8Archanes, Crete
Archanes is a village surrounded by olive groves and vineyards near Heraklion. Known for its excellent wine and archaeological finds, the village thrives year-round thanks to local life, not just tourism. When you skip the summer peak, you’ll enjoy wine tastings with producers, sample Cretan delicacies in family-run tavernas, and stroll streets painted in earthy tones, all without tour buses rolling through.
