Living in Crete

City Life

City Life in Crete 

Crete: Crossroad of Civilizations, Harmony of Contrasts, Paradise for the Senses

Crete like other Mediterranean islands such as Cyprus and Malta, can often be mistaken for being a small country in itself. Situated between the south Aegean and the Libyan sea, the magnificent mountain range divides the two seas. Not only is Crete the largest of the Greek islands, it is also the keeper of a history other islands, even countries, cannot match up with. From Europe’s most ancient civilizations – the Minoans to this present day, you are sure to be overloaded with stories of all the famous landmarks.

The history is everywhere you look and are being kept alive by the way Cretans who appreciates their history in daily life. It’s a part of the local life, they live in the old towns and the old coffee shops, can still be found in listed buildings dating back thousands of years. For the Cretans, the history is embraced and used with the life today. For outsiders it may often be seen as a living museum, and some cities could arguably be described as just this. A living museum.


10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

SITIA

Sitia is the easternmost city on Crete near the Cape Sidero, 64km from Agios Nikolaos. It is a city with about 10,000 residents, built on the west side of the bay of Sitia, on a warm and dry area. Sitia has the only airport in eastern Crete and the most important port, with ferries running to Piraeus, Milos, Rhodes, Kassos and Karpathos.

10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

IERAPETRA

Ierapetra is located 30km south of Agios Nikolaos, in the narrowest part of Crete, and is the southernmost city of Greece. It is a modern city of 12,500 residents, who mainly deal with agriculture, as Ierapetra produces vast quantities of vegetables that are exported mainly to Europe.

 The capital of Lassithi, Agios Nikolaos,
hosts the lovely beaches of Gargadoros, Istron and Ammoudara.

10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

The Eastern province of Crete, Lasithi has the city of Agios Nikolaos as its’ administrative centre. Agios Nikolaos is a small city with a vibrant cafe and bar atmosphere both day and night.

It is situated in the Mirabello Bay and the harbour front is a meeting point for locals and visitors from nearby villages and towns. A short 15 minute drive away you will find the smaller village of Elounda, famous for its exclusive resorts and high end villas. The small town and nearby areas grew even more famous following the release of the book “the Island” by Victoria Hislop in 2005 depicting life on the island of Spinalonga. The island is situated in the bay of Elounda, with the nearest town of Plaka overlooking the island with a great pebble beach with crystal clear waters. Agios Nikolaos and Elounda provides visitors with a great twin option; combining rural villages, high end resorts, town feel and an abundance of history attached to both places.

City Life in Cretehosts the lovely beaches of Gargadoros, Istron and Ammoudara.

10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

ELOUNDA

The lagoon of Elounda is shaped between the coast and a small peninsula of 7-8 km length, that serves as a breakwater. The road to Elouda from Agios Nikolaos follows the shore, climbing to the top of a small mountain . The view from the top is incomparable. On a clear day the visitor can see all of Mirabello bay, and all the way to the eastern tip of Crete.


10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

MIRABELO BAY

The area is touristic developed with many shops, restaurants on the shore, bars and several excellent hotels famous for their comforts and the variety of amenities offered.

10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

RETHYMNO

Situated between Chania and Heraklion, the city of Rethymno is often portrayed as a smaller version of Chania, with an impressive mountain setting behind the Venetian city centre. It is also host to a 20 kilometre long beach offering many resort hotels along the east of the city. Rethymno is a vibrant student city, giving this place a modern feel with the influx of tourists, allowing for a great nightlife and plenty of restaurants. The Venetian streets and archways provide visitors with plenty of shopping opportunities and high quality local produce.

10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

HERAKLION

Heraklion is the largest of the four main cities in Crete.  Heraklion does however provide you with a Cretan feel, if you care to look closer into the heart of the city. The restaurants and coffee places are everywhere and locals flock to the pedestrian streets to catch up with the latest news of their friends. For visitors, it’s a great place to shop and to explore museums during the day. It is also a haven for locals and visitors who wish to take advantage of the city life at night, with a vibrant bar and night club scene. 

10km FROM MAKRIGIALOS

Situated to the west of the island, Chania is welcoming you with Venetian houses, Roman walls and narrow, often labyrinth streets dotted with restored town houses and an array of coffee shops, restaurants and handicraft gift shops.

The Venetian harbour becomes to life every summer’s evening with a mix of locals and tourists gathering to walk along to the Venetian lighthouse, enjoy an afternoon drink before strolling into the alleyways of the old town in search of the perfect restaurant or gift shop. Smaller galleries and museums are also plentiful in the city. When the sun sets, the swift birds flock together in the purple skies around Chania, and it’s time to find that place for a relaxing drink or restaurant for a bite to eat.