Crete, from Heraklion to the Samaria Gorge


Trip description

After the visit of Heraklion and the Palace of Knossos, heading west! Direction Rethymnon, then the Samaria gorges in particular. It is not the whole island, but it already gives the opportunity to see many of the attractions of the destination and to get a taste for the sweetness of life and the wild side that this land of character exudes.

Day 1: Arrival in Heraklion

Day 2: The Palace of Knossos

Day 3: Directorate Rethymnon

Day 4: The Samaria Gorge

Day 5: Zaros

Day 6: Minoan and idleness sites

Day 7: Roman site and return to Heraklion

Day 1 : Arrival in Heraklion

Day1 : Arrival in Heraklion ©Author's Image


Arrival at Nikos-Kazantzakis Airport or in Heraklion Harbour. Walk in the city centre on the street of 25-Avgoustou, passing in front of the Fontaine fountain (place Venizelou), then continuing to market Odos -1866. In the afternoon, visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. At the end of the day, you can walk along the Venetian ramparts of the city, see the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis for literature lovers, and end up with a walk on the port towards Koulès Fortress as the sun declines. Later in the evening, if you want to enjoy the night animation, enjoy a drink in one of the bars in the Kora district or Milatou street.




Day 2 : The Palace of Knossos

Day2 : The Palace of Knossos ©Author's Image


Visit of Knossos Palace, 15 minutes from Heraklion by road. This palace of King Minos is one of the most famous Greek archeological sites. Visit it preferably early in the morning and then go to Archanès, a village renowned for its wine. In the afternoon you can visit the magnificent Nida Plateau to see the cave of Ideon Andron in which Zeus has, according to legend, been raised. You can also discover the picturesque mountain village of Anogia, famous for its musical lines and weaving, spend the evening on the background of traditional music after enjoying the local lamb and sleeping there. Here you can enjoy the Cretan soul.




Day 3 : Directorate Rethymnon

Day3 : Directorate Rethymnon ©Author's Image


Direction Rethymnon by the monastery of Arkadi, 20 km south of the city and stop swimming before visiting the historic Venetian quarter. Evening in Rethymnon, with dinner in one of the restaurants of the old town, then raki in one of the many lively bars in the neighborhood.




Day 4 : The Samaria Gorge

Day4 : The Samaria Gorge ©Author's Image


Excursion to the Samaria Gorge. The departure is from Omalos (early in the morning a bus links Rethymnon to Hania, then Omalos). After 16 km of a superb but sustained walk (downhill), you can reach the small beach of Agia Roumeli for a well-deserved swim. Return by boat to Hora Sfakion, then bus to Chania. Evening in the old town of Hania.




Day 5 : Zaros

Day5 : Zaros ©Petrik Ondrej - Shutterstock.com


The following day, a picturesque road leads you to Zaros by the beautiful Amari Valley at the foot of Psiloritis Mountain. In Zaros you can enjoy trout on the lake before you reach the pleasant village of Kalamaki, where you can take a room facing the sea and enjoy swordfish.




Day 6 : Minoan and idleness sites

Day6 : Minoan and idleness sites ©Author's Image


In the morning, visit the Minoan sites of Phaestos and Agia Triada and relax on the long beach of Komos, where the sea turtles Caretta caretta come to bury their eggs. Evening in Matala, a pretty little seaside resort that still claims to be a hippie, known for its caves that Bob Dylan would have squatted for a while. Return to Kalamaki for the night.




Day 7 : Roman site and return to Heraklion

Day7 : Roman site and return to Heraklion ©Andrei Nekrassov - Shutterstock.com


Visit the Roman site of Gortyne before returning to Heraklion where you are Waiting for Your Plane or ferry.




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