Ancient Lappa
Ancient Lappa
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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4.0
126 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
40
Average
19
Poor
7
Terrible
8
Michael E
Kettering, UK843 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
Very underwhelming I have to say. The village itself at the top is quite a nice village but then you have to go down a very steep and difficult path to get to the so called falls. The weather was a bit showery when we went making the path very slippy. When you arrive at the falls you think where are they (expecting a waterfall) but they are just where the tavernas are. We had a pleasant drink but that was it. One restaurant had a tank of fish that was massively too small for the occupants. We also realised that we could have parked at the bottom.
Written April 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
philbo45
Heraklion, Greece448 contributions
Jun 2018
Lappa, better known as Argyroupoli today, was a powerful Cretan City in antiquity . In Mycenaean legends, it was believed to have been founded by Greek hero Agamemnon, and when you visit you will feel the epic spirit that must have prompted its foundation. Ancient Lappa is located in paradise in the hills overlooking Rethymnon Prefecture and the Cretan Sea.
Our first visit was to participate in a sustainability event to discuss ways that rural tourism can be optimized here on Crete. What first time visitors will perceive as a quiet little Cretan town, is actaully a major historical destination. Lappa was probably a settlement in pre-history, and an early Minoan site, but it was the Mycenaens, Romans, Venetians, and Saracens that made the site an archaeological and historic legend.
Visitors will want to dine at one of the wonderful taverns close to the natural springs here. There's also the cave that houses Agios Ioannis or Agia Dynami church, from which Mouselas river springs, and Pente Parthenes, not to mention the Roman thermae and the large Roman cemetery located in the gorge of Pente Partheni (= Five Virgins). At the end of the gorge you'll be amazed by the what we refer to as the "Avatar Tree" - a magical place where the springs culminate.
Put bluntly, there is just to much to do and see in Ancient Lappa. You just have to go. It's just a few miles from the resorts of Argyroupolis or Rethymno. Go, you won't be disappointed.
Our first visit was to participate in a sustainability event to discuss ways that rural tourism can be optimized here on Crete. What first time visitors will perceive as a quiet little Cretan town, is actaully a major historical destination. Lappa was probably a settlement in pre-history, and an early Minoan site, but it was the Mycenaens, Romans, Venetians, and Saracens that made the site an archaeological and historic legend.
Visitors will want to dine at one of the wonderful taverns close to the natural springs here. There's also the cave that houses Agios Ioannis or Agia Dynami church, from which Mouselas river springs, and Pente Parthenes, not to mention the Roman thermae and the large Roman cemetery located in the gorge of Pente Partheni (= Five Virgins). At the end of the gorge you'll be amazed by the what we refer to as the "Avatar Tree" - a magical place where the springs culminate.
Put bluntly, there is just to much to do and see in Ancient Lappa. You just have to go. It's just a few miles from the resorts of Argyroupolis or Rethymno. Go, you won't be disappointed.
Written September 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew
St Helens, UK353 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
The village of Argyroupolis is simply beautiful to experience.
With natural water springs and waterfalls running throughout, it's like being in Jurassic Park or something, which huge plants all over the place and tavernas dotted about with the water running through them, and pools of huge trout (which the restaurants utilise in some of their dishes).
You can wander around for hours here, but be warned that it's a steep place to go to and if you had access issues, this probably wouldn't be the place for you.
Had our villa been closer we'd have returned to see the place by night as well. I'll attach some photos to give you an idea of what to expect to find.
With natural water springs and waterfalls running throughout, it's like being in Jurassic Park or something, which huge plants all over the place and tavernas dotted about with the water running through them, and pools of huge trout (which the restaurants utilise in some of their dishes).
You can wander around for hours here, but be warned that it's a steep place to go to and if you had access issues, this probably wouldn't be the place for you.
Had our villa been closer we'd have returned to see the place by night as well. I'll attach some photos to give you an idea of what to expect to find.
Written October 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aurettes
Bucharest, Romania100 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
Ancient Lappa was built near the current town of Argyroupolis.
There are everyday excursions with a little train from Georgioupoli-Kourna up to Lappa village , about 40 min.
Once arrived in Argyroupolis, you can still see the ruins of the ancient city of Lappa, the ruins of Roman and Venetian buildings and Byzantine churches. Also there are a few shops that sell Lappa Avocado cosmetic products.
Between the upper and lower village there is a stony path and it takes about half an hour to walk from the center of the upper village to the place in the lower village where the taverns are.
The flora of the area is quite interesting. You can follow the beautiful path through the springs and visit the cave.
I had the lunch at Kastro Tavern where they have a cretan specialty Sfakiani Pita.
On the way back to Georgioupolis, you pass through a different types of vegetation, including avocado nursery.
I recommend this trip, it is worthy.
There are everyday excursions with a little train from Georgioupoli-Kourna up to Lappa village , about 40 min.
Once arrived in Argyroupolis, you can still see the ruins of the ancient city of Lappa, the ruins of Roman and Venetian buildings and Byzantine churches. Also there are a few shops that sell Lappa Avocado cosmetic products.
Between the upper and lower village there is a stony path and it takes about half an hour to walk from the center of the upper village to the place in the lower village where the taverns are.
The flora of the area is quite interesting. You can follow the beautiful path through the springs and visit the cave.
I had the lunch at Kastro Tavern where they have a cretan specialty Sfakiani Pita.
On the way back to Georgioupolis, you pass through a different types of vegetation, including avocado nursery.
I recommend this trip, it is worthy.
Written July 8, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gniewomir K
Warsaw, Poland98 contributions
Jul 2020 • Family
I am not so impressed as many other visitors, but I must admit - it was a good visit. Very small, remote place with an unique atmosphere. Waterfalls below expectations but restaurants built around them - really cool.
If you are not so far away from there or you pass this place anyway- please stop. If you are located rather far away - I wouldn't make a trip there.
If you are not so far away from there or you pass this place anyway- please stop. If you are located rather far away - I wouldn't make a trip there.
Written July 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olwyn H
Ipswich, UK249 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This is a wonderful place, the valley of springs. Most unusual in such a dry rocky landscape.You hear the rushing water above the birdsong as you approach the village, turning left for"the Springs"
The water gushes from the shady hillside into troughs and bowls, running along stone channels and aqueducts. Pipes lead off in all directions supplying water to the houses of the village. The tavernas channel the springs through their shaded dining areas to create a wonderful ambiance. If you climb up the steps and paths on the left you come to a tiny chapel set in a cave with water flowing out of it. The area is shaded by enormous 2000 year old plane trees with huge gnarled trunks, seen by the Romans when they were saplings!! The tavernas breed trout in pools fed by the springs and you can choose your own fish, see it caught and cooked on the open grills. One taverna has a pet sturgeon in with the trout, its over a metre in length and surfaces to be stroked on the nose. This is a wonderful little known beauty spot.
The water gushes from the shady hillside into troughs and bowls, running along stone channels and aqueducts. Pipes lead off in all directions supplying water to the houses of the village. The tavernas channel the springs through their shaded dining areas to create a wonderful ambiance. If you climb up the steps and paths on the left you come to a tiny chapel set in a cave with water flowing out of it. The area is shaded by enormous 2000 year old plane trees with huge gnarled trunks, seen by the Romans when they were saplings!! The tavernas breed trout in pools fed by the springs and you can choose your own fish, see it caught and cooked on the open grills. One taverna has a pet sturgeon in with the trout, its over a metre in length and surfaces to be stroked on the nose. This is a wonderful little known beauty spot.
Written June 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maygreen_10
wolverhampton46 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
An historical place to visit the excavated ancient City, there are places to eat and drink and a few shops with Cretan folk art. Below are the beautiful springs and waterfalls of Argyroupoli. There are many fantastic restuarants in this village serving delicious traditional Greek food. This is a fabulous place to visit.
Written October 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrishiya
Ioannina, Greece19 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
a mixture of old,deserted and renovated houses that blend in so well together in a historical village with beautiful views in all directions.there is always something unique to find the more you walk around and discover.
Written August 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John M
Monmouth, UK434 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Monday 18th July 2016. We were staying at the Arcus Luxury Suites, and spent a pleasant morning wandering around this lovely old village, and driving the mile or so to the nearby Necropolis. Just off the main square in the upper village is a shop called Lappa Avocado. Do go there, not just to shop, but also to get a map from the owner who will mark on it things to see. It was he who alerted us to the Necropolis which is just outside the village - the signs to it are easy to miss (small brown signs) so listen carefully to his directions which were spot on. It's a gentle stroll down one side of a very fertile looking valley to the burial sites and small church, and a little farther down the valley (about 3 minutes only) is this huge split Plane Tree - apparently many hundreds of years old. It's a lovely quiet spot.
Written August 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluskyseeker
Seattle, WA69 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
We spent an afternoon in Ancient Lappa, and would love to return to see more. The portion we saw was made much richer, due to the chance encounter with a villager who took it upon himself to walk us around to point out many things that we would not have seen otherwise. We were shown tunnels used during wartime, different types of architecture, a mosaic tile floor that reminded us of those we saw in Pompeii, a 1000 year old olive tree, more. Be sure to stop at the little cafe and try the avocado juice or avocado/orange juice. Very delicious, and such nice people. I wish we had encountered it earlier in the day.
Written May 30, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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