Caves Worth Visiting in Crete

Crete has several caves worth visiting, where natural beauty and mythology perfectly blend. They are beautiful places to visit if you love nature and mythology! Cretan shepherds find shelter in the caves to this day, and the Minoans often worshiped their Gods there. You will experience Crete off the beaten path and glimpse the island’s ancient past. Plus, you will escape the summer’s scorching heat in their refreshing chambers! We will make sure your family visits the sites safely, accompanied by our hand-picked, experienced guides. Kids will love playing in the Cretan nature, infused with thyme and oregano fragrances. Get your hiking boots ready for some Cretan adventures!

Dikteon Cave (Cave of Zeus / Psychro Cave)

The cave is near the village of Psychro in eastern Crete (Lassithi). According to the myth, newborn Zeus was hidden here by his mother, Rhea. She wanted to protect her baby from his dad’s rage, Cronus. The cave has impressive stalactites and stalagmites formed over millennia, chambers, and narrow passages. It was an essential site for ancient worship, dedicated to Zeus and other deities. *Dikteon will be closed to visitors until the end of 2025 for maintenance.

Melidoni Cave

Melidoni Cave is located in central Crete (Rethymnon), about 2 km northwest of the modern village of Melidoni. It is also called “Gerondospilios” (old cave in Cretan). Minoans worshiped here Talos, the legendary bronze giant who protected Crete from its enemies. In later times (19th century), the cave was a refuge for locals during the Cretan Revolution against Ottoman rule. On the way to Melidoni, you can enjoy one of Crete’s best thyme honey at a fantastic Honey Museum.

Image Source: cretetravel.com

Sfendoni Cave

Sfendoni is on the southern side of Halepa Hill, near the modern village of Zoniana. You can combine Melidoni and Sfendoni in one visit – Sfendoni is half an hour by car south of Melidoni. During the island’s many turbulent times, the cave was a safe place for local rebels persecuted by the occupiers. Today, it’s a UNESCO Global Geopark and part of the Psiloritis Natural Park. Sfendoni Cave was a significant site for the Minoans: the Archaeological Service has unearthed thousands of artifacts and pottery sherds. The cave itself is a natural wonder, full of stalactites, stalagmites, and water basins.

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Ideon Cave (Ideon Andron)

Ideon is on the slopes of Psiloritis mountain, near the village of Vorizia (Rethymnon). Ancient Cretans worshiped Zeus in Ideon. Archaeological excavations have revealed material from Neolithic to Roman times, including altars and votive offerings, figurines, and thousands of pottery. It’s a landmark cave but not particularly impressive, as visitors can only look at a small area of it. The views of the surrounding natural area (Mount Ida) are fantastic. If you visit the area, then it’s worth checking it out.

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