Crete Holiday
The flagship Greek island for tourists
Traditions and culture in Crete
Just like the rest of Greece, Crete is steeped in history and tradition which is still very much in evidence to this day.
In addition, the island displays huge disparity between the north - which is dominated by hotels and package holiday tourists - and the sleepy, traditional villages located elsewhere.
Cretans are proud of their rich heritage and many speak Cretan Greek, while the island's wine is also popular and its cuisine has been celebrated for its life-prolonging qualities.
Crete is also renowned for its love of music and it has many indigenous dances, the most prominent of which is perhaps the Pentozali.
Things to do in Crete
The island is certainly the most popular attraction for holidaymakers booking cheap flights to Greece and it welcomes around a quarter of all the country's tourists every year.
The number of hotel beds has moved with the times - with an increase of 53 per cent between 1986 and 1991 - while two million visitors touched down on the island in 2007.
In terms of attractions worth a visit, Hania Old Town is particularly charming, with its mix of Venetian and Ottoman culture and the picturesque harbour lined with restored mansions.
The palace of Knossos, which is located south-east of Iraklion, is the showpiece of the Minoan legacy and it has been rebuilt in parts to help convey its original majesty.
Anyone on holiday in Crete will find that the locals are warm and friendly, and that there is plenty to cater for all ages and tastes.
Weather in Crete
The climate is predominantly temperate in Crete and the atmosphere often becomes fairly humid in the summer, although the winters tend to be reasonably mild.
Temperatures in the summer average between the high 20s and low 30s Celsius and on the hottest days the mercury can rise above the 40C mark.
Destination checklist for Crete
Crete has a population of 623,666.
The island is two hours ahead of GMT time.
The official currency is the euro.
Greek is the official language spoken.
The island's international dialling code is +30 821.
