Archanes

Archanes sits among vineyards at the foot of Mount Juktas, whose profile Cretans traditionally read as a sleeping face, and the mountain carried a Minoan peak sanctuary whose remains lie on the ridge. The village has been carefully restored, with repaired facades and paved streets, which is why it looks unusually coherent: ochre and white houses, small squares, a well-kept centre. Around it are significant Minoan sites, the palace-like building of Tourkogeitonia in the village itself, the Fourni cemetery, one of the most important Minoan burial grounds, and the temple at Anemospilia. The archaeological museum in the village displays local finds, and wineries in the surrounding hills receive visitors.

The main sights

• The restored village - ochre houses and paved squares in the centre.
• The Fourni cemetery - an extensive Minoan burial ground on the ridge.
• The archaeological museum - finds from the Archanes sites.
• The wineries - producers in the vineyards around the village.

When to go

Spring and autumn for walking and winery visits; the grape harvest falls in late August and September. Summer midday is hot, though the village is higher and cooler than Heraklion.

Good to know

Several of the archaeological sites are fenced and open irregularly, so check before counting on them. The museum keeps short hours. Winery visits generally need appointments.

Nearby

Knossos lies ten minutes north; Heraklion and its museum are twenty minutes away.

Key facts