Sfendoni Cave

Sfendoni lies on the northern slopes of Psiloritis above the village of Zoniana, and it is the most developed cave open to visitors on Crete: a horizontal system of fourteen chambers with a walkway of about 270 metres running through them, lit and railed. The formations are the reason to go, unusually varied and dense, with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, curtains, helictites growing sideways against gravity, and rimstone pools. Some of the largest columns are metres across. The cave holds a stable temperature around seventeen degrees and high humidity. Guided groups go in at intervals and the tour lasts roughly forty-five minutes. Nearby Zoniana also has a wax museum of Cretan history and the Melidoni cave is a short drive away.

The landscape

• The fourteen chambers - a horizontal sequence linked by walkway.
• The helictites - twisted formations growing against gravity.
• The great columns - joined stalactites and stalagmites metres thick.
• The rimstone pools - terraced calcite basins on the cave floor.

When to go

Year-round; the constant temperature makes it a good hot-day or wet-day option. Tours run at set times and are less frequent in winter, so check hours before the drive up.

What to expect

Entry is only with a guide in timed groups, so there may be a wait. The walkway has steps and low sections, unsuitable for wheelchairs and awkward for tall visitors. Humidity fogs camera lenses and photography is limited.

Nearby

Anogia village lies above; the Nida plateau and Ideon cave are further up Psiloritis.