lassithi plateau

Quite a climb high up into the mountains, when you thin your getting to the top you haven't but when you get there its such a surprise and breathtaking, we drove around the outside of the plateau stopped at Zeus,s cave and came back down the other side which was windy but spectacular, look out for the Griffin Vultures

this place is a realgem , please visit after sunset and have a look at the fantastic veiw again take a look at real crete.

Definitely worth the drive. There is a breathtaking view once you take the high road reaching the rocky "entrance" of the plateau. The Plateau can be reached a) from Heraklion b) from Malia through Krasi or c) from Neapoli, Hersonissos and Agios Nikolaos through Krystalenia Monastery and Mesa Lasithi. Driving from Heraklion at the entrance of the Plateau, called Ampelos sadle, there are ruins of 3 windmills on each side of the mountains. To get the best view of the whole Plateau drive to Psychro village and further up to Diktaion Andron (Cave of Zeus) to see stalaktites. The other vantage point from where you can see the whole Plateau is on the eastern side of the Plateau on the road to Neapoli-Hersonissos. There is only one caffe-restaurant with excellent view and good food called Skapanis.

Although the attraction here is the windmills, when we visited, there were no sails on the windmills which was disappointing. The drive around the area was nice, but nothing special.

The Plateau made for a excellent excursion. We drove around in a hire Suzuki Jeep (but friends have said the Land Rover 4x4 trip is excellent, packed full of fun and lots of Knowledge). On the south west corner of the plateau is a village called Plati, there is a Taverna there called Taverna Manos just outside the village to the east. We had the Pork from the grill, it was truly exceptional, the best meal of the whole holiday. Coming off the plateau we took a turn signposted Krista and went to see the gorge at Katharo.There were lots of places we wanted to see but just didn't have enough time. I guess we will be coming back.

Didn't partake in an organised tour, but our hotel practically overlooked this wonderful landscape. As a Geographer, I am awe-inspired by such landscapes, and the Lassithi Plateau is no exception either. The landscape consists of rolling mountains, higher than anything seen in Britain, set behind a plateau - almost at sea level, so the landscape is of course outstandingly contrasting and beautiful, also. As you can imagine you do not need to take part in a tour to appreciate this, instead go for a walk (not far from Sissi) and take some photographs of your own.Visited May 2012

We visited the Lasithi plateau last week, the approach through the 'gate' by road opened into the lovely plateau. It is an area surrounded by mountain tops and has a surreal quality I have never experienced before.It does seem a shame the water windmills are being left to go to ruin, but can appreciate they are being replaced by more modern equipment. Lovely place.

An excellent way to see the real Crete. Simon our guide was a fount of funny jokes as well as interesting information. Lunch was excellent and yes they were the best tasting chips all week.If you have binoculars a good idea to take your own but Simon does let you borrow his. Its bumpy in the back of the jeep so be prepared if you have back issues or are car sick.Overall a wonderful day out.

Lassithi Plateau is entered via roads which might favourably be considered "challenging". Switchback corners over vertiginous drops - the scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and I mean that in all possible interpretations. We took a coach trip, and we were assured that the driver was one of the best in Crete. He'd have to have been, let's just say there wasn't much room for mistakes but those views, oh those views. The Plateau itself is almost bizarre - billiard-table flatness, dotted by villages and farms with the few remaining wind-powered water pumps, surrounded completely (yes, completely) by mountaintops. It could easily be another planet, or a hundred years ago, or both. The people, like all those we encountered in Crete, were unfailingly welcoming, meeting us with open arms and open shops... This was an experience like nothing else on Earth. Visit the pottery workshop, which also sells excellent locally produced olive oil (if your luggage allowance will accept it). Climb a mountain (if you can), and descend into the depths of the Earth itself to the legendary birthplace of the king of the Greek gods. Eat at the taverna in Tzermiado, where the food is of the highest quality, simple but satisfying. Everyone speaks good English, so don't worry if you don't know the difference between parakalo and efkharisto. Or forget you read this, and discover it for yourself. You owe it to yourself. This is a special place, and the people who live there know it.

The area is beautiful - you drive through tiny villages along the way, both before and after the Cave of Zeus - take it all in!

It was interesting to read the background first, some of the villages were however down at heel.We had a nice lunch at Psychro but gave the cave a miss

Nice view from above. Quaint villages to visit. If you can, rent a car ad do it on your own instead of a tour.

Interesting to see some of the traditional villages. Sad that all the windmills have been replaced by diesel engines, maybe they will make a comeback some day :-)

We hired a car for a few days to take a break from bars and beaches to try to find traditional Crete. A drive up twisting mountain roads to a height of 1000 mtrs changes the scenery significantly. The plateau is entered through a pass "protected" by the remains of old windmills (built by the Venetians) which were used to pump water from the plateau basin. A drive through the villages that lie around the edge of the edge of the plateau is like going back in time by several decades. Older women dressed in black sit in doorways preparing vegetables for family meals; every house has an old vine trained to spread wide across trellises to provide shade for family meals shared on terraces; tavernas that serve superb local produce cooked to perfection; and local Cretan hospitality everywhere. Watch out for the ubiquitous Raki, this is the real stuff and offered as a sign of hospitality. To refuse is to offend, so be polite.

Agios Nikolaos ambient seaside town, fun to stroll in and some very elegant shops. The breezy little hill streets canopied with trees are great.Sissi where we stayed was a quiet but great little town with the fabulous Neromilos Tavern and we stayed at Maritimos Hotel. Pretty and spotless hotel, terriffic staff, right on the beach and 5 minutes walk to tiny Harbour and pubs and shops.Avoid Malia and Hersonissos at all costs. Slummy , jaded tourist towns where very young kids go to wipe themselves out at night in summer.Ammoudi Beach near Ag. Nikolaos was sheltered, crystal clear calm water, little wind and good facilities including small tavern/kiosk. Sandy beach, no rocks. Havanya also pretty but too many rocks in water to stub toes on and water not so clear.Mountain villages of Castelli, Vrahassi worth a visit and a wander around and mountain drive very pretty in late afternoon.Authentic village of Milatos (near Sissi) was a lovely surprise.Be Aware of Kritsa Gorge between Lato and Kritsa - was very poorly signposted and very important info not given. The 3 hour walk took much longer due to misleading and at times absent signposting. We were in there closer to 5 hours (and my partner is a trekker). When we finally, blindly and by chance only, came out at Tapas village where the trek is supposed to end, , ( a couple of houses and no more) we were told we had a 10 km walk back to the car park !! Although we are a middle aged couple, nobody would give us a lift. We walked a good part of it and reached sunset before a kind French couple from Burgundy gave us a lift up the final steep mountain road. We arrived home at 7.30pm instead of 3.30pm. The Gorge itself was pretty, mainly shaded and all river pebbles and boulder climbing. Not for children really. Anyone who has 2 cars and still wants to attempt it, should know that each time you come to a closed gateway and go through it, make sure to find a red blue spot after 10 metres, otherwise you have gone through wrong gateway.Once you reach the orchard near the end, beware that the farmer there unfortunately painted a lot of his trees with dabs of red paint which are similar to dabs red paint you need to follow on rocks.....