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The largest of the Greek islands, Crete succeeds in combining tradition and modernity wonderfully. Rich in historical heritage, Crete is famous for its customs and traditions. If you are looking for authenticity, you will not be disappointed by Crete! Whether through its beautiful landscape, its fascinating history and archeological sites, or its distinctive traditions, Crete will never cease to amaze you.
Crete is an ideal destination for archaeology enthusiasts. Explore the island's rich history and turbulent past through its wealth of historical ruins. From the Minoans, to the Venetians and Ottomans, each of the islands former rulers, have left behind traces of their culture in Crete’s many ruins and vast heritage.
Full of curious myths and tales, Crete will whisk you away to a distant, mystical world. Indeed, it is on this Greek island that Zeus, the king of the Gods in Greek mythology, was born. It is also inside the labyrinth on the island of Crete where the Minotaur lived, the mythical half-man half-bull, whose story continues to enthral to this very day. A modern version of the tale is told in Mary Renault’s novel ‘The King Must Die’.
While exploring the beautiful scenery on the island of Crete and its magnificent landmarks, you will no doubt be taken aback by the friendliness of the locals, for which they are renowned. Warm and welcoming, it is not uncommon for you to be invited to share a raki or even a meal with the locals in the small rural villages of the island.
During your stay, you will find myriad monuments that attest to the importance of religion in Crete. From the Palace of Knossos to dozens of monasteries and various places of worship, the island is full of religious sites and monuments that have survived the countless wars and conquests that have ravaged Crete over the ages. The island is known for its strong religious past, and the Orthodox faith is a key element of local identity and culture.
The church still exerts significant social, political, and economic influence, with the year revolving around the festivals and saints’ days of the Orthodox calendar. In fact, name days are often more important than birthdays, not only in Crete, but in most of Greece.
For example, the 15th of August is one of the most important religious festivals on Crete, where panigiria, or large celebrations, are organised throughout the island. The festival celebrates the Domination of the Virgin Mary, during which time people with the names Maria or Konstantinos celebrate their namedays. The most popular panigiria on this day are in the Monastery of Panagia Chrisoskalitissa in Chania and in the Byzantine church of Panagia Kera in Lassithi.
During such festivals, family celebrations, weddings or baptisms, it is not uncommon for gun shots to be fired in the air. This is the so-called ‘balothies’ tradition, to honour those being celebrated and to bring them luck. It is the only place in Greece where gun possession is permitted - a tradition that can be traced back to the Ottoman era - so you may meet locals wearing pistols in some villages. Do not panic, this is all part of local custom!
Another thing to expect at festivals is lots of dancing and singing! Crete knows how to enjoy its traditional customs, which have been admirably preserved in spite of the island’s turbulent history. They are a very distinct clan of Greek, one that maintains a rich connection to its culture through its own lively folk music and dances.
At a Cretan festival, you may be able to attend a show of pendozalis, an incredible war dance exclusively danced by men wearing distinctive traditional clothing. For Cretans, the pendozalis represent revolution, heroism, and hope. Conversely, the sousta is danced as a couple, much to the delight of lovers. If you take a tour of Chania, you may be able to attend a syrtos, which is a dance where men and women gather in a circle. You may even have the pleasure of hearing traditional Cretan music, played with the gorgeous lyre and laouto.
If you have the opportunity to walk along the foot of the White Mountains, you may be able to hear the traditional songs of Crete, such as the rizitika songs, which are sung on the bride’s way to the wedding. Erotokritos is another traditional song, almost like their national anthem, sung in Cretan dialect. Despite being composed in the early 17th century, the song remains popular amongst Cretans who sing bits of it at feasts and festivals.
Crete is a cosmopolitan destination with a fascinating blend of different cultures. With its Venetian, Ottoman and Minoan influences, Cretan art deserves close attention. The locals have always been fascinated by crafts, be it weaving, pottery, or even intricate knife-making. Therefore, make sure you don’t leave without bringing back a souvenir. You can find trinkets of all kinds in the many souvenir shops on the island.
Do not miss the Cretan jewels, made through an Etruscan process. These original creations are found in Rethymno and Chania. You may also want to visit some of the many art museums in Crete, such as the woodcarving museum in Rethymno, or the Mediterranean Architecture Centre in Chania.
The Island
The Island, by Victoria Hislop, tells a fascinating story set in Spinalonga, a little island just off the coast of Crete, famous for being one of the last standing leper colonies in Europe. Based on a true story, the novel evokes the lives of Cretans between the wars and during the German occupation, while depicting a compassionate portrayal of the outcasts of Spinalonga.
Island of Secrets
Set in 1943, Patricia Wilson tells the story of London-born Angie, who has always been intrigued by her mother's past. When planning her wedding, she feels compelled to visit the village in Crete that her mother grew up in. Welcomed by her elderly grandmother in Crete, she describes the story of the Nazi occupation of the island during the Second World War, and the bitter secrets that broke their family apart.
Zorba the Greek
A 1964 Greek comedy-drama film, this moving novel is about an Englishman who heads to Crete to claim a small inheritance. When he arrives, he meets Alexis Zorba, a middle-aged Greek man with a huge lust for life. As the Englishman discovers Crete and his friendship with Zorba develops, he is gradually won over, transformed and inspired by Zorba’s view on life. The film includes a scene where Zorbas dances the famous sirtaki dance at Stavros Beach near Chania, which is now known as Zorba’s beach.
