The best part of finding a villa in Greece or a villa in Crete, in particular, for foodies is knowing that you can both eat out and enjoy cooking for your loved ones as per your own whims and plans for each day. Prepare picnics to bring on days at the beach, take a break during your activities to come home and enjoy lunch and relax for a while, enjoy leisurely breakfasts by the pool or sitting out with a good book, or make dinners while everyone chats around the kitchen before gathering around and savouring a delicious meal and good conversation on a balmy night under the moonlight – it's up to you! However, if you're looking to prepare some delicious meals while on vacation in Crete, you're probably in the market (excuse the pun) for some of the freshest and best ingredients, like impossibly tasty produce grown in rich Greek soil and perfectly ripened by the sun, fish caught just that day, delicious local wines and olive oil, and much more besides. Well, if you are looking to stock your rental with the best of the best ingredients, then you should plan a trip to the wonderful market town of Moires!
Moires is located 50k south of Heraklion and is an agricultural hub that is in the centre of the exceptionally fertile Messara valley. This part of the island is truly at the core of Crete and has been wildly beloved and battled over for thousands of years due to the bountiful harvests produced there. As one approaches Moires, they will pass wonderfully scented lands blanketed in vineyards, olive groves, mandarin and lemon tress, and greenhouses stuffed with vegetables and fruits of all kinds stretching as far as the eye can see. With such a true cornucopia on offer, it is no wonder that Moires became essentially the market town of Crete.
Taking place each Saturday morning, the Moires market is the largest traditional market in Crete and you'll find a rather authentic and traditional affair with a specifically Cretan flair. Large flocks of other tourists are relatively uncommon, instead, you'll find locals sitting together in cafes, eating in restaurants, drinking in tavernas, catching up, wandering around, and listening to live Cretan music. It is a bustling, lively, and exciting event for foodies who yearn for unique and authentic culinary experiences.
Taking place each Saturday morning, the Moires market is the largest traditional market in Crete and you'll find a rather authentic and traditional affair with a specifically Cretan flair. Large flocks of other tourists are relatively uncommon, instead, you'll find locals sitting together in cafes, eating in restaurants, drinking in tavernas, catching up, wandering around, and listening to live Cretan music. It is a bustling, lively, and exciting event for foodies who yearn for unique and authentic culinary experiences.
With market stalls lining the broad main street for over 2km, you'll find all sorts of things for sale at the market, serving the local, rural customer base. There are stalls selling fruit and vegetables, children's toys, herbs, spices, clothes, homewares, tools, souvenirs, olive oil, and more, all set up along the road, next to the coffee shops and eateries, where locals sit out and watch the world go by before getting their own shopping done at the market. Expect people haggling, friends greeting each other, relaxed individuals wandering in a leisurely manner through the stalls, scooters passing by, and lots of activity. It can be a bit hectic but for those who love markets it is undeniably authentic and dynamic!
So, if you are a serious foodie who is looking to stock up your pantry while you enjoy one of our stunning villas in Crete, then be sure to set aside some time to head to the town of Moires and this agricultural hub at the heart of the island on a Saturday morning to find absolutely everything that you could possibly need for the kitchen and much more besides, all in one place, while soaking up the experience of market day like a local. Be sure to add this outing to your list of must-try culinary adventures for your vacation in Greece.
So, if you are a serious foodie who is looking to stock up your pantry while you enjoy one of our stunning villas in Crete, then be sure to set aside some time to head to the town of Moires and this agricultural hub at the heart of the island on a Saturday morning to find absolutely everything that you could possibly need for the kitchen and much more besides, all in one place, while soaking up the experience of market day like a local. Be sure to add this outing to your list of must-try culinary adventures for your vacation in Greece.
Photo credits
Picture 1: skymuss / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 1: skymuss / CC BY-SA 3.0;
