Vai Palm Forest, Palm forest in Eastern Crete, Greece
The Vai Palm Forest contains 4500 Cretan date palms extending across 25 hectares of protected land, leading to a sandy Mediterranean beach.
The Greek authorities established Vai as a protected aesthetic forest in 1973 after the area experienced extensive camping activities in previous decades.
Local mythology suggests the palms originated from date pits discarded by ancient Arab sailors, though scientists confirm these are indigenous Cretan species.
Visitors can access the forest through a designated parking area, with pathways leading to the beach and an observation point for forest views.
This location houses the largest natural collection of Phoenix theophrasti palms in Europe, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus.
Address: Palaíkastron 723 00, Greece
GPS coordinates: 35.25484,26.26203
Latest update: March 3, 2025 02:52
Crete features pink sand beaches, ancient palaces, blue lagoons, mountain gorges, Venetian harbors, monasteries and remote villages. The island presents natural and historical photo subjects with Mediterranean character.
Palm forest of Vai
256 m
Zakros
17.5 km
Vai Beach
268 m
Richtis Gorge
26.8 km
Palace of Petras
14.8 km
Zakros Gorge
17.4 km
Kymo
27.3 km
Kazarma Fortress
14.9 km
Petsofas
7.7 km
Kapsa Monastery
32.3 km
Minoan villa of Zakros
17.5 km
Traostalos
14.3 km
Minoan villa of Achladia
19.7 km
Minoan villa of Agios Georgios
22.4 km
Archaeological site of Trypitos
13.5 km
Farmakokefalo
24.1 km
Minoan villa of Zou
17.8 km
Tholos tomb of Platyskinos
20.1 km
Klimataria
16.1 km
Tower of Voila
23.6 km
Kouremenos
4.8 km
Chochlakies Gorge
11.9 km
Venetian villa De Mezzo
26.1 km
Church of Agios Nikolaos
24.2 km
Old Primary School, Lithinon
28.1 km
Archaeological site of Agia Photia
12.3 km
Gorge All Saints
18.9 km
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