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Going to Greece is not just the fulfillment of a dream vacation. Once you visit you'll realize that you belong there. It's like going back home.

Exploring The Appeal Of Crete & Santorini

The marvel of Greece’s islands is the backbone of their multi-billion Euro tourist industry. Although five popular islands offer a range of tourist options, Corfu, Rhodes, and Mykonos are the three we won’t be touching on today – they all have something beautiful to bring.

Few countries in the Mediterranean can boast the range of tourist options in Greece, from its world-famous cuisine, distinctive music, and the remnants of ancient civilizations that were among the most advanced in human history. Not to mention the sweltering heat on its beautiful beaches.

We’re focussing on Crete and Santorini because Crete is the biggest of the Greek islands, and Santorini is the most visited and arguably the most Instagrammable. However, Mykonos could stake a serious claim to the title, too.

Exploring Things To Do In Crete

With over half a million population, Crete is not the typical island getaway. If you’re looking at other Mediterranean islands for a getaway in the summer, few of them can boast the hustle and bustle and the sheer size of Crete. For this reason, the island has a thriving hospitality industry and dozens of destinations to check out.

Alongside the thriving nightlife, Crete also has a cluster of establishments for those who enjoy casino gaming, especially those who like to have a spin or two of a slot machine game. Now, although the majority of these providers on the island only offer slot gaming options, it’s just one of several things that help to prop up the variety of nightlife options. Digital casinos have a more extensive casino slots library and selection – but it’s one element to check out if you’re partial to a slot game or two.

Heraklion & Beyond

Heraklion is the most cosmopolitan area on the island, but I was surprised by the range of things to do there. If you’re a history buff, the Heraklion Architectural Museum is something to check out, especially if you wander around on a 40-degree day like I did – do not underestimate the soothing power of air con.

Knossos is an archaeological site where the 4,000 years of heritage and history are almost palpable if you want to delve even further in time. If you’re a fan of writing and literature, Nikos Kazantzakis is, in my opinion, the most excellent Greek writer of all time. I’d strongly recommend checking out the museum dedicated to his life and his works,

If you’re looking for a sunny beach and a place to relax, we recommend Elafonisi, Balos Beach, and Stavros.

These three villages balance the old heritage of the fishing village with new-age tourism that helps to keep their local economy healthy, modern, and vibrant. The combination of all these factors and the scope of things to do means Crete is often marketed as the perfect Greek island escape, and it’s hard to find many people who would argue with that.

Santorini, Greece

Santorini: Dramatic Landscapes

Although often considered an island, Santorini is an archipelago. The primary island is Thera, and the other four islands are Nea Kameni, Thirasia, Aspronisi, and Kameni. Today, we focus on Thera, the main tourist destination.

The Caldera Cliffs, formed by a major volcanic eruption, are the main selling point of the island’s immense tourism. Often sold and depicted as a Greek utopian island, Thera offers a unique angle into what makes Greece a special place to visit. Depending on the weather, flying to Thera from Athens takes less than an hour or a longer boat route, or it can take anywhere between 5 and 8 hours.

Oia village is the most crowded and photographed part of Santorini. If you plan on spending a week or two on the island, check out Imerovigli, Megalochori, Pyrgos, and Emporio, some of the lesser-known and less crowded hidden gems. There are dozens of hikes, beaches, and various excursions to check out in Santorini, so while it might not have the size or scope of Crete, it’s another beautiful destination to explore.

Photo credit: Pixabay

Final Thoughts

Both islands have classic Greek tourist appeal—the food, the beaches, the sort of thing that has helped establish the tourist industry.

However, in truth, plenty of countries in the Mediterranean and further afield can offer beautiful beaches too. It’s the food, unique scenery, Greek food, music, and people that make it such an attractive overall package. If you have the time, we recommend spending at least two weeks on either island. Please don’t make the mistake I made of spending too much time in the Greek sun and getting fried.

Now, we know that holidays are often a lot shorter than we would like them to be, but if you’re only going to either of these places for a few days or a week, then you won’t be able to paint a complete picture and experience the breadth of what is on offer.

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