Marathos village: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Marathos is a village located 400 meters above sea level, along the Old National Road between Heraklion and Rethymnon. The distance to the capital city of Heraklion is approximately 20 kilometres, while the village of Fodele is only 7 kilometres away. Marathos is an old village that was first mentioned in 1577. It’s built on top of a pre-historical site, and it still has a fairly lively population of about 400 people. Most of the villagers here make their living from agriculture and livestock farming, as well as from cultivating olives. There are also a number of taverns and mini-markets scattered throughout the village. If you’re coming from Heraklion, you can take the Gazi – Marathos route to get here.

There are two churches and a large war memorial in the village of Marathos. The war memorial was made by famous sculptor Klinakis Yannis, who was born in the village. Right next to the war memorial is another, smaller monument in memory of a soldier who died in 1974. The sign at the military base in Maleme reads: “Commando (Soldier of Special Forces) Toulis Illias fell in duty for the nation in July 1974 on Cyprus”. Every year, villagers and family members gather to remember him. The large church next to the cemetery has a bell tower that can be seen from anywhere in the village.

The Doxa Cave

This historical cave is located at a short distance from the village of Marathos on the road to Heraklion. It is at a height of 490 metres above sea level, near a well-known taverna also called DOXA.

A few steps before the cave entrance, there is a map describing the inside of the cave as well as some notices with useful information.

Measuring 50 meters in length, the cave features beautiful stalactites and stalagmites throughout, especially in rooms B and D. Additionally, there is a platform in the centre of the cave with smaller basins and impressive stalagmites. Though small, Doxa Cave is definitely worth seeing. Close to its west side are also two precipices called “O Tafos tou Lakkou” and “Xetripi.”

Things to do in Marathos

Things to do in Marathos start in the village and reach about 7 km out from it. The village itself holds two churches, the war memorial by the sculptor Klinakis Yannis and an art hall, while a gorge, a cave, a monastery, a Minoan peak sanctuary and the village of Fodele lie beyond it.

1. Look in at the art hall. The gallery stands in the village, 200 m from its centre: Art Hall Marathos.
2. Walk the Santorinios gorge. The canyon carries water from Marathos and the western slopes of Platani down to the Fodelianos river, and it starts 1.8 km from the village. It is short but thick with vegetation and dotted with ponds, so walkers go along the riverbed and take a change of footwear: Santorinios Gorge.
3. See the Doxa cave. The cave lies 2.4 km from Marathos on the road to Heraklion, at 490 m above sea level, and runs 50 m into the hillside past stalactites and stalagmites. It sits beside the taverna of the same name: Doxa.
4. Drive to Savvathiana Monastery. The monastery stands 4.2 km from the village, near Rogdia: Savvathiana Monastery.
5. Climb to the Pyrgos peak sanctuary. The Minoan peak sanctuary is 4.8 km from Marathos: Pyrgos Minoan Peak Sanctuary.
6. Spend a morning in Fodele. The village is 7 km from Marathos and is the birthplace of El Greco, with pottery and weaving workshops, orange groves and a beach 3 km further north. Start with the Fodele village page, then Fodele beach.

4 more beaches sit on the coast within 8 km of Marathos. Pebbly Paliokastro beach faces east, under the limestone rock whose summit once held the Venetian fortress of Paliokastro, and the Spiliotissa gorge from Rogdia comes down to it past the 10 m Rechtra waterfall. Helidoni beach lies just south of Paliokastro below the highway, reached by a wooden staircase. Pantanassa beach keeps pebbles, clear water, umbrellas and sunbeds beside its small port. Korakia has 3 secluded sandy bays near Sisses, though its water has been degraded by the north winds and the nearby Heraklion landfill.