Church

Toget to the village of Melidoni, drive along the old road from Rethymno to Heraklion, turning left at the small town of Perama.

Perama is the regional centre, and it’s worth spending a couple of hours here to soak up the atmosphere of a small Cretan town that has been left untouched by tourism. When you get to Melidoni, you’ll find the cave, another 2km away, signposted.

There is no infrastructure at the cave – entrance is free. The cave comprises several chambers with impressive stalactites – a torch is recommended to enjoy the cave fully.

There are stairs and a path leading to the cave. Melidoni cave is famous across Crete due to its history: in 1824 all 300 inhabitants of Melidoni hid there, trying to flee the wrath of the Turkish army.

However, the Turkish army soon found them, and all 300 died from asphyxiation when the army lit a big fire at the cave’s entrance.