Malia to Agios Nikolaos: A Scenic Drive Celebrating Historical Crete
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About the Tour
About the Tour
The northwest part of Crete’s Lassithi Province is known for its unique landscape, bordering one of Europe’s most beautiful bays, Mirabello Bay. On this scenic driving tour, you’ll discover Spinalonga island and the village of Milatos, parts of Crete that were heavily influenced by years of Ottoman occupation.
This four-hour tour departs from Malia Palace Archaeological Site where I’ll tell you about its history, dating back to the Bronze Age. From there, you’ll drive through several traditional Cretan villages while gaining insight into local customs. I’ll tell you how the Cretan government banished Mesquinis (lepers) to Spinalonga island, transforming it into a leper colony.
The tour ends in Agios Nikolaos, the city which owes its name to the patron saint of sailors. Here, you can enjoy a delicious drink at Lake Voulismeni in the center of the city, a short distance from where our tour ends in front of the marina.
Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:
- Hear the story of Helliniko Livadi who, in 1880, discovered golden leaves on the beach of Malia, marking the beginning of archaeological excavations to unearth the palace of Sarpedon
- Learn about the area’s history of salt panning, successively practiced by the Venetians, Ottomans, and Greeks until 1972
- Listen to how Who Pays the Ferryman, a British television series set in Crete in 1977, caused tourism to flourish here
- Discover the brutality of Ottoman-Turkish General Hassan, who massacred 3,600 Cretans in 1827 by covering and setting fire to the Milatos Cave where they sought refuge
- Find out about the Vassilakis family and their knowledge about olive fields, the cultivation of olives, and the production of extra virgin olive oil
- Stop at the Amazonas Park, where monkeys harmoniously coexist with donkeys, parrots, and goats
- Learn about Raki, a potent local drink made from leftover wine skins produced during the wine production process
It is only fitting that, as we end this tour on Crete, I tell you about some of the island’s festive and musical traditions, from instruments like the iconic lyre to the famous Greek wedding dance, the iconic Sirtaki.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
Mr. Routaki
Bio of AJ alias Mr. Routaki:
Since 1995 I have been coming to Crete. An island that has stolen my heart. The Samaria Gorge was my very first working area and in the following seasons many more regions followed in a wide variety of professions.
And always surrounded by friendly guests who had all kinds of questions. That is why the Routaki routes also provide the information desired by you as a guest of the island.
After completing my tourism education (M.T.R.O.) I found the right activities in this wonderful profession.
Guide, tour leader, resort host, underwater-cameraman, restaurant owner, Jeep safari guide or sailing (flotilla) leader. All these experiences I use nowadays when compiling my information and stories which I incorporate into my car routes and city walks.
Daily life on Crete interwoven with the stories of the many acquaintances I have been able to listen to over the past thirty years.
The first routes were created in 2006 using CDs (and even cassette tapes!!). Parts of routes from back then have now, with the help of the VoiceMap app, grown into a beautiful portfolio of day trips in the three languages I master; Dutch, English and German.
The Infotheek on my Routaki.com website will continue to grow and many more routes and walks will follow.
Some of my goals are to apply augmented reality and to show you the traditions of the olive harvest or wedding ceremonies even outside the usual periods.
I continue to immerse myself in the Cretan culture traditions and customs. I read about recent developments and combine this for you into a wonderful holiday day experience.
Through the many ‘interest media’ I am happy to keep you informed.
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 53
Information about Spinalonga
View locations and route
How VoiceMap Works
Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Malia Palace Archaeological Site
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Milatos
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Milatos Cave
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Vassilakis Estate - Olive Tour Crete
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Neapoli
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Megali Panagia
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AMAZONAS PARK
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Monastery Lord Christ (Savior Transfiguration)
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Μυλοτόπι Βρουχά
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Plaka
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Plaka Beach
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Spinalonga fortress
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Elounda port Parking
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Schisma Eloundas
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In Kazani - Cafe and Tavern - Anna Tzagkaraki
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Digenis Palace
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Agios Nikolaos
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Marina of Agios Nikolaos (Μαρίνα Αγίου Νικολάου)
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Lake Voulismeni
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationΑρχαιολογικός χώρος Μαλίων, Μάλια 700 07, Greece
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Total distance91km
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Final locationMarina, Ag. Nikolaos 721 00, Greece
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Distance back to start location23km
Directions to Starting Point
The tour begins in the parking lot of the Palace of Malia excavation. You can access it through the old road that passes through the villages along the northern coastline, including Kokkini Hani, Gouves, Analipsi, and Hersonissos. If you're coming from a more distant location, take the New National Road and descend at the roundabout above Stalida to connect to this old road. If you're approaching from Sitia and Agios Nicolaos, you can join the old road shortly before reaching Malia.
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Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
The free tour at the Vassilakis Olive Oil Estate is highly recommended. If you have kids with you, be sure to make a stop at the Amazonas Park. The (boat) trip to and on Spinalonga is a must-do. Visit the taverns in Plaka and Elounda, and don't miss the one in the village of Fourni, where you can see a Kazani. Strolling around the lake in Agios Nicolaos is a perfect way to end this tour.
Best time of day
The route can be completed throughout the year and is designed to span a day. The actual driving time is approximately 4.5 hours, but there are numerous opportunities to explore or enjoy pleasant breaks. Please be aware that the conclusion of the tour is approximately half an hour from the starting point when using the New National Road.
Precautions
Bring your smartphone battery charger, maintain an average speed of 55-60 km, wear appropriate clothing for churches and monasteries, purchase the correct language version of the route (Dutch or English), ensure that the route is NOT set to the audio-book setting, if you have one, bring a smartphone holder, disable automatic screen turn-off (don't forget to put it back on afterwards).
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Get The App
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