Location

From Heraklion Airport

From Heraklion Port

Directions to Golden Valentin Apartments

Find below instructions for easy access to Golden Valentin Apartments from airport and the port of Heraklion.

From Heraklion Airport "Nikos Kazantzakis":

By car:
Please follow the highway E75 from Heraklion airport with direction to the east (Agios Nikolaos - Chersonisos - Mallia ) . Exit the highway after about 20 km (exit sign "Kastelli , Limenas Chersonisou - Plateau Lasithiou" and turn left at the intersection .Follow the road straight for 2.7 km and turn right at the intersection. Follow the road straight for 2.4 km and turn sharp right on the side road (after the hospital).Follow this road for 300 m until you reach an instersection with a small road on the left . Turn left there and follow the road for 400 m. Golden Valentin will be on your left.

By bus:
Just outside the airport you will find the stop for the public bus. The bus ticket costs approximately 3.50 € per person. The bus passes almost every 30 minutes (time of trip 45 minutes to reach Hersonissos).You will need to get off the bus at bus stop number 19 . There is a slightly inclined road behind the bus stop, please follow it (there are some stairs to get there , a few meters from the bus stop ) . After 300 m you will find a side road on the left, please follow that road . After 400 m. Golden Valentin will be on your left.

From Heraklion Port:

By car:
Exit the port and follow the road "Ethnikis Antistaseos" straight ahead for 2.5 km and at the traffic light turn left to enter the highway E75 (direction to the east - Agios Nikolaos - Chersonisos - Mallia ) . Exit the highway after about 20 km (exit sign "Kastelli , Limenas Chersonisou - Plateau Lasithiou" and turn left at the intersection .Follow the road straight for 2.7 km and turn right at the intersection. Follow the road straight for 2.4 km and turn sharp right on the side road (after the hospital).Follow this road for 300 m. until you reach an instersection with a small road on the left . Turn left there and follow the road for 400 m. Golden Valentin will be on your left.

By bus:
Exit the port and follow the road "Ethnikis Antistaseos" straight ahead for 300 m. Then turn right to street Loforos Ikarou and go straight for 100m. The central bus station of Heraklion will be on your right. From there you take the bus with direction to Hersonissos. The bus ticket costs approximately 3.50 € per person. The bus passes almost every 30 minutes (time of trip 45 minutes to reach Hersonissos).You will need to get off the bus at bus stop number 19 . There is a slightly inclined road behind the bus stop ,please follow it (there are some stairs to get there , a few meters from the bus stop ) . After 300 m you will find a side road on the left , please follow that road . After 400 m. Golden Valentin will be on your left.

Distances from main activities

Beach

600 m

Café-Restaurants

450 m

Supermarket / Shopping Area

450 m

Bus stop

750 m

Hersonissos

450 m

Heraklion

24 klm

Palace of Knossos

One of the most known archaeological sites in Crete is the famous Minoan Palace in Knossos which stands for the power of the Great Ancient Minoan Civilization. The palace is an “architectural jewel” that survived through centuries and consists of the main part of the palace, the royal residence, the room of murals and the tombs.

Labyrinth was the name given to the specially designed corridors which according to the ancient myth was the house of Minotaur, a creature with a human body and bull’s head. Wonderful murals, great materials, innovative drainage system in a very early period and an overwhelming energy of an ancient landscape is what you would expect from a visit in Knossos.

The Island of Spinalonga

Spinalonga island is a symbol of human strength and willingness to survive as it nested the patients with Hansen’s disease, widely known as leprosy from 1904 to 1957. This island was meant to be the new home for all these people infected by the disease. Not only did they form a strong community which was a microcosm of society with stores, services and hospital but also attracted public’s attention with their struggles for sick people’s rights. Nowadays guests can walk around the wonderful island and get a glimpse of the way of life in Spinalonga during the first half of the 20th century.

Lychnostatis Open Air Museum

Lychnostatis Open air museum is a very loyal but also artistic approach of the older days in Crete. Visitors will be familiarized tools that Cretan people used to handle everyday agricultural chores, Cretan flora and nature collection including but not limited to trees, herbs and garden with a variety of plants and even Cretan poems also called “Madinades”. All these and many more are blended together in a pleasant environment where guests are often welcomed to interact with exhibits.

It is worth mentioning that the buildings and some of the exhibits are crafted with local raw material like stone, wood and clay under the founder’s and collector’s creative architectural vision, Mr. Yiorgos Markakis. The widely known Cretan professor of ophthalmology, lecturer, and writer conveyed his passion to his son Mr. Yiannis Markakis that continues his legacy up to this day.

Cretaquarium

Next to the sea in the Region of Gouves, approximately 15 km from Heraklion there lies the Cretaquarium also known as Thalassocosmos which is one of the largest in Europe. The aquarium hosts more than 200 different marine species that can be found in the Mediterranean Sea. The exhibition includes a wide variety of fish, from tiny colorful ones to sharks and sea turtles. For those looking for a moment of relaxation, a café located within the building features breathtaking sea views, making it an ideal place to savor a coffee or a refreshing beverage.

Psychro Cave

Another archaeological place worth visiting is the Dictaean Cave or Psychro Cave. There as the myth had it, Zeus was nourished and protected by the Goat Amalthea. Zeus’ mother, Rea, wanted to save him from her husband Kronos who used to eat his children after the child’s birth because a prophecy foretold that one of his children will take his throne. Apart from the mythology part, the cave is located at the top of Mount Dicte. The view of Lasithi Plateau from up there is incredible and visitors can become part of the strong energy emerging from the landscape making it more than worth the visit.