The central part of Crete hosts the most fertile planes on the island, with vast olive groves and vineyards, watered by the massifs of Psiloritis and Dikti. This fertile land was the main growth driver for the development of the greatest cities since the ancient times and still feeds the main population of the island. If you stay in Heraklion or Rethymnon area, consider visiting the following places.
- 1
- 2
Sfendonis Cave 
Cave Zoniana, Sfendoni or Sfendoni's Hole, is located 1km north of Zoniana village in Mylopotamos, about 43km west of Heraklion and 52 southeast of Rethymno. It is shaped on the southern slopes of the hill Halepa at an altitude of 630m. The cave is accessible and is the most beautiful cave in Crete and one of the most beautiful in Greece, with rich stalactite and stalagmite decoration. It belongs to the Natural Park of Psiloritis, which is protected by UNESCO.
Ancient Eleftherna 
Ancient Eleftherna is located 25km southeast of Rethymno, close to the Monastery of Arkadi. The town is the most important archaeological site in the prefecture of Rethymno, which has not fully been excavated and it is expected to give archaeologists many more discoveries. The first organized excavations here started in 1985 by the University of Crete.
Aquarium Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos in Gournes 
Cretaquarium - Thalassocosmos is one of the most important aquariums in Europe. It started its operation in December 2005 in the former American Base of Gournes.
Phestos Palace 
Phaestus (Phestos or Festos) was a Minoan city on Crete, the ruins of which are located 55km south of Heraklion. The city was already inhabited since 6000BC and prospered concurrently with the city of Knossos, till the 1st century BC.
- 1
- 2
