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Including areas like Heraklion, Chania, Rethimno, Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos, Chersonissos, Elounda, Sfakia, Ierapetra, Malia …

Crete (Kriti, occasionally spelled “Krete” in English) is the largest of the Greek islands and is in the Mediterranean Sea between the Sea of Crete and the Libyan Sea, south of the Peloponnese. Crete is approximately 260 km long and 60 km wide. Crete consists of four prefectures: Chania, Rethimno, Heraklion and Lasithi. If there was a beauty contest for Greek islands, Crete would surely be among the favorites. Indeed, some say there is no place on earth like Crete. This view is strongly supported by those fortunate enough to have visited the island. Crete, with a population of approximately 650,000, is not just sun, sea and sand; it is a quite distinct place full of vitality, warmth, hospitality, culture and of course an excellent infrastructure. Crete is well known for its seas and beaches but it has a very contrasting landscape. The island goes from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to very peaceful hillside homes. If you travel throughout Crete you can clearly see remnants of Roman and Turkish aqueducts and architecture from when these people invaded the island long ago.

Crete is divided in four prefectures. From west to east:
Chania Prefecture
Rethymno Prefecture
Heraklion Prefecture
Lasithi Prefecture

Crete’s major cities are:

Heraklion (Iraklion or Candia) — the largest city with the archaeological highlight Knossos
Agios Nikolaos — the cute capital of Lasithi
Chania (Haniá) (— largest city of the western region
Chersonissos (Hersonissos) — blissful harbour town in winter, party capital of Crete in summer
Elounda — a small fishing town on the Elounda Bay with the abandoned Spinalonga Island
Hora Sfakion — tiny capital in the southwest with white houses and the ferry to and from the Samaria Gorge
Ierapetra — the southernmost city of Europe with some nice beaches
Malia — crowded tourist mecca popular mostly with young (especially British) travelers
Rethymno — this interesting town is mostly popular with families