To the left of Matala bay and a twenty-minute-walk away is the Red Sand beach (or "Sands" as it is called by the older locals) which got its name due to the colour of its sand. It is an ideal getaway for those who enjoy nude bathing!

Our more isolated beaches include Vathi and the breathtaking Agiofarago (Holy Canyon). The latter can be reached by numerous paths through a canyon, some that include mountain climbing of all levels (between IV-VIII). Whichever you choose will prove more than worth it if only to swim in the crystal clear waters. In the canyon there is a church named Agios Antonios (St. Anthony's) which is dated back to the 13th century! It was a spiritual centre not only for the surrounding area but for the whole of Crete. The well from which the monks gathered their water supply still stands before the church. Rumour has it that monks still live in the area undetected by anyone. The strange thing is that when visiting you can "feel" a presence in the canyon!

We will begin with the antiquities of Kommo where the ancient port of Phaestos was situated in the Libyan Sea.

Eight kilometres away stands Phaestos, the second largest and important palace of Minoan Crete which was the most powerful centre in the island's southern area. This was where the famous «Phaestos Disk» was found.

Four kilometres west from Phaestos are the ruins of the ancient city Agia Triada. The famous Sarcophagus, decorated with religious representations was found in the Late Minoan cemetery that lies in this archeological site (about 1400 B.C.).

Thirty kilometres further down the road is Gortina. This is where the engraving of the famous "dodekadeltos" was found, a Greek inscription with the oldest encoded legislative text in Europe (mid 5th century B.C.). Foundations from theatres, bath relics, water mains, amphitheatres and racecourses are still preserved (2nd- 6th century A.D.).

All of the above findings are on display at the Archeological Museum of Heraklion.