Villa Iasonas
An old residence renovated completely in 2015 is between the old stone houses of the traditional settlement of Kournas Apokoronas. Villa Iasonas keeps the traditional…
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A magic route: Vamos - Argyroupoli
A stunning route who combine the tradition of the island, the beautiful beaches, the legends and the beauty of mother nature. This route with starting point...
Chania Original Routes
Hugging Psiloreitis
Searching for water, the source of life, we follow the route that connects Psiloreitis with the green valley of Mesara. We start from Gergeri and, especially,...
Heraklion Original Routes
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...
Heraklion Original Routes
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Easter customs
Do only lichnarakia, anevata (i.e. traditional sweets with mizithra), Easter eggs and roasted lamb or antikristo (i.e. lamb cooked opposite the fire) define Easter…
Crete Cretography
Tsekas the fisherman in Gramvousa
The fisherman that was the reason the traditional Cretan song “Stis Gramvousas to Akrotiri” to be created and sung was born at Vata of Lakonia in 1900. Nikolaos…
Crete Cretography
8 reasons to go to Crete for Christmas
Crete has been popular for summer holidays but that is not only the case. Crete is also a winter destination just as any other in the world. Crete, the island of…
Crete Magazine
The products of vineyard, the by-products and the edible grapes
The vineyard crop was an art coming from the Minoans since the First Minoan Years. About 4.000 years before, the grape was a necessary fruit in the diet of the…
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
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
Wedding's customs
The weddings in Crete are a very important event not only for the couple and their parents but also for the whole community. All the people take part in the joy…
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
From breeches’ Crete to trousers’ Crete
Have you wondered the importance of sariki (i.e. kerchief with fringes)? Why do the Cretans wear a black shirt? Which are the influences of the traditional Cretan…
Crete Cretography
Alidakis Tower
Location Emprosnero, Municipality of Apokoronas, 40 km from Chania History Built by Venetians, reconstructed by Turks, destroyed by Sfakians in 1774 Architecture Four…
Chania Historical Sites
Ombros Gialos (Ombrosgialos)
Location 26 km east of Chania Access Through the village of Palailoni Parking Small parking area near the beach Natural beauty Impressive cliffs…
Chania Beaches
Elliniki kamara (Greek Arch)
Location Between the villages of Vryses and Maza Access Chania-Rethymno National Road Other attractions Lush vegetation, springs, and the chapel…
Chania Historical Sites
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
Theriso
Location 16 km from Chania, nestled at the foot of the White Mountains Main Attractions Theriso Gorge, Cretan Revolution Museum, Venizelos’ headquarters…
Chania Towns and villages
Vamos
Location 26 km southeast of Chania Architecture Traditional kamarospita and konakia, built using local materials Attractions Old neighborhood, restored…
Chania Towns and villages
Samaria Gorge
Location 42 km south of Chania city Length 18 kilometers, with a hiking duration of 4-8 hours National Park Declared in 1962, part of the UNESCO…
Chania Canyons
Sfakiano gorge
Location 2 km east of Chora Sfakion Natural Landscape Rocky terrain, steep cliffs, rich flora with holm oaks, pines, cypresses, and stone pines Hiking The…
Chania Canyons
Martha
Location 54 km from Heraklion Population Approximately 180 residents Settlements Pera Martha (Evangelismos) and Pode Martha (Saint John the Theologian)…
Chania Towns and villages
Garazo
Location 40 km from the city of Rethymno, at the foothills of the Talaios mountains Population 305 residents (census) Attractions Turkish prisons,…
Rethimno Towns and villages
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
Anogeia
Anogeia of Milopotamos is a mountain town with important history and three holocausts. Anogeia preserves the Cretan tradition in the modern Crete. Anogeia is the…
Rethimno Towns and villages
Spili
Spili is a traditional, mountain settlement of the Agios Vasileios municipality in the Rethimno prefecture. The settlement is built amphitheatrically, on the western…
Rethimno Towns and villages
Sellia
Sellia is a village of the Agios Vasileios municipality and the Rethimno prefecture. Its local community is consisted of the settlements of Souda and Plakias. According…
Rethimno Towns and villages
Rodakino
Rodakino is one of the largest villages of the southern Rethimno prefecture. The village is on the foot of the Krioneritis Mountain, above the Rodakino beaches.…
Rethimno Beaches Towns and villages
Gerokampos
Location Αbout 75 km from Heraklion city Beach Quiet, unexplored, with sand and pebbles Facilities Limited, with taverns and a few accommodations…
Heraklion Beaches
Fodele beach
Location 3 km from the village of Fodele, 26 km from Heraklion Beach Sandy with crystal-clear turquoise waters and Blue Flag Amenities Western part…
Heraklion Beaches
Kastelli
Location 34 km from Heraklion Αltitude 340 meters History Discoveries of a Minoan settlement and the town’s name deriving from an ancient fortress…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Smari
Location: 27 km southeast of Heraklion Archaeological interest Acropolis of Smari, ancient settlement, significant finds Natural beauty Picturesque alleys,…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Achlada
Location 23 km northwest of Heraklion Residents Around 120 people History Mentioned in Venetian censuses as the fief of the Modinos brothers…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Charakas
Location 50 km south of Heraklion, at the foot of the Asterousia Mountains Population 1,000 residents (2011 census) Landmark The "Charaki" rock with…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Pervola
Location 55 km south of Heraklion Altitude 440 meters, offering beautiful countryside views Population 111 residents (according to the latest census)…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Keramoutsi
Location 18 km west of Heraklion, at an altitude of 440 meters History Founded by Venetians, it retains many architectural features from that period Residents 50…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Voni
Location Located in the Minoa Pediada municipality, 30 km from Heraklion Altitude 330 meters Population Around 600 Religious tourism Known for…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Tourloti
Location Located in the municipality of Archanes-Asterousia, 45 km from Heraklion Altitude 320 meters Residents Approximately 37 History The…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Karavados
Location50 km southeast of Heraklion, in the municipality of Minoa Pediada Altitude Approximately 250 meters Residents Around 300 Historical landmarks Five…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Milliarades
Location on Mount Dikti, 53 km from Heraklion Elevation 1,188 meters Inhabitants Around 230 Natural Environment The village is the endpoint…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Pefkos
Location 10 km east of Ano Viannos Elevation 2,141 meters Inhabitants Approximately 317 History First mentioned in 1583 by Kastrofylakas Churches Churches…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Emparos
Location 50 km from Heraklion and 15 km from Ano Viannos Elevation 430 meters Inhabitants Approximately 430 History Mentioned r in documents…
Heraklion Towns and villages
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
Archanes
Location 16 km from Heraklion Αltitude 380 meters Awards "Integrated Sustainable Settlement Development" Award (2000), Gold Environmental Award…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Vorizia
Location 53 km from Heraklion, on the southern slopes of Mount Psiloritis Attractions The Monastery of Varsamonero, dating back to the 18th century, is…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Museum of El Greco
Location 25 km from Heraklion Exhibition Replicas of El Greco’s works, information about his life, family, and painting room Architectural Features: Housed…
Heraklion Other Museums
Lygaria
Location 20 km west of Heraklion, 2 km from Agia Pelagia Beach Turquoise waters, coarse sand, sheltered from winds Facilities Sunbeds, umbrellas,…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Pantanassa
Location 14th km of the Heraklion – Rethymno National Road Small Port Picturesque harbor with traditional taverns offering fresh seafood Beach A…
Heraklion Beaches 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
Kalesia
Location Southwest of Heraklion Distance Ano and Kato Kalesia are about 300 meters apart Population Ano Kalesia ~300 residents, Kato Kalesia ~600…
Heraklion 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
Chondros
Location 64 km from Heraklion Attractions Picturesque chapels such as Saint Theodore, Saint Fanourios, Saint Nicholas, and Portela Gorge Population Approximately…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Tertsa
Location 90 km from Heraklion, 25 km from Ierapetra Population Approximately 70 residents, primarily engaged in agriculture Beach Coarse sand, unorganized,…
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
Kato Simi
Location 74 km from Heraklion, 30 km from Ierapetra. Natural environment A lush valley with rich vegetation and fruit-bearing trees Natural attractions Blavopotamos…
Heraklion Towns and villages
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
Voutes
Location On a hill near Heraklion, 12 km from the city Population Approximately 830 residents History Mentioned in Venetian records. Damaged by the…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Pitsidia
Location 65 km south of Heraklion Altitude 80 meters Attractions Traditional village with tourist facilities History Inhabited since 961 A.D.…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Panagia
Location 60 km south of Heraklion, near Zaros Altitude 380 meters Attractions Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary History Recorded since…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Kokkinos Pyrgos
Location 67 km from Heraklion and 2.5 km from Tympaki Beaches Two beaches: Katalyki (organized, sandy) and a western, unorganized beach (rocky and pebbly)…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
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
Lavirinthos musical workshop
Location 20 km from Heraklion Building Housed in an old mansion in Houdetsi’s village square Founder and Artistic Director Ross Daly, artistic…
Heraklion Other Museums
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
Treis Ekklisies
The Treis Ekklisies (i.e. three churches) coastal settlement is behind the imposing Asterousia Mountains in the end of the Ampas gorge. It is an area that makes…
Heraklion Beaches Towns and villages
Pirgou
The beautiful and traditional buildings and the two flour-mills in Kazola are worth visiting in Pirgou. Pirgou is 20 kilometers from Heraclion where, administratively,…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Pentamodi
Pentamodi is a quiet and picturesque village in the valley of the Gazanos River, 17 kilometers from Heraclion. Administratively, the village is under the extended…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Kato Asites
Kato Asites is a beautiful, mountain village on the foot of the Psiloreitis Mountain, 450 meters above the sea level. The distance of the village to Heraclion is…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Folklore Museum of Ano Asites
The Folklore Museum of Ano Asites was created in order to preserve and spread the manners and customs of the area. The building of the museum was bought by the…
Heraklion Culture Museums
Voulismeno Aloni
Voulismeno Aloni is a sightseeing of the area on the road to Damasta. It can be seen after about 5 kilometers, in the right side of the road and is a big crater…
Heraklion Climbing
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
Marathos
The mountainous Marathos village of the Malevizi municipality is about 20 kilometers from Heraclion and 300 meters above the sea level. The Marathianos River is…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Sivas
Sivas is one of the most beautiful villages in the Festos municipality, in the south-west side of Mesara plain. The settlement is built 110 meters above the sea…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Petrokefali
Petrokefali of the Festos municipality is a beautiful village with recently renovated rock houses and 59 kilometers from Heraclion. There are many coffee houses…
Heraklion Towns and villages
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
Cretan Ethnology Museum
The Cretan Ethnology Museum was found in 1982 in Voroi. It is a very important exhibit, research and conference constitution that aims to the substantial outlining…
Heraklion Historical Museums
Voroi
A very traditional and of high cultural importance village, Voroi, is 2-3 kilometers from Festos in the fertile plain of Mesara. Administratively Voroi falls under…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Nivritos
“I don’t believe that there is any village like Nivritos in a place full of flowers and near mountains”. The picturesque village is on the foot of the Ampelakia…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Megali Vrisi
Megali Vrisi is about 30 kilometers from Heraclion, in the north side of the basin of the Monafatsi district. The settlement is built amphitheatrically, 620 meters…
Heraklion Towns and villages
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
Dionisi
Dionisi is a small, picturesque village of the Gortyna municipality and 57 kilometers from Heraclion. The settlement is built on the northern foot of Asterousia…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Vagionia
On the foot of the Asterousia mountains, from where the Xilvestra torrent of the Geropotamos tributary is, the village of the Gortyna municipality, Vagionia…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Asimi
Asimi is in the Gortyna municipality and a modern town that serves the commercial, banking and other needs of the residents of the area. It is on the watershed…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Agia Varvara
Agia Varvara, of the Gortyna municipality, is the longest village in Crete. The village is built along the road of Heraclion to western Mesara. The distance between…
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
Mirtia
“ The family of my father comes from a village two hours from Megalo Kastro and is called Varvari “ Nikos Kazantzakis wrote in his book “Anafora ston Greko” and…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Metaxochori
The picturesque village of Metaxochori is built in the foot of a hill, 420 meters above the sea and 34 metres from Heraclion. The village belongs to the Archanes-Asterousia…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Maridaki
The coastal settlement of Maridaki is about 65 kilometers from Heraclion, behind the Asterousia Mountains. The small village is built at the end of the imposing…
Heraklion Towns and villages Beaches
Ligortinos
Ligortinos is a traditional village which is built 380 meters above the sea level. The beautiful view with the tiled alleys and the magnificent monuments, like…
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
Ethia
One of the most beautiful and traditional Cretan villages of Crete is Ethia in the Archanes-Asterousia Municipality. The village is about 55 kilometers from Heraclion,…
Heraklion Towns and villages
Astraki
Astraki is famous for its beautiful gorge that goes by the same name and it starts from there and also for the old Turkish quarter. The village is from the 12th…
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
Ziros
Location Situated at the eastern edge of the Ziros Plateau, 31 km from Sitia Settlements Includes Agia Irini, Agrilia, Kalo Chorio, Lamnoni, Xerokampos,…
Lasithi Towns and villages
Sitia
Location Northeastern Lasithi, 70 km from Agios Nikolaos Beaches Sitia's main beach, Blue Flag-awarded, 2.5 km long, with organized facilities and water…
Lasithi Beaches Towns and villages
Humeriako
Location 12 km from Agios Nikolaos, 3 km from Neapolis Population 174 residents (2011) History Inhabited since the Late Minoan era, an important…
Lasithi Towns and villages
Kastelli Fournis
Location 16 km from Agios Nikolaos Population 205 residents (2011 census) History Settled since 1400, the name comes from the Venetian word "Kastelium."…
Lasithi Towns and villages
Richtis gorge
Location Northern Lasithi region, near Exo Mouliana village, 25 km from Sitia Length Approximately 3 km Waterfall Richtis Waterfall, about 20 meters…
Lasithi Canyons
Gra Lygia
Location 5 km west of Ierapetra, 39 km south of Agios Nikolaos Wetland Bramiana Dam, an important wetland and bird sanctuary Population 1,528 inhabitants…
Lasithi Beaches Towns and villages
Agia Fotia
Location 12 km from Ierapetra, 45 km from Agios Nikolaos Beach Fine pebbles, crystal-clear waters, Blue Flag awarded Natural Beauty Surrounded by…
Lasithi Beaches Towns and villages
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…
