Istron is a small coastal village, about 12 km to the City Agios Nikolaos in eastern Crete. To the capital Heraklion and its airport 70 km. The rugged environment of Istron offers several hidden bays. The Lassithi - Plain with its natural beauty is also worth to see.
Agios Nikolaos ( only 15 minutes´drive from Istron) is a city with striking architecture with spaces for contemporary art. Agios Nikolaos city center is one of the best shopping destinations in eastern Crete, and when it comes to nightlife, Agios Nikolaos knows what it is doing. With a diverse culinary scene, an abundance of pubs and bars, and some of the Crete's best music venues, Agios Nikolaos is the city for night owls.
Crete has countless ways to enchant you, with its mountain ranges, miles of dramatic coastlines and captivating history.
Cultural highlights nearby Istron:
Only 5 km east of Istron you will find the Minoan archaeological site "Gournia". Gournia is a Minoan port city, the city is said to have been destroyed by a seaquake that triggered a tidal wave. The foundations of the houses can still be seen. We can also recommend a visit to the beautiful mountain village "Kritsa" and the church "Panagia Kera". The most famous grotto of Crete "Diktäon Andron" at the foot of the Lassiti A visit to the Minoan archaeological site of Knossos and the archaeological museum Heraklions is a must for anyone interested in culture.
The Palace of Malia, at the foot of the Selena Mountains, is also an important Minoan archaeological site. The Palace of Malia is about 40 km west of Istron, it is the third largest Minoan palace center in Crete.
The first palace was built in 1900 BC. built at the same time as the palaces of Phaistos and Knossos.
The palace is 3 km east of Malia. Malia's bee jewelry is the most famous gold jewelry from this excavation. It consists of two bees that hold a honeycomb. This gem can also be admired in the Heraklion Museum.
Woth to see is the mountain village "Krassi". Krassi is located on the western slope of the Selena Mountains. In the village square you can sit under an ancient plane tree and enjoy the good local cuisine. The trademark of the village is the Nature Monument the more than 2000 years old plane tree with 24 meters. The village is also known for the old irrigation system built 1890, where women used to gather to wash their clothes. Events take place on the village square in the summer months. The Moni Kardiotisa monastery should also be visited. From the monastery you have a panoramic view of the most modern and largest reservoir "Fragma Aposelemi" of the Lassithi plateau. The mountain village Krassi is a beautiful day tour in combination with the grotto "Diktäon Andron".
For bathing-experience tour we recommend a day trip to the palm beach VAI. It is a beautiful palm-fringed sandy beach. On the way you can visit the Toplou monastery from the 14th century BC. The monastery has an important collection of icons. The Toplou Monastery is 20 km east of Sitia towards Palekastro.
The ancient city of Lato is also not far from Istron. Half an hour by rental car. Lato is 15 km west of Agios Nikolaos on a hill. It is worth it because of the panoramic view of the region around the city of Agios Nikolaos. Lato was a Doric settlement from the 7th century BC. You can see the remains of a city wall and also houses from various epochs.
We have spent years discovering the very best of Crete, hidden secrets of the destinations we visit so they're well placed to help you plan your next vacation in Greece. Peek at our suggested trip ideas for even more inspiration.
Kreta.com the travel-professionals for Crete: hire car, airport-transfers, excursions and hiking - tours can be booked in advance. All from one single source
Booking-Advice from the travel-professionals Kreta.com. Our booking system works like a shopping cart system. Later on you will see all the selected services in the cart system, so you have also the possibility to book the package easily like a round trip.
Kreta.com the travel-professionals for Crete: hire car, airport-transfers, excursions and hiking - tours can be booked in advance. All from one single source
Please don´t hesitate to contact us for an individual offer and personalized itineraries, when you don´t want to use the booking system. Get in touch with us: info@kreta.com
We are the stuff of special memories and authentic emotions.
Information, images and videos about Istron
