Western Crete:
The most mountainous and largest part of the island. The Lefka Ori (White Mountains) dominate the landscape. Their bare rocky peaks rise to almost 2,500 metres. Towards the south coast, they are cut through by immense gorges – the Samaria Gorge and its neighbouring gorges are among the island’s most impressive natural wonders. Today, only a few mountain passes lead down through the remote highlands to the small villages on the Libyan Sea.

Central Crete:
The hinterland of Heraklion is one vast vineyard. The endless rolling hills form Greece’s largest contiguous wine-growing region. To the west, this sun-scorched region is flanked by the mighty Ida Mountains. At 2,456 metres, Timios Stavros is the island’s highest peak. The most popular destination is Anoghia – the centre of the high-altitude pastures for some 100,000 sheep. Mountain walkers continue on to the Nida Plateau and the famous Cave of Zeus. The Dikti massif in eastern central Crete is easily accessible from the north coast and from Agios Nikolaos. The magnificent drive up into the mountains ends at the completely flat and almost circular Lassithi Plateau – this is where Zeus was born! The south is characterised by the vast Messara Plain, one of the island’s most fertile regions. The legendary cave dwellings of Matala are one of the region’s many attractions.

Eastern Crete:
The east of Crete is largely barren, dry and rocky. It is dominated by the grey Sitia Mountains, which, although only just under 1,500 metres high, are wild and largely undeveloped. Agios Nikolaos has established itself as a lively tourist town that retains a certain charm despite the hustle and bustle. The vast Mirabellou Bay, the legendary palm-fringed beach at Vai and the Minoan palace at Kato Zakros are further highlights. Near Ierapetra, endless grey pebble beaches invite you to take a dip.