Botanical Park and Gardens Of Crete

The Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete is a 20 hectare garden at Fournes, about 20 km from Chania town, planted with species from three climate zones. The park lies on the Epar.Od. Chanion-Omalou, the road that runs from the Chania plain up towards Omalos in the White Mountains. Its collection covers flora, fauna and herbs, arranged so that Mediterranean, tropical and temperate plants can be seen on a single walk.

The hillside the park occupies burnt in a fire in 2004. Planting after the fire brought back Mediterranean trees, herbs and vineyards, and the gardens walked today were laid out on that burnt ground.

What grows in the park

The park grows plant species drawn from three climates: Mediterranean, tropical and temperate. Every plant, herb and tree carries a label giving a description and background notes, so the collection works as a reference as much as a garden. The trails through it are marked throughout.

Spring is the season when the planting reads most clearly. Most of the flowers and trees are in bloom then, and the differences between one species and the next are easy to pick out.

Walking the gardens

A circuit of the gardens passes the cherry trees first, then the tropical and citrus sections. A man-made lake sits inside the grounds, with birds, ducks, butterflies and peacocks around it. Farm animals are kept here too, among them donkeys and wild goats.

Families get a plain introduction to the flora and fauna that the Cretan climate supports, with the labelling doing most of the explaining.

The stone amphitheatre

A stone amphitheatre stands among the gardens and the olive orchards. It is used for events such as traditional dance evenings, and weddings are held there as well.

The restaurant and the shop

The park restaurant has a wide balcony looking out over the vegetation below it. The menu is Mediterranean and draws on herbs, fruits and seeds harvested from the park’s own gardens. The shop sells local products to take home, including rusks, raki and virgin Greek oil.

What to see near the Botanical Park

Gorges, a mountain village and the beaches west of Chania all sit within a short drive of the park. These are the places we cover closest to it, nearest first.

• Kydoni Gorge lies 2.2 km away, the closest gorge to the park.
• Sarakina Gorge lies 2.9 km away, at Meskla.
• Theriso village lies 4.2 km away, the mountain village of Eleftherios Venizelos.
• Therisso Gorge lies 4.6 km away, on the drive up to that village.
• Agia Kyriaki monastery lies 6.5 km away, at Varypetro.
• Askidia Gorge lies 9.1 km away, the fourth gorge within reach of the park.
• Stalos beach lies 10.6 km away, the nearest coast we cover.
• Kato Daratso lies 10.6 km away, the resort at that beach.
• Kalamaki beach lies 10.9 km away, on the same shore.
• Agii Apostoli beaches lie 11.3 km away, a group of linked coves.
• Platanias lies 11.3 km away, a resort town with its own beach.
• Agia Marina beach lies 11.4 km away, along the same stretch.
• Chrysopigi Monastery lies 11.5 km away, the second monastery in range.

Getting to the Botanical Park

The park stands on the Epar.Od. Chanion-Omalou at Fournes, postcode 730 05. That is the main road between Chania and the Omalos plateau, and the entrance is signed from it. Chania town is about 20 km away.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Botanical Park of Chania?

The park is at Fournes, on the Epar.Od. Chanion-Omalou, about 20 km from Chania town. The road it sits on climbs from the Chania plain towards Omalos in the White Mountains.

How big is the Botanical Park of Crete?

The park covers 20 hectares. Within that area it holds plants from the Mediterranean, tropical and temperate climate zones, along with olive orchards and vineyards.

When does the Botanical Park look most colourful?

Spring, when most of the flowers and trees are in bloom. That is also when the differences between species are easiest to see, which makes the labelling more useful.

Are there animals at the Botanical Park?

Yes. Birds, ducks, butterflies and peacocks live around the man-made lake, and the park also keeps farm animals such as donkeys and wild goats. The lake sits on the walking circuit through the gardens.

Is there a restaurant at the Botanical Park?

Yes, with a wide balcony overlooking the vegetation. The kitchen cooks Mediterranean dishes using herbs, fruits and seeds grown in the park. A shop beside it sells rusks, raki and virgin Greek oil.

Why was the Botanical Park planted?

A fire destroyed this stretch of hillside in 2004, and the park was created on the burnt ground. Mediterranean trees, herbs and vineyards were planted there and now grow across the site.