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.
Located in Arkalochori in the Crete region, Nipiditos Village provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking.
Some units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a coffee machine, as well as a kitchen.
Guests at the villa can enjoy hiking nearby, or make the most of the sun terrace.
The Palace of Knossos is 31 km from Nipiditos Village, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 33 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 35 km from the accommodation.
Set in Arkalochori, 31 km from The Palace of Knossos and 33 km from Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos, Fragk House offers a garden and air conditioning. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a bath. Towels and bed linen are offered in the holiday home.
The holiday home offers a picnic area. A car rental service is available at Fragk House.
Venetian Walls is 37 km from the accommodation, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 38 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 35 km from Fragk House.
Alagni Cretan Resort features pool views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Stíronas, 18 km from The Palace of Knossos.
The villa provides guests with a terrace, mountain views, a seating area, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and bathrobes. A fridge, a stovetop and minibar are also featured, as well as a kettle.
The restaurant at Alagni Cretan Resort serves Greek, local and grill bbq cuisine.
The accommodation offers a picnic area.
If you would like to discover the area, cycling and walking tours are possible in the surroundings and Alagni Cretan Resort can arrange a bicycle rental service.
Venetian Walls is 24 km from the villa, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 25 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 22 km from Alagni Cretan Resort, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€221
/night
Offering a terrace and pool view, Green Farm-small paradise! is situated in Kalloní, 15 km from The Palace of Knossos and 21 km from Venetian Walls. This holiday home features a pool with a view, a garden, barbecue facilities, free WiFi and free private parking.
The holiday home with a patio and mountain views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a microwave and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the holiday home.
The holiday home offers a picnic area. There is a shared lounge at this property and guests can go hiking nearby.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 22 km from Green Farm-small paradise!, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 32 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 19 km from the accommodation.
Featuring garden views, Mylopetra Traditional House provides accommodation with a patio and a coffee machine, around 34 km from The Palace of Knossos. The air-conditioned accommodation is 31 km from Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos, and guests benefit from private parking available on site and free WiFi.
The villa is equipped with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with streaming services, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
The villa offers an outdoor fireplace. Both a bicycle rental service and a car rental service are available at Mylopetra Traditional House.
Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 45 km from the accommodation, while Venetian Walls is 46 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 39 km from Mylopetra Traditional House, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
Set in Archanes, 37 km from Malia, Villa Mantilari 1 House 7 Luxury Suites 2 Pools Fitness Center offers 2 seasonal outdoor swimming pools and free WiFi.
Certain units come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine and a kettle, completed with a kitchen.
The villa offers a children’s playground. Breakfast and traditional meals can be served upon request.
There is a garden with a barbecue at this property and guests can go hiking nearby.
Heraklio Town is 19 km from Villa Mantilari 1 House 7 Luxury, while Hersonissos is 29 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 22 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a paid airport shuttle service.
from
€1344
/night
Explore a traditional Cretan village in the evening, try Greek cuisine, and watch a lively show of dancing and music on this entertaining trip.
Begin with a beautiful drive through the mountains and arrive at the small village of Karouzanos. Enjoy free time to stroll around the narrow streets and old neighborhoods of the village. Take photos of the local architecture and gaze at the fantastic view of the Cretan mountains.
Next, experience an unforgettable show as local musicians and dancers perform. Join in and learn how to dance traditional dance moves. Savor typical Cretan food at the local restaurant and sip on a glass of wine.
Finally, after the show, head back to the bus for your journey back to your accommodation.
Intro:
A Cretan night out with local food, wine, traditional music and the chance to get carried away in an experience you will never forget. All you need to bring with you is your good mood and your dancing shoes.
Full Description:
Our trip starts in the evening. After the pick up, we arrive at the small traditional village of Karouzanos, where you will be greeted by the locals. You will be surprised by their hospitality as they show you around and let you taste their local products like raki and honey. You will have time to walk around the village’s narrow streets and take pictures of the blossomed evening flowers and traditional houses.
Then we are ready to enjoy the spectacle!
Watch the dancers perform folk and modern dances dressed in the traditional apparel, accompanied by the Cretan Lyra and the modern bouzouki. Taste the delicious food cooked with locally produced vegetables, cheese, meat and olive oil. The wine and raki are endless for the stronghearted.
The night does not end there though , you will have the chance to be a part of the show yourselves. The friendly dancers will teach you the steps so that you can feel like a modern Zorba and absorb the magic of the evening.
Come with us to feel like a true Cretan.
Begin your excursion with a scenic drive through the majestic mountains, arriving at the delightful village of Karouzanos for a four-hour exploration.
Here, you’re invited to delve into the village’s allure, meandering through its slender streets and heritage-rich quarters while soaking up the extraordinary mountain vistas and the vibrancy of local life through your lens.
Upon reaching the taverna with our guide, anticipate a cultural feast as local musicians and dancers take the stage for a riveting show. Enjoy the tastes of Cretan cuisine and sip on local wines, all before joining the residents in a dance that promises to make the evening even more unforgettable.
The celebration culminates with a return bus journey, which may extend beyond an hour, retracing our steps back to your initial pick-up spot. The time may adjust according to traffic and varied pick-up points.
As the vibrant Karouzanos night draws to a close, cherish the kaleidoscope of memories made amongst friendly locals, amidst the flavors of Greek gastronomy and the toasts of shared libations. It’s a heartfelt goodbye to an evening that’s bound to echo in your narratives for years to come.
Early in the evening, under the starry sky, in a summer tavern with the atmosphere flooded with the aroma of jasmine and the sweet melody of lyre and bouzouki, in the ancient village of Karouzanos, you will have the opportunity to walk through the streets of the traditional village and take a look at the rural life of this charming place.
Then you will taste the traditional local dishes and the famous wine and shortly afterwards you will enjoy the unique grace of the Cretan dancers with their traditional costumes that will dance for you Cretan Greek and Folk dances.
Catch up at the dance with them, follow in their footsteps and feel for an evening like Zorba.
An ideal opportunity to have fun as Cretans, taste traditional dishes, learn a little more about the people of Crete and keep the memory of this wonderful night in your heart.
Experience a night dedicated to music, dancing, and tasty local food Buffet during this Cretan folklore night in Karouzana, a traditional village near Heraklion. Sip on wine and taste local products such as cheese, olive oil, and meat during a buffet meal.
Reaching the ancient village after pickup, walk through this magnificent place and experience the locals’ hospitality.
At dusk, enjoy a traditional feast. Taste delicious dishes with cheese, virgin olive oil, meat, and other products of Cretan soil.
Get treated with the wine, listen to the sound of the Cretan Lyra (Greek musical instrument), and take delight in looking at the dancers, dressed in their traditional costumes performing Cretan and Greek folk dances.
At the end of the night, join the dancers, who will teach you the basic steps. Dance with others using a special 2-meter band so that everyone can keep a safe distance while having fun.
Have a good time while still feeling safe: eating and drinking will be individual and sterile as required by law and waiters will wear masks and gloves. The seats and the tables will also have the appropriate spacing in accordance with legal requirements.
If you were to travel all over Crete, crossing it from coast to coast, you would be astounded by the abundance of exceptional dishes and the unique traditional products that you’ll discover.
Cretan recipes are based on Traditional local products such as honey, herbs, vegetables, meat and olive oil, and many more that complete the palette of Cretan gastronomy.
Some of the best and most distinctive recipes have been collected and presented in our place by our Cooks through Traditional Cooking Classes.
• You’ll get hands-on training from a professional local Cook.
• You’ll learn new cooking techniques that can easily be repeated at home.
• You’ll discover our traditions and learn historical tips about our unique cuisine.
• Vegetarians are welcome. Let me know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
No results available
The Spiliotissa gorge, situated approximately 24km to the south of Heraklion, is a verdant chasm that originates from the Houdetsi village, passes through Agios Vasilios, and terminates in the Peza valley, where its waters feed into the Kounaviano gorge. The most picturesque section of the gorge is the 1.5km stretch between Houdetsi and Agios Vasilios. Starting from Houdetsi, where parking is available in the village, a well-kept trail leads down to Agios Vasilios, meandering through dense foliage and groves of orange and olive trees, irrigated by the stream.
At the beginning of the path, two Byzantine churches, Saint John the Baptist and Saint Nicholas, are encountered, along with two former grain mills. After approximately 500m, the historic Sinai Monastery of Panagia Spiliotissa can be found, which lends its name to the gorge. A quick exploration of the small monastery with its cave-like church is followed by a continued journey into the verdant heart of the canyon, towards Agios Vasilios. A beautiful fountain and the Byzantine church of Saint John are located just outside the monastery.
The Kounaviano gorge, known for its lush vegetation, is the greenest canyon in the entire Heraklion prefecture, serving as a verdant oasis in the heart of Pediada province. The gorge is named after the village of Kounavi in its district, even though it actually begins from the village of Peza, hence it could be referred to as Pezzano Gorge. This gorge is a tributary of the Karteros river and runs parallel to the Astrakiano gorge. The Astrakiano and Kounaviano gorges converge at the Kaki Rachi area near Skalani, forming the Karteros Gorge. Kounaviano’s entrance is situated at the northernmost point of the fertile Peza plain, collecting all the area’s water. It has numerous springs along its bed, some of which retain water throughout the year.
In recent years, the gorge’s trail has been marked and cleared, with the addition of small bridges, wooden railings, and informational signs. Walking along this trail is a delightful and easy experience, shaded by perennial plane, oak, and other trees. The riverbed walk is simple, without significant altitude changes or difficulties. At the gorge’s starting point, two small waterfalls can be seen. Old watermills, once used to grind the area’s cereals, can be found at three different points along the trail. This region has always been one of Crete’s most productive. Additionally, limestone kilns and various fruit tree gardens can be spotted. A walk from the gorge’s entrance at Peza to its exit at Kaki Rachi near Skalani takes approximately 2 hours.
Eligas Gorge, a stunning natural monument, is nestled on the western side of Koupa Mountain, just above the village of Miliaradon in Embaros. This remarkable location boasts a towering waterfall with nine rappels, making it a perfect spot for canyoning. The altitude difference from the entrance to the exit is approximately 230m.
Eligas is just one of numerous waterfalls in the vicinity, standing tall at 150 meters. It cascades down in 5-6 stages, with the largest drop being 50 meters.
During the winter, the waterfall is fed by crystal clear water from the local ‘Papa Lagos’ springs. On exiting the gorge, it merges with the Baritis River, a primary tributary of the Anapodaris River.
In the Cretan dialect, Eligas translates to ‘waterfall’. The gorge is unique due to its distinctive formations, created by layers of limestone that resemble a vast open-air theatre with stone tiers.
A trail from Miliaradon village leads to the base of the waterfall. From there, visitors can ascend to its highest points, offering a breathtaking view of the impressive waterfall and the Baritis-irrigated plain villages.
The Astrakiano and Kounaviano canyons are two verdant gorges that converge near Skalani village and empty out onto Karteros beach. The combined length of these canyons is roughly 21 km. Situated to the east of Heraklion city, these gorges are part of the broader Mount Jiouktas area. They offer easy walking trails, making them perfect for families and children.
The longer of the two, Astrakiano, begins at the Paliarda location in Kolomodi and extends to the area beneath the deserted Kato Astraki village, after crossing the picturesque Astrakiani Kamara bridge. From Kato Astraki, a brief trail leads to the Neraidospilios site, known for its stunning pond and gushing water caves.
The path along the Karteros river commences from this point, offering a lush green trail equipped with wooden bridges and railings. After crossing the Aitania bridge at Kaki Rachi, we reach Kali Rachi where the Astrakiano and Kounaviano Gorges, originating from Peza, merge. From Kali Rachi, the river continues to Karteros along a well-structured path. This section, known as Karteros Gorge, passes by ancient water mills and the historic Saint Nicholas Church (Agios Nikolaos). Near the Karteros gorge exit, at the Mesa Karteros spot, you’ll find an old inn and a second chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas. This location, accessible by car from Karteros, is an ideal picnic spot.
The Astrakiano canyon (Astraki – Kali Rachi) measures about 7km, with a hiking duration of 3-4 hours. The Kounaviano Gorge (Peza- Kali Rachi) is roughly 4km long, requiring about 2 hours for trekking. The shared section of the Karteros gorge (up to the second Saint Nicholas chapel (Kali Rachi – Mesa Karteros)) is approximately 6km.
The canyons’ route is abundant in natural, morphological, aesthetic, historical, and cultural aspects. The landscape boasts exceptional natural beauty, featuring springs, ponds, rivers, mini waterfalls, and lush vegetation. Prior to World War II, the canyon housed 10 watermills, and locals would fish for eels and crabs, some of which still exist today.
Arkalochori is located 33km away from Heraklion, on the provincial road linking Heraklion and Viannos, at 395m above sea level.
The population of Arkalochori is 2,881.
The inhabitants of Arkalochori are mostly involved in agriculture, but also in commerce and arts.
Yes, Arkalochori is one of the most developing towns in the prefecture of Heraklion both in economic and cultural sectors.
The Pancretan Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition, which takes place in Arkalochori, is of great significance and interest for the whole island.
Arkalochori offers a full range of modern facilities to its residents and visitors.
The average temperature in Arkalohóri town ranges from 15°C to 30°C, depending on the season.
Arkalohóri town is located in the center of Crete, about 20 km south of Heraklion.
The nearest airport to Arkalohóri town is Heraklion International Airport, which is about 20 km away.
Arkalohóri town is known for its traditional architecture, narrow streets, and beautiful churches. The town is also famous for its wine production and has several wineries that offer wine tasting tours. Other attractions include the Minoan archaeological site of Vathypetro and the nearby Mount Juktas, which offers stunning views of the surrounding area.
© All rights reserved. Crete Locals
