Anatoli, a historic village nestled on Mount Dikti's southern slopes in Crete, boasts a rich tapestry of Venetian and Ottoman history. Its strategic location, 610 meters above sea level, offered panoramic views of the Libyan Sea. The village's name, meaning "to rise," reflects its elevated position. Venetian presence in the 16th century is documented by Francesco Barozzi and the Castrophylacas census, with remnants like the Tower of Lakerdas in Teichio. Anatoli thrived under Ottoman rule, participating actively in Cretan revolts and giving rise to notable figures like Emmanuel Lakerdas. The village retains its traditional character, with stone houses and the old Kato Vrysi. Religious landmarks include Byzantine monasteries and churches adorned with icons. Anatoli's cultural heritage is preserved through events like the Bean Soup Festival. The village is also the birthplace of renowned violin player Pantelis Baritantonakis. Modern Anatoli includes the newer settlements of Nea Anatoli, Stomio, and Ammoudares.

Oleros was an ancient Cretan city inhabited from the Early Iron Age until the Roman period. It was known for its olive oil production and political involvement in Crete.

Azoria, located on Crete, is an archaeological site revealing urban development from the Bronze Age to the Archaic period. Notably, it grew into a regional center during the Early Iron Age and reached its peak in the 6th century BC. Excavations show organized city planning, monumental buildings, and a shift from dispersed villages to a centralized settlement. The site experienced destruction by fire in the 5th century BC, followed by limited Hellenistic reoccupation. Azoria's stratification and botanical/faunal studies provide insights into socioeconomic changes and landscape transformations. Research highlights its role in Crete's urbanization, revealing changes in settlement patterns and social structures. The site's strategic location and architectural renovations underscore its importance in understanding the development of the Cretan polis.

Christos, a historic village in Ierapetra, Crete, sits on the slopes of the Dikti mountains. Near the ruins of the ancient city of Mala, with Mycenaean fortifications, the village dates back to the second Byzantine period. Records from 1577 mention Christos as Simi Christo. A 1583 census listed 121 residents. The village is 28 kilometers from Ierapetra and features the Church of the Savior Christ and "The Tower," a Venetian-era, two-story building. Today, Christos is a small village with a population of 50.

Fournou Korifi, an Early Minoan settlement near Myrtos village in Crete, dating back to the mid-3rd millennium BCE, provides valuable insights into the Minoan civilization. The settlement, with approximately 90 rooms during its peak, features the "Myrtos Goddess" figurine and evidence of workshops and diverse economic activities. Archaeologists, including Peter Warren, have studied the site's social structures, with interpretations ranging from communal living to a more complex hierarchy. The South House offers a glimpse into domestic life with its weaving room and kitchen. Fournou Korifi's well-preserved remains contribute to our understanding of Early Minoan architecture, social organization, and daily life.

Gournia, a Minoan town on Crete's north coast, presents a complete example of a small settlement. Excavations, starting with Harriet Boyd Hawes, reveal houses, a palace, and a street network, reflecting Minoan urbanism. The site's history spans from the Neolithic to Late Minoan periods, witnessing growth, destruction, and limited reoccupation. Discoveries include artifacts, cemeteries (Sphoungaras, North), and architectural features like the 'Shore House,' suggesting maritime connections. The town's layout, with a main street and organized blocks, highlights urban planning. Gournia's cultural and economic context includes regional trade and religious practices. Ongoing projects reexamine its architecture, offering insights into Minoan civilization and its connections to other Aegean settlements.

Hierapytna, located on the southern coast of Crete, was founded in the Geometric period (c. 9th century BC). The city was a major hub for trade and commerce in ancient times and played a significant role in the island's political and military affairs. Hierapytna flourished during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. It became part of the Byzantine Empire after the division of the Roman Empire. Following the Arab conquest of Crete in the 9th century, Hierapytna was abandoned. Modern archaeological investigations have revealed a wealth of information about the city, including its city walls, agora, temple, theater, and private houses.

Kalamafka, a village in eastern Crete's Lasithi Mountains, boasts a rich history dating back to the Minoan era. Archaeological finds at Meso-Kastela and Kissos reveal ancient habitation, including a possible Minoan villa and the city of Larisa. Venetian and Ottoman records document the village's continued presence. Kalamafka's natural beauty includes the Kalamafkianos River, Kefalovrysi springs, and Kastelos hill with the Church of the Holy Cross. The village also features the churches of Agios Antonios, Agios Georgios, and Timios Stavros. The population, around 359, resides near Ierapetra and engages in agriculture and tourism.

Kavousi, a village in eastern Crete, boasts a rich history dating back to antiquity. Pre-Minoan settlements like Vrontas and Kastro, along with the Archaic city of Azorias, surround the village. Kavousi flourished under Venetian rule, mentioned in 1577 by Francesco Barozzi and noted in the 1583 Castrofylakas census. Byzantine churches, including the 15th-century Holy Apostles with frescoes, dot the landscape. The village, situated at the foot of Mount Thrypti, is known for olive oil production. Kavousi is part of the municipality of Ierapetra and features a community office, medical clinic, and cultural association. The Holy Trinity Parish of Kavousi encompasses 24 churches, including the main church of Agia Triada and the older Dormition of the Mother of God and Agios Ioannis Theologos. The village is accessible by bus and offers various amenities like grocery stores, bakeries, cafes, and guesthouses.

Lithines, a historic Cretan village in Siteia, is known for its Byzantine and Venetian heritage. The village, possibly named after the Litino family, features the 10th-century Church of the Virgin Mary with 13th-14th-century frescoes and the miraculous icon "Our Lady of Lithines". The pre-15th century Agios Athanasios church houses the Vlachos family tomb. The Byzantine Holy Apostles church at Adromili has 14th-century frescoes. A Venetian tower, destroyed in 1828, once stood in the village center. Lithines' architecture reflects the 17th-19th centuries, earning it historical monument status. The village has an agricultural cooperative producing olive oil and a cultural center in the renovated old school building. The population in 2011 was 322.

Malles, a village in Crete, has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Once an independent city-state known as Malla, it thrived during the Venetian period and played a role in the Cretan resistance against the Ottomans. Today, it is a peaceful village with an economy based on olive oil production. Visitors can explore the ruins of the ancient city, hike through the Sarakina Gorge, and admire the well-preserved frescoes in the Panagia Mesochoritissa church. Malles offers a blend of history, natural beauty, and modern amenities, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an authentic Cretan experience.

Meseleroi is a settlement located in the Lasithi regional unit on the island of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the Municipality of Ierapetra

Mesokastellas Fortress: Byzantine ruins in the Dikti Mountains, Crete. Strategically positioned with panoramic views, occupied from prehistoric to Venetian times.

Monastiraki (Monastirakion) is a small village in Lasithi, Crete, situated on Mount Thrypti's slopes, near Ha Gorge, with views of Mirabello Gulf. Located 5km from Pahia Amos and 11km from Ierapetra, it's part of the Pahia Amos community. Historically, it was mentioned by Castrofylakas around 1853, possibly built on a former monastery site dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen. The 2021 census recorded 21 residents. The village experienced population fluctuations over the years, from 10 families in 1834 to a single resident for some time, and now sees a revival with home renovations and infrastructure improvements. Points of interest include the Byzantine churches of Agios Stefanos and Agios Georgios, alongside two traditional cafes serving Cretan cuisine.

The Myrtos-Pyrgos archaeological site, also known as Pyrgos, is a significant Minoan Bronze Age settlement located on the southern coast of Crete, near Ierapetra. Occupied from the Early Minoan II to the Late Minoan IB period, it provides valuable insights into the development of the Minoan civilization. The site's strategic location and long occupation history make it a key resource for understanding the social, economic, and political dynamics of this ancient society. Excavations have revealed a variety of artifacts, including seals, seal impressions, Linear A tablets, and inscriptions on clay vessels, shedding light on the evolution of communication, administrative practices, and trade networks in Minoan Crete. The site's chronological phases, from Pyrgos I to Pyrgos IV, show a growing cultural sophistication and connections with other parts of Crete, including Malia and Knossos. The final phase, Pyrgos IV, ended with a catastrophic fire that destroyed much of the settlement, marking the end of its prominence.

Oreino, or Orno, is a mountain village in Ierapetra, eastern Crete, at 620m altitude on Mount Afentis. First mentioned in 1368, it's known for the 5km long Oreino Gorge with the Byzantine Transfiguration of the Savior church. The village, once on Kastri peak, is now verdant with pine trees near Lake Skafi and the Red Butterfly Gorge. The gorge's name comes from its red butterfly population, impacted by a 1993 fire. Oreino is accessible from Ierapetra and offers traditional Cretan cuisine at the "Orno" tavern. The settlement's history includes Venetian and Ottoman rule, reflected in its architecture and cultural heritage.

Pachia Ammos, a coastal village in Lasithi, Crete, is situated near the archaeological sites of ancient Minoa and Gournia. The village, mentioned by Basilicata in 1630, developed in the 20th century, becoming a tourist center. It boasts a long beach, taverns, and the Institute for the Study of Prehistoric Aegean Eastern Crete. The village's name, meaning "thick sand," reflects its beach. Pachia Ammos is served by bus routes connecting it to nearby cities and has a rural medical center, schools, and various shops. The area's history includes the Minoan civilization, with Gournia being a significant site. The current population is around 574 inhabitants.

Thrypti is a small mountain settlement in eastern Crete, within the municipality of Ierapetra, Lasithi. Nestled in the Thrypti mountains, near the Ha Gorge and Afentis Christos peak, it boasts a unique pine forest. The village has historical significance, with evidence of Minoan and Byzantine settlements. Landmarks include the churches of Nativity of Theotokos, Agios Ioannis Prodromos, Timios Stavros, and Agia Anna. The economy is based on viticulture and animal husbandry, though many residents have relocated. Access is via paved road from Pano Chorio and dirt roads from Oreino and Kavousi.

Vasiliki, a village in Ierapetra, Lasithi, Crete, is known for its significant Minoan settlement dating from the Early Minoan II to the Late Minoan I periods (2600-1550 BC). The settlement, located on Kastelli hill, prospered due to its location on the Ierapetra isthmus and the surrounding fertile plain, near Gournia. Excavations by Harriet Boyd, Richard Seager, and Antonis Zois revealed Vasiliki-style pottery and confirmed Mycenaean fortification and aqueduct presence. The village's history includes mentions in the 1671 Turkish census, the 1834 Egyptian census, and subsequent population records. The settlement's central building was destroyed by fire around 2300 BC, but later reoccupation occurred, with Roman-era traces also found.