Minos Palace Hotel  & Suites - Leisure Activities - Excursions - Locations of Interest in Crete

Meet King Minos
Distance from hotel: approx. 70km | 1h
Knossos flourished for approximately two thousand years. It had large palace buildings, extensive workshop installations and luxurious rock-cut cave and tholos tombs. As a major centre of trade and the economy, Knossos maintained ties with the majority of cities in the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to tradition, it was the seat of King Minos and the capital of his state. The palace of Knossos is associated with the exciting myths “the Labyrinth and the Minotaur” and “Daedalus and Icarus”. It was a multi-storey building covering an area of 20.000 square meters. Impressive features of it are the variety of building materials used, and the painted plaster, marble revetment and wall-paintings adorning the rooms and passages. The advanced level of technology attained by the Minoans is also demonstrated by some original architectural and structural features

Spinalonga Tour

Distance from hotel: approx. 10km | 17 min.

The island of Spinalonga is located in the Gulf of Elounda opposite the village of Plaka. Spinalonga is a magnificent island with fortresses dating from the Venetian period.

It is an island of legends and a triumph to survival in the early 20th century from the scourge of leprosy.
It is a place of great archaeological and historical significance, a source of inspiration for authors, film directors, artists and musicians. Spinalonga is in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage sites.

A Monk’s Tale

Distance from hotel: approx. 85 km | 1.5 h


Toplou Monastery is a vibrant convent of great spiritual radiance from the 14th century onwards.

This byzantine monastery is built around a courtyard on three floors with ramparts, covering an area of approximately 800 square meters.

Discover the humble life of a monk and explore the monastic tradition and local wine making among other activities.

Degustation Dinners

Yannis Baxevanis, the well-known Executive Chef of bluegr hotels and resorts, has been passionately working for many years in making Cretan cuisine known to people from all walks of life.

As an award-winning Chef in Greece and abroad, he has been renowned as Status Magazine’s Chef of the year, and as the 2006 Global Gastronomy Academy’s Chef of the Future.

Years of practice and expertise has led him to receive multiple awards in the scope of Greek cuisine. Chef Baxevanis in turn welcome’s famous chefs that he met in his path creating unique menus presented with passion.

Vai Palmforest - Distance from hotel: approx. 95 km | 1.5 h

The Palm forest of Vai, in the eastern part of Crete, is one of the most beautiful and special places in the whole Mediterranean. Covering an area of approximately 250,000 square metres and more than 5000 palm trees, Vai is the largest palm forest in Europe. The name of the area, Vai, comes from vayia, the Greek word for palms.
Many different stories are told about the origin of its palm trees. Scientists have proven that the Vai palm trees are an endemic species known as Phoenix theophrasti, or Cretan Date Palm. If you decide to go for a walk in the palm forest, you will see – if you’re lucky – a small lake formed by rainwater among the trees. This phenomenon is more frequent in early summer or in September.
The heavenly palm grove is planted in a wide valley watered by the local river for centuries. An exotic sandy beach with whitish sand is formed near the shore, backed by the edenic palm forest, reminding of African and Caribbean seascapes.

Richtis Gorge - Distance from hotel: approx. 60km | 1h

The amazing gorge of Richtis is located in Lasithi Prefecture, on the north side, between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia. The total length of the route is approximately 3 kilometers and the elevation difference between the starting point and the beach is about 350 meters. The gorge, even in summer, has enough water.

Hiking to the beach takes approximately three to four hours, depending on the hiking pace. The route continues in a lush landscape in the river, an amazing scenery of East Crete. Platan, oleander and sage are numerous, and the smells of fresh herbs change constantly. The highlight is, of course, the beautiful waterfall of over 20 meters form with a smal pond formed below it (richtis means waterfall in the Cretan dialect).
The path finishes in the beautiful pebbly beach of Richtis. The beach has enough tamarisk trees, with stone seats and tables around. Also, there is a stone water fountain with water all year round.

Lasithi Plateau & Diktaean Cave - Distance from hotel: approx. 60km | 1h

According to the legend, the Dikteon Cave, was the birthplace of Zeus.

The Cave is located just 15 minutes walking-distance from Psychro, in Lassithi Plateau, at an altitude of 1025m.

The route to the cave is magnificent as the view to the Lassithi Plateau is breathtaking. The cave, which has an area of 2200 sq.m, is well lit and the paths in it come along a well-designed path of 250m length.

As you walk around, you will appreciate the cool temperatures and with its incredible stalactites and stalagmites of a thousand’s years old.

High Mountains ∙ Kritsa & Kroustas Forest - Distance from hotel: approx. 10km | 20 min

The excursion to the High Mountains is an unmissable attraction where you will have the chance to see the local biodiversity and appreciate the local nature as the kernel of the forest is covered by cypress trees, and its surrounding vegetation consists of cypress, oak, maple, holly, wild olive and holm oak trees.

The cypress wood of Kritsa is formed across a deep ravine, at the southern foot of Mount Tsiva. The forest is in the middle of the ancient path that led Minoans to the plateau of Katharo, with many Minoan pottery remains found here.
One of the rare forests of eastern Crete, the Kroustas Forest Park was first systematically settled and intensively used by man about four thousand years ago. In the older Minoan Palace period many agricultural installations (pens, enclosure walls) and house foundations were built with large blocks and are visible on the surface until today.

Aromatic Gardens

In every Cretan village, Mother Earth, plays the key role. Candia Park village is no exception.

Visit our gardens and discover our island’s rich floral heritage.

Many herbs and plants offer harmless subtle ways to improve our health.

Join our Head Chef in the weekly “Aromatic Garden Tour” and learn all about the indigenous plants and herbs, their distinctive aromas and flavors, as well as their healing and health benefits.

Sailing Trips



Choose the day and the vessel and let the experienced Captain to guide you through Mirabello bay.


Either on a full day or half day cruise, private or in group there are plenty to discover. (options include catamaran, caique, yaucht, sailing boat)

Chrysi Island - Ierapetra : approx. 40 km | 45 min


Also known as donkey island for the locals, the famous small island of Chrysi is located south of Ierapetra.


Accessible only by ferry or a speed boat Chrysi is an exotic, uninhabited island of outstanding natural beauty with a cedar forest of 35 hectares,

turquoise waters, shallow bays and countless shells. a half day excursion to be remembered.

Underwater Treasures


PADI certified Diving Centre is located on the grounds of the hotel giving guests the opportunity to participate in the Discover Dive sessions and enjoy diving in the tranquil waters of the sea as they explore the seabed, the ancient remains, the wrecks, the rocky slopes, the caverns, the walls and reefs found in the region.


The diving center also features a great range of water sports activities for the more adventurous guests including dinghy sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, donut and banana rides.

Explore Mirabello bay


Rent a boat grab a map and explore the Mirabello bay.


Follow the specially designed sea routes and discover the picturesque Mirabello coastline, undisclosed coves and beaches.


Find out where the famous pirate Barbarossa was hiding his vessel before attacking and dive into crystal clear waters.

Catch and relax

Spend an exciting day on the crystal-clear waters of Mirabello by joining a fishing trip, discover the best fishing hot spots around.


The joy of finding a fish pulling on the end of your line is always an amazing experience, no matter your age or your skill level.


Yacht fishing trips In Crete are perfect for you, your family or friends.

Wine Tour

Vineyards have been cultivated in Crete for about 4,000 years.

The native varieties grown in Crete, combined with the modern methods of viticulture make Cretan wines truly exceptional.

The long tradition has made the vine growing in Crete a part of its lifestyle.

Discover the Cretan terroir and indigenous grapes through a private wine tour to some of Crete’s most prestigious wineries and experience tailor made wine tastings and food pairings.

Meet the Locals

Cretans are a very distinctive people, with their own spirited music and dances, remarkable cuisine and traditions. Proud, patriotic and fierce yet famously hospitable, Cretans maintain a rich connection to their culture.
Exploring the Cretan villages you’ll meet Cretans speaking local dialects, creating regional delicacies, and combining the old world with the new. They always have a story to tell.
Agios Nikolaos : approx. 4 km | 5 min
Elounda village: approx. 3 km | 5 min
Kritsa : approx. 17 km | 25 min
Kroustas: approx. 18km | 25 min

Aegeo Spa

Aegeo Spa guarantees to introduce guests to a unique world of wellness and relaxation, a true 5 star spa hotel experience!


Reinvigorate, revive and rejuvenate yourself with our extensive range of spa services and treatments, from express 15 minute facials to 50 minute deep cleansing treatments and 2 hour full-body massages.


Aegeo Spa services use only the best, premium spa products, focussing on natural ingredients such as lavender, seaweed, pomegranate, olive oil and sea salt.

Yoga Sessions

Hatha Yoga – AM
Waking up the body through gentle stretching, while gradually increasing the intensity with Sun Salutations and winding down with forward folds and spinal twists. The class is designed for everyone. Our Hatha sessions are scheduled in the mornings, as they are ideal for waking the body up before all other movement. All are welcome to this class.
Flow Yoga – PM
For those who like to keep moving through a steady tempo. Flow is for everyone who has already been in contact with yoga and would like to deepen their practice. The class strengthens the body while also improving flexibility. It is a fast paced class which everyone can follow. Our Flow classes are best to be practiced in the evening when the muscles and joints are warm and ready

Finding Nemo - CretAquarium : approx. 50 km | 45 min

CretΑquarium is an expert in presenting species and ecosystems of the Mediterranean, a sea of unique biodiversity that gave birth to ancient civilizations and welcomes millions of visitors every year from all over the world.

Offering 60 tanks of different sizes, containing a total amount of 1,700,000 litres of sea water, it is home to 2000 sea animals, 200 different species found in the Mediterranean basin, and together with the appropriate scenery, it successfully represents the Cretan and Mediterranean sea beds.

Additionally CretAquarium designs and implements educational programmes and other innovative services, treats injured animals and is constantly enriched with new marine species.