The lure of island life is hard to resist…
17.01.2024 - 00:07 / forbes.com
Ask a traveler where they’ve visited in Greece, and chances are good they’ll point to Santorini. The photogenic island has fueled social media feeds for years with its whitewashed buildings, black sand beaches, and luxe accommodations.
But there’s another island that’s giving Santorini a run for its money: Crete. Steeped in myth and history, this enchanting island offers a deeply authentic experience that transcends aspirational Instagram posts. It’s where you can go to vacation like the Greeks.
On Crete, you can wander around mystical archeological sites then refuel with just-caught seafood, sharp cheeses, and robust local wines at lively tavernas. Spend the day exploring the world’s dreamiest beaches, only accessible by boat. And get your thrills on outdoor adventures, like hiking through epic gorges and swimming to hidden waterfalls, sans the crowds of other Greek islands.
Here’s what makes Crete a contender for the best Greek island to visit this year.
A dazzling array of natural wonders turn Crete into a playground for outdoor adventures.
The island is home to 36 gorges, the most impressive of which (Samaria) is preserved in White Mountains National Park. It’s the longest gorge in Europe. If you’re up for a long hike (think: 6 to 8 hours, depending on how fast you walk!), you can trek a downhill path that runs between the gorge’s nearly 1,000-foot walls. Enjoy a well-earned taverna feast with a view of the Mediterranean Sea at the end.
For a less strenuous yet no less epic outdoor adventure on Crete, head to Preveli Beach. From the parking area, some 470 steep steps bring you to a sheltered, toasted-sand beach with dramatic cliffs, a gentle river, and a palm forest—the only native palm forest on the continent. Legend has it that the palm trees grew from seeds left by pirates during the Ottoman period.
Then, there’s the Kourtaliotiko Gorge Waterfall, a sublime oasis located just north of Preveli Beach. You’ll park on the edge of a cliff and begin descending a steep set of stairs down through the gorge. The path marked “Entrance A” culminates at crystal-clear swimming hole flanked by cliffs. Pop on your water shoes, wade into the lagoon, and swim into the inner sanctum of the gorge to discover a gorgeous hidden waterfall surrounded by rainbow-hued mist—a spectacular reward for braving the refreshingly cold water.
On your way back up, take a detour to “Entrance B” to get a view from the waterfall from above and see the Church of Saint Nicholas, a nearly 200-year-old sand-colored chapel built in the cliffside.
Beautiful beaches abound on Crete. After all, the island has some 650 miles of coastline, so you’re never far from a gorgeous stretch of sand.
But if you want to see some of the island’s most
The lure of island life is hard to resist…
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