Crete's UNESCO Sites
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.
The Psiloritis Mountain Range
One of Crete's UNESCO Sites
It's not surprising that Crete has four UNESCO sites, being
the largest of the Greek islands with a total area of 8,450 sq kms (3,260 sq miles).
The four sites all involve mountain ranges:
·
Sitia and the Zakros Mountains in the northeast.
·
Psiloritis and Mt Ida in the centre.
·
Asterousia in the south.
·
Samaria and the Samaria Gorge in the southwest.
The Area around Sitia
One of Crete's UNESCO Sites
The lovely port town of Sitia is in the Lasithi regional
unit of Crete, the most easterly of Crete's regions. It's not only the town
which has been recognised by UNESCO, but the area around it too. In 2015 UNESCO
declared it a Global Geopark because of the Zakros Mountains, the cave systems,
the discovery of fossils, and the encouragement of ecotourism and geotourism,
benefitting the local communities.
The Psiloritis Mountain Range
One of Crete's UNESCO Sites
Psiloritis was also declared a Global Geopark in 2015,
although it had been part of the European Geoparks Network since 2001.
Psiloriitis is the name of the mountain range, and the park extends from the
mountains down to the Libyan Sea, an area of 1,159 sq kms (447 sq miles). The
park also encompasses the Talaia Ori Mountains, and these extend all the way to
Crete's north coast.
The highest peak in the Psiloritis range is Mt Ida at 2,456
metres (8,058 ft). UNESCO recognised the area, amongst other things, for its geodiversity,
with its many caves and deep gorges, for its plant and animal life, including
wild cats, and for the way its attractions help sustain local communities by
bringing in visitors.
Crete's UNESCO Sites
Map (c) Google Maps
In 2020 UNESCO designated this area, the most southerly
mountain range in Europe, as the Asterousia Mountain Range Biosphere Reserve. It's
not only for its dramatic beauty, but also for its rich archaeological
heritage: people have lived here since Neolithic times. It's also home to 55%
of the animal and plant species that are found on Crete, including the Bearded
Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, and Bonelli’s Eagle.
Golden Eagle
The Gorge of Samaria, and surrounding area, is also a UNESCO
Biosphere Reserve, created in 1981. This makes it the oldest of Crete's UNESCO
sites. It's also a National Park, and the only one of these four areas to be
uninhabited. It does, however, have ancient ruins, including churches and
castles, from the days when people did once live here.
For more information, see our pages on the Samaria Gorge and
Hiking the Samaria Gorge.
Samaria Gorge
One of Crete's UNESCO Sites
Our Pick of the Crete Guides
Some other Crete pages
The Goules Taverna in Goulediana, south of Rethymnon, has been called one of the best tavernas on Crete and Greece Travel Secrets recently visited them.
Is someone from Crete a Greek or a Cretan? They are both, of course, but most will tell you that they are Cretan first and Greek second.
We visit and tour the Manousakis Winery on Crete with a wine-tasting and a chance to buy their tsikoudia, sea salt, olive oil and other goodies.
Sir Arthur Evans is the archaeologist famous for the excavations he made at the royal palace of Knossos on Crete.
Ancient Gournia is a Minoan archaeological site between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia in Eastern Crete where the visitor can see evidence of a maze of back streets.
Ancient Gortina is an archaeological site in southern Crete famous for the church of Ayios Titos and for the Law Code inscribed here, the first in Europe.
This Lasithi Plateau drive on Crete starts in Neapoli and ends in Malia, covering a distance of 80 km (50 miles) and taking two to three hours.
Greece Travel Secrets eats at Vegera in Zaros and finds a cheap but wonderful feast of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes cooked daily with fresh local food.
Agios Nikolaos is a pretty and popular town on the north coast of Crete and this page on Greece Travel Secrets covers its history, museums and beaches.
Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.
Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.
Matala Beach on Crete is a guest blog for Greece Travel Secrets from the We Love Crete website, inviting you to Awaken Your Inner Hippy in Matala, Crete.
Crete (Kriti) is the largest Greek island and its main attractions include the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the Samarian Gorge, Chania and Rethymnon.
The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.
The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.
The Diktean or Diktaean Cave, also known as the Psychro Cave, near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete, is said to be the birthplace of Zeus.
Greece Travel Secrets goes hiking in southwest Crete with Ramblers Walking Holidays based in Paleohora and hiking the E4 footpath and to Anidri and Azogires.
Keramos Studios in Zaros on Crete is an inexpensive two-star hotel/guesthouse with one of the best breakfasts on the island using food from the family’s farm.
Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.
Greece Travel Secrets visits Visual Arts Crete who offer accommodation and run art courses at their home and studio in the village of Kastellos near Rethymnon.
Driving on Crete is the best way to see Greece’s biggest island and here is our driving advice and some information about Greek driving regulations.
Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Western Crete with tavernas and restaurants in Chania, Rethymnon, and Paleochora.
The Stilianou Winery near Knossos on Crete uses only Cretan grape varieties, with every bottle numbered, and aims for quality rather than quantity.
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