Crete is 260 kilometres long, 60 kilometres at its widest and 12 kilometres at its narrowest point. The coastline of Crete is 1050 kilometres including all the lovely bays.
Crete is an ancient land, largest and most southerly of the Greek Islands. The Cretans who live on the glorious island are the warmest, friendliest and most generous of people. They open up their arms to the thousands of visitors who flock to the magical isle each year. Visitors enjoy the sunny climate, pristine beaches, the holiday resorts, the wonderful food and drink served at traditional Tavernas, the Minoan archaeological sites such as Knossos, the many gorges including the Samaria Gorge and the stunning spectacular scenery that makes up the Island of Crete.
Unwelcome visitors have also found Crete alluring. Crete has been occupied through the ages by the Romans, Byzantines, Turks, and Venetians and in the Second World War the German Army. Each of these invaders has left reminders of their presence on this wonderful island of Crete. You'll find many Roman ruins, Venetian harbours and Turkish fortresses dotted around the island.
Also known as Kriti, Creta and Kreta, this beautiful island is steeped in myths and legends, it is the birthplace of Zeus, home of the Minotaur and King Minos, and setting of many enthralling episodes of Greek mythology.
The Cretan scenery is spectacular and stunning and perhaps the most varied of all the Greek islands. Magnificent mountains stretch over the centre of the island. The highest mountain on Crete is the Ida Psiloritis and stands at 2456 metres in central Crete. The White Mountains (Lefka Ori) lie in the west and the Dikti Mountains (Oros Dikti) lie in the east.
Cutting through the mountains are many gorges including Imbros Gorge, Agia Irini Gorge and Samaria Gorge where you'll find the rare indigenous wild goat named the Kri Kri. Cretan Dittany (Origanum dictamnus) grows wild amongst the crevices and rocky outcrops of these gorges.
The mostly inaccessible and dangerous to collect mountain Dittany has led to its cultivation on the island. Most of the cultivated Cretan dittany is now grown around the foothills of Mount Dikti in the Embaros area, 55k south of Heraklion.