Arkalohori town: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Arkalochori, a town located 33km away from Heraklion, is a rapidly developing town with a population of 2,881. Situated at an altitude of 395m above sea level, the town’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, but it also has a thriving commerce and arts sector. As the administrative center of the area, it hosts significant events such as the Pancretan Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition, which attracts visitors from across the island. The town provides a wide range of modern amenities to its residents and visitors.

Apart from its economic and cultural significance, Arkalochori is also known for its rich history and archaeological sites. The town is home to the Minoan Palace of Arkalochori, which was discovered in the early 20th century and is considered one of the most important archaeological finds in Crete. The palace dates back to the Middle Minoan period and provides valuable insights into the island’s ancient civilization. Visitors can also explore the nearby cave of Kamares, which is adorned with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.

Arkalochori is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Crete, as it offers a unique blend of modern amenities and historical attractions. With its rich history and archaeological sites, visitors can learn about the island’s ancient civilization while enjoying the town’s modern amenities.

Things to do in Arkalohori

The things to do in Arkalochori are a winery, the grill houses and mezedopolia in its streets, and the Minoan sites and gorges in the countryside around it. Arkalochori is a working agricultural town rather than a resort, and the six below start in the centre and work outwards.

1. Taste at Lyrarakis Wines. The winery is 300 m from the centre of Arkalochori.
2. Eat your way through the town. The grill houses and mezedopolia are spread along the streets, with Manolis’ Grill House 300 m from the centre, Parko Mezedopolion at 700 m and Refenes Mezedopolio at 1.3 km.
3. Stop for coffee at 321 Cafe Beeraria. The cafe is 1.3 km from the centre, and Corneraki is 200 m away in the town itself.
4. See the Galatas Minoan palace. The palace site lies 3.2 km from Arkalochori, at the village of Galatas.
5. Book the cured meat experience at Galatas. Kassakis runs it 3.8 km from the town.
6. Drive out to Agia Paraskevi. The village stands 6.7 km away at 400 m, in the Kasteli region, with about 120 residents, olive groves on every side, tavernas and cafes, and a small church dedicated to Saint Paraskevi that draws local pilgrims.

Two gorges are within a short drive of the town, both of them green and both walked rather than climbed. The Spiliotissa gorge starts at Houdetsi, 24 km south of Heraklion, and drops to Agios Vasilios; that first 1.5 km is its most striking stretch, on a kept trail through orange and olive groves watered by the stream, with the Byzantine churches of Saint John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas near the start and parking back in Houdetsi. The Kounaviano gorge is the greenest canyon in the Heraklion prefecture, fed by springs along its bed, and it meets the Astrakiano gorge at Kaki Rachi near Skalani to form the Karteros gorge.

Beaches in and around Arkalohori

Arkalochori has no beach of its own. Arkalochori stands inland at 395 m above sea level, 33 km from Heraklion, so swimming means a drive out to the coast on either side of the island. What sits within a few kilometres of the town instead is Minoan archaeology, two green gorges and the tavernas and winery in its own streets.