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Phaistos

Agios Ioannis, Greece

History

A Minoan palace on a ridge above the Messara plain, built from about 2000 BC and destroyed around 1400 BC; the Phaistos Disc was found here in 1908. Paths are tamped earth and stone with handrails, and the royal rooms look towards Mount Ida.

Nearest town
Agios Ioannis, Greece
Category
History & culture
GPS
35.0514, 24.8136

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Getting there

  • Greece: Motorway tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.

Featured in these trip guides

Crete
Villages, wine & culture

Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno

137 km6 stops4 days

Nearby

Oddities

Matala Caves

Matala, Greece
History

Gortyn

Agioi Deka, Greece
Arkadi Monastery – Kreta (GR), Amnatos, Kloster Arkadi -- 2023 -- 8636© Dietmar Rabich · CC BY-SA 4.0
Editor's pick
History

Arkadi Monastery

Rethymno, Greece
Preveli Beach – Preveli Palm Beach Panorama 02© Uoaei1 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Preveli Beach

Plakias, Greece

Campsites nearby

  • Matala CampingCampsite
    8 km from Phaistos
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Camping No ProblemCampsite
    12 km from Phaistos
    TentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Place for tentsCampsite
    16 km from Phaistos
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Place for tents near the caveCampsite
    17 km from Phaistos
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Flat, gravelCampsite
    18 km from Phaistos
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Flat, grassCampsite
    20 km from Phaistos
    OSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Greece · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Phaistos?

Phaistos is in Agios Ioannis, Greece, at GPS 35.0514, 24.8136. It is about 43 km from Heraklion.

Can you camp near Phaistos?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Matala Camping, about 8 km away; within 25 km there are 7 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Phaistos?

Phaistos is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Southern and central Crete: Gortyn, Phaistos, Matala, Preveli and Rethymno.

What is there to see near Phaistos?

Places worth a stop nearby: Matala Caves (7 km), Gortyn (12 km), Arkadi Monastery (33 km) and Preveli Beach (34 km).

When is the best time to visit Phaistos?

The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June–August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)