Accommodation in Agios Nikolaos and routes around Eastern Crete: Elounda, Sitia, Toplou Monastery, Vai palm beach, Ierapetra, Chrysi island, Lassithi plateau, Dictaean cave. Description of attractions with map and video.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos (Agios Nikolaos) was chosen as our base in Crete based on proximity to the main attractions, infrastructure development and beautiful views. We booked the Miramare Resort & Spa 4* hotel on the outskirts of Agios Nikolaos; we liked the fact that it is located on the shore, but away from the main road.

It's easy to get around from Agios Nikolaos public transport, But independent travel driving a car gives you more freedom and comfort. For those who are on the road all day, it makes sense to take only breakfast from food.

Agios Nikolaos is a beautiful city, there are major hotels along the shore, restaurants around Lake Voulismeni, and clothing and souvenir shops at every turn. The young people from our hotel spent all their evenings in the center of Agios Nikolaos.

Map of attractions in eastern Crete

Sights of Eastern Crete

Lasithi Plateau

Agios Nikolaos is the center of the Lassithi district. The most interesting natural attraction of this place is the Lassithi plateau. When you climb a mountain and then stop and look down into the valley, you are struck by its size, the incessant bleating of sheep and the number of mills.

Diktean cave

From the side of the village of Psychro there is an entrance to the Dictaean cave, in which, according to legend, Zeus was born. This is a very touristy place, so we arrived early and didn't linger. It's cold in the cave, so you need to take a long-sleeved jacket and comfortable shoes. Small villages around live from the sale of souvenirs and textiles, prices for everything are tourist.

Church of Panagia Kera

The closest attraction to Agios Nikolaos is the Church of Panagia Kera in Kritsa. You pay for the entrance and see frescoes from the 11th to 14th centuries.

Elounda resort

In this part of the island we also liked Elounda, it is located only 10 km to the north, but away from the main road. The town is built around a harbor, we had lunch at a psarotavern (fish restaurant), watching the fishermen at work. We drove along a long sandy spit onto the peninsula, walked and swam on the clean, almost empty beach. In recent years, Elounda has become a popular resort with all-inclusive club hotels.

Spinalonga Island

Spinalonga Island in Elounda

The most visited attraction of Elounda is the island of Spinalonga, here is located Venetian fortress, which first served as a refuge for the Cretans from the Turks, and then became a place of isolation for those suffering from leprosy. The ascent from Plaka to Cape St. Ioannis offers panoramic views of the bay.

City of Sitia

We went to the very East of Crete twice. The road to Sitia is very winding, the constant turns make you dizzy. Sitia is a large city with an airport and port, but to name it tourist center it is forbidden. The obligatory program includes an ascent to the fortress, a walk along the embankment and lunch at a tavern on the shore. In shops good prices for souvenirs, local alcohol and olive oil. Staying in Sitia, you can feel local resident and save a lot of money.

Toplu Monastery and Vai Palm Beach

15 km northeast of Sitia is the famous Toplu Monastery (Moni Toplu), with a valuable collection of icons. Even further is the palm beach of Vai, where tourists are brought, the place is beautiful, palm trees and white sand.

Ancient Itanos

The most Eastern point Crete where we got to - ancient Itanos, once it was big seaport, which went under water, leaving “disorganized” ruins on the hill. On East Coast the winds blow, surfers come here, there is a windsurfing school and equipment rental on the Xiona Bay beach, and many nudists have been spotted here. Rooms are available for rent everywhere.

City of Ierapetra

From Agios Nikolaos it is a very quick drive to the South Coast town of Ierapetra. This is the narrowest (14 km) part of Crete. In the middle is the village of Episkopi, which strangely attracts clouds to itself; every time we drove into it, we found ourselves in the rain.

Located in the Libyan Sea 10 km from Ierapetra small island Chrisi (Chrisi or Gaidourounisi). We sailed to Chrissi by boat, bought tickets right at the port. The island is sandy with dwarf trees; arrivals go swimming on Golden beach.

From Ierapetra you can travel in both directions along the South Coast. To the left (southeast) is the beautiful Kapsa monastery; during our visit there was no one there except monks and monastery cats; at the top there is a cave where a hermit lived.

Near the monastery is the entrance to the Pervolak Gorge. Unlike the famous one, this is a short and easy route. We reached the town of Goudouras, where the road ends. Agriculture is developed in this direction, and there are many greenhouses along the way.

To the right of Ierapetra (to the southwest) the road leads to the seaside village of Myrtos, where tourists from Europe stay. We drank coffee and swam here. Climbing up through villages, you can go to Heraklion, but this is a long route.

A week is enough for the routes described. On this trip we explored another area of ​​Eastern Crete -.

For a significant part of Russians who vacationed in Greece, this country is associated with one name - the island of Crete. The large island, located far from the continent, has become very close to tourists all over the world.

This happened thanks to the developed and understandable infrastructure of the island, fascinating history, a huge number of legendary ancient monuments, hotels for every taste and budget, as well as two international airports and several sea harbors.

Of course, Crete is different for everyone, but you can still tell a few general facts about it.

A little history

Crete played a big role in world history, because the first European civilization arose here. About 7 thousand years BC, the first people settled on the island, and five thousand years later four kingdoms were formed here, their capitals were in the cities of Knossos, Kato Zakro, Festus and Malia. These states marked the beginning of the Minoan (Creto-Mycenaean) civilization, while only isolated wild tribes lived on mainland Europe.

The Minoan culture lived for a thousand years, but then faced two irreparable disasters: a huge tsunami that hit the island as a result of an earthquake in the Santorini area, and wild northern tribes ravaging and burning Cretan cities. As a result, the Minoan civilization perished, the island was deserted and for many centuries became a transit point for pirates and robbers.

Then its history coincided with the history of most of the islands of Greece: Crete was conquered by the Romans, then ceded to Byzantium, thanks to which it was built up with beautiful temples.

In 824, the Saracens captured the island and founded an Arab state there, centered in the city of Khandak (now the capital of Crete - Heraklion); it existed for almost 150 years.

After this, the island came under the rule of the Venetians for almost 400 years, which contributed to the development of all types of arts and crafts here. In 1669, it was captured by the Turks, although Crete fiercely resisted and the capital was kept under siege for 21 years. The power of the Ottoman Empire lasted, with a short break, almost until the beginning of the twentieth century. Crete joined Greece only in 1913.
However, the mythical history of the island is even more interesting, because it was here in a cave that the future thunder god Zeus was hidden as a baby from his father Kron, thanks to which he survived and became the main one on Olympus. Here he also brought the stolen maiden Europa, who bore him three sons Rhadamanthus, Sarpedon and Minos. Here, according to legend, the Labyrinth of the Minotaur was erected, where Theseus killed the terrible monster. In general, many significant myths are associated with Crete Ancient Greece, why else more interesting vacation in modern Crete.

Where is the island of Crete?

We can say that this piece of land is at the intersection of three civilizations - Europe, Asia and Africa. If you look at the map, it seems that the European continent ends with this island. Crete is the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea and the most big Island Hellas: its area is just under 8500 square meters. km. The length of Crete is 260 km, the width ranges from 60 km at the widest point to 12 at the narrowest point on the isthmus of Ierapetra. From the north it is washed by the Cretan Sea, from the south by the Libyan Sea and in the west by the Ionian Sea.

The island stretches in length from west to east, and its main resorts are located on the northern coast. Along the same coast lies the New Cretan Highway, which connects the largest cities of the island. In the depths and in the south of Crete there are much fewer tourists, therefore the settlements are more original and interesting, but getting there is not so easy.

By the way, about the population. There are only about 800 thousand Cretans, but several times more people sail and fly to the island every year as tourists. The local population is, of course, Greeks, but in fact they contain a lot of blood from different peoples, whose history is connected with this part of the land between Europe and North Africa.

The nature of Crete is considered beautiful and amazing, but in fact it is a little monotonous: it is mountains, mostly flat, forests and a couple of small rivers.

But in Crete there are several very beautiful and unusual caves and gorges - both in the depths of the island and in the rocks on popular beaches.

The main thing here is the sun and mild climate. In addition to this, nature has created amazing beaches, some of them are included in the list of the best beaches in Greece and even the world.

Crete is divided into 4 administrative districts(nome): Chania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Lasithi.

Each of them is famous for its resorts and attractions.

Chania

The westernmost nome of the island and at the same time the greenest. The capital of the district of the same name (150 km from Heraklion) is called “Greek Venice”, as many buildings in the Venetian style have been preserved here. Chania is considered a quiet region, there are fewer tourists here than in other parts of Crete, so it is recommended to spend a quiet holiday here family holiday with kids.

Rethymno

The small region is home to several resort villages and beautiful beaches. There are a lot of tourists in Rethymno, because both the capital of the district (Rethymno, 78 km from Heraklion) and its surroundings are one large archaeological attraction, it is called the “soul of Crete”. In addition, it is on the territory of this province that there are two highest mountains the islands are Ida or Psiloritis (2456 m) and Kedros (1777 m), which adds incredible beauty to the landscape.

Heraklion

The central region of Crete with its capital in the city of Heraklion, the most populous, with a developed urban and hotel infrastructure. Mecca nightlife islands, shopping and other entertainment. At the same time, the region is home to a huge number of museums, historical monuments and ancient temples. Near Heraklion there are the noisiest youth hotels, whose guests spend their evenings in the clubs of the island capital.

Lassithi

The most East End Crete, which boasts the most big amount sunny days a year. The region's resorts are considered the most respectable; the largest and most expensive hotels islands. The regional capital, Agios Nikolas, is 69 km away. from Heraklion, however, the fashionable villages of the province - Ierapetra - are even further away, 81 km and 105 km respectively. There are few mountains here; the main natural attraction is Lake Vulismeni.

How to get there

Airports

Crete receives many airliners from all over the world every day, two international and Chania. During the season these are mainly charters, but there are also regular flights from several European cities, including the Russian capital. A Moscow-Crete plane ticket costs about 11.5 thousand rubles. (Lassithi District) receives mainly local and private flights. From the Greek capital you can fly to Crete for an amount from 65 to 100 euros per person.

Ferries

Regular ferry service for Greece it’s the same as Russian intercity buses. Ferries are very reliable, convenient and economical. Everything in Crete big cities are ports, but the largest - Heraklion and Chania - receive greatest number ships. From Athens to the island, high-speed ships either depart at lunchtime and arrive at their destination in the evening, or depart at night and dock in Crete in the early morning. Most ferries call at several ports on Crete in one trip. It also has connections with other Greek islands, so you can come here for a couple of days while on vacation in another island province of Hellas. Here is information on several ferries.

Ferry Athens (Piraeus) – Heraklion: departure at 21.00, arrival at 6 am with a call at the ports of Chania, Agios Nikolas. Ticket prices range from 29 to 36 euros per person. The ship offers its guests comfortable cabins and the ability to transport cars.

Ferry Piraeus – Kissamos (Chania region): departure at 17.00, arrival at 5.30 am, ticket – 24 euros per person.

Ferry Santorini – Heraklion: travel time 2 hours, cost 55-57 euros. Departs mainly in the evening.

Ferry o. Mykonos(all about Mykonos) – Heraklion: travel time 3.5 hours, ticket price – 76-80 euros per person.

It will not be possible to get to Crete from another popular island among Russians, Rhodes or, for example, Zakynthos (overview of the island), since ferry service in Greece exists only in the waters of one sea. In this case, you can only sail to Crete with a “transfer” in the Athens port of Piraeus or other mainland ports.

If you traveled independently around mainland Greece and decided to visit Crete with your vehicle, then the prices for transporting such equipment by ferry are approximately as follows:

The main road in Crete runs along north coast and connects the main resort towns and villages.

This good quality a multi-lane highway, following which you can easily reach the main local attractions.

Most of the roads south coast or in the depths of the island they are narrow, often just serpentine country roads; in the mountains it can be downright dangerous for an inexperienced driver. Rocky terrain only makes the condition worse, so a flat tire is the most common car breakdown in Crete.

Three facts about transport

The peculiarity of Crete can be called the people - cheerful and very responsive, cheerful and carefree, like all southern peoples. Cretans, like all Greeks, are leisurely and can sometimes be cunning, but the high level of tourism development on the island makes them live up to the proud title of a world resort, and therefore the level of service in hotels in Crete is noticeably higher than in Greek provinces less popular with tourists.

The most famous, the largest, the most popular greek island- all these epithets refer to Crete, and it is also the birthplace of the great thunderer Zeus - the father of all gods and the mighty mythical Minotaur, a monster with the body of a man and the head of a bull. It was on Crete that the ancient Minoan civilization arose and, perhaps, that is why Greece is called the “cradle of civilization.”

Crete - unique place for relaxation, lovers of lounging on a sun lounger on the beach and fans of interesting excursions, those who prefer an active lifestyle and sports, as well as those who primarily value a vibrant nightlife. And all of them are equally attracted by the 300 sunny days a year, the warm, clean sea, great beaches and great hotels. Swimming season on the island lasts from mid-April to mid-November. It’s also absolutely safe here, the Greeks are friendly and hospitable, they will never offend a guest and will help if, for example, you are lost.

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Although by Russian standards the island may not seem that big - 269 km long and 60 km wide, so many interesting things are concentrated here that it is rare for tourists to be able to see all the sights of Crete in one trip. Perhaps it is for this reason that it occupies a leading place among the Mediterranean islands in terms of the number of “repeat” tourists who again and again strive to get here to spend another unforgettable vacation on the island. Crete cannot get boring, because it is so different!

From west to east, the island is divided into four regions: Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion And Lassithi. Surprisingly, these areas are so different from each other that driving through the island from west to east can give you the impression that each time you find yourself on some other Greek island.

For example, if you decide to conduct summer holidays in the central part of the island, in popular resorts Malia, Stalida, Hersonissos, Gouves, Agia Pelagia or Amudara, then you can safely count on a well-developed infrastructure around your hotel. This is where resort life is in full swing. Hersonissos and Malia are not only the most popular resorts in Crete, but also the centers of nightlife on the island. At the same time, families with children will also feel comfortable at these resorts. Discos in Crete have their own characteristics; these are not stuffy huge nightclubs, but bright small buildings with open windows on the seashore, where you can listen to good music, treat yourself to a delicious cocktail and dance to your heart's content. By the way, don’t forget to learn how to dance sirtaki. Particularly restless party-goers can arrange a real night excursion, moving from club to club. If you prefer peace and quiet, then Hersonissos has wonderful places for a relaxed family holiday with children, who will especially enjoy frolicking on the sandy beach.

The most popular area of ​​the Western part of the island is Rethymno. Without exaggeration, this is the most beloved area by tourists. Wonderful things await tourists in Rethymno sandy beaches and a huge selection of hotels for every taste, starting from the inexpensive but very high-quality Talea beach 3* and Atali Village 3* hotels offering all-inclusive meals located in the resort of Bali in the suburbs of Rethymnon to the graceful Grecotel Creta Palace 5*, this hotel is the absolute leader in the “best family vacation” category. The idea is that you can rent a car and drive around the picturesque surroundings of Rethymno in a day, and in the evening stop by a tavern on the city embankment to dine on the freshest seafood with homemade wine. This is tourist happiness!

Eastern part of Crete absolutely special. The attention of tourists here is drawn to two towns: Elounda And Agios Nikolaos. Elounda, once a small fishing village, is considered the most beautiful place on the island; near the town are located the most expensive and luxury hotels on the island, where world celebrities and business elite from all over the world like to relax. It is very quiet, calm and very expensive here. If you suddenly decide to ask the owner of one of the local hotels a flirtatious question: “Why do you sell rooms so expensive?”, you will hear in response: “Because we sell silence here.” But in neighboring Agios Nikolaos, resort life is in full swing. Crowds of tourists stroll through the streets of the picturesque town, buying clothes from popular brands, souvenirs, Greek cosmetics, olive oil, cheese, olives, etc. Tourists usually end their promenade in a coffee shop with a charming view of the lake, around which this beautiful town is located, enjoying aromatic coffee, sweets and fresh pastries. By the way, there are not many hotels in Agios Nikolaos itself; almost all of them are located in the suburbs of the resort. Moreover, the entire area is very compact - from Elounda to Agios Nikolaos is only five minutes by taxi.

Must have- when you arrive in Crete, first of all, buy yourself... sandals, real Greek ones, those worn by the gods of Olympus and the ancient sage Aristotle, kings and ordinary inhabitants of the island. Those that every fashionista dreams of in the hot summer and which are hand-woven with love from leather straps by local craftsmen. You can buy them in every resort town where there is a shopping street. Comfortable and practical to wear, you won’t feel hot in them and at the same time your feet will be reliably protected from stones while walking around. historical places islands. Even in Crete you will definitely need your driver's license; regular excursions will undoubtedly give you knowledge about the culture, ancient and modern history islands, but you can fully experience the delight of the natural beauty of the island and experience true Greek hospitality only by traveling around the island by car. During which you will be able to buy authentic Cretan souvenirs, including the “delicious” - excellent goat cheese, which, of course, should be accompanied by a bottle of excellent Cretan red wine, which experts value for its aroma and the unique combination of local grape varieties Kotsivali and Mandilaria . For those with a sweet tooth, we recommend purchasing a jar of amber honey, which will remind you of sunny days spent on the island. The list of edible souvenirs would not be complete without Greek olives - pickled or salted, stuffed or not, in the form of oil, paste or sauces. And don’t forget about the excellent local cosmetics - creams, gels, soaps, scrubs and masks based on olive oil, herbs and seaweed.

Must eat - local kitchen, another attraction of Crete. We can say that island cuisine, as in Greece in general, is based on “three pillars” - vegetables, lamb and seafood. Be sure to try the Greek salad and what is called “feel the difference.” Moussaka is also very tasty on the island - a fragrant casserole made from layers of eggplant, lamb with tomatoes and bechamel sauce and don’t forget a glass of homemade wine. For a small snack, gyros is suitable - grilled meat with fresh vegetables, wrapped in Greek flatbread - pita. The gyros are served with French fries and tzatziki sauce. Doesn't remind you of anything? Well, yes – Turkish shawarma, but you and I remember where the “cradle of civilization” actually is.

Must see– you won’t be able to come to Crete and spend your entire vacation on the beach; there are so many natural and historical attractions here that there will be enough for several trips – fortresses and monasteries, palaces and parks, caves and bays, and even unique beaches. Let's start with the main ones:

• Knossos palace- the hallmark of the island, was built under King Minos during its heyday Minoan civilization. The gigantic rectangular palace included several floors and more than 1000 halls. If you believe the legend, this is where the famous Labyrinth of the Minotaur was located.
• Arkadi Monastery– one of the most famous on the island, located 25 km from Rethymnon. The monastery has a glorious military past and today it is a symbol of Greek independence.
• Falasarna – antique city, archaeologists managed to find burials carved into the rocks, ruins of residential buildings, workshops, and the remains of fortress walls.
• Frangokastello Fortress – architectural monument during Byzantine rule, located 85 km from the city of Chania.
• Mount Dikti– it was here in the east of the island, in a cave, according to legend, that Zeus himself was born.
• Archaeological Museum, one of the largest in Greece, is located in the center of the island’s capital, Heraklion.
• Elafonisi Beach– a unique pink beach in the north-west of the island, 76 km from the city of Chania, amazes tourists with its enchanting beauty and amazing combination of azure sea waters and unusual pink sand. The sand of the beach is colored pale pink by the remains of red shells and ground corals. Despite the remoteness, parents with small children love to visit the beach; the depth here is shallow and the sea warms up quickly.
• Balos Beach- This is one of the most inaccessible beaches of the island, but it is here that you can see the “kiss of the three seas”. Snow-white beach washed by three seas at once - the Ionian, Aegean and Libyan, striking the imagination of tourists with dozens of color shades of their waters, and Balos is also covered in pirate legends. A ship that sank in these places and ancient fortress serve as evidence of the pirate past of this very beautiful place. You can get to the beach as part of an organized excursion to the island of Gramvousa.
• Vai Beach- a luxurious Bounty-style beach framed by a date grove, which was opened by hippies in the 70s. Today the hippies are no longer on the beach, this is one of the most beautiful places on the island, for the purity of the water, which received the Blue Flag.

Most of the island's attractions are connected by bus routes.

City buses are blue, intercity buses are beige or green; as a rule, bus interiors are equipped with air conditioning. Between major centers buses run on schedule, mountainous areas flights to the islands can be operated no more than 2–3 times per day. Therefore, if you plan to actively move around the island, it is better to rent a car. There are many rental companies on the island, there are both large international brands and small local rental offices, but before deciding to rent a car, it is worth taking into account some local features - problems with free parking spaces, of which there are very few on the island, and even on In high season, you will have to look for a place for your car; most of the island gas stations do not work at night and close around nine o’clock in the evening. And yet, it will be difficult, and sometimes impossible, for you to visit some attractions on your own; for such cases, we still recommend taking advantage of organized excursions.

Important! To visit Crete you must have a valid Schengen visa.

There are two working in Crete international airport:

— Heraklion Airport named after Nikos Kazantzakis;

- Chania Airport named after Ioannis Daskologiannis.

Most flights from Russia are accepted by Heraklion Airport.

If you are planning to go on holiday to Greece with children, we highly recommend reading this material:

But the choice of resort and tour selection will depend on the budget and your preferences. Compare prices from all reliable tour operators and give detailed advice on choosing a hotel - a reliable travel partner, company will help Tourism system Mozhaika.ru

If you are looking last minute tours to Crete and other directions, they can be found.

For many people planning to visit this beautiful island, such a question does not arise at all. What difference does it make, they may ask, and they will be absolutely right. In the event that you spend all or almost all of your vacation in a hotel, then the differences really...

Crete - east or west?

Instructions for tourists, Auto tourism, Active holidays in Greece, Crete o.; Greece

For many people planning to visit this beautiful island, such a question does not arise at all. What difference does it make, they may ask, and they will be absolutely right. In the event that you spend all or almost all of your vacation in a hotel, then there really is no difference. But, if you are going to leave your home hotel to see something new and interesting, then this question will definitely arise in your mind. Even for those who do not rent a car but want to visit organized excursions, or go somewhere by local bus.
And it will arise because the island is not as small as it might seem when looking at its map. Some time ago, like many other travelers before me, I looked at a map of Crete for the first time. And the thought immediately flashed: “Yes, it’s not that big, although it’s larger than Rhodes!” And we covered almost all of Rhodes by car in two weeks. “If you push yourself a little, you can see all of Crete in two weeks!” - almost a standard thought that arises in the head of a person traveling to this island for the first time and planning to have time to see as much as possible. At least visit all the places that are now commonly called “must see”. How do I know about the thoughts - I read a lot of reviews on the forum dedicated to Crete. Many people started with the idea that they wanted to do everything in 14 days :) But usually no one has time...
The statements from the previous paragraph contain two errors at once. Firstly, that he is "not that big." The distance (along the highway) from the easternmost city in the north of the island - Sitia - to the westernmost village of the northern coast - Kissamos - is about 300 km. Let me clarify - on the highway. This is at least a 4-hour drive (this is how long it takes a plane to fly from Moscow to Heraklion). And this is only one way! Ships leave from Kissamos, taking tourists to one of the most striking attractions of the island - Balos Bay. They'll take you to bus tour to Balos from Sitia? I doubt it... Because there will be few people willing to spend 8 hours in one day on a bus. Will you go yourself? To leave in time for the ship's departure, you need to leave at about 5 am. Rest, yes :) Secondly, the word “pull yourself up” somehow doesn’t harmonize well with the word “vacation” :) This is clear even at home, but when you get to Crete, you will be in a completely different environment, in a rhythm of life that is very far from everyday bustle - you won’t want to strain at all to get there, there and then there, although according to the schedule everything seems to be going smoothly... According to the schedule, maybe it’s beautiful, but it almost always turns out that what you want is on the spot to stay here or there - an hour is not enough, let's say two or three, and on the way you stopped 10 times to photograph the surrounding beauty - and, in the end, you will visit half of the many places planned. Well, three quarters. Well-ordered routes, compiled and calculated houses will first change places, then some of the planned “points” will fly away from them, and then, perhaps, nothing will remain of the original plan at all... One name :)
Therefore, in order not to rush headlong all over the island, trying to accomplish the impossible, I came up with my own way - to divide the island into East and West. It turned out that I had invented the bicycle - many people had already done this before me :) Great, the distances are no longer so scary, there is only one thing left - to choose where exactly to go for the first time. Yes, there is also North and South, but it’s easier here - the BOAC expressway runs along the entire northern coast, and if you are going to actively move around the island, then it will be much more convenient to do this from its northern part. In the south there is no such route, and the roads are much slower (serpentines).
We are faced with a difficult choice... What to prefer? Searching for an answer on the Internet is almost useless. Because there are fans of both the East and the West. And everyone has their own reinforced concrete arguments... In reality, the choice comes down to purely subjective things - who likes what. In general, “Everyone has their own taste: one likes watermelon, and another likes pork cartilage,” as one character said. This means that we will divide all the “components” of the vacation into parts, so it should be easier to decide.
The first component is attractions, everything except religious ones. There are quite a lot of them, both in the West and in the East. Both in the eastern regions (Heraklion and Lasithi) and in the western regions (Chania and Rethymnon) there are a great many places that are interesting for the traveler. Those who are interested in castles (fortifications) will probably find it more interesting in the west. Rethymnon, Frangokastello, Aptera, Gramvousa are the best preserved of such structures. Moreover, all this splendor is relatively easily accessible. In the East there are also fortresses, of course - in Heraklion, Ierapetra, on the island of Spinalonga (among the easily accessible ones), as well as others, which are no longer very easy to get to. But they are either smaller in size, or not as impressive, or are generally in ruins. But in the East more places, which are interesting for children - there are three water parks (in the west there is only one), as well as several different park-museums such as an aquarium, Amazonas Park (zoo), Dinosauria Park, Homo sapiens Museum (this museum-park will also be interesting for adults). Museums - they exist, of course, both in the West and in the East. But it is quite logical that one of the largest museums in Greece and the best museum in the world dedicated to Minoan art is located in the capital of Crete - Heraklion, that is, in the East.
The most striking and famous sights of Crete, “must-sees”, where are they located? Knossos Palace, Lasithi plateau, Vai palm beach, " Paradise Island"Chrisi (Gaidouronisi) is the East. Balos Bay ("confluence of three seas"), the pink sand beach of Elafonisi, the beautiful city (or beauty) of Chania, the Rethymnon fortress are the West. The most beautiful cities- Chania (West), Agios Nikolaos (East).
Religious attractions are a separate matter. There are a great many churches and monasteries in Crete. From very old to modern. Varying degrees of preservation. The most famous and “promoted” are the “western” monasteries of Arkadi and Agia Triada (on the Aktotiri peninsula), and the “eastern” monasteries of Toplou and Kera Kardiotissa. As you can see, there is a certain parity here :) From the experience of visiting Cretan monasteries, I can say that in “simple” monasteries, not overrun by crowds of tourists, there is a much more calm and sincere atmosphere, which promotes relaxation from the endless bustle that surrounds us in everyday life, including, at times, even on vacation. But of course, you need to get to such places by rented car.
The second component is nature. Mountains, gorges, caves, hiking trails, plateaus, waterfalls (although in summer they are almost waterless) - there are both. But there is also a difference. The nature of western Crete is richer in vegetation, since in the west the climate is more humid. It turns out that here too it’s a matter of everyone’s taste - to choose in some places the “semi-Martian” landscapes of the harsh East, or the greener West. Lakes. In the west is the most famous and most big lake Krita - Kournas. There are also lakes in the East, for example Votomos, but it is much smaller in size and not nearly as popular as Kournas. In addition to Votomos, it is, of course, worth mentioning picturesque lake Voulizmeni, located in the town of Agios Nikolaos. In the East, you can walk through the forest of thousand-year-old trees of Rouvas (difficult to access, you will have to drive along a dirt road, or walk along a difficult path), or through the Krustas forest. The West can offer a walk (trip) among the orange orchards (near Chania), or a visit to the Cretan botanical garden. I attribute it to nature, although it is a “garden” and not a “forest”. This garden is one of the many places in Crete where you plan to go “for an hour” - and then for a long time you cannot leave this beauty :)
The third component is beaches. Beautiful and famous beaches exists both in the East and in the West. I have already mentioned them. As for “ordinary” beaches, the West wins both in terms of quantity and quality. There are more beaches there. When planning my trips to the West, I have never encountered the problem that the nearest nice beach is far away, and that sometimes you have to repeat yourself and go to the same beach (we like to go to different beaches, we “repeat” only if these are places like Elafonisi, Kedrodassos or Falasarna - the pearls of western Crete). But in the East, choosing a beach is much more difficult... In some places (on the northern coast) there are simply no beaches at all. But, in the East there is the delightful Mirabello Bay (the name speaks for itself; the Venetians called this place “a bay with a beautiful view”), and in the southeast you can visit the most beautiful beach Xorokampos. Of course, if you are not too lazy to drive about 160 km to it (from Heraklion, one way). The reward for a long trip is fantastically beautiful views and an almost deserted coastline.
As for the “logistics” component, the main airport of Crete is located in Heraklion, that is, in the East. Most planes fly there (from us). And the main port is there too. If you are going on an excursion, for example, to Santorini by ferry, then this is Heraklion again. Although, there is also an airport in the Chania area, perhaps someone will find convenient flights there... Trips North - South - " narrow places"on the island, that is, the shortest distances from north to south, are both in the west, in the area of ​​Rethymnon, and in the east, in the area of ​​Agios Nikolaos.
What should I say in conclusion? Of course, only that the choice is yours :) The whole island is beautiful and interesting - both the “tourist”, lively North, and the traditional, calm South, and the greener West, and the “harsh” East. You can find it everywhere wonderful places, to which you so want to return later... And you don’t always need to travel a hundred kilometers to do this, sometimes the amazing and unexpected beauty of Crete awaits us literally around the next corner, you just need to take your time, turn, stop, see and feel.
Good luck with your choice:)