Kirchen & Klöster

Koudoumas Monastery

Archanes-Asterousia, Heraklion · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

A monastery by the Libyan Sea.

The monastery of Koudoumas lies on the remote south coast of the Asterousia mountains, right above a pebble beach. It was refounded in the 19th century by two monks, Parthenios and Evmenios, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The monastery is surrounded by pine trees and cliffs, with caves where hermits once lived. A small chapel stands in a cave nearby. The setting is wild and beautiful, and the beach below is great for a swim. Visitors can stay in simple rooms by arrangement.

Getting here takes a long drive on winding dirt roads, which keeps it peaceful.

The monastery celebrates its feast on 15 August, the Dormition of the Virgin, and on that day pilgrims come from all over the Messara. On ordinary days it's very quiet, and the pine forest and the sea below create a special atmosphere. If you're staying on the south coast, a boat trip along this coast, with stops at hidden coves, is another way to see Koudoumas from the water.

Around Archanes-Asterousia

Nearest town: Lentas, about 19 km by road
Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 59 km by road

Heraklion is the heart of Minoan Crete and the island’s busiest region. Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum are the two places almost everyone visits, and they work well together on one day. In the south, the wide Messara plain holds the palace of Phaistos, the Roman ruins of Gortyna and the famous caves above the bay of Matala. More about Heraklion