Limnes-Vruchas-Plaka

From Aghios Nikolaos via the old or new road, the first stop is the village of Limnes with its traditional crafts, its little coffee shops and roofs of red tile.

From Nikithiano you ascend to the heights of the village of Fourni, passing by ancient Driros on the left, and the church of Aghios Antonios commanding the highest point of the hill. Beyond Fourni, follow the left fork of the road. Passing through the villages of Sirmesos, Dories, Karidi and the monastery of Areti, and you will find yourself facing the Cretan Sea.

After a downhill run, the asphalt road follows the coastline and the sea eastwards. Agaliano, Valtos, Skinias, Loumas, Seles and Vrouchas are characteristic gorge locations. If you are lucky enough to pass through these villages when the freshly baked bread is taken from the stone ovens, then you will have to stop! With the village of Vrouchas to your back, you can see the island of Spinalonga deep in the Bay of Mirambelo, locally called “The Big Thorn” because it resembles the blade of a spear, that spear being said to resemble the long island of nearby Kolokitha.

Along this road is Plaka, the village once used as a stepping stone to this historical place of sacrafice, but which is now a thriving tourist destination. Going uphill at Lenika you can enjoy the panoramic view of the town from which the tourism development of the island originated, the Venice of Crete, i.e. Aghios Nikolaos.