Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion

Crete

Agios Nikolaos - Elounda- Malia - Stalida - Hersonissos - Heraklion - Knossos - Arhanes

Travel around Crete: from Agios Nikolaos to Heraklion

day 30

Elounda

From Sitia we drive to Agios Nikolaos and Elounda These are major touristic resorts but definitely worth-visiting.

day 31

We take the road to Neapoli and Lassithi Plateau. Here is Diktaion Antro, a cave considered as the birthplace of Zeus (Dias, the major god of ancient Greece).

We continue to Krasi, Mohos, Stalida, Hersonissos and look for a room at Koutouloufari. This night is definitely devoted to nightlife in Hersonissos!

day 32

30 Km to the west is Heraklion. A visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and Knossos are a good reason for a trip to the island by themselves alone. Here you may see the glory of the Minoan Civilization, the first high-level civilization of Europe with deep respect to nature and peaceful life.

the venetian fortress of Koules at Iraclion port

Another place of interest is the Venetian fortress of Koules (by the port), as well as the Historical Museum and the Museum of Natural History of Crete (Knossou avenue).

Koules Iraklion

The Venetian fortress of Koules in Heraklion harbor

Loggia Iraklion Heraklion

The Venetian building of Loggia. Today it is used by the Municipal Authorities of Heraklion

If you stay in Iraclion pay a visit at Arhanes village (15 km from Iraclion), which was a major Minoan city. Today it's a small town that does a lot to preserve its traditional character. There is a fine archaeological museum here.

Inside the town there is a sign showing the way to the summit of Mt Youchtas or Giouchtas (850m). You may approach it either by a dirt road or by a path leading to the top in one hour. If you are interested in the path ask someone to show you the way there. There is a panoramic view to Iraclion from the top of the mountain.

Another attraction is the Minoan Villa in Vathipetro.

Day 33

Very early in the morning we head to Anogia village and Nida Plateau. Today we are going to hike up to the summit of Mt Idi (Psiloritis).

***on your way to Anogia there is Arolithos, a hotel built to resemble a Cretan village. It's worth spending an afternoon there.