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.

The 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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.

There'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 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 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 Gardens

Our Pick of the Crete Guides

Latest Posts

• 
• 
• 

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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. 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

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. April 9 Strike in Greece to Impact Public Transport, Ferries and Air Travel

   Transportation and travel across Greece will face disruptions on Wednesday, April 9, as public transport, ferry and aviation workers join a nationwide strike called by Greek labor unions.

   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