Nature

The gorge of Xerokambos – Ziros, officially called “Lamnoni gorge”, is the driest canyon of eastern Crete. Walking in the gorge takes approximately 2 hours and the descent is quite easy and smooth. The canyon has typical wild cretan beauty, with bare, tall walls and undergrowth. Throughout the journey, you'll admire the view to the blue Libyan Sea.

The Small Plateau of Nissimos is located 55km southeast of Heraklion, on the northern side of the Lassithi Plateau, at an altitude of 890m. Access is quite easy as there is a passable uphill road, 2.5km long, starting from the village Tzermiado.

The main beach of Nea Chora is very well organized, with several amenities nearby. It is a nice sandy beach, with rocks in some places. Nea Chora is ideal for those that do not want to leave the city centre.

Chrissi can be considered a paradise for geology enthusiasts. One of the most spectacular geological sights of the island can be seen east of Belerinina beach, where you will meet thousands of fossils, mainly bivalves. The fossils form a so-called thanatocoenosis, that is, dead shells that have been gathered there by the streams and have fossilized over time.

Goumenospilios is a very small cave located in Agiofarago Gorge, about 80km south of Heraklion. Its entrance is very small, but the inner is very spacious, with a lighting hole on the roof. The cave has no decor, but is nonetheless legendary.

Voulismeno Aloni is located approximately 15km west of Heraklion and next to the old road connecting Heraklion to Rethymnon, near the village Marathos. It is one of the weirdest geological phenomena in Greece. It is a very large sinking (karstic doline) with circular shape.

Because the sea in the area of Papadiokambos is often wavy, there is an excellent alternative for swimming east of the settlement, on the east side of the peninsula Trahili. The short cape blocks the waves and the waters are almost always calm and azure blue. However, at a first glance you will think that there is no beach,

On the hill Grivila near the village Ahlade there is built the church of Saint Fanourios. Approximately 100 meters from the church there is a special tree, which is connected with a religious tradition dating back from the ancient tree-worship traditions in Crete. The tree position is called Evresi (Finding) as they say that the miraculous icon of St. Fanourios was found here.