Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete

The Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete is located 18 km south-west of Chania. It’s a 30-minute drive and just after a village called Fournes which is next to the village I originate from, Alikianos! To get there, just follow the signs towards Omalos mountain until you reach a village called Fournes. Then follow the signs that lead to the Botanical Park. You can also take a KTEL bus. There are daily routes and you can catch the 9:30 a.m. bus leaving from Chania downtown and return with the 14:30 bus which leaves from the park. This bus also passes by Agia Marina beach and Platanias (I’m mentioning it in case you’re staying there instead of downtown Chania or in case you want to go for a swim after you visit the park). The KTEL bus ticket costs €2.70, one way.

Reason to go

It’s a really nice walk during which you get the opportunity to see and learn about various tropical and exotic plants from all over the world. Besides the exotic plants, many Greek and Cretan plants, trees, and herbs are also exhibited. The Botanical Park is located in the countryside, far from Chania’s crowds. Inside the park, there’s a lake as well as different kinds of butterflies, birds, ducks, geese and peacocks. It’s a place where you can relax, empty your mind and feel closer to Mother Nature. You could also have lunch there, as there’s a restaurant which serves creative Cretan cuisine. It also has an amazing panoramic view of the park and the surrounding hills.

Tickets: The entrance fee is €6 for adults and €4 for children over 6 years old. Children under 6 are free. The park closes one hour before sunset and the restaurant stops serving at 18.00.

I should also mention that the Botanical Park is the private initiative of Mr. Petros Marinakis who has worked on the project for a decade. Petros is a local villager who, with the help of his brothers, constructed the park after a fire destroyed the area. I find it such a good undertaking and believe it should be supported and sustained.