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Archanes near Heraklion in Crete |
Archanes (3,470 inhabitants) is located about 15 kilometres from the port of Heraklion and approximately as far from the airport of Heraklion. Archanes is a very picturesque village with a long history. Archanes has been an agricultural centre ever since the Minoan times, and both wine and olive oil of high quality is produced here.
Alleys in Archanes.
The wines produced in the area are known throughout Crete, and is also starting to gain ground in the whole of Greece. There are several wineries around Archanes, including Minos Wines, and Peza Union in Peza east of Archanes, and Boutari Wines outside the village of Skalani south of Archanes. Archanes is easy to like. The village is, as mentioned, very pretty
and it is a shame that so few tourists have discovered it. If Archanes
had been located by the sea, it would definitely have been a package holiday
destination. Archanes could just have been a sleepy agricultural village,
but it is not.
Archanes in the evening.
Many of the village's buildings are restored and the streets have got new paving-stones. A few years ago, Archanes was awarded a prize from the EU for the careful renovation. It's a true pleasure to stroll around the alleys and enjoy the excellent architecture. |
If you stay overnight you will have the opportunity to eat at one of the many tavernas. The ingredients are of the highest quality. The food has been exceptionally tasty in the restaurants that we have eaten. Many tavernas are located in the main square, which is like the heart of the village. Here, and in the nearby alleys, there are also several of cafes and ouzeries. Restaurant Lykastos in the square and Kritamon Restaurant near the square are two of several very good restaurants.
Restaurant Lykastos in Archanes.
ACCOMMODATION IN ARCHANESIf you are flying home from Heraklion, I can recommend you to spend the last night in Archanes. It will be a much calmer and more pleasant ending of your holiday than ending it in noisy Heraklion. But if you are not flying home, I also recommend you to stay for a night or two.
The remnants of a Minoan villa and a wine press from the Minoan times can be seen in the village of Vathipetro, just south of Archanes. It is quite amazing that wine was produced in the area even as 4,000 years ago. Wondering how it tasted?
![]() The square in Archanes.
The German Commander General Kreipe was kidnapped outside Archanes on April 26, 1944.
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