Palaiokastro, Crete Travel Guide

Discover the historic Venetian fortress of Palaiokastro near Gazi, Crete, offering stunning views and a glimpse into the island's past.

Home
Travel Guides
Greece
Crete
Palaiokastro

Explore the ruins of the Venetian fortress of Palaiokastro, located near Gazi, Crete. Built on a high rock, this historic site offers a glimpse into the island's strategic past and provides scenic views of the surrounding area.

A brief summary to Palaiokastro

Palaiokastro, GR

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Palaiokastro.

Wear sturdy shoes for exploring the rocky terrain of the fortress ruins.
Bring snorkeling gear to enjoy the clear waters and rocky seabed at the beach below the fortress.
Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the midday heat, especially during the summer months.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Venetian Shipyards / Vechi

View point Mount Karfi

Rocca a Mare Fortress

Caves Matala

Knossos Palace

Explore Palaiokastro on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Palaiokastro, mapped for you.

Unlock the Best of Palaiokastro

Buy tickets

No tickets available

Book tours with entry

Mykonos tour: Private highlights Tour with a Local

5.0

65 reviews

$216.44

Book tours without entry

Mykonos Private Tour

$333.31

Getting There

Public Transport

From Heraklion, take a local bus towards Gazi. From Gazi, Palaiokastro is approximately 7 km away and can be reached by continuing on a local bus or taxi. The bus stop 'Palaiokastro' is located near the site. Bus fares are typically around €2 - €3 for a single trip.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available in Heraklion and Gazi. A taxi from Heraklion to Palaiokastro will cost approximately €20 - €30, depending on traffic and time of day. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes.
Car

If driving from Heraklion, follow the E75/A90 highway west towards Chania. Take the exit for Gazi and follow the signs to Palaiokastro. Parking is available near the beach, but it can be limited during peak season. There are no tolls on this route. Car rentals are available at Heraklion Airport and in the city.

Discover more about Palaiokastro

Palaiokastro, meaning 'Old Castle,' is a coastal village near Gazi, Crete, known for its Venetian fortress. The fortress, whose ruins still stand, is located 9 km west of Heraklion. The fort was built on a high rock, near the modern Heraklion - Chania highway.Originally built in 1204 by the Genoese pirate Enrico Pescatore after he conquered Crete, the fort was one of 14 built to protect the island. Palaiokastro specifically guarded the bay of Heraklion, making enemy landings difficult. The Venetians, recognizing its strategic importance after they took control of Crete, maintained control over it. Construction of the Palaiokastro fortress begun in 1573, was completed in 1595 and was based on a design prepared based instruction Commander Latino Orsini. The fort has triangular shape adopted by the natural topography of the location and the steepness of the rock was met with the overshoot of the walls that were parallel to the sea. The arched entrance, partially carved into the rock, is located on the south side.Today, visitors can explore the remaining walls of the triangular fort and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline. The beach below offers clear waters and is suitable for snorkeling.