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On the eastern side of the expansive Karteros bay lies the small hill of Paleochora, which was once home to the Minoan settlement of Amnissos. The name Amnissos can be traced back to the Linear B tablets, the Minoan script, as a-mi-mi-so. Discoveries at Amnissos include a Minoan harbor, numerous buildings, and an outdoor archaic sanctuary where the god Zeus was worshiped. The settlement of Amnissos dates back to the 19th century BC.
Mythology tells us that when Zeus was just a newborn baby, he had to be taken to the Dikti cave to hide from his father, Cronus. While en route and above Amnissos, his navel fell here, which led to the area being called Omfalio Pedio (Navel Valley) in ancient times.
At the eastern side of the hill, near the parking lot of the bustling Amnissos beach, the Minoan mansion of Lilies can be found. Dating back to the 16th century BC, the mansion features murals with floral motifs and blooming lilies. It is believed to have housed an important person, possibly the king of Knossos, Minos, during his vacation. The villa consisted of a hall, bathroom, sanctum, kitchen, and stone-paved areas.
The murals with lilies likely depict a sacred garden and are the primary evidence of Minoan artificial gardens. This is suggested by the lilies drawn in jagged frames, which may represent artificial ponds. Similar ponds can be seen in numerous Egyptian depictions of luxurious gardens.
The mansion was destroyed by fire in the 15th century BC but was ultimately abandoned during the 12th century BC. The building was excavated in 1932 by professor Spiros Marinatos, but sadly, it was severely damaged by German troops during World War II.
To the west of Paleochora hill, you will find the ruins of one of the largest temples of ancient Crete, the Temple of Zeus Thenatas. The temple was built in the 7th century BC and operated until the second century AD. Surrounding the temple, you will see a strong wall with boulders, a part of which is on the sandy beach. Inside the temple, a circular altar can still be discerned.
Get directions to Ancient Amnisos
Find below the list of hotels near Ancient Amnisos:
Right on its private area of Amnisos Beach with free sun loungers, Unique Blue! Resort and Villas Adults Only features an outdoor pool. Facilities include a fitness room with hammam. Free Wi-Fi is provided.
Bright and spacious, all air-conditioned rooms open to a balcony with views over the Cretan Sea or the hotel’s garden. Each includes a mini fridge and TV with satellite channels. The private bathroom is fitted with bathrobes, a hairdryer and free toiletries.
Enjoying panoramic views of the Cretan Sea, the main restaurant of Unique Blue! Resort and Villas Adults Only serves Greek and international dishes in buffet style. Drinks and snacks are prepared at the beach bar.
For leisure moments, there is a games room with billiards. Small gifts and the essentials can be found at the on-site mini market.
Unique Blue! Resort and Villas Adults Only is located 5 km from Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport and 7 km from the city of Heraklion. Free, private parking is provided on site.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, sea view and a patio, Sea view villa with private pool close to the beach is set in Karteros. This beachfront property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
The villa is located on the ground floor and has 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen that provides guests with a dishwasher, an oven, a washing machine, a microwave and a toaster. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
The villa offers a hot tub. Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Amnissos Beach is 700 metres from Sea view villa with private pool close to the beach, while Karteros Beach is less than 1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 2 km from the accommodation.
from
€371
/night
Located in Karteros and only less than 1 km from Amnissos Beach, United blue Resorts – Blue view provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The property was built in 2020 and has air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa with a terrace and sea views features 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the villa.
Staff at the villa are available to provide guidance at the 24-hour front desk.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Karteros Beach is 1.1 km from United blue Resorts – Blue view, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 8.7 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 2 km from the accommodation.
Set in Karteros, a few steps from Karteros Beach, Pnoe Breathing Life – Adults Only offers accommodation with a fitness centre, free private parking, a garden and a restaurant. This 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The property is allergy-free and is situated 1 km from Amnissos Beach.
The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a shower. At Pnoe Breathing Life – Adults Only all rooms are equipped with bed linen and towels.
Continental and American breakfast options are available every morning at the accommodation.
There is an on-site bar and guests can also make use of the business area.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 8.1 km from Pnoe Breathing Life – Adults Only, while Venetian Walls is 8.7 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 2 km from the hotel.
from
€543
/night
Quietly located in a 9,000 m2 plot, in Karteros Village, BlueGreen Villa features a 75-m2 outdoor pool with hydromassage jets, 2 furnished terraces with mountain view and BBQ facilities. Free WiFi and on-site parking are also included. Heraklion City is 5 km away.
Divided in 2 levels, the lower level includes a seating area, 2 bedrooms, a bathroom and a storage room. The upper level has a spacious living room with dining area and fireplace, 3 more bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen.
This villa comes with a separate air-condition unit in every room. Flat-screen Tv with satellite channels in all bedrooms. For your convenience, you will also find a washing machine, a dishwasher and coffee maker for espresso and filter coffee.Towels are provided.
Organised beaches, a mini market and horse riding facilities can be found at a distance of 700 metres from BlueGreen Villa. Heraklio Airport lies 3 km away, while the archaeological site of Knossos 4.5 km away. There is also an aquarium at 8 km and a golf course 17 km away.
Offering free WiFi and sea views, Luxury Villa Karteros is an accommodation set in Karteros. This villa features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony.
The villa with a patio and pool views features a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, and a bathroom with a hot tub.
The property has a hot tub and a fitness centre. An outdoor swimming pool is available for guests to use at the villa.
Heraklio Town is 5 km from Luxury Villa Karteros.
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