Zaros lake is the biggest artificial lake in Heraklion prefecture and has a surrounding environment that is quite developed. The landscape is beautiful, green and ideal for excursions. Furthermore, you can pay a visit to the immersive forest of Rouvas and the fountain of Votomos which are both located within walking distance from Zaros lake. Some of the things you can do are: walking around the lake, sit on a bench and enjoy the scenery, experience the fauna and flora of the area or enjoy…
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Kali limenes (i.e. Good Ports) is located 75km southwest of Heraklion and is the largest seaside village in Asterousia Mountains. It is one of the very few coastal areas of Asterousia, where you can get through asphalt road. To get here, you have to drive from village Pompia, in Messara Plane and follow the road to village Pigaidakia. The road is quite narrow and has several sharp turns, but is surely worth the effort. There’s also a dirt road that heads to Kali Limenes from the Monastery of Odigitria that can be combined with…
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The beach of Agiofarago is located about 80km south of Heraklion city, at the exit of the Gorge Agiofarago. To get there you must either cross the gorge, by easy hiking of about 25-50’, or catch a boat from Matala, Agia Galini, Kokkinos Pirgos or Kali Limenes. We definitely recommend the first option, as the route within the vertical walls of the gorge is breathtaking. On the way you will see the large caves were some hermits from Odigitria monastery still live and the chapel of St. Anthony with a small well with brackish water. The beach at…
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The Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos) is located 800m south of Matala famous resort. To get here you have to walk a trail that begins north of the settlement of Matala and crosses the hill Kastri north of Matala. There are some signs showing the way, so do not worry about getting lost. In the beginning of the route you have to climb some rocks and in the final meters you have to descend a steep cliff, but it’s not particularly difficult. After walking 15-25 minutes from Matala and…
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Gortyn is located at the Messara Valley, near the village of Agioi Deka, on the 46th km of the main road from Iraklion to Tibaki that traverses the island from north to the south. Gortyn is crossed by the river Lithaios, today called Mitropolianos, that dominates the valley of Messara. The significance of the great ancient city of Gortyn is recognized and recorded in its rich mythological and religious tradition. Great gods, like Zeus, Europe and Demeter, but also semi gods, heroes and kings like…
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Matala Beach Festival is an event that takes place every year in the area of Matala. For three days popular Greek and foreign artists and thousands of visitors unite in a grand music feast. This festival aims to revive the life of ” flower children”- hippies, that in the middle 60’s, began to arrive from all over the world in Matala seeking peace, freedom, equality.
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Pitsidia village in Heraklion is located in the southwest end of the valley of Messara in Heraklion, Crete. The village with about 700 residents is the capital of the community Pitsidia-Matala. The locals are known for their longevity, which, as they say, is due to the temperate climate of the area. Pitsidia is the oldest village in the region and it is blessed with many gifts. It is characterized by the particular morphology of the territory and the mountains and hills planted with thousands of beautiful flowers,…
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Kommos (or Komos) is located 66km southwest of Heraklion, just 2km north of Matala and close the village Pitsidia. It is actually the southernmost and the most isolated part of the long beachfront of Messara Bay. Kommos was once the port of Phaestus; you can still see the ruins of the old port of Kommos on the beach. You can access Kommos by driving in the road heading to Matala, till you see a sign to Kommos near Pitsidia. The entire beachfront of Messara is exposed to westerly winds, which mostly blow…
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Matala is located 68km southwest of Heraklion, where the plain Messara meets Asteroussia Mountains and 3km from Pitsidia village. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Crete and certainly the most famous beach of south Heraklion prefecture. It is famous for the carved caves in the rocks and the hippies of the ‘70s. It is located close to Phaestus, the second largest palace of the Minoan civilization. Matala served as a port of Phaestus, and on the Roman Times, it became a port of Gortyn. Matala is located at the exit…
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The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is regarded as one of Europe’s most important museums. The present building was constructed between 1933 and 1937 to plans by P. Karantinos, on the site of the imposing Venetian Franciscan friary destroyed by an earthquake in 1856. The museum brings together archaeological finds from all over Crete, covering over 5500 years of the island’s history. Pride of place is given to the treasures of Minoan civilisation, the entire historical course of which can thus be appreciated. Justly regarded as the…
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The centre of Minoan civilisation and capital of Minoan Crete lay 5km south of Heraklion. Knossos flourished for approximately two thousand years. It had large palace buildings, extensive workshop installations and luxurious rock-cut cave and tholos tombs. As a major centre of trade and the economy, Knossos maintained ties with the majority of cities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Wealth accumulation and the advancement of an urban lifestyle were the hallmarks of this zenith, which began circa 2000 BC and was typified by magnificent monumental buildings…
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Phaestos (Phestos or Festos) was a Minoan city on Crete, the ruins of which are located 55km south of Knossos Palace. The city was already inhabited since 6000BC and prospered concurrently with the city of Knossos, till the 1st century BC. Phaestus is famous for its Minoan palace, which is a visitable archaeological site and receives thousands of visitors every year. The palace of Phaestus was built on a low hill in the plain of Messara, with panoramic views to the surrounding area. It is the…
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