Put Your Best Foot Forward With Cheap Hotels In Crete
The beautiful island of Crete is Greek’s largest. If you can make it past the beaches, bars and Mediterranean Sea, you’ll discover the jaw-dropping landscape of the island, particularly the mountainous terrain. As there are a number of cheap hotels located in the island’s many towns and cities, exploring Crete’s mountains and gorges is relatively easy.
Crete’s highest mountain is Mount Ida which can be found in the middle of the island. Start your hike up this beast from a car park in the village of Nida, found in the Nida plateau; the base of the mountain can be reached from Heraklion. This hike is not for the faint-hearted – with the round-trip to the summit taking between 608 hours, you’ll need to be in a reasonably fit condition. Around the base of the mountain are some wooded areas, but the further up you walk, the more barren the landscape becomes. There is no vegetation above 2,000ft but this only adds to the ethereal atmosphere of the mountain.
The ‘White Mountains’ – or Lefka Ori as they are known – can be found to the west of the island. It is best to hire a car and travel there from one of the cheap hotels in Crete, particularly from nearby towns such as Georgioupolis. Accommodation can also be found in the plateau villages of Omalos and Askifou where access to the range’s rocky crevices and gorges is much quicker.
But for those who prefer a more luscious landscape, then head over to the eastern side of Crete. The Richtis Gorge trail can be found on the coastline between Sitia and Agos Nikoloas, where you’ll also find many of the best hotel deals on the island. Starting in the small village of Exo Mouliana and finishing on Richtis beach, this short but diverse 4km walk takes you through rich vegetation and past the large Richtis waterfall and various ruins. Think about your return journey before you set off, as you may need to organise a taxi pick-up from Richtis beach – your legs will thank you for it!
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