Discover Ancient Eleutherna in Southern Crete

• Duration

  Half Day

• Theme

  • History & Mythology

• Group Type

  • Private

Eleutherna is a fabulous ancient town you can discover with your family in Crete. It flourished during the Greek Dark Ages and was built on a steep, natural ridge about 19 miles south of Rethymno. Eleutherna was the crossroad between the Palace of Knossos and Ancient Kydonia (modern Chania). Excavated by the University of Crete archaeologists, it was once a fantastic capital city, even minting its coin! If you’ve visited the Louvre in Paris, you must remember the Nike of Samothrace, an impressive statue on the gallery stairways. Its creator was the sculptor Timochares, a native of Eleutherna.

You can combine your visit to Eleutherna with a guided tour of the Museum of Eleutherna, which opened its gates in 2016. The museum houses the finds from the excavations on the ancient site since 1984. You will see the beautiful artifacts unearthed, spanning from the Geometric to the Early Byzantine periods. This year (2024), the museum houses a beautiful periodic exhibition, Picasso on Crete: Joy of Life, celebrating 40 years since the excavations started.

We recommend visiting Eleutherna and the Museum of Eleutherna as a day trip from Heraklion or Chersonissos. Our family-friendly, experienced guides will unravel the ancient site’s stories and make your trip unforgettable. Worthwhile stops near Eleutherna are the Monastery of Arkadi and the picturesque village of Margarites, where you can have lunch or a coffee after your tour.