CAR ROUTE 56

Stalida – Neapoli – Lassithi – Krasi – Mochos

What makes Routaki route 56 - 'Lassithi' so special:

  • In the beginning you can visit the Minoan excavation site of Malia
  • You'll pass by the Selinari monastery with its special story.
  • Driving through the 'new town' of Neapoli and using the Nikos Kazantzakis str.
  • You can visit the monastery of Kremasta while enjoying insane views.
  • Have the mythology explained around the birth cave of Zeus.
  • Explore the Lasinthos Eco park on the Lassithi plateau.
  • Delight in a terrace experience on one of the cozy Cretan taverns.
  • Visit the Diktaion Andron Cave as one of the highlights.
  • See the beautiful gardens of monastery 'Mother Marty Vidiani'.
  • Experience the amazing view on the Embelos pass.
  • Enjoy the way to Krasi with the story of Kera Kardiotissa and the huge platanos.
  • Relax on the village square of Mochos, with a good coffee or raki.
  • As a conclusion, enjoy the amazing views over Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia.

[Buy on VoiceMap] or

Buy this GPS interactive tour
visit the monastery of Selinari, with its special bullet story
Lovely food all around this car route in several taverns

What makes Routaki route 56 so special:

  • In the beginning you can visit the Minoan excavation site of Malia
  • You'll pass by the Selinari monastery with its special story.
  • Driving through the 'new town' of Neapoli.
  • You can visit the monastery of Kremasta while enjoying insane views.
  • Have the mythology explained around the birth cave of Zeus.
  • Explore the Lasinthos Eco park on the Lassithi plateau.
  • Delight in a terrace experience on one of the cozy Cretan taverns.
  • Visit the Diktaion Andron Cave as one of the highlights.
  • See the beautiful gardens of monastery 'Mother Marty Vidiani'.
  • Experience the amazing view on the Embelos pass.
  • Enjoy the way to Krasi with the story of Kera Kardiotissa and the huge platanos.
  • Relax on the village square of Mochos, with a good coffee or raki.
  • As a conclusion, enjoy the amazing views over Hersonissos, Stalis and Malia.

[Buy on VoiceMap] or

Acquire this route with many RAGiF's
visit the monastery of Selinari, with its special bullet story
Lovely food all around this car route in several taverns
the beautiful Lassithi plateau during the spring months

This route starts at the Eko gas station in Stalida and is 95 km long (see the starting point on the Google Maps map). The idea behind this Routaki route is that it takes up an entire day, due to the items you are able to visit.

You are heading eastward with the Lassithi plateau as your main destination. The route takes you through Neapoli and leads you up the winding roads of the Dikti mountain range, where you can explore the Lasinthos Eco Park. Before or after a delightful lunch, consider hiking to and from the Diktaion Andron Cave, the legendary birthplace of King Zeus.

the beautiful Lassithi plateau during the spring months

Before the Selinari monastery, various RAGiF's [Routaki Audio Guide Info Files] have already explained what you encountered or saw along the way. This is the special aspect of a Routaki route; you receive the right information at the right moment. For example, you receive information about the Minoan excavation side of Malia when you depart. If you drive past the small chapels along the road, you will be explained why they are located there. Your own smartphone 'talks' and 'plays' as a guide about things you encounter along the way or that are generally important for Crete.

Invest in knowledge and pleasure simultaneously
the small chapels along the road
lovely pictures all along the road

You continue driving, following the route instructions narrated and displayed by your own smartphone or tablet. Routaki routes utilize the VoiceMap app. Through this GPS interactive software, you always know where you are, and the software knows what it should play or display.

And all of this offline. You download the app for free, create an account, and purchase the route. The route is downloaded and remains available to you forever. You can even listen to it in advance in the audio-book version as a prelude.

The spoken texts, as well as the images, ensure that you drive around with a secure feeling, and you realize that it's nearly impossible to get lost. Even sharp turns or road hazards are mentioned. If you deviate from the route, the app will notify you so you can return to the route.

However, you can also interrupt or stop the route whenever you want. You can take a break, go for a swim, take a forest walk, or continue the route on another day—whatever you prefer. If you want to resume the route, simply press the 'Resume' button, and the route will be displayed again.

easy and convenient on the road with voicemap

Before leaving these highlands you will be informed about the water reservoir on the plateau and told about the Monastery of the Mother Mary Vidiani. On your way back you'll be treated by breathtaking views from the Embalos pass, with its corn mills over the Potamos dam, hear intriguing stories about the Kera Kardiotissa monastery, and have the opportunity to 'do your washing' in the wells of Krasi beneath the centuries-old tree.

To conclude and unwind, take in the charm of the church and square in the village of Mochos before descending once again toward the tourist areas of Hersonissos and Malia.

lovely tavern with good food and great service
the water well and the huge tree of Krasi

This route features audio files about Malia Palace, Selinari, the pope of Neapoli, mythology, Diktaion Andron, Dyonissos, the water reservoir on Lassithi, the history of the plateau, icon Kere Kardiotissa and Mochos.
In total, there are 23 different RaGiF audio files in route 56, in addition to all the audio explaining the route. The route is up-to-date and extensively narrated, with images for reference or clarification.

[Buy on VoiceMap] or

Secure a marvellous day around Lassithi

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VoiceMap app available on the app store.

Install the free of charge VoiceMap app and find this route among the more than 1,400 available routes.

VoiceMap app available on Google play

Some useful tips:

  • Bring your smartphone battery charger.
  • Maintain an average speed of 55-60 km.
  • Wear appropriate clothing for churches and monasteries.
  • Purchase the correct language version of the route (Dutch or English).
  • Ensure that the route is NOT set to the audio-book setting.
  • If you have one, bring a smartphone holder
  • Disable automatic screen turn-off (don’t forget to put it back on afterwards)
the audio tour towards the Lassithi plateau and the Diktaion Andron Cave

Other Routaki routes:

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Route 32 - 'Myriokefala'
The Spirit of Crete: A Drive from Rethymno to Georgioupoli via Myriokefala

with VoiceMap exploring Anogeia and Axos

Route 42 - 'Margarites'
Discover Authentic Crete: Heraklion to Margarites via Anogeia and Axos

lovely taverns along the way

Route 58 - 'Spinalonga'
Malia to Agios Nikolaos: A Scenic Drive Celebrating Historical Crete

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