Archanes

About

Located in a mountain basin, 380 meters up the Giouchtas mountains, Archanes is a pleasant agricultural town with a surprisingly rich history. Archaeological excavations have found the village has been inhabited for 5,000 years, and served as the summer palace for the Kings of Knossos. While most of the archaeological sites are still being excavated and are closed to the public, the village’s Minoan, Byzantine and Folklore museums offer great opportunities to see some of the artifacts that have been uncovered. But Archanes’ main attraction is its olive oil and wine. Sit down at a taverna in the square for some local cuisine accompanied by wine and rakia, or visit one of the nearby wineries. In the summer, you can even help harvest grapes as part of the Archanes Farmer Festival celebration.