From the Palaces and historical places to the dew of the Cretan Sea
From ancient Gortyna to the picturesque village of Sivas, from Sivas to the historic and beautiful monastery Odigitrias and from the monastery Odigitrias to...
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Lappa ancient
The Lappa ancient city was one of the most important cities in Crete that, according to the Mycenaean traditions, was founded by Agamemnonas. Lappa was in the place…
Rethimno Archaeological Areas
Ancient city of Gortys
The archaeological site of the ancient city of Gortys or Gortina is 45 kilometers in the south of Heraclion, in the west side of the Agioi Deka settlement. The…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Ancient Lato
The ancient Lato city was about 3 kilometers in the north of Kritsa of the Agios Nikolaos municipality, in Lasithi. It was protected due to its geographical position…
Lasithi Archaeological Areas
The Legend of the Minotaur
Knossos was the centre of one of the most potent ancient civilisation of the entire world. The king of this period, Minos gave his name to this civilisation. Minos…
Crete Cretography
The healing herbs
The flora of Crete is very important due to the mild and hot climate. There are 2000 different plant species and 160 of them are indigenous. The large number of…
Crete Cretography
Custom of Klidonas
The custom of Klidonas is rooted from the ancient times and mentioned in various texts of the ancient historians. The word “Klidonas” came from the ancient word…
Crete Cretography
Tsikoudia -the medicine
The alcohol extracts were used in medicine and perfumery, in the ancient Greece. The traditional Cretan tsikoudia is a very famous product of the vineyard as, apart…
Crete Cretography
Honey, the liquid medicine of our diet
The Cretan honey was famous in all over the world from the ancient times due to its taste and its thyme (honey with thyme). Beekeeping in Crete has been popular…
Crete Cretography
Cretan wines
“The wine makes the poor rich in imagination and the rich poor in reality” Plato The wine in Crete has been produced since the Minoan Years. The Minoans cultivated…
Crete Cretography
Cretan cheese
The value of cheese has been appreciated by the ancient Greeks. The first references of goat and sheep breeding in Crete have been in the Greek mythology. Chased…
Crete Cretography
“Mantinada: The Cretan Heart”
Mantinada is words combined in order to create a couplet with fifteen syllables and rhyming expressing feelings, thoughts or even the everyday life of the Cretans.…
Crete Cretography
Cretan diet: the treatment on your plate!
The pure ingredients, produced by the fertile land of Crete combined with a fabulous way, are the feature of the Cretan diet that is famous for its wonderful tastes…
Crete Cretography
Cretan dances
The dances of Crete are danced by men and women and remind the imposing and dynamic presence of the people of the island. The Cretan dances are divided into two…
Crete Cretography
The dialect of Crete
The Cretan dialect includes words that came from and were influenced by the various nations inhabited in Crete that were adapted and changed in order to have the…
Crete Cretography
Vendetta, a negative feature
A negative feature of the Cretan customs is vendetta, the revengeful murder that sooths the retributive justice. The law of retribution started to take place in…
Crete Cretography
Chania
Location Chania, Crete Population 53,000 inhabitants Architecture A blend of Venetian, Ottoman, and traditional architecture Old and Modern City Chania is divided…
Chania Towns and villages
Maritime Museum of Crete
The Maritime Museum of Crete is near the port of Chania, next to the entrance of the Firka fortress. The museum was founded in order to preserve the naval traditions…
Chania Other Museums
Αncient city of Falasarna
Location Western Crete, Gramvousa Peninsula Timeline 4th and 3rd centuries BCE Significance Major trade hub, connected with Alexandria Currency Featured a woman’s…
Chania Archaeological Areas
Falasarna
Location 60 km west of Chania, Crete Beaches Award-winning Pachia Ammos, other smaller beaches to the north and south Activities Windsurfing, water sports Archaeology…
Chania Beaches Towns and villages
Chrisoskalitissa monastery
Location 72 km southwest of Chania, overlooking the Libyan Sea Architecture A dazzling white monastery with fortress-like architecture perched on a 35-meter…
Chania Monasteries
Palaiochora
Location 70 km southwest of Chania, built on a peninsula between two bays Sights the Venetian fortress of Selino, the Museum of the Akrites of Europe…
Chania Beaches Towns and villages
Kourna lake
Location 4 km south of Georgioupolis, on the border of Chania and Rethymno History Ancient name "Korisia," current name from the Arab period Dimensions 579…
Chania Lakes
Georgioupoli
Location 40 km east of Chania, 20 km west of Rethymno Rivers Almyros and Perastikos, contributing to the natural lake and lush vegetation Beach 10…
Chania Beaches Towns and villages
Loutro
Location 71 km south of Chania Access By foot or boat from Sfakia, Agia Roumeli, Sougia, Paleochora, Gavdos. History Connected to the ancient city…
Chania Beaches Towns and villages
Agia Roumeli
Location 58 km south of Chania Natural Environment Exit of the Samaria Gorge Access By hiking or sea transport Beaches Main beach split…
Chania Beaches Towns and villages
5. Sougia - Agia Roumeli
The fifth route of the E4 European Long Distance Path in Crete is 20 kilometers long and lasts 8 to 9 hours. You should follow it from April to September and the…
Chania E4
4. Palaiochora - Sougia
The fourth route of the E4 European long distance Path is about 14,5 kilometers and lasts about 4 and a half hours. The ideal time of the year in order to visit…
Chania E4
1. Kasteli Kissamou - Sfinari
The E4 European long distance path of Crete starts from Kasteli Kissamou of the Chania prefecture. The total length of the Kasteli Kissamou-Sfinari route is about…
Chania E4
Melidoni Cave
Location 2 km from Melidoni village, 27 km from Rethymno Altitude 220 meters Stalactite Chambers Heroes' Room, Crossroads, Pasley, Sinkhole Chamber Historical…
Rethimno Caves
Plakias
Location South of Rethymno, 35 km away Amenities Hotels, cafés, tavernas, shops, post office, guesthouses Activities Water sports, boat trips to…
Rethimno Beaches Towns and villages
Platis river
The Platis or Amarianos River is supplied from the Amari valley and ends to the eastern side of the coastal settlement of Agia Galini. Platis was thought as the…
Rethimno Rivers
A walk in the narrow streets of the Rethimno city can travel the visitor to other epochs. Buildings of the Venetian style, tiled streets and smiling and hospitable…
Rethimno Towns and villages
Argyroupoli
Argyroupoli is one of the most beautiful villages of the Rethimno prefecture, on the hill between the springs of the Petre and Mousela Rivers after which the names…
Rethimno Towns and villages
Panormo
Panormo is a traditional, coastal settlement of the Milopotamos municipality and the Rethimno prefecture. The picturesque village is about 22 kilometers from Rethimno…
Rethimno Beaches Towns and villages
Mpali
Mpali in the Rethimno prefecture is one of the most beautiful tourist places of the northern beaches of Crete. The coastal settlement is 32 kilometers from Rethimno…
Rethimno Beaches Towns and villages
Idaion Antron cavern
The Idaion Antron is near the picturesque town of Anogeia with the important history and the impressive myths. The cavern is 1500 meters above the sea level and…
Rethimno Caves
Sachtouria
The picturesque settlement of the Agios Vasileios municipality in the Rethimno prefecture, Sachtouria, is in a very beautiful area, in the north-western side of…
Rethimno Towns and villages
Agia Galini
Agia Galini is a very picturesque coastal settlement, 60 kilometers from Rethimno and about 70 kilometers from Heraclion. It “hangs” over the beautiful small port…
Rethimno Beaches Towns and villages
Episkopi
Location 18 km from Heraklion Museums Argyraion War Ethnological Museum Sights G. Panagiotakis Municipal Park Venetian Monuments The Tower and…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Fortress of Palaiokastro
Location 15 km from Heraklion on the national road to Chania Historical Significance Venetian fortress built in 1573 to protect the Gulf of Heraklion…
Heraklion Historical Sites
Smari
Location: 27 km southeast of Heraklion Archaeological interest Acropolis of Smari, ancient settlement, significant finds Natural beauty Picturesque alleys,…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Αncient Gortys
Location 45 km south of Heraklion, next to the settlement of Agioi Deka Sights Roman Odeon, Great Inscription, Church of the Virgin Mary, Roman sculptures,…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Avli
Location 35 km from Heraklion, in the municipality of Minoa Pediada Elevation Built on a hill near the Avliotiko River Inhabitants Approximately…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Ano Viannos
Location 38 km from Ierapetra Altitude 560 m Attractions Agia Moni Monastery, churches of Agia Pelagia, Agios Georgios Population 900…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Archanes
Location 16 km from Heraklion Αltitude 380 meters Awards "Integrated Sustainable Settlement Development" Award (2000), Gold Environmental Award…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Tsoutsouros
Location Located approximately 60 km south of Heraklion Population The settlement is divided into Tsoutsouros and Pera Tsoutsouros, with the population significantly…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Fodele
Fodele, a picturesque village on Crete’s northern coast, is located 25 km west of Heraklion, along the national road to Chania. The village is set in a lush green…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Palaiokastro
Location 8 km from Heraklion, a coastal village in the Malevizi municipality. Historical Significance Venetian fortress built on the acropolis of the…
Heraklion Historical Sites Beaches Towns and villages
Agia Pelagia
Location 20 km west of Heraklion Nature and landscape Lush vegetation, beaches with crystal-clear waters Beaches Main beach, Filakes, Kladissos,…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Psari Forada
Location 90 kilometers southeast of Heraklion Beach Dark gray sand, clean and calm waters, organized with sunbeds and umbrellas Activities Water sports, beach…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Keratokampos
Location 70 km southeast of Heraklion Beach 7 km long, with coarse pebbles and golden sand Gorges Portela Gorge History Ruins of the ancient city of Keraia…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Agios Antonios Monastery
Location Exit of Arvi Gorge, 90 km from Heraklion History Built on the ruins of the temple of Arvios Zeus Religious significance Two churches dedicated…
Heraklion Monasteries
Afrati
Location 45 km southeast of Heraklion. Population Approximately 175 residents Archaeological Interest The ancient city of Arcadia (Arkades) was located…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Agia Eirini
Just a few kilometers north of Heraklion, only 8 km from the city center, lies the picturesque area of Agia Irini, a green haven of peace, perfect for a quick escape…
Heraklion Forest Monasteries Towns and villages
Knossos
Location 5 km southeast of Heraklion Timeline Inhabited from the 7th millennium to Roman times Architecture Multi-story palace covering 22,000 sq.m.…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Phaistos
Location Tymbaki, 63 km southwest of Heraklion History Inhabited from the Neolithic period to the Minoan palaces era Palaces The first palace was built in…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Kalamaki
Location 67 km south of Heraklion Beach The largest beach in southern Crete (2.5 km) with coarse sand and a rocky seabed Activities Ideal for water…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Ano Moulia
Location Mountainous village of the Gortyna Municipality, 35 km south of Heraklion Αltitude 640 meters History First mentioned in 1248, with significant…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Ηoudetsi
Location 23 km from Heraklion Αltitude of 440 m. Population Approximately 863 residents Main occupations Agriculture, tourism, trade, and technical…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Spiliotissa monastery
The picturesque Panagia Spiliotissa monastery is between Agios Vasileios and Choudetsi and 22 kilometers from Heraclion. In order to reach the monastery, you have…
Heraklion Monasteries
Agioi Deka
Agioi Deka is one of the most important villages in Mesara archaeologically and the ruins of the ancient city of Gortyna are there. The settlement is built on the…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Gorge of Venerato
The gorge of Venerato is a very small gorge, 500 meters long and with a natural beauty. The gorge is between Venerato and the Paliani Monastery and 17 kilometers…
Heraklion Canyons
Ano Asites
Ano Asites is a settlement of the former Malevizi district of the Heraclion municipality. It is a village of a high environmental, cultural and archaeological interest.…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Agios Mironas
The Agios Mironas settlement is exquisite for its architecture and its cultural activities. Administratively, the village is under the former Malevizi district,…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Tilisos
Tilisos is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Tilisos and is in the eastern foot of Psiloreitis. The name of the settlement has been used for over 3.400…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Pompia
Pompia is one of the most beautiful and important villages in the Festos municipality. It is in an area full of olive groves and vineyards, next to the imposing…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Matala
The village of hippies, Matala, is approximately 70 kilometers in the south of Heraclion and is one of the most famous coastal settlements of the southern Crete.…
Heraklion Towns and villages Beaches
Kastelli
Kastelli, in the former district of Kainourrgio, in the Festos municipality, is in the southern foot of Psiloreitis, very close to the fortress of Castel Nuovo.…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Chrisostomo
Chrisostomo is a small coastal settlement, approximately 75 kilometers from Heraclion and 2 kilometers in the east of Kaloi Limenes. According to findings, the…
Heraklion Towns and villages Beaches
Kaloi Limenes
Many beautiful and clean beaches are in Kaloi Limenes. Kaloi Limenes is 77 kilometers from Heraclion and it can be accessed by the asphalted road that goes through…
Heraklion Towns and villages Beaches
Monastery of Agios Nikolaos
The small temple of Agios Nikolaos from the 14th century is only preserved today from the important Zaros monastery. The church is 900 meters from the southern…
Heraklion Monasteries
Zaros
The beautiful and interesting town of Zaros is built 45 kilometers from Heraclion and is included in the Festos municipality. It is in the southern foot of the…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Vakiotes
A rock appears between olive trees in the Sokara area and some wine presses and rooms are carved on it. They were used as safe-keeping places and this is the archaeological…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Rizinia
The ruins of the ancient city of Rizinia are on the Patella hill, 2 kilometers from Prinias. The city flourished as an independent community from the Sub-Minoan…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Prinias
Prinias is a village of a high archaeological importance in Crete and one of the most beautiful settlements of the prefecture of Heraclion. It is 25 kilometers…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Platanos
Platanos of the Kainourio district and the Gortyna municipality is 51 kilometers from Heraclion, 100 meters from Mesara plain. Two tombs have been excavated from…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Panasos
Panasos is a small, picturesque village of Gortyna municipality. It is 35 kilometers from Heraclion and 450 meters above the sea level. The beautiful settlement…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Lentas
The coastal settlement of Lentas, of the Gortyna municipality, is built on the ruins of the ancient city of Levin ( «Λεβήν»). Lentas is in the southern sides of…
Heraklion Towns and villages Beaches
Korakies
A Middle and Post Minoan settlement and a Protopalatial cemetery were found in Koumasa, the two-peaked hill of Korakies. There are four tombs (three vaults and…
Heraklion Archaeological Areas
Kapetaniana
“In Kapetaniana, whoever believes in God, he talks to Him”, Thanos Mikroutsikos. A heaven on Earth is in the holly hill of Kofina and stares the Libyan sea. Kapetaniana…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Monastery of Panagia Kardiotissa
The old monastery of Panagia Kardiotissa is in a magnificent and verdant area. Some kilometers before the village of Agios Thomas (coming from Heraclion), in the…
Heraklion Monasteries
Gergeri
Gergeri is a large village in the southern foot of Psiloreitis and is built between impressive and steep cliffs. The wonderful forest of Rouvas is above the village.…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Roman tombs in Agios Thomas
The most impressive tomb of Crete is in Agios Thomas, in Gria Mantra. The monolithic Roman tombs are preserved in a very good condition. The path in the south of…
Heraklion Historical Sites
Agios Thomas
Agios Thomas is a place with an imposing landscape, dense vegetation and a magnificent view. The carved winepresses, the Roman tombs, the Melissa fortress, the…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Tefeli
Tefeli is about 12 kilometers from Pirgos and, administratively, it comes under the Archanes- Asterousia municipality. Aposelemi and Pirathi fall under the local…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Pretoria
Pretoria is a beautiful traditional village with paved alleys and yards full of many different flowers. The village is in the rich plain of Mesara between olive…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Kounavoi
Kounavoi, the traditional village of Archanes-Asterousia Municipality, is where the Minoan city of Eltinia was. The settlement dominates in a small plain in the…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Paths of Achentria
In the Achentrias settlement, in the Archanes-Asterousia municipality of the prefecture of Heraclion, there are many hiking options. You can either wander in the…
Heraklion Hiking Trails
Astritsi
In Kato Vrisi, in Astritsi, someone can find a forgotten part of the paradise. Administratively, Astritsi belongs to the Archanes- Asterousia Municipality,…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Krasi
Location 47 km from Heraklion Altitude Around 600 m Natural Highlights 1,800-2,000-year-old plane tree, Azilakodasos and Chamoprina forests History References from…
Lasithi Towns and villages
Minoan and Roman Mansions of Makris Gialos
A Minoan and a Roman mansion have been found in the south-eastern coastal Makris Gialos settlement of the Lasithi prefecture. The Minoan mansion was found in Plakakia.…
Lasithi Archaeological Areas
Plateau of Lasithi
Location 70 km from Heraklion Altitude 900 meters History Inhabited since the Neolithic era, it remained uninhabited during the Venetian era due…
Lasithi Plateaus
Minoan Palace of Zakros
The Minoan Palace of Zakros is the fourth largest ancient palace in Crete after those of Knosos, Festos and Malia. It is 500 meters from Kato Zakros, 8 kilometers…
Lasithi Archaeological Areas
Zakros
Zakros is one of the most picturesque villages of Crete that combines the natural beauty with the alternative activities and the important archaeological sites.…
Lasithi Towns and villages
Archaeological Museum of Ierapetra
The Archaeological Museum of Ierapetra has been working since 1986 in the Commercial Ottoman School in the center of the city. The exhibits concern the area and…
Lasithi Archaeological Museums
Ierapetra
The awarded city for its wonderful beaches, Ierapetra, is the unique city in the southern Crete and the last city in the southern end of Europe. Ierapetra is about…
Lasithi Beaches Towns and villages
Spinaloga
The island of the tears and the island of the leppers are some of the characterizations of the beautiful and historical Spinaloga. Spinaloga is in the north of…
Lasithi Archaeological Areas Historical Sites
Kritsa
The picturesque and beautiful Kritsa village with important archaeological findings is in the Agios Nikolaos municipality of the Lasithi prefecture. The village…
Lasithi Towns and villages
Elounta
The amazing and magnificent Elounta is known for the powerful and famous people from all over the world that visit it. Its beaches, its clean, blue sea, and the…
Lasithi Beaches Archaeological Areas Towns and villages
Agios Nikolaos
Agios NIkolaos, the beautiful capital of the Lasithi prefecture, is in the west side of the Meramvelo peninsula. The Voulismeni Lake in the center of the city is…