Nature

Kamini is an area with 5 pebble beaches in a series close to the famous Minoan settlement Gournia by Pahia Ammos. The area is located north of the site and was the access point of Gournia people to the sea. Therefore we still meet Minoan buildings in the area with the most important almost on the sea level.

Starting from Elounda, if you follow the road to Plaka, which passes right next to the shore, you will soon meet several small beaches with pebbles and stones at settlements Mavrikiano and Agia Paraskevi. In some places the olive trees are planted on the beach because the salty water of the lagoon is always calm and does not destroy them. In some places you will find beach bars on platforms.

The Dionysades (also Gianysades) is a small group of islands off Sitia on the northeast coast of Crete. The group includes the islands Gianysada, Dragonada, Paximada, and Paximadaki. This island group is part of an environmentally protected area with many rare plants and animals including the falcon, Falco eleonorae, which finds sanctuary here.

The canyon Kavis is one of the longest and wildest of Sfakia area and despite located next to Chora Sfakion, it remains unknown to many people who usually just enjoy swimming at Iligas. The riverbed is dry almost always, except after several hours of rain. Apart from the main stream, in Kavis fall other 5 sub-gorges, extremely wild.

The small shelter named Christos Chouliopoulos is located at an altitude of 1980m, at the small plateau Katsiveli at the outskirts of Svourichti peak, in the center of the White Mountains. It can be accessed by hiking 7 hours north from Anopolis, Sfakia district, and the nearest dirt road is 2:30 hours away. The shelter hosts the hikers who cross the White Mountains to/from the shelter Kallergis (6 hours) or climb to their highest peak, Pachnes (2:30).

Agii Pantes Gorge is located next to Skopi of Sitia province, near Faneromeni Monastery, and is one of the easiest places to walk in Crete. The very well signed trail runs along the riverbed of the gorge, below the shade of hundreds platan trees. There are two fresh water springs in the canyon, one is called Koutsounari and the other one, located inside a cave, is called Hosto Nero. The exit of the gorge is the beach of Agii Pantes (by Platani beach). The area floods in winter turns to an important wetland. Near its exit, you will admire the white limestock formations, reminding of huge pleurotus mushrooms.

Cave Lavyrinthaki is located 50km south of Heraklion, on a small hill between Plouti and Moroni. It is a small ancient quarry, with an approximately large room of 300 sq. meters, while the height at some point reaches 4m. There are several columns for supporting the roof.

Kamarelles Beach, opposite the small islet of Marmaro and next to the ancient Roman Theatre, is an amazing sandy beach. It is very interesting to watch ancient pillars while snorkeling! On the south end of the beach, we meet two impressive natural arches, called Kamarelles.