Archaeological Site of Aptera | Αρχαιολογικός Χώρος Απτέρας — Attraction in Municipality of Chania

Have you ever wondered about sirens (google the similarities between mermaids and sirens)? The Greek mythology tells a story that takes place in the ancient Aptera. It goes something like this:

Muses have challenged sirens (half women - half birds) to a singing contest because sirens claimed that they have the most beautiful voice and sing the best songs. The contest took place, as mentioned, in the ancient Aptera. Muses had won the contest and in the heat of moment while celebrating they have taken the sirens’ wings and used their feathers as a head-wearing jewelry. The sirens have all fall to the sea without wings thus, they grew a fishtail instead of bird legs. That is how we got our sea sirens luring sailors to their demise.

This story takes place here so, if you are into this kind of history jewels, make sure to visit.

Also, the tickets are 4€ per person, there is no guide but labels on the plates by every important object in the site is enough. Parking is huge and in few lots, not just the first one you’ll run into, make sure to drive further down the road so you don’t walk to far (like we did 😁).

You’ll see a theater, two cisterns from 1st cent B. to 4th cent A. two baths, and make sure pay attention to the sounds and narration from the hidden speakers around the site. Not far from here you can see the Roman vila (foundations) which is really good site. Note: there is a rope around it, make sure not to cross it as there is a large hole like a small cistern or other plumbing object I am yet to find out about :) that can potentially fall in and you with it.

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The Archaeological Site of Aptera is a hidden gem of Crete that is definitely worth a visit. It was very easy to find and we were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful ancient ruins that we encountered. We visited in April, and the surrounding fields were in full bloom, adding to the already stunning atmosphere.

What's more, as a youth group, we were delighted to discover that there was no admission fee, making it an even more attractive option for budget-conscious travelers. The site is well-maintained and the information provided on the signage is very informative, giving visitors a fascinating insight into the history of the area.

Walking around the site is a truly breathtaking experience, as the ancient structures are still standing strong and offer a glimpse into the lives of those who once lived here. It's amazing to think that these buildings have been standing for thousands of years, and yet they still look so grand and impressive.

Overall, I highly recommend a visit to the Archaeological Site of Aptera. Whether you're interested in history, architecture, or simply looking for a unique and beautiful place to explore, this site has something for everyone. The only reason I am giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that the site could benefit from a bit more interactive elements to engage visitors, but nevertheless it was an...

Decent ruins, some of which were more recently excavated than others (early 2000s). The small theatre is a draw, but we really liked the water cisterns as they were huge and unlike others we’ve seen across the Mediterranean. Other buildings throughout are partial, with some Greek & English signs. We stayed about 30-40 minutes but could stay a little longer if wanting to explore the site in more detail. There is one room shortly inside the entrance that has about 16 signs and a brief video with information about the site, history, and excavations. Very informative.

WC: Two clean unisex toilets across the courtyard from the information room (about a one minute walk from the entrance).

Cafe: Did not see any cafe or water onsite, beyond a small fountain tap in the courtyard. Suggest bringing your own.

Shade: It can be quite hot, but there is occasionally shade dotted around - e.g. under the olive trees at the theatre, within the water cistern, near other buildings depending on the time of day.

AR app was mentioned at the beginning, but didn’t see any places to scan/use it inside the ruins. Felt like an interesting...