Archanes: Minoan Traces and Crete Wine Tastings

Archanes combines Minoan archaeology with a distinctive Neoclassical townscape and selected wine tastings. The surrounding area offers further historical and cultural points of interest: Fourni, Myrtia and Mount Juktas. If you are looking for a holiday rental, you can first weigh up whether Archanes itself or these nearby destinations should be the deciding factor. The different themes can be matched to specific interests, rather than narrowing your stay to a single focus.

Palace history in Archanes

The central core of the Neopalatial palace complex was excavated in the Turkogeitonia district of the present-day town. A Minoan palace ensemble was also discovered at the archaeological site of Archanes; it is considered one of the most significant and is dated to 1900–1450 BC. The place name Turkogeitonia and the dating of the ensemble offer two different points of reference: one locates an excavation in the present-day town, while the other provides a time frame for the palace ensemble. This makes Minoan history tangible both through a specific district and a clearly defined period.

Fourni: long use and tholos tombs

In the area around Archanes, the cemetery of Fourni was in use from 2800 to 1200 BC—over more than 1,500 years. To date, 26 buildings have been excavated at Fourni, mostly tombs; five of them are tholos tombs. The long period of use and the specific building types offer different ways to explore this archaeological site: you can appreciate both its timespan and the special role of the tombs. A wide path leads from Kato Archanes to Fourni.

Townscape, collection and Juktas

Neoclassical houses are characteristic of Archanes and offer a distinct perspective alongside its Minoan history. For security reasons, the Archaeological Collection of Archanes mainly comprises pottery and stone vessels, as well as faithful copies of significant finds from the surrounding area. Vessels made from different materials are thus displayed alongside reproductions of important finds—another cultural focus distinct from the palace history or the tombs of Fourni.

Since 1983, the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum has been located nearby in Myrtia. Mount Juktas offers another way to explore the area: ancient writers saw it as the tomb of Zeus; it is also described as a sacred mountain shaped like a human. There are four sacred caves on Juktas, one in each cardinal direction. While Fourni is defined by its cemetery and tombs, Juktas combines a landform with a mythological interpretation.

Wine tastings and choosing a holiday rental

Moinoterra Winery offers selected wine tastings focused on local grape varieties and Cretan cuisine. If you are interested, coordinate the details of the visitor programme directly with the winery before your visit. You can then look for a holiday rental in Archanes based on which of these interests matter most for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kroussonas, Lygaria, Mathia, Chersonisos, Vori, Vasilies, Galatas, Kastelli.

Return to the main travel overview: Heraklion.