Summer heat in Crete: How to stay cool

In the summer months, temperatures climb to Crete often at a pleasant 30 to 35 degrees. However, heat waves of 40 or even 45 degrees can also occur quite frequently. At these temperatures, concentration dwindles dramatically, and one quickly feels weak and tired.

To with the Summer heat in Crete To cope better and still enjoy the island to the fullest, it is advisable to adapt to the proven behavior of the locals:

• Take a siesta: The siesta is an integral part of Mediterranean life – take time for a nap or a quiet break.
• Please note business hours: Many shops close from about 14 p.m. to 17 p.m. Use this time for a break.
• Evening flair: Nightlife often doesn't start until 21 p.m. when temperatures become more pleasant.
• Air-conditioned retreats: Almost all houses and apartments are air-conditioned or built of solid stone to keep the interiors cool.
• Sun protection for windows: Use shutters, blinds or blinds to darken the room during the day and keep the heat out.
• Air conditioning in the car: Air conditioning in the car is practically a must for comfortable travel in Crete.
• Hydration & light food: Drink plenty of water (preferably lukewarm so as not to cool your body unnecessarily) and eat light meals.
• Avoid sun & use protection: Avoid the blazing midday sun and make sure you have enough sun protection (sunscreen with a high SPF, hat, sunglasses, light but long-sleeved clothing).
• Protect your body: Avoid physically strenuous activities in extreme heat.
• Looking for cooling: Refresh your body regularly – ideally in the sea, in the pool or under a cool shower.
• Light bedding: When sleeping, use light, breathable bedding (e.g. only one sheet) and light nightwear.

With these tips you can look forward to a relaxed and refreshing summer Crete nothing stands in the way!

Overwintering in Crete: Sun, olives & mild winter

Did you know that the island of Gavdos, the southernmost point of Europe, belongs to Crete? The entire island Crete is an ideal place to escape the cold winter and overwinter.

The winter climate in Crete: During Rainy season from November to March It rains on average only 8 days per month, and you can look forward to almost 5 hours of sunshine per day. Near the coast, the daytime temperatures are pleasant 15 to 20 degrees, and the temperature rarely drops below 10 degrees at night. In the mountains, which are up to 2.456 meters high, however, it snows, and the snow often stays until spring—a striking contrast!

Discover Crete in winter: Inland and on the south coast of Crete, you'll find an even more relaxed pace in winter, as the population, infrastructure, and tourism are smaller than on the north coast. But the mild winter, the season of the olive harvest and the traditional raki distillation, also offers many opportunities:

• Slow down and enjoy the winter sun
• Walks on deserted beaches
• Hiking in the mountains
• Tours by scooter, electric bike or mountain bike
• Visits to monasteries, museums or archaeological sites
• Shopping in the cities and leisurely excursions

Important considerations for properties intended for wintering in Crete: Even though temperatures in Crete are significantly warmer in winter than in many other European countries: Those who prefer to spend the winter in Crete should be aware that the weather can be quite harsh.

An important aspect of Buying a property in Crete For wintering, the heating is:

• Besides Thermal insulation and insulation of doors and windows There is great potential for Photovoltaic and solar systemsto heat electrically.
• Many existing properties were built primarily for summer use and often have only one Air conditioning with heating function , or Stove, which is heated with olive wood.
• In some properties, the heating pipes are already laid, otherwise the subsequent installation of a central heating system involves a great deal of effort.
• New buildings on Crete can be customized with Central heating, heat pump, underfloor heating, open fireplace and other modern heating systems.

Let yourself be enchanted by the tranquility and authenticity of Crete in winter!

Greek Coffee: A Journey Through Crete's Coffee Culture

Every country has its own coffee culture, and Greece – especially Crete – is no exception! Here, one distinguishes mainly between the following preparation methods of Greek coffeethat you should definitely try:

• “Nes” (Nescafé): Instant coffee is dissolved in hot water. Greek instant coffee often tastes different from Central European coffee. It is enjoyed "skétos" (sugar-free), "métrios" (a spoonful of sugar and a spoonful of Nescafé), or "glykós" (two spoonfuls of sugar and a spoonful of Nescafé).
• "Frappe": Probably the most famous Greek iced coffee – cold coffee with plenty of milk foam and sugar. It's always served in a tall glass and is an ideal refreshment on warm days.
• “Mocha” (Kafe Ellinikós): The classic Greek mocha is prepared from very finely ground coffee beans in a special mocha pot (briki). The coffee is boiled twice and then poured into a cup with the coffee grounds. Once the grounds have settled to the bottom, the mocha is ready to enjoy. It is usually drunk with sugar, but "black."

Kafenio / Kafenia: The heart of the community A Greek coffee house is called Kafenio (plural: kafenia) and is traditionally often a family-run business. The selection of food and drinks, as well as the decor, are usually quite minimalist. This is a place for community and tradition – drinking coffee together, often for hours, while chatting. A kafenio is essentially a social institution, which is why one can be found in almost every central square in a village and is regularly visited by its regulars.

It used to be reserved only for men to meet here, drink coffee, and debate politics. Nowadays, however, women can also be found in traditional kafenia. Younger people also like to go to the so-called kafeteria, which is more comparable to a café-bar.

The culture of coffee drinking – across all countries – is all about taking your time! Take a break and enjoy your Greek coffee on Crete.

Cretan mountain tea: The health miracle from the island

The Cretan or Greek mountain tea is extracted from a locally occurring species of Sideritis (synonymous with saffron). Also known as shepherd's tea, it has become increasingly popular in recent years, becoming a true cult drink!

Origin & cultivation: Traditionally, the Cretan mountain tea as a protected wild plant at altitudes between 1.000 and 2.000 meters on CreteHowever, it is also partially cultivated to meet demand. It grows to a height of between 30 and 50 cm, and blooms from June to August. Native to the Mediterranean, the tea also thrives in sunny, dry locations in home gardens. It is perennial, hardy, and is trimmed after flowering. For the highest quality, look for organic quality.

Preparation & Taste: The mountain tea By infusion or decoction (infusion time: 5 minutes). Stems, leaves, and flowers are used. The flavor is light, delicately aromatic, lemony, minty, floral, spicy, yet sweet. It tastes particularly good with a little honey or licorice, and with a little lemon juice, ginger, or cinnamon to taste.

Ingredients: The Cretan mountain tea is rich in valuable ingredients:

• Minerals (potassium, zinc)
• Bitter and tannins
• antioxidants
• Essential oils such as thymol and menthol
• flavonoids

Healing effect & application: Already in ancient times the healing effects of Mountain teas It has been and continues to be used in many areas:

• Colds
• Asthma
• digestive problems and gastrointestinal diseases
• Chronic kidney disease
• Rheumatic complaints
• Hypertension
• Strengthen the immune system
• Antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
• Good for the nervous system, stimulates cognitive functions: Stress-relieving, stimulating and at the same time relaxing, mood-enhancing, helps with depression and burnout symptoms, but also with dementia, sleep disorders and ADHD in adults.

Note: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the tea, as it cannot be ruled out that it may induce labor if the dosage is too high.

Cretan olive oil: The island's liquid gold

The Cretan olive oil is world-renowned and a truly natural product! It tastes light, fruity, and mild, is rich in aroma, and has a low level of spiciness. Here, the olives are pressed directly, without any extracts or additives – with the utmost care and respect for the consumer.Medical significance & healthy tradition: The Cretan olive oil is of great medical importance. As early as the 50s, nutritionists studied the longevity of Cretans and were amazed at how much olive oil they used – the lettuce was practically swimming in oil! Olive oil protects the heart and the function of many other organs, such as the liver. It helps lower cholesterol (thanks to its cycloartenol content), has antioxidant properties, and can protect against cancer. It is also ideal for diabetics.Harvest & Quality: As soon as the tourism season Crete is over, the olive growers go to their groves, because in the autumn and winter months the olives are harvested – almost exclusively by hand! The olive goes through various stages of ripeness during its development: the green olive is still unripe, then turns reddish-purple and finally turns black when ripe. To ensure a high-quality olive oil To obtain olive oil with a high polyphenol content, unripe olives, i.e., olives harvested while green, are used. The resulting oil is also green and tastes bitter to sharp. Olive oil from ripe olives is yellow to golden in color and has an earthy, soft flavor. If the olives are pressed for oil immediately after harvest, the oil obtained is still of good quality and meets consumer quality standards.Well-known olive varieties in Crete:

• Koroneiki: The world's most famous olive. It is rather small, spicy and is grown on Crete Also used as a table olive. The oil has an intensely fresh fragrance, a balanced, mild, fruity, almond-like aroma, and a very high polyphenol content.
• Athinolia: A medium-sized olive whose oil is of excellent quality. It has a low acidity and a rich, fruity flavor with dominant notes of apple, ripe banana, and spices.
• Kalamata: The almond-shaped, reddish-brown to black fruits have a somewhat harder skin and impress with an intense aroma and a slightly salty note. Kalamon olives are popular eating olives and are usually marinated in a vinegar and oil mixture.

Enjoy the incomparable quality of the Cretan olive oil!

Greek wine in Crete: A long tradition

The Wine list plays an immense role in Crete – it's one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world! In the small village of Vathypetro, 20 kilometers south of Heraklion, Europe's oldest wine press, dating back approximately 3.500 years, still stands today.

Popular & special grape varieties on Crete: In addition to internationally renowned wines such as Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot or Chardonnay, you will find Crete also lesser-known but characterful local varieties such as Xinomavros, Limnios, Malagousias and Moschofileros.

The most famous Cretan grape varieties include:

Red wine:

• Liatiko: This variety thrives best in the Heraklion and Lasithi regions. Liatiko produces highly aromatic dry wines and naturally sweet wines with a rather pale color. It is often aged for long periods in barrels—usually large, old oak casks.
• Mandilari: Deep dark red in color and much more bitter than Liatiko. The taste is dry to sweet with meaty aromas (e.g. leather), but rather low in alcohol and with little body, so that the grape variety is often blended, e.g. with Kotsifali.
• Kotsifali: The deep purple grapes produce simple, fruity-mild, high-alcohol, spicy, and low-acid wines. Their aromatic profile ranges from sweet flowers and dried black fruits to complex spices..

White wine:

• Vidiano: This grape variety promises high-quality wine with moderate acidity and complex aromas reminiscent of peach, apricot, melon honey, flowers and herbs.
• Thrapsathiri: One on Crete A widely available grape variety. The grape is highly drought-resistant, ripens late, and produces very aromatic wines with soft acidity. The color is pale lemon green, with aromas reminiscent of melon and peach.
• Villana: This grape variety is mainly grown on Crete It is difficult to cultivate and produces delicate wines rarely found outside of Greece. With fresh citrus aromas of orange, pear, flowers (like jasmine), and herbs.

Special feature: The resinated Retsina A dry table white wine infused with pine resin. This is important for retsina's long shelf life and distinctive, tart, woody flavor, which lends the wine incredible freshness. A must for connoisseurs of Greek cuisine!

Discover the fascinating world of Greek wine in Crete!

The blue eye: protective symbol in Crete

You can find it everywhere in Greece: as a pendant or jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, …), above house entrances or as a talisman when traveling – the blue eye, in Greece Matiasma It is not only a popular souvenir, but is deeply rooted in culture.

There is evidence that this fascinating symbol was recorded on clay tablets in Mesopotamia over 5.000 years ago. It has lost none of its symbolic significance to this day.

The meaning of the blue eye: The blue eye should be before the "evil eye" This doesn't just mean evil looks, but all negative feelings of other people, such as anger, envy, or jealousy. It is believed that the blue eye absorbs these negative energies and thus protects its wearer or the place where it is placed.

The blue glass stones are available in all sizes and designs – from small pieces of jewelry to larger talismans for your home. Greek tradition and protection that you can also Crete can be found everywhere.

New Heraklion (Kastelli) Airport: Updates for Crete

For all those who are looking for Crete travel or a Buy property in Crete there is important news about the infrastructure: The existing Heraklion Airport “Nikos Kazantzakis” will be replaced by a modern and larger Airports in the 35 km away Castle replaced.

The foundation stone for this pioneering project was laid on 8 February 2020. The expected commissioning of the new airport in Castle is planned for the end of 2027.

This new building will connect to Crete significantly improve and is an important sign for the further development of the island as an attractive tourist destination and location for Real Estate.

➡️ Find more information here