In the Footsteps of the Gods: A mythical journey through Crete

At a glance

Get ready for a staggering journey through the mythical and historical side of Crete via a 386-kilometre cultural route by road. Every mountain, every cave, almost every location on the island has a story from Greek mythology to tell. Discover where Zeus was born and raised, where Apollo was worshipped, and where, when, and how the god Dionysus is honoured to this day. This journey will reveal the secrets of Crete and bring you closer to the myths that defined the ancient world.

Route information

Distance

386 km

Estimated duration

~8h (it is recommended that the route be divided into 2-3 days)

Difficulty level

Easy

Route type

Road

When to go

The ideal seasons are spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and suitable for exploration. In the summer, due to the intense heat, it is recommended to split the route into more days so that you can visit points of interest early in the morning when temperatures are more pleasant.

Did you know?

- Gortyna is the site of discovery of the oldest legal code discovered in Europe. Known as the Great Code, dating back to the first half of the 5th century BC, it was engraved on 12 columns on the wall of a public building in the Agora
- According to one tradition, the Diktaean Cave (28410 22462) (the cave of Psychro) was the place where Zeus, in the form of a bull, took Europa after abducting her from Phoenicia. According to another version of the myth, Zeus coupled with Europa in the shade of a plane tree in Gortyna, making the tree an evergreen. The abduction of Europa is depicted on coins found in Ancient Gortyna and exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Messara.

01
Diktaean Cave
Start your adventure at the Diktaean Cave, also known as the Cave of Psychro, nestled at an altitude of 1,025m on the slopes of Mount Dikti. This impressive cave was one of the most important places of worship in Crete from 2000 BC to the 7th century BC. According to myth, Rhea fled here to give birth to Zeus and protect him from Cronus. As you descend into the interior of the cave, the cool air, the shadows cast by the massive stalagmites and stalactites, and the sound of drops falling into the small lake located in the lower part of the cave create an atmosphere of mystery and awe. In one of the lower chambers there is a small niche that locals call the Cradle of Zeus, while in another chamber lies the Mantle of Zeus, a spectacular, oversized folding stalactite hanging from the ceiling. The precious finds brought to light by archaeological excavations that have been carried out at the Diktaean Cave since the 19th century are currently kept at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and the Archaeological Museum in Lasithi, as well as in major museums abroad, such as the Louvre and the Ashmolean in Oxford. The Diktaean Cave is more than a cave. It is a mythical place where nature, history, and legend come together to produce an unforgettable experience.
02
Idaean Cave
Another cave associated with the myth of the birth and upbringing of Zeus is the Idaean Cave, on the eastern slopes of Mount Ida, at an altitude of 1,498m and 20km from Anogia in Rethymno. According to myth, this is where Rhea gave birth to and hid Zeus in her efforts to protect him from his father, Cronus. The goat Amalthea fed the infant with her milk, while the Curetes, young warriors and guardians, made noise by banging their swords against their shields to drown out his crying. Excavations have confirmed the use of the cave from the 4th millennium BC to the 4th century AD, while there are indications that the cave was first used for worship in the latter half of the 2nd millennium BC. The sacred site saw its highest number of visitors during the Geometric and Archaic periods. The importance of the cave is documented by numerous offerings, including the bronze votive shields of the 8th–7th century BC, with engraved and hammered depictions, which are some of the finest artworks of the ancient world. The cave acquired a mysterious and chthonic character during the Classical era (5th century BC), and inscriptions indicate that a powerful priesthood had been established, to which Cretan cities paid an annual tribute.
Tel. +30 210 92 32 35 Open from April to late October.
03
Mount Juktas
The next stop is Mount Juktas, which towers over the valley of Heraklion. The tomb of Zeus, according to ancient writers, impresses with its anthropomorphic shape: the morphology of its western side forms the face of the god! There are four sacred caves on the mountain, one at each point of the horizon. During the Minoan era, they functioned as locations for rituals, sacrifices, and food storage. If you love running, every March the Knossos Run semi-mountainous running, hiking and mountain race offers an alternative way of getting to know the area, through four unique routes that link myth with the beauty of Cretan nature.
04
Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration
The worship of Dionysus also held a special place in Minoan Crete. The god of wine and revelry was the husband of Ariadne, daughter of King Minos. Discover how ancient myths survive in Greek tradition at the Apokrigiomata. This unique event, held on Clean Monday (Ash Monday) in the village of Gergeri, near , Heraklion, has its roots in ancient Dionysian rituals. Wearing goat skins and bells, men from the village dance to frenetic rhythms, as if they were satyrs in Dionysian ecstasy.
05
Gortyna of the God Apollo
At ancient Gortyna, which reached its peak during Roman times, you will walk in the footsteps of Apollo, god of light and music. At the archaeological site, which spreads over 400 hectares, you will discover impressive monuments such as the Odeon, which hosted musical and theatrical performances, and the temple of Pythian Apollo, the city's most important religious centre until the establishment of Christianity.
The archaeological site is partially accessible for people with disabilities.
06
Messara Archaeological Museum
The temple of Pythian Apollo is the source of the colossal statue of Apollo Citharoedus, which you can admire at the Messara Archaeological Museum, 1km from the archaeological site of Gortyna. Prominently placed in the raised niche added to the temple during the Roman era, it depicted the god of music playing the lyre.
Fully accessible for people with disabilities. It also features a special app offering an audio tour for visually impaired individuals.
07
The Myths of Aptera
The journey through the ancient myths of Crete ends at the archaeological site of Aptera, south-east of Souda Bay, near Chania. The most prevalent founding myth attributes its name to an epithet of Artemis, its patron goddess. According to another version, the Muses entered into a competition with the Sirens, defeating them and taking their wings (thus making them aptere, wingless), and the Sirens then cast themselves into the sea. Explore the ruins of one of Crete's most important city-states, which flourished from Late Classical to Roman times and reached the height of its glory during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. Tour the Temple of Apollo and Artemis, the Roman baths, the theatre (which hosts cultural events during the summer months), and the impressively preserved paved road dating back to the Hellenistic period.
The archaeological site is accessible for wheelchairs, and an information sign for visually impaired individuals has been placed in the theater area.

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Route information

Distance

386 km

Estimated duration

~8h (it is recommended that the route be divided into 2-3 days)

Difficulty level

Easy

Route type

Road

When to go

Did you know?

- Gortyna is the site of discovery of the oldest legal code discovered in Europe. Known as the Great Code, dating back to the first half of the 5th century BC, it was engraved on 12 columns on the wall of a public building in the Agora
- According to one tradition, the Diktaean Cave (28410 22462) (the cave of Psychro) was the place where Zeus, in the form of a bull, took Europa after abducting her from Phoenicia. According to another version of the myth, Zeus coupled with Europa in the shade of a plane tree in Gortyna, making the tree an evergreen. The abduction of Europa is depicted on coins found in Ancient Gortyna and exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Messara.

In the Footsteps of the Gods: A mythical journey through Crete

Route information

Distance

Estimated duration

Difficulty level

Route type

When to go

Did you know?

Diktaean Cave

Idaean Cave

Mount Juktas

Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration

Gortyna of the God Apollo

Messara Archaeological Museum

The Myths of Aptera

In the Footsteps of the Gods: A mythical journey through Crete

Route information

Distance

Estimated duration

Difficulty level

Route type

When to go

Did you know?

Diktaean Cave

Idaean Cave

Mount Juktas

Dionysus, the god of wine and celebration

Gortyna of the God Apollo

Messara Archaeological Museum

The Myths of Aptera