This vast ancient site lies on the northwest coast of Crete, an easy excursion from the seaside town of Chania or a day trip from Heraklion or Rethymnon. Surrounded by olive groves and sleepy rural villages like Maheri and Arhanes, Ancient Aptera is one of the most important archaeological sites on Crete but largely flies under the tourist radar. Excavation began on the site in the mid-19th century and continues today to slowly unearth the remains of an aqueduct, cisterns, public baths, temples, graves, houses, palaces, and a small hillside theater dating from Minoan, Greek, and Roman times—all encircled by the city’s ancient walls that stretch for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers).
There is no public transportation to Ancient Aptera, so you can either drive from one of the island’s towns (taking highway E75 to the town of Aptera and following signage to the site) or hire a taxi. Alternatively, book a private driving tour of the island’s highlights to reach the ruins without any hassle.
The ruins are open daily except for Mondays and offer a quiet respite from the crowds at the island’s more famous sights. Keep in mind that there is little shade inside the site, so visit in the cooler hours of early morning or late afternoon to avoid the worst of the midday heat and sun.
Further along the coastline of Crete to the west of Chania, the historic town of Rethymno is considered to be one of the most beautiful on the island and can easily be paired with a stop at Ancient Aptera. Highlights include the colorful houses in the old town, historic port, and Venetian Fortress.
