Things to do in Lasithi Plateau

Discover traditional life in rural Crete by witnessing the daily activities of the locals and visiting the sites where Greek myths were born. Enjoy a tour of Potamies, Aposelemis dam, Empasa, the cave of Zeus, and the beautiful scenery of the plateau. Start with pickup from your accommodation. Visit one of the most characteristic Cretan villages, Potamies, for a tour of a traditional local farm. See the process of milking and cheese-making, meet the animals, and sample their fresh cheese. Next, head to the Aposelemis dam, the largest water supply project in Crete. See the village of Sfendili submerged in the waters of the dam with its impressive old houses fading on the surface of the water. Explore the natural wetlands and spot a unique variety of birds. Continue uphill on the dirt roads to the gorge of Empasa. Enjoy the views of the mountainous landscape and thriving wildlife. Try your hand at foraging for native herbs or relax and take in the panoramic views. Take a trip to Lassithi Plateau to enter Psychro Cave, the fabled birthplace of the Greek God Zeus. Follow the trails of the gods and after that take a tour around the plateau to get a sense of local life. Finally, enjoy authentic food baked in the wood oven in one of the most celebrated taverns in the picturesque village of Krasi. Admire the town square filled with fountains and see imposing plane trees that are up to 2000 years old. Return to your hotel full of unforgettable memories of Crete.

The Knossos & Lasithi Plateau Combo Tour offers a full-day exploration of Crete’s historical and cultural landmarks. The tour begins with a morning hotel pick-up, with travel times varying based on location. The first stop is Vidiani Monastery, a small Eastern Orthodox monastery at the foot of Louloudaki Mountain, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Visitors can admire its tranquil atmosphere and traditional architecture during a short visit of 25 minutes. A 15-minute drive leads to Lasinthos Eco Park, where guests can explore traditional Cretan workshops such as pottery and candle-making. The park also features a small animal farm, offering insight into the island’s agricultural heritage. Admission is free. The visit lasts for 1 hour. After a 30-minute drive, the tour arrives at the village of Krasi, known for its freshwater springs and an ancient plane tree believed to be over 2,400 years old. The village's stone-paved streets, traditional tavernas, and small churches offer a glimpse into Crete’s rural life. The stop here lasts for 30 minutes. A 25-minute journey follows to an Olive Mill Farm, where guests are guided through the production process of olive oil, soap, and honey. The location provides panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding mountains. Visitors have the option to enjoy a meal featuring local ingredients at their own expense. The total duration of this stop is 2 hours. The final destination, after a one-hour drive, is the archaeological site of Knossos Palace. A guided tour provides insights into the history of Europe’s oldest city, showcasing the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. There is also time for photographs and further exploration of the site. This visit lasts for 1 hour. At the end of the day, participants board the bus for the return journey to their hotels, with travel times varying based on traffic and location.

The Lasithi Plateau Day Tour offers a full-day journey through Crete’s rich history and culture. The tour starts with a morning hotel pick-up, with travel times depending on each guest’s location. The first destination is Vidiani Monastery, a small Eastern Orthodox monastery nestled at the base of Louloudaki Mountain and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Guests can appreciate its serene ambiance and traditional architecture during a 25-minute visit. A 15-minute drive brings visitors to Lasinthos Eco Park, where they can explore traditional Cretan workshops such as pottery and candle-making. The park also features a small animal farm, providing insight into Crete’s agricultural heritage. Admission is free, and the visit lasts for 1 hour. After a 30-minute drive, the tour reaches the village of Krasi, renowned for its freshwater springs and an ancient plane tree estimated to be over 2,400 years old. The village’s charming stone-paved streets, traditional tavernas, and historic churches offer a glimpse into rural Cretan life. The stop here lasts for 30 minutes. A 25-minute journey follows to an Olive Mill Farm, where guests can observe the production of olive oil, soap, and honey. Set against a stunning backdrop of the Aegean Sea and surrounding mountains, this stop provides a chance to learn about traditional methods of production. Visitors also have the option to enjoy a meal made from fresh local ingredients at their own expense. The total duration of this stop is 2 hours. At the end of the day, participants board the bus for the return trip to their hotels, with travel times varying based on traffic and location.

Your first stop is the historic Kera Kardiotissa Monastery, nestled in a beautiful setting and run by nuns. Here, you can admire the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, as well as many frescoes and other icons dating back to the 14th century. Next, you'll head to the Lasithi Plateau, one of the few places in the Mediterranean where people live at an altitude of over 800 meters. Surrounded by the Dikti Mountains, the plateau is home to 18 charming villages that feel as though they belong to another era. You’ll see the famous windmills and the Venetian ditches that were used to help drain the plateau. Along the way, you’ll pass through the village of Psychro, known as the birthplace of Zeus. The village is also famous for its handmade ceramics, and visiting a local workshop will leave you with a lasting impression of the area’s craftsmanship. The final stop is Tzermiado, the capital of the villages on the plateau. Tzermiado will amaze you with its natural beauty, traditional architecture, and breathtaking views. Take time to snap photos of the stunning landscape, relax for a while, and enjoy lunch at one of the local taverns. For a truly unique and delicious meal, visit a family-owned restaurant. These places offer authentic Cretan dishes made with love and tradition. The Lassithi Plateau is famous for its local vegetables, and the fresh, daily-picked produce will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds. Be sure to preorder your meal, as you’ll have a selection of various dishes to choose from. After lunch, our bus will take you back to the drop-off locations as quickly as possible. Enjoy the rest of your journey home, reflecting on the beautiful places you visited and the unforgettable experiences you had.

Enjoy with us an excursion to the heights of the Cretan mountains that will delight you with local information, tastings and traditional food, as well as a breathtaking sunset. It starts from the moment you are picked up from your hotel as your driver entertains you with information, facts and anecdotes along the way. Picking herbs that grow along the way and tasting local produce is just as much a part of the program as visiting small, quaint villages hidden high in the mountains far away from tourism. The highlight of the evening is the view from a high point, from where you can enjoy the sunset with sparkling wine and fresh fruit. Make sure you have your camera ready for some great photo opportunities. After working up an appetite, we'll head for a Cretan dinner at a local taverna, where you'll have the chance to sample a selection of traditional local starters and main course (including vegetarian option) and enjoy a glass or two of unlimited wine with plenty of surprises. After leaving the taverna, we wind our way down the mountain roads, enjoying the view of the moonlit coastline dotted with the twinkling lights of towns and villages, before being taken back to your hotel.

Get picked up from your hotel in Crete and go to your first stop at the traditional village of Krasi with the ancient plane tree - the largest and the oldest one of its kind on the island, situated at the lovely little square at the heart of the village, next to the beautiful water springs. Next stop the historical monastery of Panagia Kera. Learn about the myth surrounding the monastery admire the 14th-century frescoes. Then, head to the heart of Lasithi, passing by some breathtaking scenery. Admire the white-sailed windmills that used to irrigate the land. Next, arrive at the famous village of Psychro and stop at a small family-run ceramic workshop. Shop around while the owners teach you about the process of making pottery. We then arrive at Seli, a place with breath-taking view of the plateau. Take photos, visit the renovated windmills, and have a delicious meal in a traditional tavern. After lunch, Next visit a small olive oil factory in the village of Avdou. Learn about the process of making olive oil and enjoy a tasting of their products. Finish off your tour with a visit to the Palace of Knossos, the biggest palace of the Minoan times. Walk around the ancient rooms and courtyard as you learn about King Minos and the mythical Minotaur.

Explore Crete by Land Rover on a full-day adventure along the Minoan Path, and experience a blend of ancient myths, spectacular landscapes, and a traditional lunch on the Lassithi Plateau. Following a pick-up from your hotel, drive through spectacular mountains en route to the Aposelemis Basin Reservoir, and see an ancient aqueduct of the Roman Empire. Continue to the village of Kastamonitsa in the foothills of the Afendi Mountains. Stop for a raki tasting. Next, brace yourself for the dirt tracks of the Minoan Path. Drive through a stunning mountain landscape to see wildlife and the unbelievable scenery. Learn the myths and legends of Crete on the way to a shepherd's mitato (mountain shelter). Feed the animals as you learn how the shepherds produce cheese according to traditional methods. Taste some of the fresh, rich cheese. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the Lassithi Plateau and north coast. Continue to the Greek Mythology Park. Work up an appetite before your lunch at a local taverna. Try a selection of traditional dishes (vegetarian option available) and a glass or two of wine. Back on the Lassithi Plateau, experience a wilderness and farming land where time has stood still. See donkeys put to work to help farm the land. Then, go to Seli to take photos of the unique scenery. Drive to the village of Krassi, famous for its 2,000-year-old tree and natural spring water source. Continue down the mountain roads, passing ancient olive groves before you reach the spectacular coastline and deep blue sea.

Start your tour with pick up in an air-conditioned Land Rover from your accommodations (Hotel or Villas) and head into the Dikti Mountain Range. You'll pass through several traditional and very picturesque mountain villages. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos or to have a coffee at a real taverna. At the Lassithi Plateau, you might see eagles and vultures, as both nest around this area. Next, you’ll reach the base of Mount Spathi. We will visit a local pottery where you can try to form from fresh clay something beautiful, supervised by a local specialist. After you have the opportunity to learn about greek history and myths at the Mythology park. Next, enjoy a traditional Cretan meze lunch with local wine. After lunch, you'll continue around the plateau and then descend taking in views of the north coast and the impressive Aposelemis Dam. You will then visit a 2400-year-old plane tree, the oldest on the island, as well as the Selinari Monastery.

Discover the wonderful mountain landscape around Heraklion. After around 50 minutes, arrive at the top of the Finikia Mountains - a perfect place for a cozy picnic with soft drinks, raki and fruit. Enjoy the fantastic view of the sleepy mountains of Zeus, father of the gods, said to have been born in the Dikti Cave on the Lasithi Plateau. Continue your ride over the incredibly beautiful landscape and enjoy a hearty lunch in Cretan style with traditional house wine. Spend a little time on the lands, relax with a glass of wine and watch as your children take the reins.

Through this route we will explore the central part of Crete climbing to an altitude of 1150 meters We will learn a lot about mythology as well as we will have a lot of information about Crete and local life We will drive through a beautiful route with lush olive groves and we will first reach the aposelemi dam where we can see the sunken village of sfentili Then we will visit the traditional olive mill where we will learn how to produce Cretan olive oil and have the opportunity to buy products pure olive oil. Then we will reach the shepherd's farm and we will have the opportunity to learn how the traditional Cretan cheese is produced. Our next stop is the zeus cave where mythology states that the father of the gods was born there (There is a ticket of 6 euros) After we will enjoy a genuine Cretan meal with traditional cuisine in one of the best local taverns Then we will follow a beautiful dirt route at an altitude of 1150 meters where we will definitely be enchanted by the landscape and the photos we will take from this point will be the best of our vacation. We descend and reach the traditional village of kastamonitsa where we will visit the remains of the roman aqueduct learning about its usefulness for the surrounding areas Finally through a beautiful route with a very nice view we end up at the hotel full of memories This day will be full of surprises and will surely fill you with memories that will accompany you for a lifetime.