Traditional Villages of Kritsa and Kroustas

The traditional village of Kritsa is famous for traditional lace making and handicrafts, picturesque narrow streets and old buildings of a by-gone era.
Next place of interest – village of Kroustas. It is known for its traditional cuisine, wine and festive atmosphere. Be sure to try the local myzithropites (special cheese pies), ftazymo bread and aiga vrasti (boiled goat). Beekeeping is well developed in this area.

The three-aisled, barrel-vaulted church of the All-Holy Virgin ‘the Lady’ with a dome on the nave is located to the south and at a distance of around 500 m from the settlement of Kritsa. The church is one of the most important visited monuments of Crete because of its extensive and well-preserved wall painting decoration from various periods of ­Byzantine art.

Lato was one of the most important Doric city-states in Crete. It is built on a saddle between two hills, at a site protected by possible attacks but also with a splendid view over a large area of the Mirambello Bay. It was named after Leto (Lato is the Doric type), mother of Apollo and Artemis, although the main goddess worshipped in the city was Eileithyia, who was also depicted on the coins cut by the city. Lato was the birth-place of Nearchos, the admiral of Alexander the Great.
The harbour of the city was Lato pros Kamara (modern Agios Nikolaos), which was so flourishing by the middle of the 2nd century A.D. that the administrative centre was transferred there and Lato was subsequently abandoned.

Kritsa preservats the traditional Cretan lifestyle that attracts dozens of visitors. The scenic narrow streets, the blooming yards, the textile shops, the traditional coffee shops, the folklore collections and the Byzantine temples can easily give the settlement the characterization of an open folklore and historical museum about Crete.

This small village of around 500 residents, offers visitors a glimpse into the authentic Cretan way of life, with its narrow streets, stone houses, and picturesque countryside.
Kroustas is home to several traditional tavernas where visitors can sample local specialties such as skioufihta (a local traditional pasta dish) and kalitsounia (a sweet or savory pastry). In addition, Kroustas is known for its excellent wine, made from local grape varieties such as Liatiko and Mandilari.

• Service animals allowed
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Transfer time to/from sites is about 1-1.5 hour and depends on traffic condition

• Traditional Villages of Kritsa and Kroustas
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  Pickup included

• Entrance fees: Panagia Kera – 3 euro; Lato – 3 euro

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• This Tour is Provided by Summer Tours and Taxis in Crete.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Athens.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
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• This Tour is Rated 4 Stars based on 5 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 8 Travelers is accepted for booking.