Crete island on the map of Greece
Crete island map detailed
Crete Map
Crete is the largest island in Greece. It is located between the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
The map of Crete shows the unique position of the island - it is located between three parts of the world - Europe (110 kilometers), Asia (175 kilometers) and Africa (300 kilometers). Crete's southern coastline is the southernmost part of Europe. The Greek island is washed by the waters of two seas: the Aegean - in the north and the Mediterranean - on the other three coasts. The coastline stretches for 1,046 kilometers.
The total area of the island is 8260 square kilometers, it stretches 260 kilometers from west to east, and 56 kilometers from north to south. The coastline stretches for 1,046 kilometers.
The island has a mountainous terrain. 60% of the territory is occupied by elevations of about 200 meters above sea level and mountains with a height of more than 400 meters. Crete is crossed from west to east by three large mountain systems: the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Ida and the Diktei Mountains. In the mountains, there are extremely stalactite caves and gorges, one of which is Samaria, the deepest and largest, has the status of a national park.
Crete is divided into four regions (four nomes) - Chania, Rethymon, Heraklion, Lassithi. The capital of the island is the city of Heraklion, located in the nome of the same name. Each area is renowned for its rich historical heritage and luxury resorts. A detailed map of Crete will help you decide on the choice of a vacation spot on a charming Greek island.
The most attractive tourist destinations in the Heraklion region are the picturesque resort towns: Hersonissos, Agea Pelagia, Malia, Stalida. The Lassithi region is famous for its luxury resorts and its main city, Agios Nikolaos, which has earned fame as the most fashionable resort on the island. The regions of Rethymno and Chania are famous for their natural resources: grottoes, caves, gorges, picturesque beaches and monuments of culture and history.
Crete Map with sights located in the map tab, in the locations section. This service will help you navigate the terrain while traveling.
Detailed map of Crete in Russian. Map of roads, cities and areas on the map of Crete. Show on the map Crete.
Where is Crete on the world map?
Crete is the largest island and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. On the world map, it is located between three continents: one hundred kilometers from Europe, one hundred and seventy kilometers from Asia and three hundred kilometers from Africa. The island is one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe. Geographic coordinates of Crete: 35 ° 18'35 ″ s. w .. and 24 ° 53'36 ″ in. etc.
Where is Crete on the map of Greece and Europe?
The island is located almost in the very center of the Mediterranean, and geographically it is ranked among Europe. The closest European countries are Italy, Turkey and Cyprus.
Currently, Crete forms one of the 13 regions of Greece and is one of the most economically and culturally developed centers of the country. In addition, the island is the southernmost resort in Greece.
Holiday areas of Crete
There are several tourist areas that the island is conventionally divided into. So, the most popular resort areas are: Lassithi region: (the cities of Agios, Elounda and Nikolaos), Heraklion region (Malia, Hersonissos, Stalida and Gouves), Rethymno region (Rethymno, Bali and Panormo cities) and Chania region (Agia Marina , Georgioupolis and Platanias).
Interactive map of Crete with resorts and cities
Millions of tourists visit the island every year to enjoy the clear sea and beautiful beaches, picturesque nature and impressive ancient monuments of palace cities. On the interactive map you can find various tourist sites: cities and resorts, hotels and restaurants, temples and other attractions. For convenience, the map can be enlarged or opened in a new window.
Geographical location of Crete
Crete is located in southern Europe and is washed by three seas (Cretan, Libyan and Ionian). The island has a mountainous surface, which makes it sometimes seem larger than it actually is. More than half of the area rises more than 200 meters above sea level. The coastline is indented, here you can find a large number of capes and bays.
Territory of Crete
The area of Crete is about eight thousand square kilometers, and the length of the coastal line is equal to one thousand kilometers. The island stretches 260 kilometers from east to west, and at its widest point the distance reaches 60 kilometers.
Crete is the oldest and largest island in Greece. There is a healing climate, beautiful beaches in warm, cozy bays, luxurious resorts, generous nature, life-giving air, cypress and yew alleys, flower beds, alpine lakes, fabulous waterfalls, olive trees and vineyards. And we know about the most ancient buildings that are found here literally at every step from school textbooks.
Features of the island's attractions
The island is covered with ancient legends, literally all places here are famous for their stories.
Thirty centuries ago, according to legend, in the dungeon of the Knossos palace, King Minos lived a cannibalistic monster Minotaur, who ate beautiful girls and boys.
Hero Theseus dealt with the monster, and the ancient state perished after the eruption of the Santorini volcano.
The best sights of Heraklion and other cities of Crete
You can write a lot about Cretan sights, because the island has seen prehistoric Dorian times, Minoan civilization, witnessed Byzantine rule, survived the Venetian era and the seizure of the Ottoman Empire during its centuries-old history.
The town of Gortyna is located 46 km from Heraklion. This is almost the only ancient city that has been partially preserved.
The city has intertwined different eras and styles. The ancient Greek amphitheater and the Temple of Apollo in the olive grove are adjacent to the Egyptian sanctuary of the gods Isis and Serapis.
Excavations of Gortyna continue, and perhaps in a few years it will appear in a completely different form.
The city of Aptera was mentioned in clay tablets found in the Palace of Knossos, dating back over 33 centuries. It had 2 seaports, was famous for trade, crafts, navigation, minted 76 types of coins. It is located at the top of a hill. The name stands for "wingless".
According to legend, the Sirens lived here, whom Zeus deprived of their wings. The shape of the city resembles a bird in flight. Huge cisterns are well preserved here for storing either water, or grains, kernels and drawings of the catapult. Aptera is located 15 km from the city of Chanea.
Where to go and what to see in Crete with children?
Crete is a very good choice for families with children.
There are clean beaches, a healthy climate and delicious food similar to ours.
Greeks are very well-mannered, they love small children. It is best to rest in May or September-October. There are two types of recreation with children in Crete - a hotel or an apartment.
Usually, hotels provide a crib, menus, playgrounds, and a mini-club. Per 10 euros per hour a nanny can sit with the child.
Supermarkets sell canned baby food, formula, milk and other necessary goods for children. So if you live in an apartment, you can buy it at your local store.
Read also: Island of Greece Crete - history, geography, recreation and entertainment
A stay for three in a decent hotel with meals costs on average 60-70 thousand "wooden" in 2 weeks... There are many resorts for families with children.
These are quite quiet places, there is all the necessary infrastructure, sandy beaches with a smooth entrance to the sea, there are swimming pools with sea water for kids.
It is interesting to visit such attractions with children:
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Marine Aquarium in Gouves near Heraklion will delight you with colorful fish and huge sharks.
It is open all year round, in the summer season from half past nine in the morning until nine in the evening, and in the winter - until five in the evening. Admission fee for adults 8 euros, for children - 6, toddlers up to 5 years old - is free... There is also a cafe. -
V water park "Aqua Plus" near Hersonissos there are entertainment for adults and children, swimming pools with slides for toddlers. It works during the summer season from ten in the morning to seven in the evening.
A visit to it will cost adults 20 euros, and for children over five years old - 12. There is ice cream in the cafe. You can also take photos there.
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The largest in Crete is considered water park "Water City" next to the resort of Kokkini Hani. There is everything for the little ones - pools with slides, fountains, bridges.
It works from ten in the morning to half past six in the evening. The ticket costs 22 euros and 16 euros... Electronic tickets are 10-15% cheaper. The cafe has everything you need to have a good meal.
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Water Park "Star Beach"- the only one located on the seashore.
Admission is free, but you have to pay for the sun lounger 3 euros... There are several pools with slides for children and adults.
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Lake Kurna not far from Gergioupolis, west of Rethymno, is a quiet, beautiful place with small fish near the coast.
The restaurants have playgrounds, and there are many ducks and geese around, who gladly take food from their hands. Catamarans rental costs 7 euros per hour... You can sunbathe on the shore.
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Very interesting excursions on trains in Rethymno and many other resorts. On such trips, you can learn a lot of interesting things about the crafts of the island - pottery, olive oil production, growing vegetables.
The cafes and restaurants located along the tourist routes have a separate children's menu.
Self-drive routes
Renting a car in Crete is not a problem, there are many small firms engaged in this business.
It is more economical to choose a small car, the roads are excellent, the traffic is not very intense.
Although there are a lot of "daredevils". Speeding fines are significant. Parking is very difficult to find. Traffic jams often occur due to goats scurrying everywhere.
Gas stations do not work around the clock, few of them work until 11 pm.
Routes for excursions should be chosen based on what you want to see.
Crete monasteries- this is what you need to see. This is a special national flavor, calmness, restraint and pacification, they all stand on the hills, from where a beautiful panoramic view opens up. Many legends and stories are associated with them.
On the mountains of the Akrotiri peninsula, in a deep gorge, there is the amazing rocky monastery of Katoliko. This truly secluded place is away from the busy routes - the oldest Orthodox monastery in Crete, dating back to the 5th century. Hermits lived here.
You can get to the monastery along a rocky path, bypassing Dipper's cave... According to legend, there was a healing spring in this cave, which a she-bear got in the habit of walking, picking up people. Virgin Mary turned her to stone.
Indeed, the large stalactite in the cave resembles a bear. From the cave you can get to the monastery along the stone bridge. You can reach it from the city (20 km), and then go down on foot.
If you are planning to have time to go around several interesting places in a day, then the approximate route may be like this. Visit first Sfendoni cave(Sentony, Sendney). There is a tavern near it, where they sell tickets for 4 euros with a diagram of the cave in Russian. At the same time, here you can have breakfast and admire the view of the valley.
Then you can inspect the old church of Axos, climb the path to the remains of a fortress dating back to 30 centuries and admire the panorama of the sea from here. The nearest village on the coast is Panormos. Here you can dine and sunbathe and swim on the beach.
Then continue the route to Arkadi monastery- the symbol of the struggle for the independence of Crete. The territory of the monastery is buried in flowers. You can attend the evening service. An ancient legend says that the monk Arcadius saw the glow of an ancient icon at this place, and a monastery was built here.
It is famous for the art of gold embroidery, which can be viewed in the monastery museum. At the end of the 19th century, the rebels, surrounded by Turkish invaders, blew up the gunpowder stored in the pantry of Arkadi, and died themselves, destroying half of the enemy army.
The monastery was rebuilt, keeping the memory of the heroes.
That's all. The day is over and it is time to return to the hotel. Rethymno is just a stone's throw away.
