A popular day trip if you’re staying in East Crete is to drive around the wonderful Lasithi Plateau. The adventure will take you exploring the forgotten Cretan villages in this mountainous scenario. The trip can include a stop to discover a stunning cave, the famous sails of the local windmills, and marvel at the inspiring panorama of the region.
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The Lasithi Plateau
The silent area of the Lasithi Plateau, surrounded by the imposing heights of the Dikti Mountains, stands over 850 meters above the level of the sea.
All around the highland, there are different traditional villages (about 18), some of them with a small population, others are almost forgotten.
The plains that extend at the foot of the mountain range are among the most fertile lands on Crete. Potatoes, apples, and even grapes are some of the crops that you can find in the area.
The plateau can be thought of as a circuit over 23-kilometer long following a road that links each of these villages. Driving along this road, or even cycling around is a popular day trip in the Lasithi region.
Best hotels in Lasithi
Affordable: Porto Maltese and Katia Apartment in town.
Mid-range: Ostria Apartments in Ammoudara or Villa Olga.
Luxury: Elounda Peninsula in Elounda and Miramare Resort in Agios.
Check also Rental Homes in Agios Nikolaos and Best Elounda Resorts.
You can access the Plateau driving from Heraklion, or from Agios Nikolaos, which is the way I prefer.
If you take this road, you will access the highlands from the area of Mesa Lasithi.
Unfortunately, you won’t find an impressive quantity of white windmills as there used to be in the past. Only a few of them are still standing but they can still be rightfully included among the most typical sights of the plateau.
In the past, those windmills were key to irrigating the fields and providing water for animals and plants.
As time went by, though, modern technologies prevailed and the more modern irrigation devices replaces the windmills.
>> Check these tours to explore the Plateau without worrying about driving <<
Villages in the Lasithi Plateau
The plateau usually remains closed during winter, when the first snowflakes cover the villages and make the main road almost impossible to access.
However, from the very first weeks of spring, the area turns into a popular destination to indulge in the local gastronomy, dance, sing, and drink one glass of tsikoudia after the other.
This is the local way to celebrate religious occasions or to participate in the many gastronomic festivals that take place in these small hamlets.
One of those celebrations is the well-known Diktaion Games, which most important event is a long-distance race along the Lasithi Plateau.
Tzermiado and Agios Giorgos
Tzermiado is one of the villages you should visit on a day trip to the Lasithi Plateau.
A fantastic old town where time does not seem to pass anymore. Just jump off your car and walk around to discover the views of the mountains in the distance.
On the main road, pay a visit to the beautiful church, the abandoned houses, and the several traditional cafés where old men still sit for hours to end, playing tavli (a local game similar to backgammon) and drinking Greek coffee.
Tzermiado is the seat of the Lasithi municipality, however, it’s not the biggest of the villages in the area. The most important town is Agios Giorgos.
A stop in the village is worth not only stepping into the most authentic Cretan atmosphere but also discovering the Cretan Folk Museum.
In the museum, two different areas showcase the style and decoration of two different types of houses, the traditional Cretan mountain house, and the Neoclassical houses that belong to the splendorous past of the post-Turkish rule period.
Cretan Folk Museum
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.30 am – 5 pm (from May to October).
Entrance fee: € 3.
Psychro Village
The most important reason behind a visit to this village is to explore the magnificent Psychro Cave.
Also known as the Cave of Zeus, or the Diktaion Andron is in a central position in the Lasithi Plateau.
Standing over 1025 meters high, the cave extends for over 2200 meters. Although it’s fairly easy to descend into the heart of Psychro Cave, reaching the entrance can be a bit of a steep hike, certainly not easy during the peak hours of the day in summer.
Besides, since the famous cave is usually jam-packed with tourists during summer, it’s a great idea to visit very early in the day and then drive to the other attractions you can check in the plateau.
Want to explore the cave? Read this guide to Zeus Cave.
Let’s Start by Getting Ready for Crete!
RESOURCES TO BOOK YOUR TRIP:
Book your flight: I use Skyscanner to compare prices before booking a plane ticket.
Book your ferry: When ferries are more convenient than air travel, I use Ferryhopper.
Book your accommodation: I’ve tried many different platforms for accommodation, but none of them beats the advantages of Booking.com.
Book your car: The best way to find an affordable car to rent is to use a powerful search engine that compares all the rental companies in the market. I use Discover Cars.
Book your tours: Live unforgettable adventures and cultural experiences with Get Your Guide. For instance, you can Visit Elafonisi, discover Balos Beach, hike Samaria, or explore Knossos.
Don’t forget travel insurance: Things can go wrong at times, but travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. I recommend Safety Wing for peace of mind.
Stone Windmills of Lasithi
Almost at the end of the circuit, if you’re driving from Agios Nikolaos (or at the very beginning, when you access the plateau from Heraklion), you will easily spot the huge stone mills right next to the Kera village.
These mills were built during the 1800s and worked until the end of WWII.
The massive windmills stand opposite in a magnificent observation point that reaches the sea, and from there you can easily stop the abandoned and fascinating Dam of Aposelemis.
Aposelemis
Just across the road from the mills, it’s possible to view the magnificent landscape of Crete’s mountains as well as to spot in the distance the forgotten sunken village of Sfendyli which lies at the bottom of the Aposelemis Dam.
In this link, you can check a video telling the story of the village.
Homo Sapiens Museum
One more place to visit in the Plateau, quite close to the mills, is the unique Homo Sapiens Museum. Great if you’re traveling with kids, as it’s educational and didactic, but also suitable for adults interested in the history of the island and of mankind.
You can spend an hour (or more) traveling back to the age of caves and follow the whole evolution of mankind until the present time.
Once you’re done with the visit, enjoy a refreshment in the museum’s café while soaking in the spectacular views of the area. You will be standing over 800 meters above sea level.
The impression of Crete you will take from here is bound to remain impressed in your memory for years to come.
Have you ever been to the Lasithi Plateau?
Let me know in the comments below!
You might also want to read these travel blogs about Crete:
How to Spend 3 Fantastic Weeks on the Road in Crete
Insanely practical tips for holidays in Crete
Fantastic Rental homes in Rethymnon, Crete
Unique Things to Do in Ierapetra, Crete
Guide to Driving in Crete: Everything You Need to Know
Pin Before You Leave! Pin This Guide to Discover the Lasithi Plateau For Your Crete Travels!
About the author of this blog:
Gabi has been living in Crete for the last five years. On the island, she juggles being a solo mom, hosting culinary tours in summer, translating, and freelance writing.
She’s written for Greek Reporter, published several travel guides about Greece, and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person would be able to handle.
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I first saw the Lassithi windmills in 1969 as well as many watering the fertile agricultural areas around Mallia . Whilst understanding the change in watering methods over the past 50 years I was interested to learn in recent years of plans to return to this more environmentally friendly method using wind power
There’s also been some background studies on the origins of the local people who were isolated from historic incursions after the Minoan period
Dear Gabi,
we have been to Crete only once and are planning the second trip now. Thank you for all the wonderful resources you provide!
We also have a travel blog about family travel and always appreciate the effort people put into creating a great value content!
Can’t wait to visit Lasithi Region!!
Warmest wishes from Germany,
Alexandra
Thanks a lot for your kind words, I love it when other travel bloggers come here for inspiration! I am sure you are going to love Lasithi! Do let me know with a comment or via message if you liked it! Try to make it to the extreme southeast, such us Xerocampos beach, that area is amazing. Don’t miss Toplou and Vai, one of the most stunning corners of Crete I’ve ever seen. I am so happy for you! You will love it!!!
Happy Crete trip!
Gabi