Explore Crete island

Vai - Crete, GREECE

The palm forest of Vai stands about 27 kilometers away from the Toplou Monastery. The 5,000 palm trees stand in an attractive valley between two hills, arranged amphitheatrically and overlooking the golden beach. Here the landscape has changed once more: now it is tropical and idyllic. According to the myths, the existence of the palm trees was attributed to the Phoenicians, who stayed here and threw away the stones of the dates they were eating. The trees, "vayia" in the local dialect, have given Vai its name. Today the whole area and all routes of access to Vai beach are carefully fenced off and camping is strictly forbidden. The main entrance is open from sunrise to sunset, and so the beauty of the landscape can still be enjoyed while slipping a cool drink in one of the pretty cafes. No far from Vai stands the quiet sandy bay, Erimoupoli. This is the site of one of the most important cities of eastern Crete, ancient Itanos.

The name comes from Itanos, one of the Kouretes, who brought up Zeus. According to the myths the Argonauts built a temple to Athena here. As archaeological finds have shown, Itanos was occupied between Minoan times and the Christian era. There was a large harbour, which would have acted as a way station on the routes between Crete and the Middle East. If you want to discover one more important archaeological site in this area you should get back the road, through the picturesque village of Paleokastro to Zakros. The attractive village of Epano Zakros stands on two hills covered with fruit trees and olive. From here a surfaced road leads to an inviting sheltered bay where the village of Kato Zakros stands. Here recent investigation has revealed a large Minoan palace, the fourth largest in Crete and the only one to have escaped robbery. It was built around 1600 BC, covered an area of 8,000 square meters and had 180 rooms.

The site of the palace is of great importance, since standing as it does on the east coast of Crete it would be in an ideal position to import goods from the East and sell them to the other palaces. Thus its harbour developed into a major commercial port and the whole Minoan 'thalassocracy' relied heavily upon it. The best seasons for a visit to Vai are spring and autumn, as in summer it is too hot for walks. But if you go there in summer, try to stroll around before 11.00 in the morning, or after 5.00 in the afternoon.
Don’t forget that in summer the area gets too crowded. However, walking northwards along the beach you will find some smaller beaches, less crowded but equally beautiful. And a piece of advice: if you don’t want to rent an umbrella near the sea, don’t worry! You may relax under the natural shade of the palm trees, within the wood. What is better in a hot summer noon! Wherever you are in Crete, don’t miss to visit Vai! If you leave the island without going there, you will have the feeling that you have seen nothing! It is not an exaggeration it’s just the truth!!