Gortyna or Gortys was an ancient city of Crete and was the capital during the Roman era. Nowadays is a beautiful archaeological site.
According to the myth, Zeus took refuge there after he transformed into a bull and abducted Europe. Their three children were born in Gortyna and later became kings of the three Minoan palaces of Crete.

The Minoan palace of Phaistos was an economic, administrative and religious centre and supervised the fertile plain of Messara. The ancient ports of Matala and Kommos where under the control of Phaistos. Nowadays it is an important archeological site.

The holly grove of Rouvas is located 55km south of Heraklion and 16km north of Gergeri village, in one of the most rugged and secluded parts of Crete. This isolation is the main reason for its existence, since humans have fortunately not destroyed that like all the other lost forests of Crete.

Rouvas forest develops in a small - depression - plateau at the southern part of Psiloritis mountain. One can approach the forest either from Gergeri village through the forest road, or from Nida Plateau again through a forest road or even by walking in the European hiking trail E4, starting from the Zaros lake, crossing the amazing Gorge of Agios Nikolaos and reaching the forest after 2 hours.

The monastery was founded in the 16th or 17th century and has a long history. It is located in a lush and verdant landscape.

Today the monastery is deserted, but there is a museum of ecclesiastical documents, vestments, etc.

After leaving the monastery, the visitor can reach on foot the beautiful beach of Preveli.

A beautiful beach with pebbles and a small natural bay on the eastern side. West of the beach are the rocks from which it got its name. The beach has sunbeds, umbrellas and a small tavern.

This beach (Red Sand) aka Kokkini Ammos is a secluded beach which can be reached only by foot – with the reddish sand that bestows on it its name, and turquoise waters.

It is open to the strong south winds, and not very organized – just a few umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as a small café-canteen, built roughly out of stone. It is sensible, if you visit, to take all you need with you as the canteen is not always open, and there are no tavernas or shops nearby.

Kokkini Ammos and surrounding area has been included in the EC ecological network of Natura 2000: a protected refuge of the Mediterranean Monk seal, the loggerhead turtles (Kareta kareta) and other animals.