Crete geography
With an area of 8,300 km², Crete is the largest island in Greece (see map of Greece), and the 5th largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia, Cyprus and Corsica. It is located in the centre of the Mediterranean, equidistant from the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. It is 250 km long and 60 km wide at most.
Although distances are relatively short, it takes a minimum of 5-6 hours to travel across the island from east to west, and using the only available route, the northern one. There are a few stretches of motorway, but mostly three-lane roads. The North-South transverse roads, which often cross mountainous regions, are very beautiful but you should not be in a hurry.
The main towns are: Heraklion (administrative capital, airport and port), Chania (or Hania, airport and port), Rethymnon (port) and Agios Nikolaos (port). There are 600,000 inhabitants. (and ... 35 million olive trees!)
When to visit Crete
Crete is the most sunny Crete is the sunniest island in Greece (more than 300 days of sunshine per year). The climate is pleasant all year round. The winter is mild with occasional thunderstorms. (see our page weather in Crete)
The best time to go is when the weather is good in April (Spring in Crete). At this time of the year, it is advisable to bring a little wool because in the evening you will appreciate its warmth. The tourist season starts at Easter and ends at the end of October.
The months of May and June are very seductive; the island is full of flowers and offers a wide range of perfumes and scents. These months are the most suitable for walks or hikes along the sea or at medium altitude. The months of July and August are obviously very hot but thanks to a small wind that often blows, the heat is never overpowering.
September is a pleasant month; most of the visitors have left the island, the weather is still good and the sea water is still warm. In October, the days are still very pleasant, we still swim and for the evenings a small sweater will suffice.
And a subsidiary question that many are asking concerns the price level in Greece and Crete in particular. It can be said that,on average, prices are 25% cheaper.
