Kritsa is a traditional Cretan town in Eastern Crete, set in the hills just above Agios Nikolaos city. The village keeps its old way of life along scenic narrow streets, with blooming yards, textile shops, traditional coffee shops, folklore collections, and small Byzantine churches. Kritsa works almost like an open folklore and historical museum about Crete, and most visitors come for three things: the frescoes of the Panagia Kera church, the walk through Kritsa Gorge, and an afternoon browsing the local crafts. Plan roughly 10 km and about 20 minutes by car from the harbour of Agios Nikolaos.
Kritsa is an inland village, so the beaches in and around it lie on the coast at Agios Nikolaos, and 5 of them sit within 7 km. The run down from the village takes a few minutes by car. The choice covers organized sand with sunbeds and water sports, a wetland-backed bay for small children, and a sheltered cove reached by a wooden ladder.
Almyros beach, 6.1 km from Kritsa, is the one that suits young children. The sand runs 300 m, the water is shallow and usually calm, and the entry into it is smooth. The beach is well organized, and the protected Almiros wetland behind it gives a short walk between swims.
Beti beach, 6.4 km from Kritsa, is the quietest of the beaches nearby. It is a small beach a kilometre from Agios Nikolaos and a five-minute walk from Almyros, and most beachgoers never find it. Its sheltered position keeps the wind and waves off the water.
Situated in Kritsá, 10 km from Lake Voulismeni and 10 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), Casa Villaggio Kritsa features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. This apartment is 11 km from Agios Nikolaos Port and 38 km from Lixnostatis Folk Museum.
The 2-bedroom apartment features a living room with a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen with oven and microwave, and 1 bathroom with a hair dryer. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
Aquaworld Aquarium is 40 km from the apartment, while Labyrinth Park is 44 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 61 km from Casa Villaggio Kritsa.
Situated in Kritsá, 10 km from Lake Voulismeni and 9.2 km from Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa), Philoxenia Luxury Apartment features air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The property has quiet street views and is 10 km from Agios Nikolaos Port and 38 km from Lixnostatis Folk Museum.
The holiday home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
Aquaworld Aquarium is 41 km from the holiday home, while Labyrinth Park is 44 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 61 km from Philoxenia Luxury Apartment.
from
€111
/night
Located in Kroústas and only 12 km from Lake Voulismeni, Traditional Windmill-Milos provides accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. With garden views, this accommodation offers a balcony.
The holiday home with a terrace and sea views features 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a toaster, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided in the holiday home.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 12 km from the holiday home, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 13 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 65 km from Traditional Windmill-Milos.
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony, Villa Rahati is set in Kroústas. This property offers access to a terrace and free private parking.
With free WiFi, this 2-bedroom villa offers a flat-screen TV, a washing machine and a kitchen with a dishwasher and oven. Towels and bed linen are offered in the villa.
Guests can also relax in the garden.
Lake Voulismeni is 12 km from the villa, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 12 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 65 km from Villa Rahati.
Situated in Agios Nikolaos and only 4.4 km from Lake Voulismeni, Villa Anatolli hill features accommodation with mountain views, free WiFi and free private parking. The property was built in 2015 and features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio.
The country house with a balcony and sea views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchenette with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a bath. Towels and bed linen are available in the country house.
The country house offers a picnic area. Barbecue facilities are provided and guests can also relax in the garden or on the sun terrace.
Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 4 km from Villa Anatolli hill, while Agios Nikolaos Port is 5.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 60 km from the accommodation.
from
€135
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, pool view and a patio, Amina villa is set in Agios Nikolaos. This property offers access to a balcony, free private parking and free WiFi.
The villa is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
At the villa guests are welcome to take advantage of a fitness room. Guests at Amina villa can enjoy fishing and hiking nearby, or make the most of the garden.
Lake Voulismeni is 3.6 km from the accommodation, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 3.2 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 59 km from Amina villa.
from
€164
/night
This is a seated food tasting rather than a walking tour. Over 2 hours at the Faedra Beach restaurant at Ammoudara, just west of Agios Nikolaos, a host takes you through five Greek and Cretan dishes served as separate courses, opening with a shot of tsikoudia alongside Cretan rusks and fresh tomato. Kamaratos SA run it from €55, and vegetarian and vegan versions are available.
The evening is built around five dishes, each served and explained in turn.
First comes the welcome: tsikoudia, the Cretan grape spirit, poured with rusks and fresh tomato. Second comes the sequence of five plates drawn from the everyday Greek and Cretan repertoire, mezedes, casseroles, ladera and mageirefta, the slow-cooked dishes that Greek households actually eat. Named dishes on the list include fava, taramosalata, fasolakia and stuffed peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and aubergines. Third comes dessert, and the tasting closes there.
Wine is poured through the meal. The point of the format is breadth: five smaller plates cover more of the cuisine than one main course does, and the host explains the ingredients and the cooking method behind each.
The tasting stays in one place, on the coast west of the town.
The €55 covers the whole tasting at the table.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this one for what it is, and we want to be exact about that, because the old page title on this site said walking tour and the experience is not one. You sit at a table by the sea for two hours and eat.
What earns it a place is the choice of dishes. Fava, taramosalata, fasolakia and stuffed vegetables are home cooking rather than taverna showpieces, the ladera and mageirefta that Greek families cook on ordinary weekdays and that most visitors never get a proper run through. Being talked through five of them in sequence, with the reasoning behind the ingredients, is a genuinely different thing from ordering mezedes off a menu.
The single review on record is a strong one. A German guest who took it in October 2023 wrote that their host Manos was great, that they learned a lot about Greek food philosophy, ingredients and culture, that the staff were very kind and that the food was very delicious.
That single review is also the caveat, and it is a real one.
One review is not evidence of consistency. Five stars from one guest tells you far less than four stars from two hundred, and this listing has no volume behind it. Treat the rating as a promising signal rather than a proven record.
The format is fixed, so check it suits you. There is no walking, no market visit and no cooking, if you want a tour of Agios Nikolaos on foot, this is not that, and if you want to cook, a cooking class is the right booking. Dietary requirements are worth flagging when you book, since the vegetarian and vegan versions are arranged rather than standing.
Confirm your dietary needs early, arrange your own transport, and pace the first shot.
The meeting point is the Faedra Beach resort at Ammoudara, west of Agios Nikolaos. The tasting runs 2 hours and seats you at the seafront restaurant for the whole of it.
Come hungry rather than after lunch, five courses plus dessert is a full meal, not a snack.
The tasting runs 2 hours, seated at one restaurant for the whole session.
No, it is a seated tasting at a seafront restaurant, with no walking element despite the older listing title.
Five Greek and Cretan dishes are served as separate courses, followed by dessert.
Both are available on request, so state your requirement at the time of booking.
Tsikoudia is the Cretan grape spirit poured as a welcome here, served alongside rusks and fresh tomato.
One review, rated five stars, from a German guest in October 2023, a small base to judge it on.
Check dates and prices for the Greek and Cretan food tasting in Agios Nikolaos.
Take a tour to Richtis beach on the far side of Mirabello Bay and trek through the forest to the stunning Richtis waterfall. After pickup from your accommodation, enjoy the beautiful scenery on the 1-hour drive to the bay of Mirabello. Leave the asphalt and travel off road down to Richtis beach, hugging the mountainside.
Park at the bottom and enter Richtis gorge to start the 30-minute walk to reach the falls. Follow a trail through the forest, listening to the sounds of birds and running water. Stop to admire the incredible waterfalls, with time to climb up the stairs to the top of the falls, take photos, or swim in the cool waters.
When you are ready to leave, head back to the beach along the same trail. During the tour you’ll enjoy a traditional lunch at a local tavern, with wine and water included. At the end of your tour, you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel in the Elounda area.
This is a small family boat trip rather than a charter: four hours out of Agios Nikolaos marina with Captain Kostas aboard the Monomahos, fishing the bays of Mirabello with rods, stopping to swim, and eating a snack his wife cooks. Fishing Trips Crete run it from €90, with a 4.87 rating across 68 reviews, and reviewers keep saying the same thing, that beginners are welcome.
The four hours divide between fishing, swimming and eating, and the captain reads the weather to decide the order.
First is the marina at Agios Nikolaos, where Kostas meets you at the boat. Second is the run out into Mirabello Bay, the large sheltered gulf that gives eastern Crete its calmest water, to whichever spot is fishing that day. Third is the fishing itself, with rods and tackle provided and the captain baiting and advising as needed. Fourth is a stop in one of the bays for a swim and the snack, with beer, local wine, soft drinks, coffee and water on board.
Reviewers commonly report three different stops in a single trip, and several describe snorkelling between the fishing spots.
The boat works the gulf immediately around the town.
The €90 covers the boat, the captain, the tackle and the food.
Included:
There is nothing listed as excluded, which is unusual and worth noting, the price is the price.
We recommend this one because of who it works for: people who have never fished. That is not the usual pitch for a fishing trip, and it is the single most repeated point in the reviews.
A German guest put it directly, Kostas is attentive, helpful and patient, and that matters when you have people aboard fishing for the first time in their lives. Another German family called it recommended even for inexperienced anglers. A British couple reported their daughter Freya catching her first fish ever. If you have been put off booking because you would not know what to do with a rod, this is the trip that solves that.
The second thing is that it is genuinely a family operation. Kostas runs it with his daughter Katerina, the snack is cooked by his wife, and there is a dog on board that a French reviewer went out of their way to mention. A German visitor said it felt more like being out with friends than on a tour. Guide and transportation both score 4.9 out of 5.
Third, it is not only fishing. Reviewers describe three stops in four hours, snorkelling between them, and the captain explaining the species being caught. A Dutch family of four fished and snorkelled at three different locations. If half your group wants to swim rather than fish, they are catered for.
Two honest notes.
Value for money is the weakest dimension at 4.7 out of 5, which is still high, but €90 for four hours is a real price, and it reflects a small boat with few passengers rather than a bargain.
Weather decides the itinerary. The operator states that the captain chooses the route and the spot according to conditions on the day, so nothing about the route is fixed in advance.
Say you are a beginner, bring a towel, and come hungry.
The meeting point is Akti Nearchou 18 at the Agios Nikolaos marina. The trip runs 4 hours and the boat is the Monomahos.
Bring swimwear, a towel and sun protection. The captain has 30 years at sea and all fishing equipment is supplied, so there is nothing else to bring.
The trip runs 4 hours from the marina, covering fishing, a swim stop and a snack.
No, reviewers repeatedly describe it as suitable for complete beginners, including children catching their first fish.
All fishing equipment is included, along with a snack, water, a soft drink or coffee, and a beer or glass of local wine.
Yes, the boat stops in one of the bays for a swim, and reviewers commonly report snorkelling between fishing spots.
Into Mirabello Bay, the sheltered gulf around Agios Nikolaos, with the exact spots chosen by the captain on the day.
Captain Kostas, with 30 years at sea, working alongside his daughter Katerina, with the onboard snack cooked by his wife.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos fishing trip.
This boat trip leaves Agios Nikolaos harbour at 12:30 and spends 4.5 hours in the Mirabello gulf, crossing to Spinalonga and stopping to swim at Kolokytha bay on the way. Spinalonga carries Venetian fortifications and the buildings of the leper colony that operated there until 1957, and the route also passes the sunken city of Olous and Barbarossa’s cave. NOSTOS CRUISES runs it from €25, with a 4.41 rating across 3,526 reviews, ranking 37th among all GetYourGuide experiences in Greece.
The boat makes a circuit of the gulf with one landing and one swim. Four things fill the 4.5 hours.
First is the cruise across Mirabello bay from the main harbour, with live commentary and views back at the coast. Second are the sights passed en route: the cave associated with the corsair Barbarossa, the submerged remains of the ancient city of Olous, and the island where the kri-kri goats live. Third is Spinalonga itself, with a guided walk covering the Venetian period and the colony years. Fourth is the swim stop at Kolokytha bay, entered straight off the boat by ladder and platform.
Live guiding runs in English and Dutch; French, German, Polish and Greek are provided by audio guide only.
The route stays within the Mirabello gulf on the north-east coast.
The €25 covers the boat and the guiding; the island fee and everything you consume are separate.
Included:
Not included:
We recommend this as the efficient way to do Spinalonga: half a day, from a town harbour you can walk to, at €25. It leaves your morning and evening free, which the full-day coach trips do not.
The swim stop is what reviewers rate highest, and it is better than it sounds. A New Zealand guest called it the highlight of the trip, jumping into the sea straight from the boat using the ladder and platform, far more convenient than wading off a beach. French and Polish reviewers describe the same thing, and one noted the swimming time is exactly right.
Guiding on the island earns specific praise. A Dutch reviewer named Dimitri for the history he gave on Spinalonga; a British reviewer described the island guide as very informative and happy to answer questions. A Greek guest said the guides were warm and attentive from the first minute to the last.
The boat itself gets good marks, clean, with a bar and restaurant, food and drink at reasonable prices, and plenty of facilities.
Two honest caveats, and one of them is the dominant complaint in this record.
The €20 island fee is not clear enough at booking. GetYourGuide’s own review summary says travellers want clearer information on the additional entry fee, and two separate German reviewers raised it directly, one saying the price should be more clearly indicated, the other spelling out that an add-on ticket of €20 each is needed for the roughly 90 minutes on the island. At €25 for the boat, the fee nearly doubles your cost.
Language coverage is uneven. Only English and Dutch get a live guide; French, German, Polish and Greek passengers listen to a recording. Guiding scores 4.3 out of 5, the weakest dimension, and this is the likeliest reason.
If you would rather have the towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda included with a coach and a guide for the whole day, the full-day Agios Nikolaos and Spinalonga trip covers all three.
Budget €45 not €25, bring a towel, and take the ladder rather than the beach.
The boat departs from Nostos Cruises at Akti Koundourou 6, Agios Nikolaos 721 00, at 12:30. No hotel transfer is included.
French, German, Polish and Greek commentary is by audio guide rather than a live guide. Pets are allowed on board, towels are not provided, and the Spinalonga entry fee is paid separately.
The trip runs 4.5 hours, departing Agios Nikolaos harbour at 12:30.
No, the island entry fee of around €20 is separate, and it is the most common complaint in the review record.
The swim stop is at Kolokytha bay, entered directly from the boat by ladder and platform rather than from a beach.
A live guide covers English and Dutch. French, German, Polish and Greek are provided by audio guide only.
No transfer is included. The boat leaves from the main harbour in Agios Nikolaos, walkable from the town centre.
Pets are allowed on board, which is unusual among the Spinalonga boats.
Check dates and prices for the Agios Nikolaos boat trip to Spinalonga.
Board a comfortable air-conditioned semi-submarine vessel at the port of Agios Nikolaos. Discover marine life which inhabits the coastal waters of Agioi Pantes Island. Learn more about the flora and fauna you will see from the onboard audio guide.
See many different species of colorful fish as the boat crew feeds them. If you are lucky, you may spot curious sea turtles, dolphins, and seals who sometimes choose to investigate the vessel.
In the second part of the tour, take a seat on the main deck of the boat in order to admire the spectacular views of Agios Nikolaos Bay. Feel the sea breeze as you cruise through the bay before heading back to the port.
Discover the highlights of Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Plaka on this multi-stop trip from Heraklion. Take in the sights from onboard a ferry and savor a BBQ or tavern lunch. See Spinalonga Island, the Lake of Voulismeni, and more.
Meet your local guide, and make your first stop at Agios Nikolaos on the Gulf of Mirabello. This place is famous for its picturesque lake, explored by the ocean researcher Jaques Cousteau. Walk along the city on your own or relax at a cafe.
After that, drive to the harbor of Elounda where you’ll get on a ferry to visit the Island of Spinalonga. This small isle carries within the history of Ancient Greece, as it served as a natural guard for the ancient city of Olous.
Choose to join a guided tour or explore the island by yourself. If you don’t want to visit the archaeological site, you can join a 1-hour boat trip to a secret location and dive into the crystal-clear water (cost not included). After visiting Spinalonga, depart for one of the nearby bays.
Get plenty of time for swimming and enjoying BBQ served on board. The menu includes pork BBQ, greek salad, feta cheese, bread, seasonal fruit, wine, and Fanta. If your trip is on a Sunday, you’ll get to enjoy dinner in a tavern instead of having BBQ on board.
After a short drive, reach Plaka, a small fishing village. Plaka was the ferry port of the leper colony, whose history was documented in a book and a Greek television series.
The last stop of the day is the capital town of Lasithi, Agios Nikolaos. Relax in a café next to the bottomless Lake of Voulismeni or explore the local shops. Enjoy a refreshing swim before heading back to your accommodation.
10:30 Departure from Elounda with the boat
11:10 Arrival Kolokytha
12:45 Departure from Kolokytha
13:10 Arrival Spinalonga
14:45 Departure from Spinalonga to Elounda
15:00 Arrival Elounda
15:45 Olive oil tasting – Arrival Agios Nikolaos
16:45 Departure Agios Nikolaos – back to the hotels
18:30 Arrival Heraklion.
Route:128 km
Duration:app. 11 hours
Stay in Spinalonga:1 ½ hours
Stay in Kolokytha Bay-Beach:1 ½ hours
Stay in Agios Nikolaos:app.1 hour
ESSENTIALS:
•shoes for the sea
•sun protection
•hat
* Remarks:Please notify us in advance, if you are vegetarian or if you do not eat pork at all, as we have to preorder another lunch for you.
Situated 6km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, along the old route that links Agios Nikolaos to Sitia and Ierapetra, is Ammoudara Beach. This developed area boasts a variety of hotels, rental properties, taverns, and restaurants. There’s a beautiful sandy beach fronting the tourist settlement, with crystal-clear, light-blue waters. Thanks to its eastward orientation, the beach typically enjoys calm seas as the prevalent winds in Crete blow from the west. Beachgoers can enjoy amenities such as umbrellas, sunbeds, and water sports facilities.
Ammoudara provides an ideal setting for family vacations, but the beach’s small size can lead to it feeling somewhat crowded. For those seeking a less populated spot, heading west to the expansive Almiros beach might be a good alternative.
Almyros beach (Almiros) is located 2.5km south of Agios Nikolaos and 12 km from Elounda. It is shaped near the exit of Almiros River, which empties on the south part of the beach. Next to the beach, the protected wetland of Almiros hosts several rare birds, towering eucalyptus trees, reed and some palm trees.
The beach is quite long – 300 m – and very well-organized. It is sandy and the water is shallow and usually calm, making it ideal especially for young children. There are a lot of trees behind the beach, and to the east, you can see the pretty Thrypti Mount. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers, families with children, seniors etc. It is partially crowded during the high season. The area has a few canteens, while there are also many options for water sports. The sea water is very cold in some places due to the river that flows all year round. On the south side of the beach, there are small hotels and apartments.
To reach the beach from Agios Nikolaos city centre, if you do not have a car, you should walk the pedestrian street (5 ‘) which runs along the rocky coasts north of the beach. The pathway starts from Gargadoros beach, which is located 5 minutes south of the town’s marina.
The picturesque Listi Spilios, situated 7km south of Agios Nikolaos along the old road to Sitia and Ierapetra, has become a bustling tourist spot over the years with a variety of accommodations, ranging from large hotels to smaller lodges. The beach is characterized by its rocky terrain and sandy patches, with a charming smaller beach nestled to the north of the main area. Unfortunately, recent extensive alterations by a major hotel in the vicinity have significantly changed the original rocky nature of the coastline, including the construction of a pier to retain sand. Visitors can enjoy amenities like umbrellas, a snack bar, water sports and a beach volleyball court. The quieter western side of the beach, boasting lush vegetation due to nearby freshwater springs, provides a serene escape.
The beach’s intriguing name, Listi Spilios, translates to ‘Robber’s Cave’ in Greek. This stems from a tale from the Middle Ages when the primary road used by locals to commute to island cities ran through this area. On the beach’s west end, there’s a petite peninsula home to several small caves, which, as the legend tells, were used as hideouts by robbers who targeted travellers on the road.
Beti beach is nestled just a kilometre away from the bustling city of Agios Nikolaos, and a mere five-minute stroll from Almyros beach. This small slice of paradise often remains undiscovered by the typical crowd, providing an idyllic retreat for those in search of tranquillity.
This diminutive yet delightful beach, embraced by the natural landscape, boasts soft, sun-kissed sand that warmly greets your feet. Thanks to its sheltered location, Beti beach is often protected from the region’s wind and waves, making it a calm oasis amidst the vibrant surroundings. A visit to Beti beach gives you an opportunity to savour the serene ambience, far removed from the usual throngs of beachgoers, adding an element of seclusion to your Cretan beach adventure.
The Kritsa Gorge, located 9.5km southwest of Agios Nikolaos, begins near the charming village of Kritsa and concludes at Tapes village. This 4 km long gorge, at some points, is only 1.5m wide. It is fairly easy to navigate, with a few areas requiring caution, where large rocks need to be climbed over. However, it is not advisable to visit the gorge following rainfall, as the resulting ponds can obstruct the paths.
The canyon’s entrance near Kritsa is striking. The mountain is split in two, creating the narrow Havgas passage (Havgas is a common term for gorges in East Crete). In addition to the main trail that begins near Kritsa’s stone bridge, there is an alternate path that starts in the village itself.
Close to the trailhead, you’ll find a large rock that can be scaled with relative ease. Beyond this point, the canyon becomes even more breathtaking, with slender passages and towering walls that block out sunlight. This natural wonder is particularly beautiful in spring when flowers are in bloom and water levels are low. The walls eventually recede, revealing a picturesque valley filled with olive groves. If you continue along the riverbed for approximately 1.5 hours, you’ll arrive at the lovely village of Tapes, where you can relax at the local coffee shop.
The Adrianos Gorge originates from the Adrianos village. There are areas within the gorge where large rocks obstruct the pathway, making navigation challenging, but achievable (it takes approximately 3 hours to traverse). In close proximity to the gorge, you can explore the Maridon and Atziganospilios caves.
The river that courses through the gorge is a segment of the Skoulikaris or Xeropotamos River. This river collects water from the Potami village valley and, after covering several kilometers, it finally drains near the Agios Nikolaos town stadium.
The Havgas Gorge, situated near the village of Kalamafka and just 12km north of Ierapetra city, is one of several gorges with the same name scattered across Crete. Other examples include the Havgas Gorge in the Lassithi Plateau, Plaka, and Kavoussi. The Havgas Gorge is nestled between the Megali Korfi (1103m) and Kokies (993m) peaks, and its stream, the Kapsous, serves as the primary tributary of the Kalamavkianos River that empties into the Stomio beach of Gra Ligia.
This stunning canyon boasts unique rock formations, sculpted by rare geological events. Many of these rocks are adorned with nature’s own “artwork”, etched over time by the elements. Despite its relatively short length, the gorge offers an easy and enjoyable walk along the riverbed, even for novices. The area’s altitude of around 500m provides the perfect environment for a lush pine forest. Regrettably, repeated fires have caused the forest to diminish in size. Nevertheless, the area is worth a visit, and visitors are sure to be charmed by the sight of small pine trees sprouting from the rocks, akin to bonsai trees.
The gorge’s depth extends to 300m. At one spot, two narrow rocks form the entrance to a series of caves that served as a refuge for Cretan rebels and Allies during the German Occupation. The locals refer to this area as the “Chinese Landscape”, due to the smooth rocks dotted with bonsai-like trees. Adjacent to the gorge’s exit, visitors can explore the village of Kalamafka with its inviting taverns and babbling water. Additionally, nearby attractions include an ancient olive oil mill and the churches of Saint John and Saint Anthony.
Situated between the peaks of Katharios Lakkos and Katharia Kefala in the Dikti Range, Havgas Gorge is a prominent long gorge on the Lassithi Plateau. The gorge is nourished by the Megalos or Xenikos river, which springs from the Katharo plateau, courses through the Lassithi Plateau, and then vanishes into the sinkhole Chonos. The water resurfaces from Fleves springs at Kastamonitsa or a man-made water pipe at Gonies and ultimately drains into the Aposelemis dam lake. The name “havgas”, along with its variants, is typically used to refer to gorges in Eastern Crete.
Spanning about 4 km, Havgas Gorge provides a leisurely walk, especially at the exit where it widens and showcases striking landslides on its flanks. As you advance, the gorge abruptly tightens, leading to the scenic Neraidokolimbos lake, situated at the foot of a charming waterfall with a round boulder. According to local folklore, the gorge’s fairies used to bathe in this lake.
Next to Neraidokolimbos is the Plystra side gorge, recognized for its successive waterfalls that flow into the main stream of Havgas. Above the gorge, there is a singular waterfall named after Plystra, known to drip water even during the dry summer months. As per the legend, this is where fairies used to wash their clothes.
The gorge, a part of the E4 trail, offers a tranquil landscape due to the lack of crowds. It is home to a variety of trees, mainly maples and holm oaks. The river is seasonal and only flows following substantial rain or snow, whereas Neraidokolymbos lake retains water throughout the year.
Travelers usually start their journey from the exit point near the reservoirs of Agios Georgios village. Another alternative is to commence from the Katharo plateau and descend along the riverbed. However, reaching Neraidokolymbos may necessitate a jump into the water or retracing one’s steps.
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