Crete is the largest island of Greece and the fifth biggest in the Mediterranean Sea.

What makes Crete a special holiday destination is the magnificent climate and the continuous variations of the landscape with stunning beaches and high mountains of wild beauty.

Crete has a long history, the Minoan Civilization and the archaeological site of Knossos attract every year thousands of visitors from around the world.

If you love beautiful beaches, do not look any further - Crete has hundreds of beaches to suit every taste.

The famous beaches of Balos and Elafonissi are really stunning. Less crowded but fantastic are the beaches of Triopetra and Agios Pavlos, both located on the south coast of the district of ▶ Rethymno, on the way to ▶ Agia Galini and ▶ Plakias.

Lovers of fine food will in Crete find the wonderful Cretan Cuisine and the famous Mediterranean Diet based on pure olive oil, pulses, fruit, exquisite meat and dairy products.

Being located in the southernmost place of Europe, Crete enjoys warm summers and sunshine for almost 300 days every year round, with exception of the winter months when weather can be surprisingly cold and rainy.

The best months to visit Crete are in general the shoulder months, May / June and September / October. During the high season in July and August Crete is crowded, but as it is a big island it is possible to stay away from the crowd even in August.

The Palace of Knossos, which was restored and rebuilt in the early 1900s under the guidance of the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, is for sure a place that you should visit.

However, there are many other sites, especially in South Crete, such as Phaistos, Gortyna, and some very old historical monasteries such as the Preveli Monastery which is located on the south coast next to the village of Plakias and above the marvellous Preveli Beach.

The island of Crete boasts some of Greece's most impressive Venetian castles, remains of which you can see in the biggest towns but also in other areas, such as Spinalonga, Gramvoussa and Fortezza.

Crete has some of the highest mountains and the most amazing gorges in Greece. The most famous is the Samaria Gorge where thousands of visitors walk every summer almost 12 km from the entrance at Omalos to the exit in Agia Roumeli.

The best way to explore the island of Crete is by ▶ rental car.

There are many budget car rental companies in Crete, offering a large choice of quality cars of all categories.

The majority of visitors come to Crete by charter flight, and hiring a car at ▶ Heraklion Airport or ▶ Chania Airport is the most popular way to start into your holidays.

The easiest way how to find economic car rental rates in Crete is to check the popular websites and order your car online before travelling to Crete.