The resorts of the Mediterranean Sea traditionally attract Russians with the opportunity to indulge in a carefree beach holiday and get acquainted with the magnificent monuments of antiquity. Among the most popular places for spending summer vacations, the islands of Crete or Cyprus are traditionally indicated. What is better for children, youth or older people as a place to relax depending on the month, this article will tell.
Visa
For those who are going on vacation, it is important whether they have to take up a large number of various documents or not. Therefore, deciding which is better - Cyprus or Crete, it should be borne in mind that you can get a visa very quickly to travel to the first of the islands . Moreover, the Cypriot embassy gives it out completely free of charge. The only thing you need is to fill out the form online and wait for the message with a unique number that will come to the email address. This will be a facilitated visa, which has a validity period of 90 days. With it, you can fly to Cyprus only through the ports of Larnaca or Paphos.
Now about Crete. The island is part of Greece, which, in turn, is a member of the European Union. This means that travelers will have to get a Schengen visa. Although according to the law they should be issued in 2-3 days, in practice, especially before the holidays, huge queues are drawn up in the Greek embassies, and the time for obtaining permission to enter the EU is 3-4 days. The cost of a visa is 65 euros.
How to get there
The flight from Russia, more precisely from Moscow, to the Cypriot international airports of Larnaca and Paphos takes about 4 hours. Ural Airlines, Pobeda and S7 airlines make regular flights. Larnaca Airport is convenient for tourists who have chosen hotels in this city, and for those who are going to relax in Protaras or Ayia Napa.
If you are going to Crete, then the main airport of the island is in Heraklion, and the second - in the city of Chania. You can fly to them from Moscow in about 4 hours. Airplanes of charter airlines Nordwind Airlines, NordStar Airlines and Aeroflot fly to the island. In addition, you can get there from Russia by air using the services of carriers Aegean Airlines and Ellinair.
Another option to get to Crete from Athens is to go to the island by ferry.
Beaches
If you decide which is better, Cyprus or Crete, from the point of view of sea holidays, then in the first case you are guaranteed not to regret your choice. Clean sand and the gentle sea will be waiting for you everywhere. Most beaches in Cyprus have a gentle entrance, making them the perfect place to relax with children. As for the resorts of Crete, much depends on where they are located. The fact is that this island is washed by several seas. It is best to choose beaches on the banks of the Ionian or Cretan, as they are warmer and calmer. In addition, they have developed infrastructure, while the beaches of the island’s south coast are relatively few, and those that are are very difficult to reach.
Cyprus or Crete: which is better in June?
In early summer in Cyprus, the average air temperature reaches 30 degrees. And this is not surprising, since the swimming season there begins already in early May, when the water temperature rises to + 25 degrees.
Crete is a bit cooler during the same period. However, there you can have a good rest if you choose a hotel on the south coast for accommodation. Among other things, June on this island can be considered the best time for interesting excursions, since the local nature at this time of year begins to flourish, and the air temperature fluctuates around + 25 degrees, which can be considered ideal for visiting excursions.
Holidays on the islands in July and August
If you are interested in what is better, Cyprus or Crete, for a trip to the sea in the second half of the summer, then there is no definite answer to this question. On both islands it is rather hot in July and August. However, Crete is somewhat cooler, and its northern beaches during this period can be considered the best place to relax if you do not like the crowds and bustle of the popular resorts.
Crete or Cyprus: which is better in September?
The beginning of autumn is the velvet season on both islands. In Crete and Cyprus at this time you can enjoy a beach holiday, as the air temperature is kept at around 30 degrees. In addition, in September, tourists can not only swim and sunbathe, but also visit local attractions.
Famous tourist sites in Cyprus include Aphrodite Rock, Troodos Orthodox Monastery, Paphos Fortress, Kato Paphos Archaeological Zoo, the ancient city of Kourion, Lefkara village, royal tombs, Kolossi castle, etc.
A lot of interesting travelers are waiting in Crete. The main attractions of this island include Kules Fortress, Knossos Palace, Agios Nikolaos Museum, Labyrinth of the Minotaur, Zeus Cave, the ancient city of Gortyna, Fortezza Citadel, Frangokastello Fortress and much more.
Crete and Cyprus in October
The second month of autumn, especially its first half, in the Mediterranean region is a continuation of the velvet season. This means that it is impossible to say unequivocally that it is better in October, Crete or Cyprus. However, hoping that after the 15th the weather will be conducive to a beach holiday, it should not. For example, in Crete, temperatures can drop below +20 degrees during the day and +13 at night. If you are ready to splash around in the sea with a water temperature of +23 degrees and go on interesting excursions, then you can choose this resort. Otherwise, it is better to book a hotel in one of the resorts of Cyprus.
Hotels
Cyprus hotels are the basis of the tourism industry, which is an essential component of the local economy. Hotels are not only a vacation spot, but also an integral part of the urban infrastructure. Business meetings are held in the lobby and conference rooms, wedding receptions are held and birthdays are celebrated. Compared to hotels in Turkey and Egypt, Cypriot hotels are more expensive, but they have a very high level of service and there is no tipping out tips.
If you choose where to relax in Cyprus or Crete, then remember that in the second of these islands, most hotels are oriented towards serving the British. This means that you will find a European level of comfort. Although this phrase sounds tempting enough, many Russians may not like Cretan hotels. The fact is that there you can not find options that operate on the all inclusive system, so the possibility of eating and drinking as much as you like is excluded.
Transport
Those who decide which is better, Cyprus or Crete, should also be interested in the condition of the roads on these islands. It must be said that there are no internal flights or railways in Cyprus, and the only form of public transport is buses and minibuses. However, even they regularly (about 20 flights per day on each route) go only in the Turkish part of the island. In the rest of Cyprus, the situation is much worse. On each route no more than 5 daily flights are made. Thus, it is best to rent a car to travel around Cyprus. True, it should be remembered that the traffic there is left-hand, but the rest of the road is very convenient, junctions are simple and road signs are everywhere.
If the island of Crete is considered, then, again, it is best to rent a car. Rental offices can be easily found in Hersonissos, Chania, Heraklion, Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos. Car rental will be provided only to drivers over 21 years old. In addition, KTEL intercity buses run between all the major cities of Crete. They are equipped with air conditioning, go exactly on schedule and stop only at stops, so get off wherever convenient for you.
What can I bring
If you go on holiday in Cyprus, then you probably want to bring local goodies from there. Among the edible gifts from Crete, the first place is traditionally occupied by homemade halva, goat cheese, halloumi, Turkish delight, olive oil with peppers, suzukos (almonds in grape molasses), as well as local drinks. Among Cypriot wines, the best is Commandaria St. John ”, which has been produced since the time of the Crusades. To purchase this drink, as well as local moonshine called zivania, is best in the Orthodox monastery of Kykkos on Troodos.
In addition, from Cyprus you can bring linen, tablecloths and napkins, decorated with handmade lace from the village of Lefkara, which are described by Homer. They are not cheap, but this is truly a royal gift. Cypriot dishes and silver jewelry, the design of which has changed very little over the past few millennia, also deserve attention.
Many interesting gifts can also be brought from Crete. Of course, this is, first of all, olive oil, which is considered the best in the world. It is recommended to purchase it in villages located further from the coast, since there are less frequent winds and rainfall, so trees grow better and more beneficial substances accumulate in the fruits.
From Crete, you should definitely bring local honey, both in pure form, so with pistachios, walnuts or peanuts.
Reviews
As they say, they don’t argue about tastes, so tourists don’t have a single opinion about which is better - Cyprus or Crete. Reviews with praises of local nature, beaches, service and cuisine can be heard about both the island. It all depends on the weather, which, as you know, is changeable, the choice of hotel and the expectations of the traveler.
Most often, after a vacation on either island, the enthusiasm is expressed by lovers of beautiful landscapes and interesting excursions. As for the category of dissatisfied tourists, these are Russians who want to find their favorite Turkish-Egyptian version of the service in Crete or Crete and are disappointed when they are offered a European vacation.
Now you know where it is better, in Cyprus or in Crete. Regardless of which island you choose, a vacation on the islands of the Mediterranean Sea guarantees you a lot of positive experiences. After all, even under weather conditions not conducive to beach activities, you will have the opportunity to see magnificent antique sights.