Discover hotels for July in Crete, Greece

Thank Zeus (or Hera, or Poseidon) that Theseus dealt with that pesky minotaur, because now the coast is clear for the rest of us to enjoy Crete in peace. There’s still plenty of adventure to be had, though: hike wildflower-scented gorges or the mountains that mark the birthplace of gods, then choose between turquoise lagoons and candyfloss-pink beaches for a Hypnos-approved rest. Byzantine monasteries, Ottoman mosques and Chania’s Venetian harbour show off the island’s imperial heritage, and the ancient ruins at Knossos, Malia, Zakros and Phaistos will impress even the most reluctant of historians.