Lasithi Plateau & Zeus Cave on Crete

Just an hour’s drive from Heraklion is the Lasithi Plateau of Crete. The charming, agricultural plateau, framed by the mountains of the Dikti Mountains, stands in stark contrast to the island’s concrete-dominated coastal settlements.

»Pre-Alpine atmosphere on Crete: The island’s famous plateau offers lush meadows and fields, wooded mountains and all kinds of grazing animals. In between, snow-white wind turbines circle dreamily.”

A visit to the Lasithi Plain is like a trip to the countryside. You can enjoy a lot of peace and tranquil nature on the 130 km² karst plain and dreamy villages invite you to take a walk. In addition, the Psychro Cave, the birthplace of Zeus, the father of the gods, adds a mystical touch to the entire region.

We were there in June and will tell you whether a day trip is worth it. We also show you the best places to see around the Lasithi Plateau:

#1 Getting to the Lasithi Plateau

📍 Google Maps Location

If you arrive from Heraklion or Hersonissos, you will reach the Lasithi Plateau by rental car easily on the island Highway 90. Take the exit in Malia with the signs Lasithi Plateau (Greek: Oropedio Lasithiou). At our partner Discover Cars* you can reserve a rental car if necessary:

➲ To cheap rental cars for the island*

From Malia it is about a 20-minute drive (15 km) past the village of Krasi (see point #7) and the hamlet of Ano Kera to the Lasithi plateau. The road winds in serpentines up to almost 900 m, and there are always viewpoints at the roadside that offer a view of the Rozas Gorge and the north coast.

Just before you enter the plateau, you pass the Ambelos Pass (894 m) and at the old windmills of Seli Ambelou you will see the Lasithi plain for the first time. You can walk around the plateau on a concrete road. However, the interior of the plain with its meadows and fields is crisscrossed by gravel roads.

Distances to the Lasithi Plateau

› Chania – Lasithi: 200 km (3 hrs)

› Rethymno – Lasithi: 137 km (2 hrs)

› Heraklion – Lasithi: 60 km (1 hour)

› Ierapetra – Lasithi: 80 km (1 hr 45 min)

› Agios Nikolaos – Lasithi: 40 km (1 hour)

If you are coming from the direction of Sitia or Agios Nikolaos to the Lasithi Plateau, you will reach the Dikti Mountains via an extremely charming but winding mountain road. It is about 40 km from the coast, passing through the hamlets of Amigdali, Zenia and Potami before reaching the village of Mesa Lasithi at the eastern entrance of the plateau.

#2 Best time to visit the Lasithi Plain

A trip to the Lasithi Plateau is worthwhile at any time of the year. In the summer months, however, you have to expect a high number of visitors. The Lasithi Plateau is one of the most popular Crete Attractions and so many bus groups and individualists come to this part of the island by rental car.

If you have the opportunity to be there in the early morning or late afternoon due to the location of your hotel, you can avoid the crowds. It is most crowded around noon, especially inside the Psychro Cave is pilgrimage atmosphere and the waddling in the duck walk through the Zeus cave has not remained in our memories.

There is a special microclimate on the plateau, which the farmers take advantage of. It is usually between 5-10 degrees cooler here than on the coast, so you should have a cardigan with you. A visit to the Lasithi Plateau in spring, from March to May, the valley, surrounded by mountains over 1,000 m high, is immersed in a sea of flowers.

A visit is also recommended in autumn, at the time of the apple harvest. If you are in September or October to the Lasithi Plain early in the morning you will witness how the fog hovers over the fields. If you come to Crete in winter, you can experience a hut atmosphere with the locals in the taverns by the fireplace when the first snow falls outside.

#3 Guided tours to Lasithi

On guided tours to the Lasithi Plateau you will get to know the nature and village life of the region and also learn something about mythology. Excursions to the Zeus Cave (Dikteon Antron), the traditional white windmills and food tours with tasting of regional products are popular.

Many holidaymakers opt for an organised bus tour to the Lasithi plain. The excursion lasts a whole day, you will be picked up from the hotel and drive as a bus group past various stations and sights around the plateau.

If you like it a little more exciting, you can also take part in a jeep safari to the Dikti Mountains. When driving over the mountain slopes, magnificent views open up again and again. But horseback riding tours through the region or a guided hike around the plain are also possible. Local guides will introduce you to this part of Crete in a fascinating way.

The hot air balloon flights over the Lasithi Plain are also a real highlight. The huge valley looks really impressive from the air, especially at sunset. If you need more information, just click on the links and you will end up with our partner GetYourGuide*:

➲ To the hot air balloon flight*

➲ To the bus tour on the plateau*

➲ To the jeep safari on the plateau*

#4 Lasithi Plateau Windmills

The little white windmills on the plateau of Lasithi are the landmark of the region. In the green valley, more than 10,000 wind turbines with white fabric sails once turned to irrigate the countless fields of Lasithi’s 21 villages.

Its history dates back to the Venetian period (14th century). Unfortunately, many of them have fallen into disrepair in recent decades. Due to the sinking groundwater level, the power of the sails was no longer sufficient to transport the water from the depths to the top, so they were shut down and replaced by modern pumps.

Recently, many of the Lasithi windmills were restored even if only for decorative purposes. They are a great photo motif and fascinate visitors with their nostalgic charm. We found some mills that can be photographed up close in the north near the hamlet of Pinakiano.

If you are looking for an original souvenir from Crete, you can buy a small Lasithi ceramic windmill or a wooden one at the local shops or directly in a workshop. We recommend the Windmills.gr shop, which is located on the access road from the Ambelos Pass at the northern entrance to the plain.

#5 Zeus Cave of Psychro (Dikteon Antron)

The most important attraction of the Lasithi Plateau is undoubtedly the Cave of Psychro. It is located in the southwest of the plateau, above the small village of Psychro. The locals call it “Spilaio Diktaiou Antrou”, which means Dictaean Cave. Its history is closely linked to Greek mythology.

According to legend, Zeus, the father of the gods, was born in the cave because Zeus’ mother Rhea had fled there because Zeus’ father Cronus wanted to kill his son out of fear for the succession to the throne. Hidden deep in the Dikti Mountains, mother and son were safe. However, the little god grew up in the Idaean Grotto on the Nida plateau in the center of Crete.

The birthplace of Zeus remained forgotten for centuries and was only discovered in 1880 by hunters, who unfortunately stole valuable bronze statues there. Shortly afterwards, archaeologists examined the stalactite cave and proved that it was already used for cultic purposes in Minoan times (around 2,800 BC).

The accessible cave has an area of 2,200 m² and is atmospherically illuminated. Over several steps it first goes deep down, past a small lake and at the end up again. The temperature in Dikteon Antron Cave is usually only 15 degrees. Photography without flash is permitted.

From the Zeus Cave parking lot a farm road leads about 600 m up to the cave, the last part is a bit steep, but well developed. For reasons of animal welfare, adults should not ride donkeys. Unfortunately, the Psychro Cave has not been open to the public since September 2024 due to renovation work (rock stabilisation works).

• Opening hours Psychro Cave: currently closed, otherwise from 01.04. to 31.10. from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., admission 10 € (reduced 5 €)

Greek Mythology Theme Park in Psychro

The Greek Mythology Thematic Park is just across the street from Psychro’s parking lot. On 3,000 m², everything revolves around Greek mythology, both indoors and outdoors. Life-size statues, reconstructions of temples, interactive facilities and informative exhibitions await visitors.

The theme park is especially recommended for families with (older) children who have a connection to fairy tales and fantasy. The backdrops are lovingly designed and the content instructive. The entrance fee is quite high at €8 (4-10 years: €4), but if you’re interested in the world of gods and heroes, the visit to the Lasithi Mythology Park is a must-do.

#6 Villages of the Lasithi Plateau

Within the Lasithi plateau are about 20 traditional villages that nestle like a wreath around the fertile plateau. About 2,000 people live together in the small and large settlements. Heavily affected by the rural exodus, the places today offer genuine Cretan hospitality, traditional architecture and a glimpse of the authentic country life of Crete.

Tzermiado in the northeast is the largest town with just under 600 inhabitants and is suitable for a stopover with its cozy taverns, small shops and good infrastructure. Agios Georgios in the southeast is the second largest town with 490 inhabitants and because of its good taverns, the Bakery Fanourgiakis Dimitrios and the Volksmuseum are also worth a visit.

But also in small settlements such as Plati and Metochi, which have hardly more than 100 inhabitants, there is at least one restaurant for a short break. The most famous is the settlement of Psychro, the starting point for the famous Zeus Cave, with a fountain in the centre of the village that is well worth seeing.

Those interested in culture should use the Moni Vidianis Monastery, idyllically situated on the mountainside in the north, and visit the monastery of Iera Moni Koimiseos Theotokou Krustallenias at the eastern entrance to the Lasithi plateau. Both monasteries have a green courtyard that invites you to take a break and a shop where you can buy local products such as olive oil or herbs.

Hiking in the Lasithi Plateau

Hiking in and around the Lasithi Plain is a delight for nature lovers and those interested in culture. The gentle hills, the lush meadows and fields, the small villages away from mass tourism are balm for the soul. Hiking trails, so-called monopati, crisscross the karst landscape and from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages you will find traces of days long gone.

For example, 13 sites from the Neolithic Age have been discovered in the region, proving that the area has been an important settlement area for 10,000 years. Particularly impressive is the archaeological site of Karfi. Even in Byzantine and Venetian times, the plain was a spiritual refuge, as evidenced by monasteries and chapels.

→ Beautiful hiking routes in the Lasithi Plain can be found on portals such as Komoot, enclosed is a selection:

1. Tzermiado – Karfi peak (length: approx. 7.1 km, duration: approx. 3 hours, difficulty: medium to difficult
2. Zeus Cave Circular Trail (Length: approx. 2.2 km, Duration: approx. 1 hour, Difficulty: Easy)
3. Katharo Plateau Minoan Trail (length: approx. 9.2 km, duration: approx. 3 hours, difficulty: medium)
4. Krasi circular trail (length: approx. 1.6 km, duration: approx. 45 minutes, difficulty: easy)
5. Zelakano Circular Trail (Length: approx. 3.8 km, Duration: approx. 1 hour, Difficulty: Easy)

#7 Things to do around Lasithi

The region offers some Crete highlights, which you can still check off on the way to the plateau of Lasithi depending on your mood and time. In some places you will even pass on the way to the plain, here it is worth a short stopover. The village of Krasi with its historic buildings, the plane tree giant and the first-class restaurants remains in our best memories.

Windmills of Seli Ambelou

At the pass of Ambelas there are the windmills of Seli Ambelou. Some of the stone mills have been restored, while others have been left to decay. If you want to take photos at sunset with a view of the plateau, this is the ideal place to do so. But be careful: up here, the wind usually blows violently.

Kera Kardiotissa Monastery

The impressive Kera Kardiotissa Monastery is located about 2 km south of the village of Krasi and is a popular stop on the way to the Lasithi plain. Built in the 14th century, old Byzantine frescoes can still be admired today. The nuns who live here provide information about the history of the place if necessary. The Taverna Niki in Ano Kera invites you to stop for a bite to eat.

Walk through the village of Krasi

The mountain village Krasi we discovered by chance on our tour and were immediately thrilled. In the centre of the village there is an ancient plane tree (2,500 years old according to the locals) and a babbling fountain. In the 600 m high village it is authentic and some traditional taverns (tip: Taverna Krassopsychia)invite you to take a long rest.

Minoan Palace of Malia

Although it perished 3,500 years ago, the Minoan culture is still present in Crete today. The archaeological site of Malia, about 3 km east of the holiday resort, shows the remains of a palace from Minoan times. The archaeological site is located directly on the sea and can be combined with a walk on the beach. For a journey of discovery into the Minoan Empire, a guide is recommended.

Visit to the town of Agios Nikolaos

About an hour from the Lasithi plain is one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Crete, Agios Nikolaos. An inland lake, great cafés and tasteful boutiques await you. Agios Nikolaos can be easily integrated into a round trip, in the morning to the plain and in the afternoon to the city for strolling. Afterwards we take the island motorway back to the hotel.

#8 Restaurants on the Lasithi Plateau

In contrast to many restaurants in the coastal towns, the taverns on the Plateau of Lasithi offer good traditional Greek cuisine. The dishes are prepared in a peasant way, but homemade and extremely tasty. It is advisable to study the reviews on Google & Co. beforehand, unfortunately there are also tourist traps (microwave meals for a lot of money).

→ Our personal recommendations for restaurants on the Lasithi Plateau, where home-style cuisine is served:

• Metochion in Metochi
• Taverna Manos in Plati
• Halavro in Psychro
• Tavern Taxiarchos in Psychro
• To Synafi tou Kritsoti in Agios Georgios
• Oropediou Geusis in Tzermiado
• Argoulias Tavern in Tzermiado

→ More helpful articles about the island and numerous Crete travel tips can be found here:

• Island of Crete – The island at a glance
• Crete Highlights – our TOP 20
• Best Crete Hotels
• Crete Beaches – the most beautiful bathing spots
• Crete Excursions

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