Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Crete

Looking south of the city, you will see that a mountain range dominated by Mount Yiouchtas is cut out in the shape of a human profile. According to a legend, it is Zeus who, resting there, would have fallen asleep there. With a fauna rich in birds (44 species) and an important, but not yet studied in detail, flora on the mountain grows eleven endemic species, two of which are very rare. Every year, on 6 August, a religious ceremony takes place in the small chapel perched above. You can go there from Heraklion via Archanes.

Located 30 km from Sitia, to the east, the beach of Vaï is really striking. Famous and magnificent, the long sandy beach is bordered by an incredible and vast natural palm grove, unique in Europe. Under the 5,000 or so palm trees that surround the beach, you can take shelter between two swims. The water is translucent, the sand is clear and the rocks are beige ochre. Sun loungers and umbrellas (paying and expensive) are available on part of the beach. Numerous nautical and sports activities are also offered on the beach.

In an engraving of 1618, the small bay of Maridati is mentioned, as it is very likely that Venetian ships used to dock there for water supplies! It is a very pretty cove with a beach of small pebbles and some white sand at the water's edge and an azure sea. A few tamarisk trees are the only shelter to protect you from the sun! It is close to Palekastro and usually does not attract too many people, hence its extra charm. You can spend the whole day there. Tavern by the water.