IN LASSITHI PREFECTURE CRETE

This part of Crete has some of the most renowned  monuments you should not miss on your first visit,  together with others, representatives of the rich island’ s history.

One of the top archaeological sites is Zakros (the fourth palatine site of Minoan Crete) set in  beautiful landscape, from where you descend to the seashore picturesque village of Nea Zakros, for swimming and eating  in isolation.

Another Minoan city is Lato, flourished during classical and Hellenistic periods, is located on the outskirts of Agios Nicolaos, where you can admire the model of planning of an archaic Greek city,  also recognizable in Roman cities, and depicted, as prevailing idea in cities through ages, even close to modern times (ex. Regency Street, London as an attractive city spine with monuments).

Another archaeological site of Minoan times is Gournia, excavated recently (1900)  also in a beautiful landscape.

On the way to Lato, stop at the Byzantine Church of Panagia Kera, considered a unique monument of its kind in  Crete, all frescoed  from 13th to 14th century, depicting the techniques towards renaissance, before the style was transferred to the West with the fall of Constantinople. 

Moni Toplou,  frescoed medieval monastery dating from the 14th century, and important castle stronghold during Venetian times. From there you can swim in Vai Bay one of the most famous shores of Crete, with fine sand and Palm trees, and visit Itanos, the last eastern city of Minoan times, with ideal port location for exchanges with Anatolia and Egypt.

Another interesting area to visit is the archaeological site of Palaikastro, a Minoan village and a hellenistic sanctuary,  devoted to Zeus Diktaius. It  has an impressive site by the seashore.

The Psychro or Diktaeon Cave is an impressive archaeological site, located at the Lassithi Plateau, near the village of Psychro. It contains a Minoan to Archaic period sanctuary of Zeus, who according to mythology was born there, before being taken to the Ideon Cave and nurtured by the goat Amaltheia. A 15 min donkey ride will bring you to the entrance of the cave, while it is worth visiting some of the villages of the Plateau, like St. George, St. Constantine and also Psychro.

Spinaloga castle fortified island (from Venetian times, now a museum area).
Archaeological Collection of Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra.