Event Horizon Project in Fourni
Event Horizon is a Crete based building for the arts, music, literature and ecology projects. An artist in residency opportunity offering private creative space, a retreat for production and experimentation with rented accommodation nearby. Event Horizon is set in 20,000 Sq m (5 acres) of private land (owned by Julienne) and is close to the sea. The land is primarily an olive grove at the beginning of the Havgas gorge. There is a gigantic Mediterranean Oak spread so broadly that it becomes a tree house. There are plenty of places to walk and muse on the land. It is effectively a nature reserve and so there are no crazing animals allowed resulting in a plethora of Cretan Fauna visible all year round. The wild flowers and wildlife are to be respected and not collected in any way. For more information and contact details: https://dolphinwilding.com/pages/36.html
Activities and things to do in and around Neapoli
Lasithi Plateau Drive….
Starting from Neapoli and ending in Malia, covering a distance of 80 km (50 miles) and takes around two to three hours. But why rush? Just take your time, enjoy the scenery, have a meal in one of the local tavernas or visit The Cave of Zeus….. here is a document of the drive for you to download Lasithi Plateau Drive The Lasithi Plateau stands 850 meters (2,800ft) high in the Dhíkti mountains of eastern Crete, and is one of the most picturesque areas of the island. The plateau is filled with orchards, olive groves and farms providing fresh produce for the area. Sadly, many of the countless (12,000) windmills have been lost but there are now plans afoot to restore the regions windmills to their former glory and we all hope that we will once again be able to see the plateau as it once was. https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/-/restoration-of- lasithi-plateau-s-windmills-with-perforated-sails2.webp){kind=logo}
Holy Monastery of Kremasta….
A short drive from Neapolis of around 2.5 kilometres on the Lasith Plateau road will bring you to the Kremetsa Monastery which you will find on the right side of the road with a small car park on the left. There are some stunning views of the valley and the surrounding area and the monastery is a haven of peace and tranquility. According to the dedicatory inscription on the lintel of the catholicon, it was founded in 1593 by Metrophanes Agapetos. From around the middle of the 19th century until the beginning of the 20th century, a thriving ‘learning by teaching’ school was operating at the monastery while, during the period 1868-1871, it was the seat and home of the Christian governor of the province of Lasithi, Kostis Adosides- Pasas. The initial male monastery became a female one from 1993. Seven nuns live there today. Built on sloping ground, the monastery develops at a gradient, from north to south, around the courtyard in the shape of an L. The barrel-vaulted, single-nave catholicon dominates the rest of the buildings, built at the highest point. The artful gilt wood-carved altar screen of the 19th century which has icons of the same period and an icon of the Cretan School, with Christ enthroned of the 17th century, deserves special reference. Even though it is hidden from view, the altar of the catholicon which was dedicated in 1622 by the monk Nikephoros Anyfantes and has the form of Christ in relief and sculpted decoration with vine leaves, also deserves special mention. The present guest house where, according to tradition, a Secret School functioned during the period of the Turkish occupation, as well as the pre-industrial olive-press that has been transformed into a refectory, are the architecturally interesting spaces of the monastery.
Selinari Gorge….
Around 5 Km on the national road towards Heraklio you will pass through Selinari Gorge which is a great spot for seeing the local population of Griffon Vultures and other birds of prey. During the summer months you will often see these magnificent birds soaring high above you on the warm thermals. They are a protected species and are widespread around the Island and have a wingspan of up 2.8 metres - much larger than a Golden Eagle. There are a large number of breeding pairs in Selinari and a hiking trail of this canyon is available on Wikiloc - there are other trails around the gorge and please be prepared with adequate walking shoes, plenty of water and ensure your mobile is fully charged before you set off! You will also have the opportunity to visit St. George Monastery here at Selinari which has been built into the heart of this famous gorge. For many Cretans it is considered bad luck to cross the canyon without stopping at St. George to light a candle and pay their respects. Tradition says, a monk from Rhodes, named Nikolaos, was led by God to a place where he found the icon of St. George and it was here at Selinari that he built his church. Nikolaos lived at Selinari till his death, when he was buried in a small cave at the top of Anavlohos mount, which was carved by him… It really is a beautiful spot to relax, take some wonderful photographs of the area and why not make a visit to the village of Vrachasi just a couple of kilometres away where you enjoy a meal or cold drink at one of the Taverna…
Fourni Horses
Fourni Horses was established in 2016 by Eugenia and George and their horse riding centre is located in the beautiful and picturesque village of Fourni in Eastern Crete, a beautiful drive that is only around 8km from Neapoli. They have developed their business during this time and are now offering thier FOURNI HORSES EXPERIENCE which includes Horseback riding, hands-on guide to beekeeping, yoga on the mountain, a guided tour of the folk museum of our area and an option to enjoy a traditional Merabellian meal in the Village of Fourni.
Agios Nikolaos
Only 15km from Neapoli and is on the main bus route with buses running from the main square every hour or so; a one- way fare is currently 3 euro (2024). The taxi rank is also on the main square and one-way costs around 15 euro (2024). Should you decide to go by car there are several car parks in Agios Nikolaos offering very reasonable prices to park the car. Probably a good idea to check out Google maps to get an overview of the city.
We assume that you are staying in Neapoli to escape the usual
crowded resorts and enjoy experiencing
a quieter life in a traditional Cretan town. However, a holiday
wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing swim and the
opportunity to catch some “rays”. All of the beaches and
resorts can be easily reached by car within 30 minutes and if
you want to visit the town’s beaches of Agios Nikolaos you
catch the local bus from the square if you prefer….This is not an
exhaustive list and suggest you ask Google for more info.
If you are hankering after a busy, bustling place to visit then all of the big resorts
like Malia, Hersonissos, Stalis, etc. etc. are all on the main bus route from Neapoli
to Heraklion or go by car but be aware that parking can be an issue….
Beaches and Resorts near Neapoli
All of the beaches mentioned have been awarded Blue Flags
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Paschaligo
a short walk from the centre of Neapoli and is a favourite place for the many
locals and visitors. It is easy to find and there are pointers nailed to the
electric poles and some walls - easy to follow as they are coloured red and
blue twith an arrow hat begin from the centre of town. It’s a small grove of
mixed trees including Oak, Pine, Olive, Lemon, flowers and shrubs several of
which are endemic to the region.
It’s about 1.5 km southwest of Neapolis town, situated on the slopes of Mount
Kavalaras. It was named after the Venetian feudal lord Fillipo Pasqualigo, who
built a house here and there some of the remains still visible today. He
constructed irrigation ditches with water coming from the local spring of Vigli.
The locals later used these ditches to provide water to the town and also built
several windmills along these ditches but sadly these are now just ruins. It’s a
great place to enjoy a stroll and a picnic and many the streams have turned
into a small Oasis of calm and peace. It is an area of outstanding beauty in the
dry region of Mirabello and due to the abundance of water here it also offers
a great deal of flora and fauna for you to see.
A full list of the walks can be found here…..
Walks around Neapoli and the surrounding area
Amazonas Park & Zoo
Amazonas Park is a private zoo in the northeast of Crete. The zoo's focus is on animals from South America, especially parrots and monkeys. There are also some domestic animals such as donkeys and goats. Amazonas Park opened in 2011. Since then, it has enjoyed growing popularity. During the season several hundred visitors arrive at the animal park every day. Some companies offer day trips by bus to the largest zoo in Crete in their program. The parking lot opposite the entrance is often full in the summer so try and plan to get there early.
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Vassilakis Olive Oil Factory Tour
A free tour of Vassilakis Factory to see how olive oil is produced…. A very short drive from Neapoli Town or you could easily take a taxi from the Taxi rank on the main square. The factory offers a free tour and you can easily find this information on Google or Trip advisor…5-1.webp){kind=logo}
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Event Horizon Project in Fourni
Event Horizon is a Crete based building for the arts, music, literature and ecology projects. An artist in residency opportunity offering private creative space, a retreat for production and experimentation with rented accommodation nearby. Event Horizon is set in 20,000 Sq m (5 acres) of private land (owned by Julienne) and is close to the sea. The land is primarily an olive grove at the beginning of the Havgas gorge. There is a gigantic Mediterranean Oak spread so broadly that it becomes a tree house. There are plenty of places to walk and muse on the land. It is effectively a nature reserve and so there are no crazing animals allowed resulting in a plethora of Cretan Fauna visible all year round. The wild flowers and wildlife are to be respected and not collected in any way. For more information and contact details: https://dolphinwilding.com/pages/36.htmlActivities and things to do in and around Neapoli
Lasithi Plateau Drive….
Starting from Neapoli and ending in Malia, covering a distance of 80 km (50 miles) and takes around two to three hours. But why rush? Just take your time, enjoy the scenery, have a meal in one of the local tavernas or visit The Cave of Zeus….. here is a document of the drive for you to download Lasithi Plateau Drive The Lasithi Plateau stands 850 meters (2,800ft) high in the Dhíkti mountains of eastern Crete, and is one of the most picturesque areas of the island. The plateau is filled with orchards, olive groves and farms providing fresh produce for the area. Sadly, many of the countless (12,000) windmills have been lost but there are now plans afoot to restore the regions windmills to their former glory and we all hope that we will once again be able to see the plateau as it once was. https://www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/- /restoration-of-lasithi-plateau-s-windmills-with-perforated-sails
Holy Monastery of Kremasta….
A short drive from Neapolis of around 2.5 kilometres on the Lasith Plateau road will bring you to the Kremetsa Monastery which you will find on the right side of the road with a small car park on the left. There are some stunning views of the valley and the surrounding area and the monastery is a haven of peace and tranquility. According to the dedicatory inscription on the lintel of the catholicon, it was founded in 1593 by Metrophanes Agapetos. From around the middle of the 19th century until the beginning of the 20th century, a thriving ‘learning by teaching’ school was operating at the monastery while, during the period 1868-1871, it was the seat and home of the Christian governor of the province of Lasithi, Kostis Adosides-Pasas. The initial male monastery became a female one from 1993. Seven nuns live there today. Built on sloping ground, the monastery develops at a gradient, from north to south, around the courtyard in the shape of an L. The barrel-vaulted, single-nave catholicon dominates the rest of the buildings, built at the highest point. The artful gilt wood-carved altar screen of the 19th century which has icons of the same period and an icon of the Cretan School, with Christ enthroned of the 17th century, deserves special reference. Even though it is hidden from view, the altar of the catholicon which was dedicated in 1622 by the monk Nikephoros Anyfantes and has the form of Christ in relief and sculpted decoration with vine leaves, also deserves special mention. The present guest house where, according to tradition, a Secret School functioned during the period of the Turkish occupation, as well as the pre-industrial olive-press that has been transformed into a refectory, are the architecturally interesting spaces of the monastery.
Selinari Gorge….
Around 5 Km on the national road towards Heraklio you will pass through Selinari Gorge which is a great spot for seeing the local population of Griffon Vultures and other birds of prey. During the summer months you will often see these magnificent birds soaring high above you on the warm thermals. They are a protected species and are widespread around the Island and have a wingspan of up 2.8 metres - much larger than a Golden Eagle. There are a large number of breeding pairs in Selinari and a hiking trail of this canyon is available on Wikiloc - there are other trails around the gorge and please be prepared with adequate walking shoes, plenty of water and ensure your mobile is fully charged before you set off! You will also have the opportunity to visit St. George Monastery here at Selinari which has been built into the heart of this famous gorge. For many Cretans it is considered bad luck to cross the canyon without stopping at St. George to light a candle and pay their respects. Tradition says, a monk from Rhodes, named Nikolaos, was led by God to a place where he found the icon of St. George and it was here at Selinari that he built his church. Nikolaos lived at Selinari till his death, when he was buried in a small cave at the top of Anavlohos mount, which was carved by him… It really is a beautiful spot to relax, take some wonderful photographs of the area and why not make a visit to the village of Vrachasi just a couple of kilometres away where you enjoy a meal or cold drink at one of the Taverna…
Fourni Horses
Fourni Horses was established in 2016 by Eugenia and George and their horse riding centre is located in the beautiful and picturesque village of Fourni in Eastern Crete, a beautiful drive that is only around 8km from Neapoli. They have developed their business during this time and are now offering thier FOURNI HORSES EXPERIENCE which includes Horseback riding, hands-on guide to beekeeping, yoga on the mountain, a guided tour of the folk museum of our area and an option to enjoy a traditional Merabellian meal in the Village of Fourni.
Agios Nikolaos
Only 15km from Neapoli and is on the main bus route with buses running from the main square every hour or so; a one-way fare is currently 3 euro (2024). The taxi rank is also on the main square and one-way costs around 15 euro (2024). Should you decide to go by car there are several car parks in Agios Nikolaos offering very reasonable prices to park the car. Probably a good idea to check out Google maps to get an overview of the city.
We assume that you are staying in Neapoli to escape the
usual crowded resorts and enjoy experiencing
a quieter life in a traditional Cretan town. However, a
holiday wouldn’t be complete without a relaxing
swim and the opportunity to catch some “rays”. All of
the beaches and resorts can be easily reached by car within 30
minutes and if you want to visit the town’s beaches of Agios Nikolaos
you catch the local bus from the square if you prefer….This is not an
exhaustive list and suggest you ask Google for more info.
If you are hankering after a busy, bustling place to visit then all of
the big resorts like Malia, Hersonissos, Stalis, etc. etc. are all on the
main bus route from Neapoli to Heraklion or go by car but be aware
that parking can be an issue….
Beaches and Resorts near Neapoli
All beaches mentioned have been awarded Blue Flags
Paschaligo
a short walk from the centre of Neapoli and is a favourite place for
the many locals and visitors. It is easy to find and there are
pointers nailed to the electric poles and some walls - easy to follow
as they are coloured red and blue twith an arrow hat begin from
the centre of town. It’s a small grove of mixed trees including Oak,
Pine, Olive, Lemon, flowers and shrubs several of which are
endemic to the region.
It’s about 1.5 km southwest of Neapolis town, situated on the
slopes of Mount Kavalaras. It was named after the Venetian feudal
lord Fillipo Pasqualigo, who built a house here and there some of
the remains still visible today. He constructed irrigation ditches
with water coming from the local spring of Vigli. The locals later
used these ditches to provide water to the town and also built
several windmills along these ditches but sadly these are now just
ruins. It’s a great place to enjoy a stroll and a picnic and many the
streams have turned into a small Oasis of calm and peace. It is an
area of outstanding beauty in the dry region of Mirabello and due
to the abundance of water here it also offers a great deal of flora
and fauna for you to see.
A full list of the walks can be found here…..
Walks around Neapoli and the surrounding area
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Amazonas Park & Zoo
Amazonas Park is a private zoo in the northeast of Crete. The zoo's focus is on animals from South America, especially parrots and monkeys. There are also some domestic animals such as donkeys and goats. Amazonas Park opened in 2011. Since then, it has enjoyed growing popularity. During the season several hundred visitors arrive at the animal park every day. Some companies offer day trips by bus to the largest zoo in Crete in their program. The parking lot opposite the entrance is often full in the summer so try and plan to get there early.
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Vassilakis Olive Oil Factory Tour
A free tour of Vassilakis Factory to see how olive oil is produced…. A very short drive from Neapoli Town or you could easily take a taxi from the Taxi rank on the main square. The factory offers a free tour and you can easily find this information on Google or Trip advisor…