north side of Crete over the south."

Most tourists favour Crete in late spring/early summer and in autumn. Few visit in winter as most of the tourist facilities hibernate between November and the beginning of April with many hotels and restaurants closed and bus and ferry services reduced or cancelled. But note that the pictures on this page were taken on a pleasant day in mid-November.

In common with the rest of Greece, Easter is a major festival and this coincides with the arrival of the first tourists who can take advantage of the generally pleasant climate until early June. Crete has a fascinating history and June is a good time to look at the historic sites, such as Knossos, unlike mid-June to August when temperatures hit 40 degrees centigrade in the shade and the main sites are swarming with tour groups.

Cretan Mountains