This archaeological site comprises the remains of a town founded around the 8th century BC, towards the end of the Minoan period, which reached its peak during the Hellenistic period.

Aptera, thanks to its strategic position overlooking Souda Bay, had two harbours and remained an important city throughout the Roman period and into the early Byzantine Empire.

It was destroyed by two earthquakes, in the 4th and 7th centuries, and then by the Saracens in 823. Subsequently, the Venetians built a fort on the site of the city, but it was destroyed by pirates in 1583.

Its strategic location was also exploited by the Ottomans, who built the Koules Fortress a short distance away, which still overlooks the entire Bay of Souda to this day.

Initial excavations were carried out by the French School of Archaeology in 1862 and 1864, and the site, which is spread out amongst olive groves, is still the subject of systematic excavations and conservation work. The site is quite extensive and encompasses various periods: Roman cisterns, a Hellenistic theatre completed by the Romans, a Byzantine monastery, and so on.

As the site is far less well-known than Knossos and Phaistos, it isn’t overrun by tourists and is a real pleasure to visit, especially as it’s quite well shaded. There’s no refreshment kiosk on site, however, so make sure you bring some water if you want to see everything at your own pace!

Useful links

Incredible Crete (The official tourism website of Crete) - Wikipedia