Crete isn't just another Mediterranean island dotted with ancient ruins and UNESCO sites – it's an epic still being written. Here, history breathes through every stone of Minoan palaces, and adventure beckons from deep gorges and pristine beaches.

The birthplace of Zeus himself, Crete's legendary hospitality runs as deep as its roots. In mountain villages and seaside tavernas, locals don't just serve guests – they welcome them as family, sharing age-old traditions, homemade raki, and stories passed down through generations.

The island's soul lives in its cuisine, where every meal tells a story of sun-ripened ingredients and time-honored recipes. From family-run wineries to hidden monasteries, from the peaks of Mount Ida to the pink sands of Elafonisi, Crete offers endless paths to discovery.

Whether you're wandering through labyrinthine old towns, hiking dramatic gorges, or sharing laughs with locals at a village feast, Crete reveals itself slowly, like a well-aged wine. This is where ancient myths meet modern adventures, where every visitor finds their own story to tell.

Come to Crete not just to explore an island, but to experience a way of life that has enchanted travelers for millennia.

Our Village

Koutouloufari

Koutouloufari’s history goes back to the Byzantine era, when its first residents lived by a seaside settlement. An earthquake destroyed the settlement, and people moved up to the nearest hill of the Pyrgias mountain. In medieval times, when piracy was a significant threat in the Mediterranean Sea, Koutouloufari became a target due to its flourishing economy. Residents were hit again, this time by pirates, which made them move more inwards up the hill towards Mountain Harakas, close to the church of Saint Vasilios, where the village is situated today. A priest named Koutoufaris welcomed the people and gave them land around the church to build a new village. To honour him, locals named their new settlement after him.

All the buildings that exist today have been standing here since then. The narrow paved streets have an absence of traffic that is significant for its noise-free, relaxing atmosphere. The picturesque alleys with the colourful stone-built houses filled with lovely flowers and Cretan herbs, the friendly and welcoming people and the dozens of amazing little taverns and small bars or cafes with or without sea views make Koutouloufari a unique destination on its own.

Discover

Explore

For those who discover Koutouloufari without knowing what to expect, it comes as a surprise to see its beauty, simplicity and blessed natural backdrop. It feels like a nest between the sky and the sea, and you may find that at night, stars look brighter, and the world feels like a better place thanks to the charmful scenery and beauty of the surroundings.

On a typical summer day, you’ll most probably see Cretans in their traditional costumes going to or returning from a local feast, while in August, don’t miss any of the local fiestas taking place around the square of the church.

Easter at Koutouloufari is a memorable experience, as the village is ‘dressed’ in its blossoms, flowers and trees share their scents, while a number of traditional fiestas and customs take place.

Heraklion

The capital of a fascinating history.

Heraklion is situated on the eastern side of Crete. It is the largest town on the island and a haven of world-famous, UNESCO-listed heritage sites, such as The Minoan Palace of Knossos. Together with the archaeological museum, every visitor can admire the significant civilisation and art that formed Europe as we know it.

Today, Heraklion is Crete's commercial and scientific centre, a crossroad between presence and future, a place of discovery always open in innovation and new ideas, with open public spaces overlooking magnificent views over the Aegen Sea and architectural landmarks that tell inspiring stories from its glorious past.

The old town of Heraklion is a foodie destination, but also a mosaic of lively markets, shops, cafes, taverns and all-day bistros and bars that are worth stopping by for shopping or a taste of local meze, beer and wine. The Lion Square, Saint Minas Cathedral, the City Wall, Nikos Kazantzakis Museum and 25th August Street are just a few things to see when in Heraklion.

The Venetian Harbour and the fortress of Koules are the most instantly recognizable monuments of the town. Additionally, the picturesque mountain villages around the city with their various cultural museums, the gorgeous beaches of the region, and the convenient location in the island’s heart makes Heraklion ideal for endless day trips around Crete.

But what visitors mostly love about Heraklion is the cosmopolitan spirit that embraces its authentic character. Endless stories with rebellions and giants of intellect as protagonists form the contemporary truthful personality of Heraklion, which shapes Crete as a whole.