Many of the sites that are dotted in strategic places all over the island are as free to view and explore as the air you breathe.

People from all over the globe descend on the island to marvel at the archaeological digs that can be found here.

The ruins at Aptera are breathtaking. In ancient times it was one of the most important cities on Crete. It is thought to have been built by Glaukos and many digs have been carried out over time in an attempt at finding out more about this impressive and glorious part of Cretan history. Then there are the ruins at Falassarna where remains of Cyclopean walls, tombs, house foundations and sculptures carved out of the rocks can be seen, including a throne.

There are fortresses to be found and explored, their history to be absorbed and appreciated because it all forms part of understanding why Crete and its unique population is what it is today. Walking around the ancient ruins of Lissos, the religious centre in the south west of the island, cannot fail to leave you speechless. Lissos flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman eras and it is here that they built the Temple of Asklepios. Visitors can marvel at the remains of a Roman theatre and visit the chamber tombs which were cut out of the rock.

There are so many sites on the island of Crete and each one of them is worth visiting because they tell us so much about the ancient civilisations which inhabited such a beautiful island. These ancient people have left behind so many clues as to how they survived and we are all lucky enough to be able to investigate and discover just how they lived and died on Crete by walking through these ancient ruins. A great example of this is the ruins of Armeni, the Minoan cemetery which has tombs carved out of the rock.

It is by studying these marvellous sites that we begin to have an understanding of the ancient civilisations to whom we owe so much to today. Their expertise in the crafts they mastered and the wonderful legacy they have left us is something every visitor to Crete will enjoy and appreciate. Having visited any of these ancient ruins we come back to the world of today different people, maybe humbler, sometimes overawed but one thing is for sure – we all come away a little more knowledgeable.

One of the most magnificent places you could visit in Crete is the small town of Matala, located on the southwest side of Crete and just one and a half hour away from the city of Iraklion (Heraklion). Matala is a place famous for many decades, for what offers its visitors: peaceful vacations but intense nightlife as well. For this, it is considered as one of Crete’s most desired destinations.

Matala is near the beach of Kommos, which is special for the fact that in this particular beach, sea-turtles leave their eggs to hatch, and the beach is considered to be a nesting site for the turtles. One characteristic of Matala that is well-known are the cliffs nearby, of which you can easily find photos in the internet. Another thing that makes Matala famous is the Minoan archaeological site nearby, with the ruins of an ancient civilization… The area also has an excellent sandy beach, perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Food in the taverns is really good, homemade and with use of Cretan traditional products (Cretan olive oil and feta cheese for instance). You may also taste the fresh fish, which make excellent meals for you to enjoy. Matala is generally a very good choice, and if you plan visiting Crete, be sure to visit this fantastic place as well. You will definitely not be disappointed!

King Minoas was believed that possessed a great treasure in his palace and that an imaginary creature called the Minotaurus guarded the treasure.

That creature had half the body of a man and half the body of a bull and inhabited the labyrinth of the palace, killing anyone who entered it. It is very exciting to read about the way that young Theseus managed to enter and kill the legendary creature, then made it out of the maze with help from the king’s daughter, princess Ariadne.

More stories like this one are written down in the books of Greek Mythology, so if you liked it find similar stories in websites like Wikipedia. Even better, you could visit some of Crete’s magnificent museums! If you plan on visiting the island, check out the car fleet of Car Hire Crete and you will definitely find a vehicle to suit your transportation needs on Crete.