Many tourists that come to Crete for walking/hiking are especially attracted by the impressive nature! High mountains, impressive gorges and beautiful coastal stretches makes Crete a real walking paradise! Apart from its many historic sights and tourist attractions, Crete boasts also an abundance of endemic plants and flowers and rare animals. It is estimated that Crete is home to more than 2000 plant species, including an impressive number of endemic ones (at least 160), which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Of course it is great to find these flowers, herbs and plant in nature and espacially in early spring you have great opportunities to find orchids!
In this article tough, we pay special attention to some unique botanical gardens on Crete where you can see, learn, taste a lot about the plants of Crete! Especially in the months of April, May and June, these gardens are bursting with colour and are certainly worth a visit. The gardens also feature shops where you can buy local herbs but and at some enjoy a delicious meal in the restaurant after a walk through the gardens. These gardens are also mentioned in our guidebooks and some walks pass from these beautiful locations!
Botanical Garden of Crete (Chania)
Close to Chania in the direction of Omalos, you will find the Botonical Gardens of Crete. Its only 18 kilometers outside the city and beautifully located in the foothills of the White Mountains. Walking in the Botanical park & Gardens of Crete offes spiritual tranquility and visual pleasure in addition to knowledge on plants and their material.
Walking around in a nearly 20 hectares of green-clad environment, you will come across hundreds of species of fruit trees from across the globe, dozens of herbs, pharmaceutical and ornamental plants. Its located in a unique setting, where the terrain’s configuration and the local microclimate create a haven for thousands of plants and animals.
The garden is a unique project of its kind in Europe and it is ideal for visitors of all ages, combining enjoyments that only Crete can offer!
The Botanical garden set in the foothills of the White Mountains
The hike in the Botanical Garden lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours. The paths are characterized as an experiential walk and not as a hike. There is quite some up- and downhill involved!
The restaurant offers genuine local tastes through an “a la carte” menu. Opening hours: from end of March to November every day: 09:00 until sunset. Admission: 8 euros. Children 6 to 12: 4 euros (Children under 6 years old no admission fee) www.botanical-park.com
In the Botanical Garden of Crete (close to Chania)
Maravel garden in Spili
Discover Maravel garden, a peaceful botanical haven in the heart of Crete! It is located at the edge of the beautiful village of Spili in the provence of Rethymnon. This area is anyway know for its many wildflowers, especially orchids! The garden is spread across 10 hectares (100,000 m²) and is a vibrant eco-park whith lush paths winding through fragrant herbs, blooming flowers, and orange blossoms. You find over 2,500 species of common and rare medicinal herbs and the garden offers an authentic immersion into Cretan nature.
In Maravel Garden in Crete
You can explore wild aromatic paths or just enjoy the hospitality and experience a magical paradise. Walking through extensive paths you discover aromatic and medicinal plants, a unique cactus garden, and a tranquil small lake. You smell the rich scents of lavender, lemon basil, and other herbs. After your tour in the garden you can find in their shop an impressive amount of herbs, organic essential oils, handmade soaps, herbal teas, honey, natural cosmetics, and local wine. In the cafe you can enjoy a wide selection of herbal teas, smoothies, and vegetarian-friendly Cretan dishes. Admission: Free. Open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM (Closed on Tuesdays). Duration: Self-guided walks usually take 1–2 hours. www.maravelspili.gr
A walk to Maravel Garden:
Starting in the village of Spili there is beautiful walk that also passes from Maravel Garden.
It is is not such a long walk and has a lot of
interesting sights to see! Besides the Maravel garden you also pass from the restored watermills in Spili There is some spicy up and downhill involved but you walk along fantastic landscapes! You cross the hamlet Dariviana and walk along the Bourtzoukos Kissamos river back to Spili. The walk is described in our booklet Discover Plakias & Spili... on Foot.
Botano in Listaros
In the western edge of the Asterousia Mountains (Heraklion prefecture) you find in the foothills the village of Listaros. In this nicely located village you find ‘Botano’, a shop with an endless variety of aromatic-therapeutic, colourful spices, herbs and teas. Next to their shop they have their land where many of their products are cultivated and they also pic their herbs in the wild nature. It is not a botanical garden like the once described before but the place is a present and a party for your nose and eyes and certainly worth a visit!
The Botano shop in Listaros
The shop was founded by Iannis Yanoutsos and was originally located in the village of Kouses. Iannis became known as the herb man from Kouses! It is only since 2024 that he and his wife have opened their new shop in Listaros.Opening Hours April – October: Monday - Saturday: 10:30 - 18:30. Sunday closed November – March: Monday - Friday : 09:00 - 17:00. Saturday: 09:00 - 15:00. Sunday closed. www.botano.gr.
In the area of Botano Shop there are many fanastic walks! In our walking booklet Discover Matala... on Foot we describe a roundwalk from the village Sivas to Listaros. You can also start in Listaros. There is quite some uphill involved in this walk but the views over the Messara Valley and towards the Ida Mountains are breathtaking!
Inside the Botano shop
Public gardens in Chania and Rethymnon
Not really botanical gardens but certainly worthwhile to visit are the municipal (public) gardens of the cities Chania and Rethymnon!
The municipal garden (“Kypos”) in Chania was created during the last years of the Turkish period under supervision of Reoef Pasha. It was designed in 1870 according to European standards and was the first public work in Chania that could be used by all people. In the centre of the garden there is the building that housed the Cretan Parliament between 1896 and 1913. Since 1936 this building has been converted into a café. The bell tower of the garden was constructed between 1924 and 1927 and is located at the North-eastern corner of the garden. It is a nice quiet spot in the city and especially the huge magnolia tree and next to it a huge ficus are about 150 years old and the first trees planted when the park was constructed! A nice city walk that passes from the "Kypos" is describe in the booklet Discover Chania... on Foot.
Huge Magnolia tree in the municipal garden of Chania
The municipal garden of Rethymnon
The area of the municipal garden of Rethymnon used to be the Turkish cemetery. It was the mayor Menelaos Papadakis who decided, after the Turks left the city, in 1925, to create a garden there out of respect for the
dead. The Garden is considered quite special as it is a home to rare plant species. It also hosts political and cultural events (such as the Wine Festival during the summer).
A beautiful city walk that passes from this garden is described in our booklet Discover Rethymnon... on Foot.
On Crete there are many more places with special and interesting gardens! Especially many Monasteries on Crete have beautiful and well kept gardens that are worth visiting! In our next blog we will described some interesting Monasteries that are included in our walks!
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