Bungalow Crete

Staying in a bungalow is one of our favorite types of accommodation for exploring a new region. Not only does it remove you from the tourist crowds, but it gives you the unrivalled chance to get close to the authentic culture of your travel destination. This is something which is impossible to achieve in hotels! Being close to nature is another advantage, as the bungalows we offer are located away from the busy city streets and in more rural areas, where you will be surrounded by the undisturbed landscape.

While many go to Greece’s islands for a summer holiday filled with days on the beach, we tend to love some of the islands for their authenticity and rich nature. Crete is the largest Greek island situated in the Mediterranean. Realistically, most of the island's territory is mountainous with many hills and peaks. More than 30 peaks are in fact higher than 2,000 m. This serves as a beautiful and unique backdrop for the award-winning beaches along the coastline.

Cretan nature to discover

One of the most prominent geographic features of the island are the stunning gorges which all of the rivers create while making their way through the mountains; there are more than 400 gorges on the island. The Imbros Gorge is one of our favorites – not only is it breathtakingly beautiful but it also has a long-time history. This gorge is close to the town of Chania and is specific for the rock formations you can see: the environment is very interesting – a combination between a desert and a canyon.

The name of this gorge comes from a community of immigrants from Imbros who relocated here during the 15th century. Centuries later, during World War II, this gorge will play an important role for the Allies. Even today, ancestors of those who fought near the gorge, come here and hike the gorge as a way of paying tributes to their family members.

The only national park on the island is called Samaria. It is named after the Samarian Gorge – the highlight of the park. This is the longest gorge in Europe – 16 km. The sides of the canyon the river has created reach up to 300 m in height in some places. The genesis of the gorge is a remarkable setting – the Gates – where the two sides almost close, leaving only an opening of 4 m between them.

Activities to try

There are villages and picturesque towns to explore, all of which will provide you with enough knowledge about the culture and history of this beautiful Greek island.

If you want to embark on a daytrip involving more movement, then use the time to explore the Imbros or the Samaria Gorges and hike through them. The latter is also a popular destination for adrenaline enthusiasts – rock climbing is their way of “feeling” the landscape and connecting with nature.

On the coastline, kayaking and canoeing in the Mediterranean is a great way to experience a day on the beach. If you wish to explore the underwater kingdom of the island, then try scuba-diving or snorkeling with an instructor and meet all the residents below the surface.