Crete is well known for its seas and beaches but it has a very contrasting landscape. The island goes from fertile coastal plains to rugged mountains and from busy metropolitan cities to very peaceful hillside villages.

The island has begun to rely on tourism more and more since the 1970s; many towns serve no other purpose, and virtually close down during the winter.
Agriculture is the most important industry of the island, although tourism is extremely important to the economy.
The entire island was once completely covered with forest, primarily cedar and pine. It has been largely deforested for firewood and to make room for the olive trees and vineyards.

There are many contrasts in this region, you can go from incredible beaches to impressive mountains, from big (and chaotic) cities to really small picturesque villages, from very dry, almost desert areas to very green zones like the springs in the center.

If you travel throughout Crete you can clearly see remnants of Roman and Turkish aqueducts and architecture from when these people invaded the island long ago.

You will also find ancient Minoan ruins around the island as Crete was the center of the Minoan civilization (2700–1420 BC). The most famous archaeological treasures were found in the palace of Knossos in Heraklion city, where the renovation and redevelopment of the area is non stop.

Cities in Crete:

1. Heraklion (Ηράκλειο): the largest city and capital of the island, with the archaeological highlight Knossos. Not the most attractive city, as it was built haphazardly with little planning oversight. Although there are a number of attractive old buildings and churches, the Old Town has largely disappeared. The harbor (a major cruise and ferry port) boasts Venetian walls and a Venetian fort.
   Heraklion city is full of students all over Greece, as it has two of the best and biggest universities of the country. This is the main reason that keeps the city full of life at winter time.
2. Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος): the charming capital of Lasithi Prefecture. Its a coastal town at the eastern part of Crete and it has three faces to the sea: The Lake and port, the Marina and a famous beach. The center is full of cafeterias and good tavernas which are overlooked by fine-dining establishments. Overall it is a peaceful city for relaxation, as it has many little villages to explore and plenty of places to escape from city life.
3. Chania (Χανιά): a beautiful port town on the north west coast of Crete, with an atmosphere reflecting its Venetian and Turkish past. Chania is an attractive destination for sightseeing and shopping for many tourists. There is an Old Town centered around the harbor, with a maze of alleys which include plenty of art & souvenir shops. There is a long row of beach resorts not far from the Old Town that are stretching to 20km wide, making them ideal destination for tourists and sun lovers.
4. Rethimno (Ρέθυμνο): capital of Rethymno Prefecture, with a fascinating and well-preserved Old Town, which is a maze of lanes and alleys mostly reserved for pedestrians. The Old Town sits at the foot of a massive Venetian fortress. It is a city full of life with steady arrivals of foreign visitors, as it offers majestic nightlife and local culture. Besides, there are many Greeks studying in the university that make the city full of life all the time of the year.
5. Hersonissos (Χερσόνησος): a very popular destination near Heraklion city, full of tourists in the summer (most Scandinavians and Germans) and neverending parties in any corner. A refined place to give yourselves a happy nightime.
6. Malia (Μάλια): Similar to Hersonissos, Malia is the “party capital” of the island which brings young travelers all over the world (especially British) to have fun in its streets and beaches till dawn.
7. Elounda (Ελούντα): once a small fishing town with shallow waters, with many four and five-star resorts and exclusive villas. The town dependents on tourism as it is a luxury destination. It’s located on Elounda Bay with the abandoned Spinalonga Island, a former Turkish fortress and leper colony.
8. Ierapetra (Ιεράπετρα): the southernmost city of Europe with some of the longest and finest sandy beaches on the island. Also site of an old Venetian fort where you can admire its architecture at the harbor.
9. Sitia (Σητεία): medium-sized harbor city on the eastern tip of the island, with access to some very unspoiled beaches. There is a line full of traditional tavernas and rakadika (restaurants with local drink “raki”). It is quite popular with French tourists, and there are direct charter flights during the tourist season. Ferries also put in here.
10. Mires (Μοίρες): Mires town is a town in the heart of Messara plain, an agricultural area where residents are engaged with tourism, trade and animal husbandry. In the nearby beach there is Matala village with the famous “hippie caves”.

These are the capitals of the prefectures, for more information about the cities you can explore the inner pages about each city.