Although Crete remains one of the most popular European holiday destinations, many visitors are unaware of some interesting facts about the island. If you’re looking for reasons to travel to Crete or satisfy your curiosity, check out these unique and fun facts about Crete. They might make you want to visit the island even more!
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– Boat cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa
– Ticket to Knossos Archaeological Site
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Interesting Facts About Crete That You Should Know Before Your Trip
The more time I spend on the island, the more I learn interesting facts about Crete that I had no clue about before moving here.
Of course, you’ve already heard some of the most famous ones, but this list includes some fun and interesting things you still didn’t know about Crete. Take a look!
1. Zeus’ birthplace
The most important god in the Greek pantheon, Zeus, was born on the island, and according to legend, he was born in a Cretan cave.
What you may not know is that there are two different caves on the island, and both claim to have been his place of birth: the Psychro cave in the Lasithi Plateau and the Ideon Cave on Mount Psiloritis.
2. A matter of size
One of the most fascinating facts about Crete has to do with rankings… Crete is the biggest Greek island, the 5th biggest in the Mediterranean, and the 88th biggest island in the world.
The island has an elongated shape; it’s 260 km long (161 miles), and the width ranges from 60 km at its widest point (37 miles) to 11 km at its narrowest (7 miles).
The island has an area of over 8300 square kilometers (5157 miles). Crete is also the most populous island in Greece.
3. Crete and the Minotaur
One of the best-known legends in Greek mythology takes place in Crete, inside the palace of King Minos.
The king who ruled on the island ordered the construction of the labyrinth under the palace to keep inside the minotaur.
The monster, known as Asterion, half-bull and half-human, was the son of his wife Pasiphae and a bull she mated with after a curse by Poseidon.
4. The House of Asterion
The House of Asterion is a fantastic short story by Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges that tells the story of the Minotaur from the point of view of the monster and its house, the labyrinth.
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5. The myth of Icarus starts in Crete
Everybody knows the terrifying Minotaur, but few people know that the legend of Daedalus and his son Icarus originated on the island, where they managed to escape using wings.
Icarus, however, flew too close to the sun. The wax-keeping wings attached to his body melted, and he fell into the sea.
6. There are no harmful animals on Crete
Also, following the Greek mythological tradition, Hercules drove all harmful animals away from Crete in an attempt to please the god Zeus. As a result, all animals in Crete are harmless.
7. Everything began on Crete
Indeed! Crete is the birthplace of modern European civilization. The island’s history can be traced back to the 7th millennium BC, more than four millennia before the Minoan civilization appeared on Crete.
As a matter of fact, the history of Crete is older than the history of the continent itself! Isn’t this one of the most fascinating facts about Crete?
8. Oldest city in Europe
Knossos, now home to one of the most visited archaeological sites in Greece, is considered the oldest city in Europe.
>> Are you planning to visit Knossos? Check out tickets to Knossos here.
9. Crete wasn’t always Greek
People are often surprised when they learn that Crete was not a Greek island until December 1913, when it united with the country.
Crete underwent endless years of foreign occupation before becoming part of the Greek state. This political fact about Crete is outstanding news for all who learn about it!
10. It snows on Crete
Another fact that seems to surprise tourists is learning that snowing is quite common on Crete’s high mountains.
Winters can be pretty cold in the White Mountains (Chania region), the Psiloritis (Rethymnon region), and the Dikti mountain range (Lasithi). Looking for info about Crete during winter? Check here why the island is a great winter destination!
11. Cretan music
Different musical instruments originated on the island of Crete, including the laouto (or Cretan lute), the Cretan Lyra, and – some say – even the violin!
Other popular instruments on the island include the mandolin and the unique askomandoura, a bagpipe extremely popular on Crete.
The Cretan Lyra is the most popular surviving form of Medieval Byzantine instrument and an ancestor of most European bowed musical instruments
12. What’s the weather like in Crete?
Did you know that the island of Crete enjoys not one but two different climates? The Mediterranean climate is typical of the northern coast of Crete, while the climate in the southern part of the island is North African.
13. Words matter
Crete has its language. The Cretan dialect is a variety of modern Greek spoken not only on Crete but also abroad by the Cretan diaspora in places such as the US, Australia, Germany, and some Cretan Turks.
14. First Cretan, then Greek
This is quite a fun fact about Crete… and Cretans! Cretans are a proud bunch! Many citizens of the island love to refer to themselves as Cretans rather than as Greeks. Of course, there are some exceptions to the rule…
15. More islands
The region of Crete (Periferia Kritis) is one of the 13 different regions of Greece, and there are several small islands off its Aegean and Libyan coasts.
Some of them are Chrissi, Paximadia, Gavdos, Elafonisi in the south, Gramvousa, Souda, Theodorou, and Spinalonga in the Sea of Crete (North).
16. Cretan poetry
Crete has its own unique form of poetry, the mantinada. These short rhyming poems, often improvised, are usually performed with the music of the Cretan Lyra.
The name comes from the Venetian term matinada, meaning morning song.
They usually celebrate love, friendship, and the island, but they can also be sad and be heard at funerals.
17. Crete made its way to… Amsterdam!
Did you know that one of the finest and most expensive cannabis sold in Amsterdam comes from Crete? This cannabis variety is from the Mylopotamos area in Rethymnon.
18. The end of the continent
Crete is home to the island of Gavdos, the southernmost point in Europe, about 170 nautical miles from Libya. And one of the most fantastic places to visit when touring the island.
>> Check out more about Gavdos in this post.
19. Unique fauna
Crete is home to animals growing nowhere else in the world. The most famous is the wild Cretan goat, known as agrimi or kri kri.
This beautiful creature lives in the protected reserve of Theodorou Island (opposite Chania) and the gorge of Samaria. Other rare endemic animals are the Cretan wildcat and the Cretan shrew.
20. Elephants on Crete?
During prehistoric times, Crete used to have a variety of elephants, a dwarf mammoth.
21. As ancient as an olive tree
Olive trees have thrived on the island for centuries. Some of the two oldest olive trees in the world are still pretty much alive, and it’s possible to visit them.
One of these trees is in the village of Vouves, in the Chania region, while the other (maybe the oldest of both) is in Kavousi, a small village in the Lasithi region.
22. Cretans love their guns
Crete has the highest ratio of guns per inhabitant in the European Union. It’s a fact that most Cretans own a gun and love to shoot.
And still… Crete remains one of the safest destinations worldwide, so there is no reason to fear!
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23. Healthy air
The air in Crete is thought to have true healing powers. This fact was supported by the father of medicine, Hippocrates, who was convinced that the air on Crete could work miracles on anybody’s health!
24. Clear waters
The sea in Crete is truly transparent. The waters on the coast are so clear that it’s possible to have a 40-meter-deep view from above.
25. Blue Flags
Consequently, the island of Crete is home to the biggest number of beaches that have been awarded a Blue Flag in Greece.
26. Famous Cretans
The island was the birthplace of several influential artists, including the Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis and the Cretan Renaissance painter El Greco. Opera singer Nana Mouskouri was also born in Chania.
27. Friends from Crete
The famous Hollywood actress Jennifer Aniston, the leading character in the wonderful Friends sitcom, is the daughter of Cretan actor Yannis Anastassakis, who changed his name to John Aniston.
28. Origin of the name
The earliest reference to the island goes back to the Syrian texts from the eighteenth century BC on which the island was named Kaptara. Crete was described as Capthor in Assyrian records and the Bible.
For the Egyptians, the island was known as Keftiu. The present name dates back to texts from the fifteenth century (Mycenaean), while the current name Κρήτη (Crete, in Greek) first appears in Homer’s Odyssey in Ancient Greek.
The island’s name became Creta in Latin and Iqritis in Arabic. However, the whole island later became known by the name Chandax (which was the name of the present Heraklion).
The Latin Candia was the word used during the Venetian occupation. In the years of Turkish rule, the island was known as Girit. This is one of the most interesting facts about Crete that you can come across!
29. Where are you from?
The island of Crete is home to a huge ex-pat community, mainly concentrated in the main cities. People from all over Europe choose the island as a place to live after retirement.
30. As old as wine
Wine has been produced on the island since the Bronze Age by the Minoans.
Protropos was the name given to a Cretan sweet wine that was exported to Italy during the Roman Empire (second century BC).
31. Cretan wines
The island is home to over 13 unique native grape varieties. Two white grapes, Vidiano and Vilana are among the most famous.
Different Cretan appellations include Peza, Dafnes, Archanes, and Sitia.
32. Turk or Cretan? Or both?
The Cretan Turks (Tουρκοκρητικοί in Greek and Giritli Türkler in Turkish) were the Cretan Muslims living on the island of Crete until 1923.
Today, this name is used to identify their descendants who mostly settled in Turkey after the exchange of population established by the Treaty of Laussane
According to the treaty, after the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922), the Muslims of Crete were exchanged for the Greek Christians of Anatolia, a moment that marks one of the saddest chapters in the history of the island. Cretan Muslims can also be found in some islands of the Dodecanese, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Egypt.
33. Nobel Prize
Odysseas Elytis, a remarkable Greek poet born in Heraklion and with origins in the Greek island of Lesbos, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1979.
34. Italian Renaissance… on Crete
During the Venetian occupation, a new, different form of art, including poetry, religious paintings, and architecture, flourished on the island, with magnificent examples still in several churches and monasteries.
It was the island’s expression of the Italian Renaissance, the so-called Cretan Renaissance.
35. Palm Trees
The impressive palm tree forest in Vai Beach, Sitia, is Europe’s biggest and most important palm forest.
The palm variety is the Phoenix Theophrasti or Cretan date palm. There are four palm tree forests in Greece, three of them on the island.
Other than Vai, the other two are Preveli, in south Rethymnon, and Agios Nikitas on the southern coast of Heraklion.
36. Not only olives!
Although the island is well-known for its massive olive groves and endless citrus trees, other fruits also grow there.
Thanks to the North African climate on the southern coast, bananas, kiwis, prickly pear, mangoes, avocados, pineapples, papaya, guava, and passion fruit thrive on Crete.
Another interesting fact about Crete is that, on the island, it’s also possible to find strawberries, cherries, melons, watermelons, plums, apricots, apples, grapes, pears, dates, pomegranates, figs, loquat, and even aloe!
37. And if there’s no tourism…
Even though the local economy is mostly based on the tourism industry.
Agriculture is still an important asset, so much so that Crete is one of the few islands in Greece that could still support itself independently even if it didn’t rely on seasonal tourists.
Were you aware of these curious facts about Crete?
I publish new content about Crete almost every day! Bookmark my Crete and Practical Guides pages to learn more before your trip.
Are you dreaming of a getaway to Crete but feeling overwhelmed with planning?
- You can join my Facebook Group, Things to Do in Crete, a friendly gathering of Crete enthusiasts.
- With my consultation call services, I have assisted countless travelers in crafting the perfect Crete experience. Email me for more information!
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Although Crete is a safe destination, consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones from unexpected situations.
- Heymondo – customizable plans to suit your itinerary and activities. >> Get a quote from Heymondo here.
- Safety Wing – insurance plans for long-term travelers. >> Get a quote from Safety Wing here.
Read more about Crete
More resources to enhance your Crete adventure
Start by checking out my guide to planning your trip to Crete, packed with helpful essential information. Explore the articles on prices in Crete, common mistakes to avoid, and insider secrets. You can also get one of the digital travel guides I’ve written about Crete. They are affordable and practical to check from your mobile.
When it’s time to plan, explore the best places to visit on Crete Island, discover my tours and activities, and be amazed at Crete’s incredible beaches. If you are exploring specific areas like Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lasithi, and Chania, I’ve got detailed guides to help you make the most of your time.
Suggested accommodation in Crete
No time to read all my accommodation guides? Check out these places to stay:
- Heraklion: Galaxy Hotel.
- Chania: Porto Antico.
- Rethymnon: Archipelagos Hotel.
- Agios Nikolaos: Hotel Port 7.
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Things You Didn’t Know About Crete
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the Crete. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. During the last five years, I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.
Thanks for the facts about Crete! While some of then I knew many of them I didn’t. So it was a great introduction to Crete.
Yes, some of them are really well-known but the island never stops surprising me either!
This is such a great post. I love reading these types of posts before I visit a new area. I feel so full of information. I had no idea that Crete was one of the largest islands in the Mediterranean.
Thank you Michelle! That’s so kind of you! Now, all you need to do is come over and have a great time!
This looks amazing! I want to travel all the Greek Islands and this post is so helpful for my planning!
Hi Maria, the Greek islands are fantastic, I hope you can come to Crete sometime soon, you will discover an island that seems like a continent! So diverse and authentic. With so many things to do in Crete, I’m sure you’ll love it!
Although we have timeshare in Crete, we have not gone because I thought there was nothing there but this article changed my mind! I want to see the old olive trees and the origins of some of the myths like Zeus and Icarus!
Trust me, Carol, you just need to visit once and you will need no more to fall in love…otherwise, look at me, I loved it so much that I ended up moving here! And this blog is 90% about Crete (with still tons of things to write about!) I hope you make up your mind soon, it’s an awesome island! Thanks for leaving your insight!
Apparently I need to be reading up on Crete. I didn’t no any of this and I found it quite interesting. Especially the fact that Crete got snow. I would have never thought that. I also find the Greek mythology fascinating.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for leaving your comment, you will definitely have a lot of fun on Crete. Hope you can make it to the island soon!
This was really insightful as I didn’t know much about Crete beforehand. I’m particularly and pleasantly surprised that the island gets snow! That’s super cool and not something I would expect out of a Mediterranean island. Hope to eventually make it there once the world gets back to some sense of normal.
Thanks for your comment Brian, winters are short but can be pretty cold. A couple of years ago it even snowed in the cities!
We are all hoping for some normal back. I can’t wait to go back exploring my island!
Many of these facts did, in fact, surprise me! I love learning interesting fun facts about places, so this was fun to read. Very interesting about the air being healing and it having the oldest city.
Hi Laurel, I agree, there many things about the island that are very surprising, many of them are even funny or hard to believe! Thanks for leaving your insight!!