Crete Botanical Gardens

Greece Travel Secrets visits the Crete Botanical Gardens near Chania and finds a wonderland of colourful plants, trees, and flowers filling a lovely valley.

Valley location of the Crete Botanical GardensThe View from the Crete Botanical Gardens

Visiting the Crete Botanical Gardens - or the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete to give it its full title - was one of the best things we did on our last visit to Crete. We didn't expect such a colourful and fascinating display of plants, flowers and trees from around the world. We should have known better, as our fantastic guide Isi of Go-Crete never steered us wrong.

Passiflora Quadrangularis in the Crete Botanical GardensPassiflora Quadrangularis in the Crete Botanical Gardens

Live Music at the Crete Botanical Gardens

The gardens actually started because of a disaster, as we found when we spoke to one of the owners, Nikos, after our tour. There's so much to see that it was getting dark by the time we finished, and we had to race to get out before the gardens closed. We decided to stay and eat there, and we're so glad we did as it turned out to be one of their live music nights. I video'd some of it for our YouTube channel:

The Roots of the Crete Botanical Gardens

Nikos told us that the gardens only exist because of an awful fire which devastated his family's olive trees in 2003. They lost over 45,000 trees to the fire, which was obviously a major blow both personally and financially. The land had been in the family since at least the 1930s.

Direction Sign in the Crete Botanical Gardens

Nikos worked the land with his three brothers, and it was one of the brothers who suggested that instead of replanting the olive trees maybe they could create a botanical park on the land. The brothers and their father agreed, and the park was opened in 2009. Their father died three years later at the age of 85, but lived to see the botanical park become a success.

Map of the Crete Botanical GardensMap of the Crete Botanical Gardens

Where Are the Crete Botanical Gardens?

The gardens are about a half-hour drive south-west of Chania, beyond the village of Fournes, after a very zig-zag uphill road.

Rose of Sharon in the Crete Botanical GardensRose of Sharon in the Crete Botanical Gardens

Visiting the Crete Botanical Gardens

As you enter the gardens you have no idea what wonders lie beyond. It's like entering Paradise. From the entrance the path zig-zags down one side of the valley, with the view regularly opening up to show olive groves on the opposite slope. Lizards rustle in the dry leaves on the ground, occasionally appearing to add to all the colour, and birds sing constantly from the trees. To the creatures who live here it probably is Paradise!.

Lime Tree in the Crete Botanical GardensLime Tree in the Crete Botanical Gardens

Organic Cultivation

What's impressive is that everything is cultivated organically. It clearly works well as you don't just come across individual examples of plants or trees but often whole terraces of them.

If I listed everything I wrote down it would go on forever, so I'll make do with a few highlights, and some of the hundreds of photos we took.

Palm Trees in the Crete Botanical GardensPalm Trees in the Crete Botanical Gardens

There was a Peruvian cherry tree, and I was dying to try the ice-cream bean from Central America, but thought I'd better not. The fruit of the Barbados cherry tree contains 30 times more Vitamin C than an orange (yes, there's plenty of information about the plants). I was definitely starting to get hungry, having seen the strawberry guava plant opposite the tropical apricot.

A Sign in the Crete Botanical Gardens

There was a pineapple guava, a Malabar plum, a Japanese raisin tree, wild garlic plants, passion fruit, avocados, and walnut trees. The Mediterranean herb garden section had lovely scents of coriander, cumin, thyme, fennel, rosemary, and oregano. ‘Nature is the largest pharmacy in the world’ says a sign.

A Scarecrow in the Crete Botanical GardensThere's a Surprise Around Every Corner in the Crete Botanical Gardens

We see dozens of beehives across the valley and wonder what their honey must taste like with this feast just a short flight away for them. There's quince, honeysuckle, eucalyptus, mastic, pistachio, pomegranates, white mulberry, aloe, and a huge prickly pear cactus at least 3 meters (10 ft) tall.

A Prickly Pear Cactus in the Crete Botanical GardensA Prickly Pear Cactus in the Crete Botanical Gardens

The main path is about 1 km (0.6 miles) long and they say it takes about an hour to go round. We took two hours because we were all three constantly stopping to take photos. At the end of this path there an optional extension to add another kilometer, but by the time we got to the divide it was starting to get dark, so we looped around back up to the entrance.

Palm Trees in the Crete Botanical GardensPalm Trees in the Crete Botanical Gardens

Dining at the Crete Botanical Gardens

Our dinner in the restaurant after our tour was exceptionally good. It was served buffet-style, with tzatziki, fava, Greek salad, bread, zucchini pie, and vegetable stew. The main course was chicken cooked in orange and lemongrass. It was incredibly zesty and tasty. On top of this was all the red or white wine you could drink. Highly recommended!

The View from the Restaurant in the Crete Botanical GardensThe View from the Restaurant in the Crete Botanical Gardens

More Information

Visit the Crete Botanical Gardens website.
All Photos (c) Mike Gerrard

Our Pick of the Crete Guides

Lonely-Planet-Crete-2023.png

Some other Crete pages

  •  Rethymnon is the third-largest city in Crete and has a Venetian fortress, Archaeological Museum, Old Town area and Venetian harbour,

    Rethymnon in Western Crete

    Rethymnon is the third-largest city in Crete and has a Venetian fortress, Archaeological Museum, Old Town area and Venetian harbour,

  • Icon painting is a centuries-old tradition in Crete and the rest of Greece, and Greece Travel Secrets meets a modern-day icon painter in Elounda on Crete.

    The Icon Painter

    Icon painting is a centuries-old tradition in Crete and the rest of Greece, and Greece Travel Secrets meets a modern-day icon painter in Elounda on Crete.

  • Lonely Planet Crete is an excellent and thorough guide of almost 300 pages to the largest of the Greek islands.

    Lonely Planet Crete

    Lonely Planet Crete is an excellent and thorough guide of almost 300 pages to the largest of the Greek islands.

  • Greece Travel Secrets page on  Phaistos or Faistos, the site of one of the finest Minoan palaces on Crete and is where the mysterious Phaistos Disc was found.

    Phaistos Minoan Palace on Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets page on Phaistos or Faistos, the site of one of the finest Minoan palaces on Crete and is where the mysterious Phaistos Disc was found.

  • Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.

    Best Beaches on Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets chooses ten of the best beaches on Crete including the beautiful beaches at Vai and Elafonisi.

  • How to see eastern Crete in five days, with its beaches, Minoan palaces, timeless villages, unique churches and mountain and coastal scenery.

    Eastern Crete in Five Days

    How to see eastern Crete in five days, with its beaches, Minoan palaces, timeless villages, unique churches and mountain and coastal scenery.

  • Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.

    Central Crete in Three Days

    Driving central Crete in three days gives you time to see the highlights including the Minoan palaces at Knossos and Phaistos, the beaches and the Diktean Cave.

  • Visiting Knossos near Iraklion is one of the best things to do on Crete, and this page has a history of the site with visitor information.

    Knossos

    Visiting Knossos near Iraklion is one of the best things to do on Crete, and this page has a history of the site with visitor information.

  • Crete festivals and events include Carnival Easter, Whitsun, Christmas, many other religious feast days and public holidays.

    Crete Festivals and Events

    Crete festivals and events include Carnival Easter, Whitsun, Christmas, many other religious feast days and public holidays.

  • The travel tale Our Hire Car in Crete describes what it’s like when you go driving in Greece and get off the beaten track, resulting in kindnesses.

    Our Hire Car in Crete

    The travel tale Our Hire Car in Crete describes what it’s like when you go driving in Greece and get off the beaten track, resulting in kindnesses.

  • Is someone from Crete a Greek or a Cretan? They are both, of course, but most will tell you that they are Cretan first and Greek second.

    Greek or Cretan?

    Is someone from Crete a Greek or a Cretan? They are both, of course, but most will tell you that they are Cretan first and Greek second.

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.

    Where to Eat in Eastern Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to eat in Eastern Crete including restaurants and tavernas in Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, and Kato Zakros.

  • This Amari Valley drive in southern Crete starts and ends in Ayia Galini, takes four to five hours and cover 100 kilometres or 62 miles.

    Amari Valley Drive

    This Amari Valley drive in southern Crete starts and ends in Ayia Galini, takes four to five hours and cover 100 kilometres or 62 miles.

  • The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.

    Best Crete Hotels

    The best Crete hotels include 5-star luxury hotels, historic and romantic Venetian palaces, and several hotels in Hania and Iraklion.

  • Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.

    Sitia

    Greece Travel Secrets discovers Sitia, the main town in eastern Crete, with its relaxing waterfront, inexpensive hotels, good food, and nearby ancient sites.

  • We visit and tour the Manousakis Winery on Crete with a wine-tasting and a chance to buy their tsikoudia, sea salt, olive oil and other goodies.

    Manousakis Wine Tasting

    We visit and tour the Manousakis Winery on Crete with a wine-tasting and a chance to buy their tsikoudia, sea salt, olive oil and other goodies.

  • Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.

    Western Crete in Five Days

    Western Crete in five days allows time to visit Chania and Rethymnon, enjoy the beaches, hike the Samaria Gorge and see the monasteries at Arkadi and Preveli.

  •  The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.

    Samaria Gorge

    The Samaria Gorge is one the longest gorges in Europe and doing the hike is one of the best and most popular things to do on Crete.

  • Matala Beach on Crete is a guest blog for Greece Travel Secrets from the We Love Crete website, inviting you to Awaken Your Inner Hippy in Matala, Crete.

    Matala Beach

    Matala Beach on Crete is a guest blog for Greece Travel Secrets from the We Love Crete website, inviting you to Awaken Your Inner Hippy in Matala, Crete.

  • Greece Travel Secrets suggests where to stay in Eastern Crete with our favourite hotels in Zakros, Elounds, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Istron Bay, Myrtos, Neapolis.

    Where to Stay in Eastern Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets suggests where to stay in Eastern Crete with our favourite hotels in Zakros, Elounds, Sitia, Agios Nikolaos, Istron Bay, Myrtos, Neapolis.

  • This olive grove walk from Limnes to Vrises on Crete also takes you through orchards and gives close-up views of some of the island’s windmills.

    Olive Grove Walk

    This olive grove walk from Limnes to Vrises on Crete also takes you through orchards and gives close-up views of some of the island’s windmills.

  • Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.

    Where to Stay in Central Crete

    Greece Travel Secrets recommends where to stay in Central Crete including hotels in Matala, Ayia Galini, and Zaros.

  • Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.

    Elounda and Spinalonga, setting for The Island by Victoria Hislop

    Elounda on Crete's north coast is a popular holiday town with a pretty harbour, from where you can take day trips by boat to see the island of Spinalonga.

  • The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.

    Crete's UNESCO Sites

    The largest of the Greek islands, Crete has four ENUESCO sites, which are Sitia, Psiloritis, Asterousia, and the Gorge of Samaria.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Latest Posts

  1. Labor Day Strike on May 1 to Disrupt Public Transport and Ferries in Greece

    Transportation and travel across Greece will be disrupted on Thursday, May 1, as public transport and ferry workers join nationwide strike actions in observance of Labor Day.

    Read More

  2. 5 Epic Island Hikes in Greece for Spring Explorers

    This spring, five majestic peaks across Greece’s islands invite us to lace up our boots and discover a wilder side of island life.

    Read More

  3. Lefkada: The First Ancient Theater of the Ionian Islands Comes to Light

    The first ancient theater ever discovered in the Ionian Islands is located in the heart of the ancient city of Lefkada, established before the end of the 7th century BC.

    Read More

  4. Explore Vikos Gorge: Hiking, Rafting, and Food in Zagori

    One of the most impressive canyons in Europe and one of Greece’s favorite mountain destinations, Vikos Gorge invites hikers and food lovers alike.

    Read More

  5. Greek Ferry Services to Halt on May 1 Due to Labor Strike

    Ferries in Greece will remain docked for 24 hours on Thursday, May 1, as the Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) joins Labor Day mobilizations announced by the General Confederation of Greek Labor…

    Read More

  6. Easter in the Mystical Castle of Monemvasia

    In the castle town of Monemvasia, with its dramatic medieval backdrop and sea views, Easter is a deeply spiritual and atmospheric experience.

    Read More

  7. Sifnos: Greece’s Hidden Culinary Star on the Rise

    Sifnos, a Cycladic island, is gaining fame for its rich culinary heritage, especially the beloved melopita honey-cheese tart.

    Read More

  8. The Lesser-Known Traditions of Greek Easter

    Step off the beaten path this spring and discover the enchanting — and often surprising — Easter traditions found across Greece.

    Read More

  9. Easter in Leonidio: A Tapestry of Light, Culture and Cliffs

    In Leonidio, Easter comes alive with handmade hot air balloons in the sky and lanterns made from bitter oranges in the streets.

    Read More

  10. Ancient Theater of Lefkada Brought Fully to Light Following Systematic Excavation

    The Greek Culture Ministry has announced that the first ancient theater ever identified in the Ionian Islands has recently been brought fully to light on Lefkada, revealing an impressive monument that…

    Read More