Psiloritis UNESCO Global geopark is an excellent destination for geotourism, combining opportunities for both recreation and education. Here, a visitor can enjoy outdoor sports, walks in nature ,the flavors and aromas of local cuisine, discovering history and the experience of the real lifestyle of the people of Psiloritis.
Psiloritis Geopark was founded in 2001 as natural park by the developmental organization AKOMM – PSILORITIS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY S.A, ORGANIZATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT with the scientific support of the Natural History Museum of Crete.
Due to its rich geodiversity, its picturesque scenery and its longlasting history and tradition, Psiloritis geopark was included, from its early foundation, at the European Geoparks Network, and later at the Global Geoparks Network.
Since then, Psiloritis geopark, in co-operation with the Municipalities and other Bodies of the local authorities and communities, developed the appropriate infrastructure to provide to both its inhabitants and its guests a high quality life in a non-urban environment.
Today Psiloritis geopark is plays an active role in the global efforts for the conservation and promotion of the environment, of the natural and cultural heritage, as well as of the sustainable local development through the geo-tourism and the other kinds of alternative tourism.
On 17th September 2015, in Paris, the General Assembly of UNESCO decided the creation of a new territorial program, the “International Geosciences and Geoparks Program”, under which territories can be nominated as UNESCO Global Geoparks. Since then Psiloritis is recognized as UNESCO Global Geopark.
