| Agia Galini |  |
| It was from this village that Daedalus and Icarus took flight to escape King Minos. Daedalus was the inventor and architect whom the king had commissioned to build a labyrinth in which to imprison the Minotaur, a monster that was half-man, half-bull. Agia Galini commemorates this myth with a small theatre dedicated to these legendary figures, at the foot of which stand two statues watching over the harbour. |
| Agia Sofia | |
| This vast cavern houses a small chapel where the icon of Saint Sophia, the Wisdom of God, was discovered; it had been brought back by Cretan soldiers following the fall of Constantinople. But this is just one of the legends surrounding this mysterious cave! A path allows you to walk around it and admire the impressive stalagmites, but unfortunately the lighting leaves something to be desired. |
| Amigdalokefali | |
| Near the tiny hamlet of Amigdalokefali, this breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the west coast of Crete is actually the terrace of a bar cobbled together from odds and ends, where you can sip ‘the best orange juice in the world’ whilst making friends with the place’s mascot, a donkey who’s sure to come and see if you’ve got a treat to offer him. To discover it, take the spectacular road leading from Kissamos towards the beaches on the island’s west coast. |
| Aptera | |
| Nineteenth-century travellers describe a theatre in better condition than it is today. As was the case throughout Greece, the ancient ruins were of interest to the local inhabitants only insofar as they provided cheap building materials. It was not until the dawn of modern archaeology that people became aware of the historical value of the relics of the past and of the need to preserve and study them. |
| Argyroupoli | |
| Just above the village of Argyroupoli lies an extraordinary spot which has, unsurprisingly, become very popular with locals and tourists. Numerous springs have created a lush oasis on the mountainside, with little streams and small waterfalls dotted here and there. It’s hard to believe you’re in the Greek islands! A dreamlike spot where numerous tavernas are tucked away amongst the greenery, making use of the springs to create a magical atmosphere. |
| Chania | |
| Built in 1645 by an Armenian architect, shortly after the Ottoman conquest of Chania, this mosque was the first to be built in Crete. It served as a place of worship until 1923, after which its minaret was demolished and it was used successively as a warehouse, a museum of folk art, a tourist information centre and an annex to the archaeological museum. Today, it has become an exhibition space and an iconic landmark of the old harbour. |
| Heraklion | |
| Even if, on first seeing Heraklion, the ugliness of its chaotic urban development makes you want to flee as quickly as possible, a single glance at its Venetian fortress will be enough to make you stay – and you won’t regret it. Probably built between the 9th and 10th centuries by the Arabs following their conquest of Crete, the Koules Fortress was radically transformed by the Venetians in the 16th century, giving it its current appearance. It’s a tour not to be missed under any circumstances, as our virtual stroll will convince you! |
| Kissamos | |
| The village of Kissamos isn’t particularly attractive, but it’s a pleasant seaside resort and an excellent base from which to explore western Crete, with its famous beaches at Balos and Elafonissi – which, unfortunately, have fallen victim to overtourism. |
| Knossos | |
| This famous site was discovered in 1878 by the Cretan antiquarian Minos Kalokairinos, who led the first excavations and attributed the palace to the legendary King Minos. Interrupted by the Ottoman authorities, the excavations were resumed in 1900 by the British archaeologist Arthur Evans, who undertook restoration work that blended historical reality with imagination. Despite the controversy surrounding this work, Knossos remains Crete’s most famous and mysterious archaeological site. |
| Kolymvári | |
| Gonia, a 17th-century fortified monastery, was damaged, and in some cases almost destroyed, during the Ottoman invasions of the 17th and 19th centuries, as well as during the German invasion of 1941, but it has been restored or rebuilt on each occasion. It is open to visitors and houses a museum of religious art, but unfortunately photography is not permitted inside the church. |
| Komolithi | |
| No, you’re not dreaming – you really are in Crete, not on an exoplanet! This somewhat otherworldly spot is right next to Potamida, a village just over 6 km from Kissamos. Over the centuries, these clay hills have been eroded, transforming them into strange pyramids. It is one of the island’s most impressive yet least-known natural attractions. |
| Koules | |
| This impressive Ottoman fortress was built by the Turks following the Cretan Revolution of 1866 to control the Apokoronas Valley, which at the time provided access to Chania. It is situated 800 metres from the archaeological site of Aptera and is easily accessible on foot or by car. For some unknown reason, it was closed when we visited, but we have included a few exterior views for you. |
| Matala | |
| Made famous for having been home to the hippies of the 1960s and 70s who were heading for India, the Matala caves were carved out during the Neolithic period, then served as a necropolis during the Roman period before becoming a cave dwelling for Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and many others, at a time when Matala was just a small fishing village at the end of the world. In the 21st century, things have definitely changed! |
| Paleochora | |
| Very little remains of the castle built by the Venetians in the 13th century, which was later conquered by the corsair Barbarossa in the 16th century on behalf of the Ottoman Empire. The present-day ruins date mainly from the Ottoman period and offer sweeping views over the village of Paleochora. |
| Phaistos | |
| Unlike the site at Knossos, which has been subject to controversial restoration work, the site at Phaistos has remained as it was when excavations were carried out by Italian archaeologists in 1900. It is an ideal place to wander amongst the ruins whilst marvelling at the mysteries of Minoan civilisation – provided you manage to avoid the hordes of tourists clustered around their guides. |
| Rethymno | |
| This mosque was once a Catholic monastery belonging to the Augustinian Order, but following the Ottoman conquest of Rethymno, the building was converted into a mosque and a minaret was even added in 1890, during the final years of the Turkish occupation of Crete. The mosque ceased to be a place of worship in 1924 and is now a music conservatoire. |
| Spili | |
| On the road between Rethymno and Agia Galini, nestled at the foot of a steep mountain, Spili is known for its long Venetian fountain, probably dating from the 16th century, which is fed by springs upstream of the village. Running alongside a pretty, shaded square lined with tavernas, 25 lion heads spout cool, perfectly drinkable water, much to the delight of locals and tourists alike. |
| Topolia | |
| On the road leading from the village of Topolia to the Agia Sofia cave, there are a few spots where you can stop to admire the view of the gorge carved out by the Tiflos River. As an added bonus, you can buy local products, as several stalls set up there during the summer months to capitalise on the influx of tourists. A little further on, the road passes through a single-lane tunnel where you may have to wait at the traffic lights. |
