The route crosses the coastal front of the area of Viannos, passing through small seaside settlements with mild tourist development, ideal for quiet holidays in Crete. Then it crosses through semi-mountainous settlements rich in history and beautiful nature. Ideally, the route suggested should be followed in sections, as a guide for exploring the area, with overnight stays at each place. Ierapetra – Myrtos – Kato Symi This route passes through areas with many greenhouses and leads to Myrtos, a picturesque…
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The route develops along the eastern and southern fringes of Psiloritis and passes through picturesque villages, archaeological sites, Byzantine churches and places of special natural beauty. At the same time, it offers the possibility of many detours and hiking routes and therefore can be used as a guide for exploring the surrounding area. For those who want to see everything suggested in this guide, it is best to dedicate at least a few days. Starting from Heraklion we follow the…
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Houdetsi is a well-hidden village on the slope of a beautiful valley. South of the village a hilly landscape with vast vineyards opens up towards the south of the inland area of the Prefecture of Heraklion. This is a short and enjoyable road trip through various villages and wine-growing regions in Heraklion. Houdetsi – Metaxochori – Made – Voria Following the main road south of the village of Houdetsi, we stop at the Epanosifi Monastery, one of the richest and…
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Heraklion – Knossos – Spilia – Archanes Beginning at the exit of the city of Heraklion, we take the Knossos Avenue (Leofóros Knossoú) and reach the archaeological site of Knossos. Not far from the Palace, other important Minoan monuments are to be found, such as the Royal Villa, the Little Palace, the Caravanserai, the House of the High Priest, the Temple Tomb and the Roman Villa of Dionysus. The Minoans were very skilled vine-growers and winemakers, and they traded wine…
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This route passes through the most beautiful landscapes of eastern Crete, breathtaking beaches, notable archaeological sites and one of the most well-known monasteries of Crete. In order to visit all these sights, it is advisable to divide the route into different parts. The region of Sitia seems quite different from the rest of Crete, given its characteristic off-the-beaten-track quality. According to archaeologists, Sitίa once was “the ancient gate to the Orient”. It is believed that all the great, ancient civilizations…
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This road trip route in the eastern region of Crete passes through a verdant landscape with interesting morphological diversity. You will get the chance to see traditional villages, an extended pine forest and one of the most beautiful plateaus of Crete. Hiking enthusiasts will find ample opportunities for short and long hikes in the area. Agios Nikolaos – Kalamafka – Males – Selakano We set off from the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, following the coastal road to Istron. From…
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This route passes through picturesque villages and the Lassithi Plateau, which is the largest of Crete island. It is also famous for its characteristic windmills and the Dictaean Cave, where the Olympian Greek god Zeus is said to have been born. Starting from Hersonissos, we take the road that leads towards Kasteli. We pass by a golf course on our right and then continue on the road that goes to Avdou in an easterly direction. We drive through the beautiful…
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This route links some of the most significant sights in the Heraklion prefecture and passes through traditional settlements, vineyards, and historical monasteries. It is a fairly easy and gentle route. However, museums and other sights demand quite a lot of time; therefore, one may choose to break it down so there is enough time to see them individually. This route begins at Thalassokosmos, the largest aquarium in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is located at the coastal settlement of Gournes, east…
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This road trip connects the most important points of interest in the region of Asterousia, such as archaeological sites, settlements, gorges and beaches. You can choose to follow whichever parts of the route you find most interesting. It should be noted, though, that the roads which climb up the slopes of the mountain range usually twist and turn, and in some cases, they are not paved or require a 4×4 vehicle. Vori – Phaestos – Hodegetria Monastery – Kali Limenes…
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This is a route for those who wish to get to know the historical Idi (Psiloritis) massif. Here, according to Greek mythology, the Olympian god Zeus was born. During this route, you will discover the most significant settlements and areas of historical and archaeological interest and explore stunning landscapes, and sites of ancient civilizations. In the Psiloritis massif area, there are several villages which have been living in more or less the same way for thousands of years now. They…
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This route is specially designed for nature and history enthusiasts. It connects important archaeological sites, historical and ecclesiastical monuments and traditional villages, and it passes through a verdant landscape where one can also organize various hikes. Following the old national road from Rethymno in an easterly direction, we reach Adele. We then pass through a beautiful agricultural area where the scenery is dominated by traditional olive groves, interspersed with several small valleys with groups of cypresses. Before we reach Perama…
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This route crosses through the Rethymno Prefecture, via one of the most imposing gorges of Crete. Along the way, you will have the chance to explore some of the most beautiful and famous beaches of southern Crete and visit sites of rich historical and archaeological interest. Following the road south, from Rethymno towards Spili, we make our first stop at Armeni, to visit a cemetery of the Late Minoan period, at the location of Prinokefala. Excavations here have unearthed more…
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This route passes through the most impressive landscapes of the area of Sfakia and offers many alternatives for hiking excursions. It passes by several historical sites and other locations that are worth visiting and ends up at the area of Apokoronas. It is essentially one of the primary routes for those who wish to explore the surrounding areas. In order to make the best of this complex route, which has numerous points of interest and it is characterized by fascinating…
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This route passes through historical villages, natural monuments of outstanding beauty, ancient towns, and then ends up at the coastal settlement of Sougia, which can serve as the starting point for exploring the southern coast of western Crete. Since the route is characterized by great historical and natural wealth, and the degree of difficulty is significant due to the geomorphology of the region, it is preferable to split it into several parts. Chania – Therisso – Meskla – Fournes We…
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This route begins in Kolimbari and ends up at Paleochora, one of the most beautiful coastal towns of Crete. Paleochora is an ideal base for your excursions to southwestern Crete or a place to simply relax and enjoy the holidays. The picturesque coastal settlement of Kolimbari is located at the western end of the bay of Chania; at a short distance south of it, there is the Monastery of Panagia Hodegetria Gonia. It is one of the largest and best-preserved…
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The route between Kasteli and Falassarna connects some of the most beautiful beaches of western Crete and reveals unique ecosystems and picturesque villages to the visitor. Kasteli – Elos – Elafonissi We begin at Kasteli, the westernmost town of the island, and follow the road that leads to Topolia. A little to the south of the village and somewhat lower than the road level, the entrance to the gorge of Topolia, which is worth a visit, can be seen. The…
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