Cave of Psychros
Cave of Psychros
3.5
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3.5
117 reviews
Excellent
36
Very good
32
Average
31
Poor
16
Terrible
2
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Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,870 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
The cave itself is interesting to go to for those interested in Greek mythology. My wife is so we made a special trip out here by car before flying out in the afternoon. The cave itself isn't too exciting but since we had it all to ourselves we were able to take our time and enjoy it. The exciting part was the hike to the cave and the views we got along the way. The view of the plateau is superb and we got to see some goats with bells climb around the rocky area beside the walking trail.
The cave is located about an hour outside of Heraklion and seeing the Lasithi Plateau Windmills up on the ridge on the way to the cave and back was cool. The drive is very scenic but the roads are narrow and winding at many points so do be careful.
The hike isn't easy and we took a few breaks along the way to catch our breath. The cave stairs are also very steep and slippery so it is a good idea to watch your footing and wear good shoes. The interior of the cave is damp and cool so you may want to bring a jacket if you get cold easily. We had no issues with the temperature because we were warm after the hike up. There are donkeys available in the high season to help get to the top and the locals have signs up to support the donkey's work because without this use for donkeys they could go extinct - interesting.
We visited in low season in March and I believe we might have paid 3 euros per person to enter the cave. The parking area was free and there are some shops, restaurants and some sort of themed experience nearby. We had no issues parking or getting in and out of the area. We did try some freshly pressed orange juice from one of the restaurants to go and it was refreshing. Plan to spend at least 60-90 minutes in the area to complete the hike and see the cave and longer if you want to eat a meal nearby. There is a washroom near the cave entrance but nothing along the trail. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring some tissues and hand sanitizer if you plan this.
I wouldn't say the cave is a must see in Crete but we made a nice morning out of it and got it to ourselves so we really enjoyed it.
The cave is located about an hour outside of Heraklion and seeing the Lasithi Plateau Windmills up on the ridge on the way to the cave and back was cool. The drive is very scenic but the roads are narrow and winding at many points so do be careful.
The hike isn't easy and we took a few breaks along the way to catch our breath. The cave stairs are also very steep and slippery so it is a good idea to watch your footing and wear good shoes. The interior of the cave is damp and cool so you may want to bring a jacket if you get cold easily. We had no issues with the temperature because we were warm after the hike up. There are donkeys available in the high season to help get to the top and the locals have signs up to support the donkey's work because without this use for donkeys they could go extinct - interesting.
We visited in low season in March and I believe we might have paid 3 euros per person to enter the cave. The parking area was free and there are some shops, restaurants and some sort of themed experience nearby. We had no issues parking or getting in and out of the area. We did try some freshly pressed orange juice from one of the restaurants to go and it was refreshing. Plan to spend at least 60-90 minutes in the area to complete the hike and see the cave and longer if you want to eat a meal nearby. There is a washroom near the cave entrance but nothing along the trail. It wouldn't be a bad idea to bring some tissues and hand sanitizer if you plan this.
I wouldn't say the cave is a must see in Crete but we made a nice morning out of it and got it to ourselves so we really enjoyed it.
Written 26 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
Woodley, UK49 contributions
Apr 2023
What a total waste of time and money! After a long journey, you suddenly find yourself at the chaotic and small parking area, with several expensive tavernas and a few shops selling tourist tat. The walk up to the cave is a challenge and not for the unfit. Donkeys are available- poor things and heaven knows the cost. The cave itself costs 6 euros for adults and 3 for children. You descend some steep steps, fighting for space with people coming up. The stairs then seperate as you descend further. You wander along for a few minutes looking at a a few unimpressive stalactites and stalagmites and then you are ascending those steep, slippery steps again. So you are lierally in then cave for less than 10 minutes with people pushing and shoving you. I dread to think what it is like in summer, or when a coach party has arrived. It really is a total waste of money! So much for the birthplace of Zeus!
Written 7 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grá Byrne
County Kildare, Ireland244 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
I love me a cave, I love me some mythology and I love a good hike so this place ticks all my boxes. There are two options to traverse up, I opted for the path. The first part of which was a strenuous incline, turning the corner it gets a tad easier. But holy WOW when ya get in there it's like a little piece of heaven on earth. The views are amazing considering that it's already hundreds of feet above sea level after the drive up alomd. It's so cool , literally and figuratively. Considering the stalactites and stalagmites only grow 1 cm every hundred years, it is plainly obvious due to the vast columns how many million years of natures wonder is right there as a sight to behold with awe and wonderment. That feeling of mythical mystical vibes surrounding the space. There is an down/up one way system which makes the traverse easier once people follow it. I did meet people on the way down the up side and that's a tight squeeze. It is not only a visualisation but sensational experience also.
I made a packed lunch and when I came back out sat on a shaded wall and was glad to refuel before making my way down again. There are eateries at the base but they are so expensive so be mindful of that. A bottle of water at the summit cost 4euro which is super expensive by local standards (50 cent usually) but having proper chilled water after the trek that is worth the treat. I did bring water for the trek up too, because I did have to stop and sup a few times and I am a seasoned hiker.
I made a packed lunch and when I came back out sat on a shaded wall and was glad to refuel before making my way down again. There are eateries at the base but they are so expensive so be mindful of that. A bottle of water at the summit cost 4euro which is super expensive by local standards (50 cent usually) but having proper chilled water after the trek that is worth the treat. I did bring water for the trek up too, because I did have to stop and sup a few times and I am a seasoned hiker.
Written 8 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
meadow1357
55 contributions
Jul 2022
You'll have to take a short hike up a stone-paved path. You'll have some great views of the Lasithi Plateau along the way. The cave itself is really cool, but you won't spend long inside. Be sure to come here if you are a lover of Greek mythology.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N_S
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
There are two ways to climb to the cave: either by donkey or on foot. I decided to go up on foot because I didn't want to burden the poor donkeys. I was sorry to see the donkeys who had to do the hard work of bringing tourists up the steep path!
The climb was exhausting, but when I finally reached the top, I was a little surprised by the size of the cave. It is quite small, but still worth seeing.
The climb was exhausting, but when I finally reached the top, I was a little surprised by the size of the cave. It is quite small, but still worth seeing.
Automatically translated
Written 1 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guide577442
14 contributions
Apr 2018
The cave of Zeus is very beautiful!! You must walk for 10-15 minutes but the cave and the view of Plateau is AMAZING!!!!!
Written 10 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IlyaNJ
Marlboro, NJ989 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
I am downgrading this cave primarily because it was a bit of a disappointment for the kids. It makes virtually no play of the myth of Zeus’s birth. My 8-year-old was so much looking forward to visiting it specifically because she is enchanted with Greek mythology, and found nothing to excite her. There are impressive "stala-" formations, but the cave itself is not too big, and takes no more than 15 minutes to enjoy. Given that you have to walk up a kilometer of a steep mountain from the parking lot, the effort/value ratio is not exactly there. Of course, you can take a donkey for about 90% of the way, which costs €10; the ride is popular with children, which is kind of ironic, because under-18 go to the cave itself for free.
Written 17 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
iaink2001
Southend-on-Sea, UK517 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
I booked this as part of a package where you get to see a few different places throughout the day. To be honest I expected a little more from the 'Cave of Zeus', as a few others have said you go down many concrete steps in single file, 5-10 mins you're back outside again. There's quite a walk uphill to the cave of about 1km, so it's not for eveyone, great views from the top of the valley & Lasithi Plains. But once inside you get away from the heat, it's nice and cool and you go down afew hundred steps, here you'll see the cave formations, staligtites and coloured lights for effect. You turn a corner at the bottom and climb back out. It's ok and worth a quick visit for around €6 entry.
Written 9 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elina
Finland1,156 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Reaching the cave requires both climbing and descending, so I would recommend to wear comfortable shoes. Yet, the cave is worth the effort!
Written 7 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
76 contributions
Apr 2017
On the way up a green snake slid across my path - an omen surely of almighty Zeus recognises a loyal hierophant returning home at last.
It cost €6 (April 2017) to enter. We had the cave to ourselves as we went up at 4pm. The cave closes at 5pm although the women running the ticket area started to shut it up at 4.30 so be warned.
Some frail reviewers who no doubt would like to live in a padded sanatorium with trigger warnings around and rainbows in the air and magic unicorns saying "yay" say stuff in other reviews like, "you can't go in flip flops". Well, you can. It's just wet but of course you can go in flip flops.
Finally, the myth. Obviously anyone worth their salt knows the myth of Zeus' birth but what I did not know was the alternative version in which Zeus was not raised by Amalthea but a sow (I don't know her name - but let us call her Pepper). Early Cretans therefore didn't eat pork. Whereas Semitic tribes rail against the pig as a dirty animal here were the Greeks saying - the pig is so worthy an animal it raised the king of Olympus himself.
Still, I'm glad Christianity came and outruled nonsense because I had some fine pork chops at the bottom of the path ...sprinkled with much Pepper.
It cost €6 (April 2017) to enter. We had the cave to ourselves as we went up at 4pm. The cave closes at 5pm although the women running the ticket area started to shut it up at 4.30 so be warned.
Some frail reviewers who no doubt would like to live in a padded sanatorium with trigger warnings around and rainbows in the air and magic unicorns saying "yay" say stuff in other reviews like, "you can't go in flip flops". Well, you can. It's just wet but of course you can go in flip flops.
Finally, the myth. Obviously anyone worth their salt knows the myth of Zeus' birth but what I did not know was the alternative version in which Zeus was not raised by Amalthea but a sow (I don't know her name - but let us call her Pepper). Early Cretans therefore didn't eat pork. Whereas Semitic tribes rail against the pig as a dirty animal here were the Greeks saying - the pig is so worthy an animal it raised the king of Olympus himself.
Still, I'm glad Christianity came and outruled nonsense because I had some fine pork chops at the bottom of the path ...sprinkled with much Pepper.
Written 7 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ciao a tutti, le grotte sono aperte anche la domenica ?
Grazie mille a tutti per la disponibilità.
Written 3 August 2019
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