Stay : Eastern Crete
A week in Crete forces you to make choices. After the visit ofHeraklion, we can concentrate on the eastern part of the island fromAgios Nikolaos to the palm grove of Vai, passing by the villages of the Lassithi plateau. It is less popular, but promises to be a sight to behold!
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
8 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Eastern Crete - 8 days
Day 1: Arrival in Heraklion
Arrival at Nikos-Kazantzakis airport orHeraklion port. Stroll through the city centre up 25-Avgoustou Street, past the Morosini Fountain (Venizelou Square), and on to the market in Odos-1866 Street. In the afternoon, visit the archaeological museum of Heraklion. At the end of the day, you can walk along the Venetian city walls, see the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis for literature lovers, and finish with a walk along the harbour towards the Koulès fortress as the sun is waning. Later in the evening, if you want to enjoy the nightlife, go for a drink in one of the bars in the Korai district or on Milatou Street.
Day 2: The palace of Knossos
Visit of the palace of Knossos, 15 minutes from Heraklion by road. This palace of King Minos is one of the most famous Greek archaeological sites. Visit it preferably early in the morning, then go to Archanès to visit one of the cellars in this wine region. Night in Archanes.
Day 3: The villages of the Lassithi plateau
Steps: Lassithi, Tzermiado, Psychro, Agios Georgios
Departure for the villages of the Lassithi plateau. The road winds around; you will stop in the cool to enjoy the view of the bay and the mills, in the traditional villages of Krassi, Tzermiado and Psychro, where you will visit the cave of Dikti, in which Zeus was born. Overnight in the typical village of Agios Giorgios, where you can buy pretty handmade embroidery.
GROTTE DE DIKTI
Day 4: Towards Agios Nikolaos
Steps: Agios Nikolaos, Neapolis
Route for Agios Nikolaos with a lunch break on the square of Neapolis. Evening and night in Agios Nikolaos, Saint-Tropez of Crete, around Lake Voulismeni.
Day 5: The island of Spinalonga
Steps: Agios Nikolaos, Spinalonga
Excursion to the island of Spinalonga where a Venetian fortress stands, occupied by a leper colony until 1957. Superb landscapes of the Aegean Sea. Second night in Agios Nikolaos.
Day 6: The beach of Vaï and its palm grove
Steps: Vaï, Palekastro, Zakros, Kato Zakros
Departure to the beach of Vai and its palm grove. Lunch in Palekastro and drive to Zakros, then Kato Zakros. If you are on foot, go down the gorge, the hike is easy and beautiful. By car, you will have to take the bus the next day to reach Apo Zakros. Swimming, dinner and night in the small bay of Kato Zakros, in a divine calm.
Day 7: On the way home
Steps: Héraklion, Sitia, Zakros, Xerokampos, Ziros, Ierapetra
First part of the journey back to Heraklion. You will sleep in Ierapetra or in the quiet village of Mirtos to cut the road. Drive down from Zakros to Xerokambos, on the beautiful road overlooking the sea in a desolate landscape worthy of a stone desert. Then drive to the small village ofHametoulo, then Ziros on the plateau, before joining the main road heading to the south coast from Sitia. Again, the views are breathtaking. Follow the coast to Ierapetra. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Arrival in Heraklion
Steps: Ierapetra
Return to Heraklion after a short exploration of the hinterland of Ierapetra above the village of Mirtos, or spend a last day perfecting your tan on the beautiful white sandy island of Chrissi (return from the boat at 6pm, then an hour and a half by car to Heraklion).
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