If You're NearbyRethymno
About 29 miles away
A Venetian fortress above an old town of Ottoman minarets and long sandy beach.
Guide Coming Soon
Phaistos
The second great Minoan palace, on a ridge above the Mesara plain, where the Phaistos Disc was found.
- Open
- Every day; longer hours from April to October
- Price
- Paid
- Time Needed
- 2 hours
- Address
- Phaistos archaeological site, near MiresDirections
- Getting There
- About 1 hour by car southwest of Heraklion; buses run a few times a day.
Why Go
Unlike Knossos, Phaistos was left largely as it was found: grand stairways, courtyards and storerooms on a ridge with views to Mount Ida. The royal villa of Hagia Triada lies 1.9 miles away, and Matala's beach, below cliffs riddled with ancient caves, is a short drive south.
Go Next
1–3 of 6
If You're Nearby
Worth a Detour
Worth a DetourSpinalonga
Lasithi
About 55 miles away
A Venetian island fortress off Elounda, later a leper colony, reached by small boat.
Guide Coming Soon
Something wrong or out of date?
Traveler Reviews
Sign in and mark Phaistos as visited to write a review.