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Crete destinations

The Beauty and Mystique of Koufonisi – A Best-Kept Secret of Crete

2023-10-07 by Phil Butler

Caves of Akritamos Beach

Today, we bring you a fascinating place in time in the Libyan Sea, Koufonisi, and uninhabited treasure of Crete.

Tags: Akritamos Beach, crete, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, Crete Island, Koufonisi, Koufonisi beaches, Libyan Sea, Makrigialos, South Crete, Tyrian Purple

Crete Makes 2022 Top 5 Tripadvisor “Best of the Best” List

2022-08-23 by Phil Butler

South Crete

Crete Island is among the top 5 Best Destinations in the world, according to Tripadvisor’s 2022 report.

Tags: Best of the Best, crete, Crete attractions, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, Crete food, Falasarna, Falasarna Beach, Keftiu, Peskesi, Theriso Gorge, TripAdvisor

Gems of Crete: Gavalohori Village at Apokoronas

2022-06-09 by Phil Butler

Danny Touw

Gavalohori (Γαβαλοχώρι) is an idyllic traditional village on Cape Drapan in the Vamos municipality of the Apokoronas region of Crete. 

Tags: Arismari, Artful Retreats, Bleverde, Cape Drapano, Chania, Chania Prefcture, Crete artists, Crete destinations, Crete towns, Crete villages, Danny Touw, Gavalianos Kafenos, Gavalohori, Gavalohori Village, Kalyves, kamarospito, kefenos, Konstantinos Liodakis, plane trees, traditional Crete, traditional village

How the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Is Affecting Tourism on Crete

2022-05-25 by Phil Butler

Mike Parrish

How dramatically will the Russia/Ukraine conflict impact tourism on Crete? For starters, losing almost half a million visitors is not good.

Tags: booking channels, Crete bookings, Crete destinations, Crete hotels, Greece tourism, GTP, Iberian Airlines, Russia outbound tourism, Russia travelers, Russian tourists, tourism revenue, Ukraine tourists

Balos Lagoon: A Guide to Crete’s Most Photographed Beach

2021-06-23 by Phil Butler

Balos Lagoon

Balos Lagoon is the most recognizable and photographed in Crete, if not Greece overall. Here’s a little more info on this natural wonder.

Tags: Balos Beach, Balos Lagoon, Cape Gramvousa, Cape Tigani, crete, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, Crete gems, Gramvousa, Greek beaches, Kaliviani, Kissamos, Lady Diana, Lady Dianna, Platyskinos, Prince Charles, Princess Diana

A Crete 2021 Tourism Season Instagram Reconnaissance [May 30]

2021-05-30 by Phil Butler

Crete shores

The 2021 tourism season on Crete has opened but so far there don’t seem to be too many tourists on the island. Here’s the Instagram intel.

Tags: Apollonia Beach Resort, Balos Beach, Balos Lagoon, crete, Crete 2021, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, Crete places, Crete tourism, h20 Watersports, Knossos, Knossos Palace, matala, Red Beach, Star Beach, Star Beach Hersonissos, Vai Beach

The Best Crete Beaches: Kommos on the Gulf of Mesara

2021-02-18 by Phil Butler

One of our favorite places on Crete is the area around amazing Kommos Beach (or Komos) where few tourists visit.

Tags: beaches, Bunga Bunga, Cretan Beaches, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, famous beaches, Gulf of Mesara, Heraklion, Heraklion beaches, Heraklion prefecture, Hidden Crete, Kalamaki, Kommos, Kommos Beach, Kommos Palace, matala, Minoan archaeology, Minoan sites, Minoans, secluded beaches

Hashtag #Crete: The Best of the Island Via Instagram

2020-12-31 by Phil Butler

Crete serenity

Locals and travelers have the best ideas for capturing the magic of this unique island paradise via Instagram. Here are some from 2020.

Tags: 2020, crete, Crete destinations, Crete grams, Crete Island, Elounda, Falasarna, instagram, Instagram Crete, Katholiko monastery, Maria Sifaki, Mesara, Paxamadia Islets, Psiloritis, villages, Zaros

If Kazantzakis Had Used Instagram – Here’s What He’d Have Shared

2020-08-21 by Phil Butler

Agiofarago beach

If the legendary author Nikos Kazantzakis had used Instagram, here are some shares he might have liked in order to show the world Crete.

Tags: Agia Marina, Agioi Apostoli, Balos Beach, Chrysi Island, crete, Crete attractions, Crete destinations, Crete Island, Falasarna Beach, instagram, Mirtos, mysterious Crete, Nikos Kazantzakis, Sarakina Gorge, Zorba the Greek

5 More Amazing Crete Gorges Nature Lovers Must Trek

2019-12-16 by Phil Butler

Richtis Waterfall

Crete is an unbelievable landscape cut by canyons and gorges for millions of years. The topography of the island is unique in that these rifts in the bedrock of the island form create hundreds of individual pockets of natural bounty. The island is even called the “land of gorges” since more than 400 canyons carve […]

Tags: alternative Crete, alternative travel, Crete activities, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, Crete gorges, Crete hiking, Crete nature, Crete outback, Crete trips, Hidden Crete

Hidden Crete: Secrets of the Gorge of Saints and Agiofarago

2019-12-14 by Phil Butler

Agiofarago Gorge

Agiofarago Gorge, is an amazing canyon in the south of Heraklion Prefecture tourists who visit the island paradise seldom know exists.

Tags: Agiofarago, Agiofarago Beach, Agiofarago Gorge, Cretan Beaches, Crete beaches, Crete caves, Crete destinations, Crete gorges, Crete Island, Crete landmarks, Crete myths, Crete roads, Crete secrets, Gorge of Saints, Heraklion prefecture, Heraklion secrets, Hidden Crete, matala, Odigitria Monastery, rituals, Sivas, Vourvoulitis Lake

The Best of August: Crete Instagram Love From Paradise

2019-08-27 by Phil Butler

Agia Pelagia

Time for some of the best shares from Crete in August via Instagram. As the summer winds down, Crete experiences to remember get share time.

Tags: Agios Isidoros Beach, Balos Lagoon, Cretan food, Cretan Summer, crete, Crete attractions, Crete beaches, Crete destinations, Crete resorts, Crete secrets, Daebelos Estate, Fodele, Fodele Beach Resort, Greece attractions, Greece beaches, Phaistos Palace, Seitan Limania, Sougia, Thalori Retreat, Triopetra Beach, Vai Beach

The 4th Annual Ierapetra Tourism Festival Kicks Off

2019-07-28 by Aleksandr Shatskih

Ierapetra

The Municipality of Ierapetra, the Regional Unit of Lasithi, and the Region of Crete launched the 4th Annual Ierapetra Tourism Festival.

Tags: art festivals, Crete destinations, Crete festivals, Crete tourism, Ierapetra, Ierapetra events, Ierapetra Festival, Ierapetra tourism, Lassithi, Lassithi events, World Tourism Day

Crete’s Hidden Treasures: The Paximadia Islands

2019-07-10 by Phil Butler

Paximadia Islands

Instagram shares and some history of the amazing Paximadia Islands in the Gulf of Mesara in south Crete.

Tags: Apollo, Artemis, Crete destinations, Crete Instagrams, Crete legends, Crete myths, Elephanta islands, gods of Crete, Gulf of Mesara, Kokkinos Pyrgos, Mare Sud Diving Center, matala, Paximadia Islands

Experience Southern Crete: Sfakia and Beyond

2019-04-02 by Phil Butler

Chora Sfakion or Hora Sfakion

The Sfakia region is the largest municipality on Crete. Located in the extreme south of Chania Prefecture, this natural wonderland was once home to over 40,000 residents. Today, the region has less than 2,000 full-time residents spread out over an area of 468 square kilometers. Situated about 75 km from Chania city, Chora Sfakion (Hora […]

Tags: Agia Roumeli, Aradena Gorge, Askyfou Plateau, Chania, Chania Prefecture, Chora Sfakion, Cicada myth, Crete destinations, Crete regions, Hora Sfakia, Lourto, Samaria Gorge, Sfakia, Sfakia Beaches, Sfakia guide, Sfakians

5 Remote Places Nature Lovers Must Visit on Crete

2018-10-16 by Phil Butler

Sarakina

For travelers who want to escape the madness of urban life, Crete is an iconic natural wonderland just waiting. Here time stands still in the remote regions where eternity meets majestic landscapes. For those adventurous enough to seek out pristine nature and tranquility, here’s a new selection of Crete nature lover treasures off the beaten […]

Tags: Cretan Daily Cruises, crete, Crete destinations, Crete tours, Domata Beach, Glyka Nera Beach, Koufonissi Island, Stefanou Beach

10 Reasons “Crete” Should Be TripAdvisor’s Number One Destination

2018-03-22 by Phil Butler

Elafonisi Beach

TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Destinations of Europe 2018 were just announced, and Crete now sits at prestigious No. 4. However, us Minoans take great offense at not being chosen number one, since we gave you roads, usable toilets, and the world’s greatest EVER jewelry.

Tags: Agia Roumeli, crete, Crete adventure, Crete adventures, Crete destinations, Crete tours, Crete travel, Filoxenia, Incredible Crete, Matala Plain, Minoan treasures, raki, siga-siga, TripAdvisor

A Crete Cultural Gem: Lappa Was Polished by Time

2018-02-03 by Phil Butler

Argophilia shares some highlights from the wonderful village of Argyroupoli in the center of Rethymno Provence. The Ancient city of Lappa is amazing.

Tags: Arcus Luxury Suites, Argyroupoli, crete, Crete destinations, Crete villages, Lappa, Mouselas, Mouselas River, Pente Parthenes, Rethymno

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Featured Stories

Municipal Market of Chania April 26 2026

Great News, Chania! The Municipal Market Reopening Is Only Four Years Behind Schedule

Hersonissos Mayor Zacharias at PASOK-KINAL forum

Hersonissos Warns New Tourism Planning Rules Could Hurt Crete’s Future

Arkalochori Earthquake Survivors Await Recovery INZEB study

Five Years On, Arkalochori Earthquake Survivors Still Await Recovery

The Six Pufferfish Species Found in Greek Waters

Manolis Mylonakis Saves Another Life at Balos

Lifeguard Saves 10-Year-Old Boy from Drowning at Balos Lagoon

Why We Embrace AI

At Argophilia, we believe in using every tool at our disposal to bring you the stories that matter. You may notice a certain precision in our data analysis, a specific flair in our visuals, or a rapid turnaround on complex topics. That is no accident—it is the result of our rampant use of artificial intelligence.

We use Gemini to help synthesize data, structure our reporting, and ensure our news remains as sharp as the reality we cover. When it comes to our imagery, we rely on the creative power of Midjourney and NightCafe, unless otherwise noted in our editorial credits.

We are not apologetic for this. In a fast-moving world, these tools allow us to focus on what really counts: investigating the issues, giving a voice to the marginalized, and maintaining the journalistic integrity you expect from us. We see AI not as a replacement for human judgment, but as an engine that amplifies our ability to inform, analyze, and tell the truth about our island and beyond.

We are writers and journalists first—but we are proud to be tech-enabled ones, too.

How Public Relations in Hospitality Adapts to AI Technology banner

Your go-to guide for foraging cretan horta

Stories of Interest

drapeti fire AI illustration

Fire Near Drapeti, Heraklion Brought Under Control

2026-07-25 By Arthur Butler

A wildfire that broke out near Drapeti in Heraklion’s Minoa Pediada municipality was quickly contained by firefighters despite strong winds. Crews remain on site to prevent flare-ups.

Arvi banana festival AI illustration

Arvi’s Banana Festival Returns from 7 to 9 August

2026-07-25 By Argophilia Travel News

The 8th Arvi Banana Festival returns to southern Crete from August 7–9, 2026, with live music, theater, family entertainment, and Cretan hospitality.

Heraklion shelter AI illustration.

Heraklion Plans 20-Bed Support Center as Housing Shortage Strains Social Services

2026-07-25 By Mihaela Lica Butler

The Municipality of Heraklion is planning a new 20-bed support center for vulnerable residents, acknowledging that the city’s biggest challenge isn’t visible homelessness, but finding affordable housing for people who need a fresh start.

Municipal Market of Chania April 26 2026

Great News, Chania! The Municipal Market Reopening Is Only Four Years Behind Schedule

2026-07-25 By Arthur Butler

Chania completes tenant auctions for the historic Agora, targeting a December 4, 2026 grand reopening with a focus on local Cretan products.

affordable fitness

Heraklion Municipal Gyms Offer Affordable Fitness Across Two Modern Facilities

2026-07-25 By Manuel Santos

Heraklion Municipality opens modern fitness facilities at Pagkritio Stadium and Pateles for €30/month with full disability access.

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