Getting Oriented

Crete is long and narrow, approximately 257 km (159 mi) long and only 60 km (37 mi) at its widest. The most development is present on the north shore; for the most part, the southern coast remains blessedly unspoiled. The island's three major cities, Heraklion, Rethymnon, and Hania, are in the north and are connected by the island's major highway, an east-west route that traverses most of the north coast. Heraklion and Hania are served by ferry from Piraeus, and both have international airports. By car or bus, it's easy to reach other parts of the island from these gateways.