- Morning
- Archaeological site
- Afternoon
- Nearby beach
- Bring
- Water, hat, swimwear
- Tickets
- Check hours; many sites close earlier in winter
Five pairings
Phaistos and Matala (south Heraklion): the palace in the morning, then the cliff caves and beach, or the long sand at Kommos.
Malia palace and Potamos beach (north coast): the beach is a short walk from the site.
Aptera and Kalyves (Chania): the theatre and Roman cisterns, then a swim either side of the Xidas river.
Kato Zakros (far east): the Minoan palace sits just behind the beach.
Falasarna (west Chania): the Hellenistic harbour at the northern end of the bay, then sunset on the sand.
Timing
Archaeological sites are exposed and hot at midday. Arrive at opening time, spend one to two hours, and head to the beach for lunch.
Practical
Wear shoes suitable for uneven ground and change at the beach. Check site hours, which change by season, and buy tickets online where possible.
Questions before you go
Which Minoan palace is closest to a beach?
Kato Zakros, which lies just behind the beach.
Can I combine Phaistos with a beach?
Yes, Matala, Kommos and Kalamaki are about 15 minutes away.
When should I visit archaeological sites in summer?
At opening time, before the midday heat.
