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By Katia Luz
Crete images... What a
wonderful feeling of visiting Kriti!
From her mountains to her beaches and olive groves, her charming cosmopolitan towns and her unique landscape, plants, food and wine, her lifestyle and customs.
Wildly Inspriring galleries from all over Greece come with the warning:
You will be packing your bags for the Greek Isles before you know it!
More images of Crete from Chania, Heraklion, Rethymnon and Lasithi, a pictorial discovery of Kriti.
Eternal Greek landscapes and icons particular images of Greece haunt our dreams and melt into our psyches. The myriad forms and colours across the whole country astound our senses.
Cats of Greece take our imagination, their feline form becoming synonymous with the white-washed walls or the taverna tables...the high walls of Santorini or the seaside bars of Mykonos.
The Doorways of Greece show the character of the country, enticing us down unknown lane ways as we explore villages and towns all over Crete and Greece.
Beautiful Doors of Crete this unique art project of drawing the old doors of Crete and matching them with local spoken verses known as mantinades has created a synergy of art as well as an unlikely friendship.
Octopus Drying by the Seaside in Greece these images remind of us the fresh breezes of the sea, endless sun, and the promise of a tasty feast with fun company, maybe some Greek seafood; fresh fish and grilled octopus.
Images of Greek Fishing Villages while many still make their living in little wooden fishing boats, for travellers they seem to epitomise the Greek experience.
Below are some of our favourite photos of Heraklion Town. Iraklion is the capital of the island, a very busy commercial centre, with an international airport, it is located on the north coast in the centre of the island. It is a town of contrasts and new discoveries.
Above you can see a beautiful image captured by photographer Damianos Chronakis of the Old Fort at the entrance to the Heraklion Old Harbour. The fort is named 'Koules' or 'Castello a Mare' and dates from 1540 in Venetian times, it sits to the west of the huge modern ferry and negotiant port. In the background you can see a large ferry arriving or departing, most likely for Athens, with its twinkling lights in the dusk. Beyond the ferry are the large cranes operating the deliveries into the dockside. Heraklion sits at the centre of the north coast of Crete, and is a transport and logistics hub for the whole island.
Crete images - above you can see the modern small yachts in the marina of the Old Harbour of Heraklion, then a harbourside road and on the other side, a long thin archway of the Old Venetian Arsenal which remains semi intact next to the Old Port. These are the remaining arches of the long elongated shipyards and arsenals built by the Venetians between the 15th and 17th centuries. Beyond the arsenal are some open spaces and treed parks of the dockside area of Heraklion, and rising in the background are the apartments and buildings of the township.
Crete images - Above you can see a beautiful image of the Koules Venetian Fortress which sits at the edge of the Old Harbour of Heraklion, on a very calm clear day where the water is glowing a soft blue. Inside the quiet waters of the harbour are quite a few colourful wooden fishing boats, tied up at the harbour after a night's work. If you look carefully at the relief above the entrance to the fortress, you can just make out the Venetian symbol of a lion, which adorned many of the structures built by the Venetians during their settlement of Crete between 1205 to 1669 AD.
Crete images - above you can see the delightful small chapel of Agios Minas Άγιος Μηνάς in central Heraklion, Crete. This small church has the same name as its larger neighbour, a large cathedral on Ekaterini Square which is one of the principal churches of Heraklion town, dating from 1862. The smaller church predates, built in 1735.
Crete images - above you can see the other main church in Heraklion town, Agios Titos Άγιος Τίτος which sits on a plateia or square of the same name, just off 25 August Street in northern Heraklion. Originating as a Byzantine church in 961, it was converted to a Catholic church by the Venetians and then destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. The church was rebuilt and operates today as a Greek Orthodox church dedicated to Staint Titus.
Below are our favourite images from Chania town. Chania was the
capital of Kriti until 1913, and has always been an important trade
centre. Its stunning Venetian harbour and old quarter enchant visitors
and locals alike.
Crete images - above you can see the Old Harbour of Chania viewed from the harbour walls, which date from the Venetian times. Looking across the bay the old Turkish mosque with a white dome and four flying arches can be seen. There are six smaller domes. This is no longer an operational mosque as it was closed when the Turkish left the island in the early 20th century. Behind it are some neoclassical buildings in various states of reconstruction and presentation. In the dark ochre building currently sits the Aroma Cafe, seating and awnings can be seen in front of the cafe, making the most of the seaside location.
In front of the buildings is a wide promenade beside the harbour or limani, perfect for viewing the harbour and strolling for an evening drink or to dinner on the waterside.
Crete images - above you will see a street corner in the Topanas district of the Old Town of Chania. The Venetian architecture here shows the round windows which were a feature of Renaissance architecture. The street life of Chania is beautifully captured by this image of a narrow street, an inviting table and chairs, a bike resting on the corner and a little kitten peaking around the wheel of the bicycle. The Topanas area behind Fort Firca is worth exploring, and perhaps getting lost in.
Below are some of our favourite images from Rethymnon town. With her charismatic old town of narrow streets, Venetian architecture and the tiny old harbour lined with restaurants, to the fortezza on top of the hill, Rethymnon has many different faces to explore.
Below are some of our favourite images of Agios Nikolaos. A charismatic town in the east of Crete, with a lake and channel near the large harbour and surrounded by beaches, this town is a delight to explore.
Take a 1 hour flight from Athens to Heraklion with Aegean Airlines or Olympic Air, with many flights available per day.
Or take a 9.5 hour overnight ferry from Pireaus port of Athens to Heraklion port.
More on flights and ferries below.
Car hire in Crete is a really good idea as it is a large island 60 km by 260 km. There is so much to explore.
When you book with our car rental partners - Rental Centre Crete - you are supporting a local company with excellent service and easy online booking. We are sure you will be well looked after by the team. Choose from hybrid, electric or regular vehicles.
We trust you have enjoyed these tips from the We Love Crete team. Evíva!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us Contact Us Kaló taxídi!
Yiásas!
Anastasi, Apostoli & Katia
are the
We Love Crete team
We just love sharing our passion for Crete, Greece and travel
About us