Tzermiado

Exploring the Beautiful Village of Tzermiado, Crete

Tzermiado is a beautiful quaint village situated west of Agios Nikolaos in the incredible Lassithi plateau. Due to its spectacular location this village in Crete is favoured by nature all year round. Although Tzermiado lies at an altitude of 850m it is a stunning place to visit, and explore the local mountains. The plateau sits on the west side of Mount Dikti, which is home to the Diktaion Andron caves where it is believed that Zeus was born.

Although the village is situated very high up it has a surprisingly mild climate, and during the summer months can reach some high temperatures. The areas that surround the village of Tzermiado are stunning, and offer you many places to explore. For visitors that are interested in the Minoan Crete there are several different archaeological sites in the area, which are fascinating to see. As well as the many different caves that are situated all over the mountain region there are several stunning natural monuments.

The caves that surround the village are incredible, and produce the most amazing natural stalactites and stalagmites. They were also believed to be one of the most popular burial and ritual sites in the area. There are also museums in the village that can help explain the diverse history that surrounds Tzermiado. Although the history and buildings are incredible there are many other reasons to visit this village. The whole area of Tzermiado is beautiful, and with just over 1000 inhabitants the villagers are very welcoming.

The people who live in Tzermiado are friendly and informative to anyone staying in the village, and will keep you entertained with their tales. There are several different hotels to choose from when looking to stay in Tzermiado everyone as quaint as the last. The traditional tavernas and cafes that can be found in the village will be able to provide you will ample food and drink for your stay. The cuisine in Crete is world class, and a simple meal often turns into an incredible event.

There are several shops in the village where you can buy traditionally made rugs, and handicrafts made by the village people. Although you may think there is very little to do in this sleepy village it provides the perfect base to relax and unwind. Many of the tour buses use the only road through Tzermiado to reach the Dikteon caves. It will often stop in the village to allow people to explore providing extra income for the local people.
If you are lucky enough to be staying in the village in August you can be a part of the three day festival celebrating the delicious potatoes that are grown in the area. For many this type of village will not be what the average tourist is looking for. However, if you appreciate the peace and quiet and want to experience a traditional Greek village Tzermiado is the place for you. There is nothing stopping you hiring a car and exploring the rest of the island, however, why would you need to when you have everything in Tzermiado