Location
Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete
Meskla, Chania
Botanical Park & Gardens Of Crete – Meskla, Chania
The Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete is located in the Chania region, near the village of Skordalou, on the southern slopes of Mount Psiloritis. The park was established on land devastated by wildfire and transformed into an extensive botanical garden showcasing Mediterranean and subtropical plants, as well as cultivated species connected with the traditions of Cretan rural life. A descending path leads through the site, passing fruit orchards, herbs, exotic trees, and a small pond.
Description
The Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete is one of the most recognizable garden projects on the island. It was created in response to a catastrophic wildfire that devastated this area in the early 21st century. The restoration did not aim to simply recreate the original local vegetation; instead, the concept was to establish a living museum of nature, presenting both traditional Cretan plant species and plants from various climatic zones with conditions similar to those of western Crete.
The park is designed in terraces, following the natural contours of the hillside. From the entrance, the path gradually descends through sections dedicated to different plant groups: citrus trees, tropical species, various nut trees, medicinal plants, grapevines, and species typical of dry Mediterranean landscapes. This diversity is the result of distinct microclimates created by variations in altitude, shade, and water retention.
At the heart of the park lies a small lake surrounded by lush vegetation. This area has its own microclimate — cooler and more humid, with the presence of birds and small aquatic fauna. For many visitors, this is the point where the contrast between Crete’s generally dry environment and the greenery of the park becomes most apparent.
The park serves not only a recreational purpose. Numerous informational panels explain the uses of plants and their medicinal properties, as well as traditional cultivation methods practiced on the island. Fruit trees play a particularly important role — from local apple varieties to pomegranates, avocados, figs, mulberries, and various types of citrus. Their presence reflects the long agricultural history of Crete, where orchards and traditional gardening have always been central.
In the higher sections of the park, fragments of landscapes characteristic of the mountains of western Crete have been recreated, with herbs, maquis vegetation, aromatic shrubs, and species adapted to summer droughts. Lower down, exotic plants dominate, benefiting from the warm microclimate of the valley. This layout demonstrates how diverse plant life can be within a single, carefully designed area.
The Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete has also become a center for environmental education, hosting events and workshops focused on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. It is a project that combines land restoration with a modern ecological vision, and remains one of the few places on Crete where such a wide cross-section of plant species from around the world can be seen within a single garden.
Location
Meskla, Chania
Coordinates: 35.41847, 23.93964