Beaches 

If you are looking for sandy beaches and sparking seas then Crete doesn't disappoint. Head to Malia for a long strip of sand backed by lots of amenities to keep you fed, watered and entertained throughout the day. There's also a selection of bars playing all the current trendy tunes for those who fancy a soundtrack to their sunbathing.

In Sitia, Vai beach is also a popular spot, often voted one of Greece's top ten coastal spots because of its tropical look and feel. Rethymon also has a great sandy beach that is a firm favourite with families, again backed by lots of amenities to keep you going throughout the day.

If you're looking for something quieter, head away from the main resorts and stop at one of the many rocky inlets with their inviting patches of sun-soaked sand. Away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts, you'll be able to really relax in your own little corner of Crete. Xerokampos is a small village on the eastern side of the island that has a great selection of secluded sandy coves. 

Nightlife 

The nightlife in Crete can be as lively as you like. In the mood to paint the town red? Then head to the larger resorts of Malia, Chania and Rethymnon.

Maila has been attracting partygoers since the 1970s. Head to the main street to find the bars, restaurants, discos and clubs that will keep you amused until dawn.

Chania is for those who want to pass the night bar-hopping rather than clubbing. In particular, the bars along the waterfront create a lively, music-filled atmosphere.

Rethymnon has a couple of places that liven up at night. You can choose between the music bars to the east of the town, or the open-air discos and clubs along the seafront. 

Agios Nickolaos is another spot that offers an enjoyable nightlife. While there are only a couple of clubs (Odos 25 Martiou near the harbour comes recommended), the selection of music bars is enough to ensure you have a good night out.

The village of Chersoniso, not far from the island's airport, has a popular strip of bars, clubs and restaurants stretching along the beach for you to enjoy day and night.

Finally, Hersonissos has a lively evening scene with a fair number of good bars and clubs in the city centre.

Food, drink and shopping 

Food and drink  

Crete has a wealth of food and drink to be sampled at your leisure. A good dish to start with is dolma, stuffed vine leaves, which can be eaten as an appetiser before a meal or as an integral part of many Cretan dishes.

Fresh fish is the real speciality of the island and the best (and most expensive) is fagri, red sea bream grilled and served whole. Snails are another speciality on the island and saligkaria stifado, snail casserole, is a local delicacy.

For meat lovers there are the Cretan sausages, loukanika, which are available throughout Greece but said to be at their best in Crete. These spicy pork sausages can be served fried or grilled, and taste delicious either way. Kreatosoupa is a meat soup which is a popular way to use up leftovers, with all parts of the animal making the pot. Pasta is another soup, this time made with tripe and served mainly during the island's fiestas.

Dittany is a herb from the oregano family that is unique to the island and claimed to possess restorative powers. Sage, found in the Cretan mountains, is another magic ingredient. Add it to your meals and benefit from its purported medicinal properties. It is said to cure fevers, rheumatism, chills and sore throats.

Finally, give the local cheeses a try. Mizithra is made from fresh sheep's milk and staka is produced from whey.

When it comes to drinks, you've got to give tiskoudia or raki a try. This clear-coloured alcoholic beverage is usually sipped as a digestif after meals. Retsina is a locally produced white wine whose flavour comes from pine resin. This drink is best drunk chilled and traditionally comes served in a copper jug.

Shopping 

Shopping is available at all the major resorts, where you'll find a selection of produce and souvenirs on offer. Odos Souliou in Rethymnon is the town's more upmarket shopping street, where you'll find clothes boutiques and traditional shops selling Cretan items, such as pottery and ceramics, as well as cotton and linen textiles. Markets are always a good place to hunt out some great bargains and get some souvenirs to take home. Heraklion has a weekly Saturday-morning market along its harbour road, and the one in Rethymnon is one of Crete's most popular and attractive markets. Come along for a spot of shopping and treat yourself to a cup of sweet Cretan coffee or a glass of raki from one of the passing waiters while you browse.