Ecotourism Activities on Crete & Things to Do & Places to Visit on the island:

Caves:

The Greek Speleological Society has recorded over 3,000 caves in Crete. They are not only astounding examples of nature’s talent for interior decoration, but also many of them are also of great scientific value.

The Minoans began the custom of worshipping their gods in small palaces or shrines, in sacred caves and in shrines built on mountain peaks and hill tops.

• The Cave of Sentoni Zoniana: It is the wealthiest in Crete in terms of natural decoration.
• The Diktaian Cave: The legendary birthplace of Zeus, this can be reached by going to the outskirts of the village of Psihro (48 km from Heraklion).
• The Idaian Cave: According to mythology, Rhea hid the baby Zeus from the murderous Kronos. Cult objects have been found here, along with statues and bronze shields.
• The Cave of Eileithyia (Ilithiia): Used to be a cave of ritual cults from Neolithic era up to the 5^th century B.C.
• The Cave of Ag. Paraskevi Skotinou: Very interesting cave where cult worship used to be held both in antiquity and during the Christian era.
• The Kamares Cave: Established during the Minoan period as a sacred spot, possibly dedicated to the worship of the goddess Eileithyia.
• The Gerani Cave of Rethimon: A prehistoric, paleontogical and archaeological cave which triggers a profound interest to all visitors. (A cave of Prehistoric, Paleontological and archeological interest.)
• The Melidoni Cave: Used to be a cult worship cave during the Neolithic, Minoan and Archaic periods.

Paragliding:

Avdou is the most organized area for paragliding in Crete. It has a 6 hectares area for taking off and a 2 hectares area for landing. You can hire a trainer for a double flight or to hire a parachute with its accessories and also to be transferred to the takeoff area (for trained pilots).

Scuba Diving:

Diver’s club Crete is located in Agia Pelagia (20 km west from Heraklion). Agia Pelagia is one of the most beautiful places for scuba diving in Crete. The Diver’s Club offer nigh dives, PADI and CMAS courses, NITROX courses, diving programs for inexperienced and non – divers and boat trips for snorkeling or just for fun.

The diving center is running from April until mid November.

Museums:

1. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion: Located in Heraklion, the capital of Crete and is one of the richest and most important museums in Greece. Shelters in its 20 rooms, findings that are exclusively excavated in Crete and related to its prestigious past.
2. The Archaeological Museum in Chania: Housed in the Venetian Church of San Francesco and exhibits important findings dating from the Neolithic and Minoan periods to the late Roman one.
3. The Archaeological Museum in Rethimnon: Exhibits various items and relics found all around the Prefecture of Rethimnon, dating till Roman epoch.
4. Byzantine and post – Byzantine Collection: Located on Theotokpoulou street in the town of Chania. Various mosaics, wall paintings, sculptures, icons, inscriptions, ceramics and various other historical objects do compose this musem’s collection.
5. The Center of Contemporary Art: In this gallery, visitors will see a rich collection of works made by the local artists and a collection of representative pieces of art of the Modern Greek painting.
6. The Mallia Archaeological Museum: Malia is a town with 2,500 permanent inhabitants. A visit to its archeological site where a Minoan town has been found as well as an exquisite Minoan mansion. The palace of Malia is located 3KM East of the town.
7. Lychostatis Museum: Situated at Limenas Hersonissou, was established in 1922. It is a remarkable Folk and Nature Museum of tremendous interest.

Peza Union:

A visit to one of the oldest Agricultural Cooperatives in Crete since 1933. Peza Union hosts 19 villages and engages 5000 farmers. It is located 16 km from Heraklion.

A visit to their Folklore Show Room and a lecture about Cretan Diet would surely be a plus for you & your families. You will have the opportunity to see all kinds of product series and also buy some of their local Olive Oil and Wine production.

Naturism in Crete:

Naturism is only allowed in a few licensed areas but it is tolerated many other places. Most of these places are quiet, remote beaches or coves.

Some of these exquisite beaches are:

• Paleochora.
• Sougia.
• Agia Roumeli.
• Agios Pavlos.
• Sweet water beach (Glykanera).
• Filaki.
• Frangokastelo.
• Plakias.
• Lentas.

Golf:

Located in Hersonissos, it provides high quality accommodation and services. It is a marvelous new addition to Europe’s rich reservoir of courses and will soon be regarded as one of the finest tests in the whole of the southern Mediterranean.