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| Map & Information |
Crete Map | Crete Travel Information by Plora Rent a Car in Agios
Nikolaos (Aghios Nikolaos) Crete Greece |
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Welcome to Crete, the largest and most versatile island in Greece. Crete is an island where everyone has an unforgettable holiday. Whatever type of traveler you are, Crete can fulfill you holiday dreams. Long sandy beaches and small rocky coves, spectacular ancient sites and impressive historical monuments, dramatic gorges and lush mountainside, traditional villages and busy tourist resorts, delicious cuisine and hospitable people, all combined to create a unique holiday destination. On this page you are provided with a Crete map and travel information about Crete, including the best sightseeing and beaches, especially in Lassithi.
Crete Sightseeing
If you are a sightseeing aficionado, Crete is definitely the place for you. All you need is to purchase a good Crete map and off you go in your trusty Plora Crete rent a car. In Lassithi, near Aghios Nikolaos, you will be able to visit some of the island’s finest ancient sites, such as the Minoan Palace in Zakros, and the Ancient Settlements of Driros, Praissos, Itanos and Palekastro. It is also worth visiting the ancient sites in the Myrtos, Pachia Ammos, Makrygialos and Gournia. In the lovely seaside town of Elounda, we recommend visiting the ruins of Ancient Olounda , which are located under the surface of the sea and can be seen clearly when waters are calm . In Sitia and Ierapetra, you can admire the Venetian Fortresses of Karzama and Kales, respectively. Aghios Nikolaos takes its name from the Byzantine Church of Aghios Nikolaos, which is located there. Toplou Monastery in Sitia is one of the most historic monasteries in Greece. For those of you who like trekking and hiking, the gorges of Cha and Chavga, Katharos Plateau and Lassithi Plateau are ideal for both nonchalant walks and more rigorous hikes. The Caves in Milatos and the Diktaion Andron Cave on Lassithi Plateau are two wonderful natural sites that shouldn"t be missed. Probably the most well-known site in Lassithi is the Palm Tree Beach, a natural masterpiece and an idyllic location that resembles a tropical beach.
In the prefecture of Heraklion Crete, we recommend taking a walk around the city to admire the Venetian walls and Koules Castle, as well as the Churches of Aghios Titos, Aghios Markos, Aghios Minas, and Agia Ekaterini. Heraklion Town is also home to some of the best museums in Crete, including its marvelous Archaeological Museum, where many of the ancient artefacts found on the island are displayed. The famous Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Minoan settlements in Phaestos, Amnissos, Tylissos, Gortyna, Malia, Lyttos, Archanes and Levina are the jewels of antiquity in Crete and are a must while on holiday there. Natural sites, including the Caves in Matala, Amnissos and Kamares, the beautiful Mt. Youchtas, and the Viannos-Amira Gorge are simply breathtaking. A visit to the "Lychnostatis" Folklore Museum in Hersonissos and the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum in Peza is also a treat.
If you are interested in visiting Rethymnon and Chania with your Plora Aghios Nikolaos rent a car, we suggest strolling around the capital towns, both of which are extremely picturesque and include a great number of Venetian fortresses and Turkish monuments. Some very interesting museums and lovely churches are also located in Rethymnon Town and Chania Town. In the prefecture of Chania, we recommend visiting the world-famous Samaria Gorge, as well as the smaller gorges of Topolia, Imbros and Therissos. Kournas Lake is also an idyllic natural spot. In Frangokastello there is a beautiful Venetian Castle, while the ancient sites of Anopolis, Aptera, Lissos, Amfimalla, Falasarna and Polyrrinia are very impressive. While in the prefecture of Rethymnon, you can visit the ancient sites of Eleftherna and Syvritos, as well as the historic monasteries of Preveli and Arkadi. Nature lovers can spend their time roaming in the gorges of Kourtaliotiko and Kostifou, and in the area surrounding the splendid Preveli Lake.
Crete Beaches
The island of Crete is famous for its marvellous beaches, many of which are located in the prefecture of Lassithi. Close to Aghios Nikolaos are the beautiful beaches of Ammoudara, Almyros, and Istro, while other wonderful beaches in the prefecture include Pachia Ammos, Elounda, Plaka and Sisi. Some of the most popular beaches in Lassithi are located on the eastern coast, such as Kato Zakros, Itanos, Xerokambos, and the world-famous Vai Palm Tree Beach. Along the southern coast are the beaches of Makrygialos, Ierapetra, Agia Fotia and Myrtos, while opposite the southern coast is the small island of Koufonissi, where beaches have soft sand and turquoise water.
If you would like to visit the beaches in Heraklion, we recommend swimming at Matala, Katalyki, Lendas, Malia, Stalida, Hersonissos, Agia Pelagia, Mononaftis, Gournes and Fodele. You may also hop into your Plora Crete rent a car and visit the beaches in Rethymnon and Chania. In Rethymnon, the best Crete beaches are Bali, Adele, Platanes, Gerani, Panormos, Episkopi, Agia Galini, Triopetra, Preveli, Damnoni, Plakias and Rodakino, while in Chania we suggest going to the beaches in Frangokastelo, Loutro, Falasarna, Kastelli Kissamos, Maleme, Georgioupoli, Agia Marina, Kolymbari and the small islands of Gavdos and Elafonissi. You can mark your favorites on your Crete map to help you get there in your Plora Crete rent a car.
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| Map of Crete |
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| Click on Crete map to zoom in Lassithi Prefecture |
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How to reach the island of Crete Greece
You can reach Crete from Athens by boat or airplane. Crete has 3 major airports and 5 major ports.
From Athens to Crete by ferry boat:
- Piraeus Port: Tel. +30 210 414-7800
- Aghios Nikolaos Port: Tel. +30 28410 22312
- Sitia Port: Tel. +30 28430 22310
- Heraklion Port: Tel. +30 2810 244-912
- Rethymnon Port: Tel. +30 28310 22276
- Chania Port in Souda: Tel. +30 28210 89240
From Athens to Crete by airplane:
- Athens Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos":
Tel. +30 210 353-0000
- Olympic Airlines Athens:
Tel. +30 210 966-6666 or 801-11-44444
- Aegean Airlines Athens:
Tel. + 30 210 626-1000 or 801-11-20000
Lassithi Crete:
- Lassithi Airport (in Sitia):
Tel. +30 28430 24424
- Olympic Airlines Sitia:
Tel. +30 28430 22270
Heraklion Crete:
- "Nikos Kazantzakis" Heraklion Airport:
Tel. +30 2810 397-129, +30 2810 397-136 or +30 2810 397-800
- Olympic Airlines Heraklion:
Tel. +30 2810 244-802
- Aegean Airlines Heraklion:
Tel. +30 2810 344-324
Chania Crete:
- Chania Airport "K. Daskalogiannis":
Tel. +30 28210 83800 and +30 28210 83805
- Olympic Airlines Chania: Tel. +30 28210 53760
- Aegean Airlines Chania: Tel. +30 28210 51100
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