After exploring several destinations throughout the day, we finally reached the famous Lasithi Plateau, the high mountain basin that is home to one of Crete's most legendary attractions. The moment our gravel track turned back into a proper paved road, we knew we had arrived somewhere different.
What immediately stood out was the landscape. Compared with many other parts of Crete, the Lasithi Plateau felt surprisingly green. Fields stretched across the basin, villages appeared colourful and welcoming, and flowering plants decorated windows and balconies. Another striking sight was the number of windmills. We had seen very few elsewhere on the island, yet here they seemed to be part of the landscape itself.
During our drive across the plateau, we had already learned that one of the most famous caves in Greece could be found near its edge. According to local legend, this is the cave where Zeus, king of the Greek gods, was born. Naturally, we could not resist visiting such an iconic location.
Heading for the Cave of Zeus
We entered the destination into our navigation system and continued our drive. Even the route to the cave was fascinating. Windmills appeared across the landscape, green fields stretched into the distance, and dramatic mountain scenery surrounded us in every direction.
When we arrived, we first drove to the Europa Square entrance area above the cave. Unfortunately, there were no parking spaces available there, so we used the free parking area a little further below. From that point, a short five-minute walk brought us to Europa Square itself.
The real challenge began there. From the entrance area, the route climbed steeply for roughly one kilometre. Visitors had the option of being transported up the slope by donkey, but unfortunately our weight exceeded the recommended limit. That left only one option: the climb on foot.
The Climb and the Entrance
Several minutes and countless drops of sweat later, we finally reached the entrance. The effort was worth it. Adult tickets cost 15 euros, while children could enter free of charge. Much to our relief, card payments were accepted, which suited our travel style perfectly.
Before entering the cave, our tickets were checked and validated. What surprised us most was the appearance of the entrance itself. From outside, the cave hardly looks impressive at all. It appears almost like a relatively small opening in the rock. Yet appearances are deceptive.
Once inside, the route descends far into the mountain. The infrastructure has been developed extremely well. Concrete stairs and stainless-steel railings make the steep descent manageable while maintaining a sense of adventure.
A World of Stone and Light
The cave itself was breathtaking. Huge chambers opened beneath us, filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites. Unlike many caves we had previously visited, the rock formations here seemed particularly varied and unusual in shape.
Special lighting highlighted individual formations, rock walls and chambers. It was clear that considerable effort had been invested in presenting the cave in the best possible way. Every turn revealed another spectacular view and countless opportunities for photographs.
We spent around thirty minutes exploring the underground world. Temperatures felt somewhere between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius, providing a welcome contrast to the weather outside. Only a few hours earlier we had experienced temperatures close to 38 degrees at the coast. By the time we reached the cave area, changing weather conditions had reduced temperatures dramatically, making the cave feel refreshingly comfortable.
Coffee, Clouds and the Journey Home
After our visit, we rewarded ourselves with a traditional Greek coffee prepared on a small gas burner. We ordered a double coffee without sugar and milk and happily paid 3.50 euros. More importantly, it gave us an excuse to remain seated for a while, protected from the wind while enjoying the remarkable views.
The weather delivered one final spectacle worthy of the legend of Zeus. Dark clouds drifted across the sky while bright shafts of sunlight broke through occasional gaps, illuminating selected parts of the valley below. The effect was dramatic and unforgettable.
At around 17:00, we began the more than two-hour journey back to our hotel. Even the drive home felt like an attraction in its own right. Light rain alternated with sunshine, strong winds mixed with calm weather, and the scenery continually changed. On the northern side of Crete, enormous waves crashed against the coastline, while the southern side appeared almost calm with a smooth sea surface.
As if the day had not already provided enough memorable moments, a beautiful sunset shortly before 20:00 finally brought this remarkable adventure to a close.
- Wear sturdy shoes for the steep walk from Europa Square to the cave entrance.
- Bring water, especially during the warmer months.
- Card payment was accepted during our visit.
- Allow extra time to enjoy the views across the Lasithi Plateau.
Between ancient legends, dramatic clouds and one of the most impressive caves on Crete, this became one of the most memorable afternoons of our entire holiday.
