The Royal Villa or the small Minoan Palace of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) as was named by the archaeologists who excavated the area during the early 20th century. Was built in 1,600 BC over a hill near Phaistos and is one of the greatest monuments of Minoan architecture with important findings.

A sandy beach in front of the little village of Kalamaki. Along the beach you will find restaurants and cafes.

Gortyna or Gortys was an ancient city of Crete and was the capital during the Roman era. Nowadays is a beautiful archaeological site.
According to the myth, Zeus took refuge there after he transformed into a bull and abducted Europe. Their three children were born in Gortyna and later became kings of the three Minoan palaces of Crete.

The gorge of Samaria is the second most visited tourist attraction on Crete (following the Minoan palace of Knossos) and by far the most popular walk. More than a quarter million people walk through the gorge every year from May to October. In winter the gorge is closed to visitors due to danger posed by water and falling stones.

The Samaria gorge is the longest one in Europe. It is an area of stunning natural beauty. Rare flora and fauna have survived in this area and are protected. The mountains that have formed it are wild, high and steep. One will pass through forests of ancient cypresses and pines and descend between vertical cliffs. The path starts from Xyloskalo (near Omalos) in the White Mountains at an altitude of 1230 meters and comes to an end at the village of Agia Roumeli at the Libyan sea. Walking through the gorge usually takes anything from 3 to 5 hours (excluding the breaks).

This beach (Red Sand) aka Kokkini Ammos is a secluded beach which can be reached only by foot – with the reddish sand that bestows on it its name, and turquoise waters.

It is open to the strong south winds, and not very organized – just a few umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as a small café-canteen, built roughly out of stone. It is sensible, if you visit, to take all you need with you as the canteen is not always open, and there are no tavernas or shops nearby.

Kokkini Ammos and surrounding area has been included in the EC ecological network of Natura 2000: a protected refuge of the Mediterranean Monk seal, the loggerhead turtles (Kareta kareta) and other animals.

The Minoan palace of Phaistos was an economic, administrative and religious centre and supervised the fertile plain of Messara. The ancient ports of Matala and Kommos where under the control of Phaistos. Nowadays it is an important archeological site.