Natura Sites
Crete is a unique place and its nature is rich and inexhaustible. One third of Greece’s natural habitats are found on the island, along with 1,750 species of plants, of which 160 are endemic. And it is no coincidence that about 30% of Crete is included in the European Natura 2000 network for the protection of nature and the conservation of birdlife and biodiversity.
The 53 Natura 2000 sites in Crete are waiting for you to visit them and discover their unique natural beauty. These include Chrysi Island or Donkey Island in the Prefecture of Lasithi, Mount Ida in the Prefecture of Rethymno, Gavdos in the Prefecture of Chania and Mount Juktas in the Prefecture of Heraklion.
See all the Natura sites in Crete here:
https://natura2000.crete.gov.gr/
Chrysi Island or Donkey Island
Shallow bays, sandy beaches covered with millions of broken shells, tropical waters, a paradise on earth.
The uninhabited island of Chrysi or Donkey Island is located 8 miles south of Ierapetra and is a small flat island with an area of only 5 square kilometers.
A particularly popular destination due to its rare natural beauty, it attracts a high number of visitors during the summer months, as daily ferry services connect it with the port of Ierapetra.
Mount Ida
Steep vertical slopes and small gorges which become a refuge for breeding and migratory birds.
In the centre of Crete, the south-western part of Mount Ida, a place of rich biodiversity, has been designated as a Natura 2000 site.
Its fauna includes rare predators such as the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and the vulture (Gyps fulvus), while the flora consists in places of kermes oaks (Quercus coccifera), pine or cypress forests and maple forests.
Also, on Mount Ida, there are many endemic Cretan flowers such as Asperula idaea, Centaurea idaea, etc.
Gavdos
Located 21 miles south of the prefecture of Chania, the protected area of Gavdos, which includes the smaller neighbouring island of Gavdopoula, is considered a place of great importance for migratory birds and protected seabirds.
Both Gavdos (30 square kilometers) and Gavdopoula (2,62 square kilometers) are particularly important because of their location at the southernmost tip of Europe, and are vital sites of botanical interest as they host a large number of African flora species, such as the artemisia.
Mount Juktas – Agia Irini
The mountainous massif of Juktas dominates the hilly rural landscape south of Heraklion and, together with the gorge of Agia Irini, is characterised by its high biodiversity.
Human activity in the area has been found from the early Neolithic period. The traces of a Minoan palace in the settlement of Archanes, the Minoan cemetery at Fourni and the temple at Anemospilia are some of the most important archaeological sites in the area.
Archanes is the main gateway to the wider area of Mount Juktas and the gorge of Agia Irini and has tourist infrastructure and an Environmental Education Centre. The rocky, steep limestone slopes are an ideal breeding ground for the vulture (Gyps fulvus).