Heraklion Harakas

General information

Harakas is a rustic mountainous village located at a distance of 45 km south of Heraklion. Situated at the foothills of the Asterousia Mountains, the view here includes the unbelievably green mountainside to the south, as well as the valleys below to the north.

The village’s topography is dominated by the 35-metre tall monolith at its southwestern corner, known in the local dialect as Haraki; in fact, the village’s old name of San Giovanni was changed due to the imposing presence of this rock. It is topped by a Venetian castle and a church consecrated to the Transfiguration of the Saviour.

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Harakas has maintained its traditional character, with small stone houses and red-tiled roofs making up the majority of the buildings.
Harakas’ inhabitants are mostly engaged in agriculture, and the village has staved off the financial and social changes incentivized by tourism. In fact, the local community has attempted to revive traditional weaving by organizing lessons for the younger generations using old looms.

The village is surrounded by hills and mountains ideal for hiking, while many more small villages can be found close by.