4.3 km
Makria Ammos Beach
The long beach of Kali Limenes, lined with tamarisks and two big rocks out at sea.
Sandstrände · Phaistos
Kirchen & Klöster
Odigitria Monastery
Highlights & amenities
- Entry
- Free
About
A fortified monastery in the Asterousia.
The monastery of Panagia Odigitria lies in the Asterousia mountains, about 10 km south-east of Sivas, on the way to Kali Limenes. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Crete, dating back at least to the 14th century.
The monastery has a defensive tower, a church with old frescoes and a small museum. During the Ottoman period, the monk Ioseph Gerontogiannis, known as Xopateras, fought against the Turks from the tower. Near the monastery, archaeologists found Minoan tholos tombs.
From the monastery, a dirt road leads to the start of the walk through the Agiofarago gorge to the beach.
Near the monastery, archaeologists found two Minoan tholos tombs in use for more than a thousand years, with seals, gold diadems, stone vases and jewellery among the finds. The monastery itself is still active, and the monks are welcoming to respectful visitors. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. The landscape of the Asterousia around it is wild and rocky, with views towards the Libyan Sea.
Around Phaistos
- Nearest town: Matala, about 7 km by road
- Nearest airport: Heraklion airport (HER), about 69 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
Worth seeing nearby
- Kommos Archaeological SiteAusgrabungsstätten · 4.4 km
- Martsalo GorgeSchluchten · 5.0 km
- SivasDörfer & Städte · 5.0 km
- Agiofarago Gorge & BeachSchluchten · 5.7 km
Things to do in Heraklion
Anreise
About 7 km from Matala by road.
On the map
34.97336, 24.79975 · See on map
In der Nähe
Geheimtipp 4.4 km
Kommos Archaeological Site
A Minoan harbour on Kommos beach.
Ausgrabungsstätten · Phaistos
4.7 km
Kali Limenes Beach
The beach of the Fair Havens, where tradition says Saint Paul's ship stopped on the way to Rome.
Sandstrände · Phaistos
Geheimtipp 4.7 km
Vathi Beach
A secluded beach at the end of a small canyon, big rocks make it look like a lagoon.
Versteckte Buchten · Phaistos
Geheimtipp 4.8 km
Red Beach (Kokkini Ammos)
A wild beach of reddish sand behind the cliffs of Matala, reached by a short hike.
Versteckte Buchten · Phaistos
Geheimtipp 4.9 km
Maha Beach
A rocky, pebbly beach near ancient Lasaia that feels like your own private bay.
Versteckte Buchten · Phaistos
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