Very popular team sports
Soccer. Across Europe, Athens' boiling-hot stadiums have earned the same reputation as those in Turkey. The Karaïskakis, home to Olympiakos Piraeus (historically the club of the working class), or the Panathinaikos Olympic Stadium (that of high society) promise hell to visitors, and the "derby of eternal enemies" is always a hot topic. But throughout the country, football is a real craze with huge political, social and financial implications. The Ellada Superleague (1st division) pulverizes TV ratings and attracts punters to Opap offices. The capital's demographic supremacy is felt, with more than half the clubs originating from the greater Athens area. As for the national team, its main achievement was a surprise victory at Euro 2004 (after seeing off France in the quarter-finals).
Basketball. Basketball is the country's other major sport, and its two flagship clubs are... Panathinaikos and Olympiakos! The national team was European champion in 1987 and 2005, and runner-up in the 2006 World Cup. And today, the team is led by the new Athens-born NBA star, Gianni Antetokounmpo, who plays for Milwaukee and was voted the League's best player in 2019 and 2020.
The tavli, a Greek passion
A true national discipline, it is played mainly on café terraces. Tavli is the equivalent of backgammon. It's the name given to the favorite game of the Greeks and Cretans. Although they play a little less than they used to, there's always a tavli in the smallest kafeneio. There are many ways to play, with different rules. Greeks and Cretans alternate between the three best known (portès, plakoto and fevga).
The sea, for a host of activities
It goes without saying that the mainstay of tourism in Crete is the island's many beaches. Beaches where you can indulge yourself.
Water sports. In most resorts (especially on the north coast), you can hire small catamarans, pedalos, sea kayaks, jet-skis, water-ski or wakeboard. The south is a little less developed in terms of such services, apart from Agia Galini, Plakias and a little towards Mirtos and Ierapetra. Note that winds can pick up very quickly and change direction frequently (relief effects in summer, especially on the south coast). Finally, there are a number of spots for windsurfers: Kouremenos Beach near Palekastro to the east of Sitia, Almirida near Hania and Paleohora to the south.
Yachting. Few sailboats visit the waters of the Libyan Sea in the south, due to the lack of infrastructure. In the north of the island, on the other hand, things are different, with a few possible stopovers (Hania, Rethymnon, Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos...). Some sailboats use this route to reach Rhodes, Turkey or the southern Aegean islands.
Scuba diving. Crete's waters are clear and warm (up to 27°C), and visibility can reach 35 m in summer. Even underwater, it's possible to discover a very interesting underwater world. The seabed boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including corals, sponges, ascidians, molluscs, crabs, lobsters, octopuses, moray eels, conger eels and seahorses. In addition, numerous caves and wrecks offer fascinating sights, such as the sunken ruins of Oloús in Eloúnda or those of Móchlos in Mirabelló Bay. The south coast offers crystal-clear waters, with dives to wrecks, submerged archaeological sites and underwater caves. Diving clubs are generally serious and well-equipped. They offer courses at all levels, and some can organize special outings on request.
A superb hiking spot
Walking in Crete is surely the best way to discover, especially inland, nature and landscapes untouched by modernism, and to encounter traditional rural Crete. The sea is never far away, and the terrain offers a wide range of possibilities to satisfy both lovers of long hikes and those who only wish to explore the countryside with their family.
The E4 European hiking trail. It starts in Portugal and crosses Crete from west to east, from Kastelli-Kissamos to Zakros. It is 320 km long and, at an average of 15 km per day, takes between 3 and 4 weeks to complete. Of course, you can choose to travel only certain sections. It is regularly maintained and well signposted with yellow and black panels. Accommodation and restaurants are available at every stage.
Huts. If you decide to tackle the mountainous part of the trail, you'll probably need to stop off at one of the mountain refuges run by the EOS Heraklion club. You'll need to contact them beforehand to book and glean valuable advice. They organize hikes as well as other activities such as canoeing, caving, mountain biking, skiing and mountaineering.
More choice hikes. Crete's gorges are particularly spectacular, and in addition to the Samaria Gorge, the best-known and most-walked, there are other less-frequented gorges in exceptional natural surroundings: Imbros, Aradena, Agia Irini, Topolia, Rouvas. Many other places also offer the possibility of tours with stops in picturesque villages.
To the summits!
In addition to hiking, Cretan terrain is ideal for mountain biking and... skiing!
Mountain biking. Bikes can be rented all over Crete (between €10 and €15 per day). Some tour operators organize group tours, making life easier by picking you up where it gets difficult, and even complete week-long stays.
Skiing. Incredible as it may seem, you can actually ski on Crete! As the island is particularly mountainous, some of its peaks are covered in snow in winter. In particular, there's a ski resort on the Nida plateau, at the foot of Mount Psiloritis (2,456 m).
