Excursions In Crete

Elafonisi
Elafonisi is a complex of beautiful gold sanded beaches, with crystal clear waters and a lagoon. It is surrounded by pink crystal sand full of sea shells. There is a well organized part and a non organized one for those who prefer privacy. Once you visit Elafonisi you will be amazed by its beauty and peacefulness There are plant life flowers and it is said that it is “the island of deers”.

Ellos
Ellos is a village near Elafonisi where you can have a walk through its alleys and have an excellent meal at the restaurants there. Ellos is well known for its chestnuts and the church of St Ioannis which was built on the 14th century.

Suggested extra time: at least 4 Hours

Archaiological Site of Malia
At the Archaiological Site of Malia you can sence the human presence that goes back to (6000-3000 BC). There have been found houses from 2500-2000 BC and the remains of a palace.

Voulisma Beach
Voulisma is 12km east of Agios Nikolaos and it is known as Golden Sand. It is one of the most beautiful beached of Crete filled with white sand which colouirs the sea with an exotic blue- grey colour. It is well- organized and you can enjoy your coffee either at the cafeteria above or at the beach . You should definitely visit this beach if you come to Crete!

Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is the capital city of the prefecture of Lassithi. It is located on the northern coast of Crete, on the western side of the Gulf of Mirabello, and it was named after the Byzantine church in the bay of Agios Nikolaos. Today’s city is built on the site of the ancient Lato pros Kamara, port of Lato Etera. What sets Agios Nikolaos apart is Lake Voulismeni, a small lagoon in the city center, which is referred to in several myths. According to the oldest legend, the goddesses Athena and Artemis bathed in it, while two famous urban myths claim the lake is bottomless and that it is connected to the volcano of Santorini, since it is assumed that in its last eruption, the surrounding warehouses of the lake were flooded.
The city of Agios Nikolaos is a quaint tourist resort with the main pillars of its development its beautiful beaches, its serenity and its picturesqueness. It is considered an ideal destination for everyone, young and old alike, as well as for explorers or those who want to spend their holidays in peace and quiet. Although it attracts thousands of tourists each year, you can easily explore areas without too much tourist development around the city.
The first impression that the city leaves is a genuine savor of Crete, as you will see elegant neoclassical buildings and you will be enchanted by the whitewashed houses that overlook the sea by taking just a single walk.

Suggested extra time: at least 4 Hours

Arkadi

Arkadi is located on a plateau 23 kilometers southeast of Rethymno. Arkadi is very famous for its beautiful and historic monastery, known as “monastery of Arkadi”. It is said that it was first constructed somewhere between 961 and 1014. This historic monastery was destroyed in 1866 during the Cretan revolution against the Ottoman Empire. Cretans who were hiding inside the monastery blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice rather than surrender when discovered by the Turkish army. Towards the end of the 16th century, the monastery underwent restorations which lasted twenty-five years and is believed to have begun in 1562. This magnificent piece of architecture and history will enchant every visitor

Preveli

Preveli beach, also known as Lake Preveli or Phoenix, is situated about 35 km. south of Rethymnon and 10 km east of Plakias, at the outlet of the river Megalopotamos. The landscape has been described as one of the most beautiful ones in Europe, as the key feature at the banks of the river is the second largest palm-tree forest hosting the endemic species of the Cretan Date Palms (Phoenix Theophrasti). The place, as well as the wider area, owes its name to the nearby historical monastery of Preveli, which is dedicated to Agios Ioannis the Theologian. One can access Preveli beach by road or by boat from Agia Galini and Plakias. From the land the descent is relatively easy, as it takes only 15 minutes, while the ascent can seem quite tedious as the uphill slope is quite steep; but, no matter how tired you are, you will be fully rewarded as soon as you see the exotic beach and the palm forest from above, a small blue paradise with blue crystal clear water. A walk or a bike ride along the banks of the river through the palm trees to the Kourtaliotiko Gorge is a unique experience for most visitors to Preveli. In addition, visitors have the unique opportunity to swim in both salty water and fresh water of the river, while admiring the waterfalls and wild vegetation, bringing an exotic setting to mind.

Plakias

Plakias is a seaside resort in the prefecture of Rethymnon in southern Crete. It is an area that has been famous since ancient times, as it is considered to have been the ancient city of Lamon. There are two versions of how it got its name: the first one states that a large necropolis was found in the region of Zoodochos Pigi [Spring of Life]. There were no tombstones in the necropolis; when they were later found scattered on the slope they gave the name to the area [Plakias = slab]. According to the second version, the name comes from the fact that it was built on a large slope. In 1960 the beach of Plakias was a very popular destination for hippies, which experienced a significant tourist development in 1970. The main beach of Plakias, located at the mouth of Kotsifos river, covers an area of ​​1.5 km up to Cape Mouri or Psarelas. It is a well-organized sandy beach, with shallow water, ideal for families with children, while along the beach there are taverns and small hotels. The area is one of the windiest on Crete, since due to its huge surface the beach is pretty exposed, yet the panoramic view it offers can take your breath away. Many say that the sunset in Plakias may truly enchant you. There are a lot of beaches besides the main one, while two of them are beaches for nudists.

Its crystal clear water have led to the development of the area in the last 50 years, as activities in Plakias are numerous, all year round: underwater exploration, diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, hiking, horseback riding, cave and gorge exploration and daily boat trips to the enchanting beach of Preveli, Sfakia, Loutro and to the entrance of the gorge of Samaria, Agia Roumeli.

Suggested extra time: at least 4 Hours

Balos

Balos beach and the islet of Gramvousa are located at the northwestern tip of Crete, 56 km northwest of the city of Chania. Balos is the exotic lagoon-like white powdery beach cradled between the rugged Gramvousa peninsula and Cape Tigani. It is considered to be a blue paradise and a wonder of nature, since the hallmark of the lagoon is the distinctive jade-green color of its waters combined with the fine pinkish sand and the crushed shell fossils. The sea is quite shallow and warm, an ideal destination for small children while, beyond the rocks, the waters are deeper and a bit cooler.

Chania

Chania is situated in northwestern Crete. The city of Chania is divided into two separate parts: the Old and the New City. The old city is built around the Venetian port and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Mediterranean. In various parts of the old city the traveler can find many samples of all the civilizations that have passed from it. The ancient city was centered on Kastelli Hill, a natural fortress by the port fortified by walls that surrounded the citadel, which has been inhabited since the late Neolithic Times. Here one can see the palace of the High Commissioner of the Cretan State, as well as archeological sites that date back to the Minoan era. In the picturesque alleys of the old city there are many taverns and cafés overlooking the port or one of the many small churches located in the area.

A little further to the south from the square of the Cathedral Temple of Virgin Mary (Trimartyri), there is the New Stores Square, which forms the boundary of the new city. The official name of the square is Square 1866. The square was named in honor of the great Cretan revolution (1866-1869) against the Ottomans. The shops of the city have been located there since the early 20th century, while today there are also quite a lot of quaint shops and small traditional cafés. There are also urban and intercity bus stations. There are countless sightseeing options in Chania, as well as mountains and villages that will give you a glimpse into the wider life of Crete.

Suggested extra time: at least 5 Hours

Vai

The Vai palm forest in Crete is located in the prefecture of Lassithi, at the eastern end of Crete, at a distance of about 20 km from Sitia. It is one of the 19 aesthetic forests of Greece due to the endemic Cretan palm tree, which has been known since the Minoan era. The palm tree forest of Vai is considered the largest and most beautiful palm tree colony in Europe. The area of ​​the forest is 20 hectares and the name comes from the Cretan dialect, since the locals call the palm trees Vagies or Vagia. In 1970, when the hippies were sent away from Matala, they found refuge in Vai, turning the area into a huge landfill. In 1980, it was declared a protected area and got cleaned, while today it is one of the beaches of Crete that bear the Blue Flag of the European Union. The heavenly palm forest is planted on a large wetland of 250 acres with brackish water gushing from the ground. The area between the palm forest and the beach is also an important wetland for avifauna, while a huge wealth of marine life develops in the sea. One thing is certain: the palm trees in combination with the beach carries the visitor to a tropical Caribbean island.

City of Siteia

Siteia is a coastal city located 65 km from Agios Nikolaos. It is well known for its many beautiful beaches and it is a highly touristic area with many monuments.

Suggested extra time: at least 3 Hours

Gortyna

The ancient city of Gortyna is located 45 km south of Heraklion. The civilization thrived between 1600 – 1100 B.C. and it is of great historic value.

Faistos

Faistos is located 62 km southwest of Heraklion. Mentioned in many ancient texts, Faistos was the second largest and greatest ancient civilization after Knossos. The infamous “Discus of Faistos” discovered from archaeologists in 1908 during excavations in the area, has yet to be deciphered and its purpose remains a mystery to this day although many theories have been proposed.

Zaros Lake

Zaros lake is located 45 km southwest of Heraklion. The area is well known for the brand of bottled water sourced from Votomos spring and the bottling facilities. Around the lake visitors can find many taverns and resting places. The area is overgrown with trees, a trout farm and an artificial lake. At the exit of the village there is also a lovely gorge.

Suggested extra time: at least 4 Hours

Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a small isle located in the northern Gulf of Elounda in the lovely Mirabello Bay, Prefecture of Lassithi. Spinalonga was a taboo subject for many years, as it was considered an equivalent for the pain and misery of the people suffering from Hansen’s disease (leprosy) who spent their lives there, isolated from the rest of the community. However, in all this pain and suffering, the banished inhabitants of this isolated isle formed a thriving community and managed to live with dignity; they built schools, taverns even hospitals, in order to continue their lives and education. As soon as you take the first step onto Spinalonga, you will see the cobbled streets of the magnificent civilization that those people developed and you will feel the strength they had despite their illness. In 1957 the last patient left and the island was closed down in an effort to wipe away the difficult years and all the pain suffered in Spinalonga, while in 1970 the island was declared a protected archeological site, the buildings were demolished and the walls were preserved. After a few years, Victoria Hislop published her renowned novel “The Island” with reference to the isle of Spinalonga, a book that demolished the walls of prejudice around the island and make us relive the pain of the people who lived, passed or died on the island. Today, Spinalonga is considered one of the most important attractions on Crete, with thousands of visitors paying tribute to the greatness of the human soul.

Elounta Bay

Elounda is a city on the north coast of the island of Crete that belongs to the municipality of Agios Nikolaos. It is located 10 km from Agios Nikolaos and 65 km from Heraklion. It is a famous destination with a magnificent landscape and lots of luxury hotels.  The once quaint fishing village of Mirabello has stunning beaches and a coastline sheltered from the winds. It is the ideal place for those who want to spend their holidays in a place without the presence of too many tourists, yet without being too isolated. If you come to Elounda, it is worth exploring the surrounding area and visiting Plaka, a traditional fishing village with a fishing shelter and pebble beaches with crystal clear water. It is located opposite Spinalonga on the west coast of Elounda Lagoon.

Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos is the capital city of the prefecture of Lassithi. It is located on the northern coast of Crete, on the western side of the Gulf of Mirabello, and it was named after the Byzantine church in the bay of Agios Nikolaos. Today’s city is built on the site of the ancient Lato pros Kamara, port of Lato Etera. What sets Agios Nikolaos apart is Lake Voulismeni, a small lagoon in the city center, which is referred to in several myths. According to the oldest legend, the goddesses Athena and Artemis bathed in it, while two famous urban myths claim the lake is bottomless and that it is connected to the volcano of Santorini, since it is assumed that in its last eruption, the surrounding warehouses of the lake were flooded.

The city of Agios Nikolaos is a quaint tourist resort with the main pillars of its development its beautiful beaches, its serenity and its picturesqueness. It is considered an ideal destination for everyone, young and old alike, as well as for explorers or those who want to spend their holidays in peace and quiet. Although it attracts thousands of tourists each year, you can easily explore areas without too much tourist development around the city.

The first impression that the city leaves is a genuine savor of Crete, as you will see elegant neoclassical buildings and you will be enchanted by the whitewashed houses that overlook the sea by taking just a single walk.

Suggested extra time: approximately 4 Hours

Fodele

It is a small village with beautiful churches, known for its beach/bay.

Mpali

It is an organized complex made up by four different bays (Livadi, Varkotopos, Limani and Karavostasi- considered to be the most beautiful of the four) known for their beauty and crystal clear water. It also offers a variety of restaurants.

Rethymno

Rethymno is considered one of the most beautiful cities of Crete packed with rich history. It is a combination of the beautiful old town, museums, the port, the bay of Rethymno, picturesque alleys, a large variety of restaurants and bars and elegant architecture.

Suggested extra time: at least 4 Hours

Knossos

See the myths unraveling in front of your eyes by touring the fascinating ancient civilization of Knossos, said to be the oldest city in Europe.

Walk amongst the intriguing ancient artifacts of prehistoric Crete.

Koules

Build somewhere between 1520 and 1540, Koules has become one of Heraklion’s most iconic places, for its location and rich history.

Heraklion city center

Packed with restaurants, bars, hidden gems, clothing shops, historic churches, picturesque alleys, a beautiful mixture of what the old and the new city have to offer.

Suggested extra time: approximately 4 Hours