Lebena Ruins are located at the southern foot of the Asterousia mountains, on the shore where the village of Lentas is found. It was a part of Gortyn and is known for its Asklepieion or a healing temple. The name Lebena is was inspired by the way the peninsula west of it depicts a lion’s head. The Lebena Ruin was first inhabited during the Final Neolithic years. There are numerous archaeological finds in the Lebena ruins, including tombs from the Proto-mioan graves. It was also a therapeutic thermal spring, a famous centre for hydrotherapy during those times. It was destroyed during a massive earthquake in the mid-1st century, which destroyed the sanctuary and a large portion of the town. The rich historical value of the Lebena Ruin is what makes it an interesting place to visit. Tourists who love understanding ancient Greek will enjoy a tour within the Lebena Ruins. Most tourist spots in Crete can be accessed by hiking. It is one way of exploring the island while enjoying the adventure and health benefits of walking. There are available hiking trails for visitors with a high adrenaline. When one is not the adventurous type, opting for the public bus going around the area is typical. Tourists must be aware of the timetable the buses follow.
The Lebena ruins can be accessed using a car. Car rental in Crete is the most ideal way of touring the island. Many companies offer car rental services in Lebena ruins. When deciding to try Car Rental Crete, it is important to note that there are certain factors to consider. When renting a vehicle in Crete, one must be 21 years old with a valid licence. The driver must also present a debit or credit card with its name on it. There are different car rental packages available for everyone depending on their needs. Families can opt for a larger vehicle to explore the Lebena Ruins. While others may prefer smaller cars when driving in Crete because of its challenging roads.
What is the history of Lebena Ruins?
Lebena is a Phoenician word which translates as “white”. The current name of Lebena is now called Lentas. The white colour describes the colour of the foothills where the Lebena ruins were situated. Eventually, the name was changed into the Greek word Leon also known as Levin. However, proof of the reminders of a Phoenician settlement was missing. Visitors from all over Greece and North Africa visited during that time to enjoy the hot springs and their healing waters. The first habitants of the site date from the Neolithic and early Minoan periods. In the late classical period, the Gortynians built the sanctuary of Asklepios at the harbour.
Where are the Lebena Ruins located?
The Lebena ruin is located in Lendas, Crete. It is situated on the very outskirts of the village of Lendas. It was once a sanctuary and a health spa among the people of Greece. There are very few remains of the original structure in the Lebena ruins. The Lebena ruins are an archaeological site with a latitude of 34.93228° or 34° 55′ 56″ north. It has a longitude of 24.92424° or 24° 55′ 27″ east. It has an elevation of 41 metres or 135 feet.
What to know before going to Lebena Ruins?
The Lebena Ruins are one of the most visited archaeological sites in Crete. It used to be a maritime town in Ancient Greece. Lebena is a part of one of the ancient cities in Crete. Today, Lentas is a dainty and popular tourist destination. It is open daily and admission is free. The village of Lendas is remote and can be difficult to access. Nevertheless, it offers some nice accommodations. There are no available luxury hotels or resorts in the village, but there are private villas and flats to book. There are also traditional restaurants near the beach area where they offer authentic Cretan food. Some restaurants offer amazing seafood dishes and use fresh local ingredients. To have the most pleasant experience exploring the Lebena ruins, visitors must wear appropriate shoes for walking, like rubber shoes. Choose appropriate clothing when visiting Crete Landmarks, Monuments and Historical Points of Interest. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 48 °F to 84 °F and is rarely below 42 °F or above 89 °F. The best time to visit the Lebena ruins is during Spring and Autumn, when the weather is pleasant, and the place is not crowded.
What are the Hiking Routes for Lebena Ruins?
Hiking is one of the best ways to explore a beautiful place like the Lebena Ruins. One can go walking and appreciate the beauty of a historical place or tourist spot. There are different hiking trails that visitors can take when visiting the Lebena Ruins. The Loutra Lenta – Trafoulas Canyon, is one of the hiking trails to try. The trail starts from the beach of Loutra and ends in the clear waters on the beach of Trafoulas. It would take around 3 hours to complete the hike. The first half of the route is on the road. Then the trail becomes uphill, approaching the area of Trafoulas gorge. Another trail is the Lentas. It is a walking tour with a little, beautiful gorge at the end of a pebbled beach. There are no available shades and taverns in the area. The hiking time is around five hours. The third hiking trail is the Lendas-Trafoulas-Tripiti. The distance is 6.14 mi (9.88 kilometres), and it is a one-way trail. It has an easy level of difficulty and most tourists can try this hiking trail. It would take around 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete the hiking trail.
Is Lebena Ruin safe?
Yes, the Lebena ruin is safe to travel. Just like any other place in Crete, Lebena Ruin is safe to visit. It is open daily and has free admission. Violent crimes are rare on the island of Crete. It is very safe, especially for tourists, to go around the beautiful island.
What is the best season for visiting Lebena Ruins?
The best season for visiting Lebena Ruins is during the summer. The best months for good weather in Lebena Ruins are March to December.
What is the best vehicle for visiting Lebena Ruins?
The best vehicle for visiting Lebena ruins is a large SUV like the Nissan Xtrail. It is a very popular car for car rental companies. It has custom interior features, power and control, suitable for long drives and mountainous roads. When one travels, comfort and convenience are a must, especially when driving. The Nissan Xtrail SUV has advanced safety features, comfortable seating, and, best of all, great fuel efficiency. It is suited for groups of travellers because it has a spacious cargo area, where all their luggage can fit inside.
Can you rent a car going to the Lebena Ruin?
Yes, you can rent a car to go to the Lebena Ruins. Tourists can rent a vehicle to explore different places in Crete, like the Lebena Ruins. One can really maximise their schedule and plan their itinerary while driving along Crete island. There are a lot of options for tourists who wish to travel using a rented car. One can rent a car for just a day tour, or spend the whole holiday driving a rented car for a month.
What are the factors to consider before renting a car in Crete?
Crete is a beautiful island in Greece that is a must place to visit who love the rich culture and its historical past. There are different ways to explore the majestic island, but one way to enjoy it is by renting a car. Learning how to choose the right car to rent in Crete will definitely make the most of one’s time enjoying the beautiful tourist spots.
Listed below are the factors to consider before renting a car in Crete.
- Insurance. Crete car rental includes insurance for Collision Damage waiver, and a credit or debit card driver is required as a guarantee. Rental car insurance protects a passenger against the cost of damage when renting a car.
- Driver’s age. The minimum legal age to rent a car in Crete and Rental Center Crete is 21 years old. One must have also hold a valid driver’s license for at least 12 months. Provisional driving licenses are not accepted anywhere in Crete.
- Driver’s gender. Both women and men can drive in Crete. As long as the driver is of the legal age of 21 or 23, driving regardless of gender is allowed in Crete.
- Car type. When travelling in Crete, the vehicle type needed depends on the number of passengers. Travelling with members of the family requires a bigger type of car. Opting for a smaller car is best when driving in Crete. The main reason is that Greek roads are narrow. There are noticeable smaller cars on the roads too.
- Documents needed for renting a car. Others might think that the only necessary document for renting a car is a driving licence. However, a credit or debit card with the driver’s name must be provided. It is one of the requirements in Crete car rental.
How much does a car rental in Crete cost?
The island of Crete has many beautiful tourist spots that can be travelled using a rented car. The Crete car rental costs vary depending on the number of passengers, itinerary, car type, location, and duration. The average cost of renting a vehicle in Crete is around €30 to €40 per day. A car rented for a whole week will cost on average €250, while renting for the weekend will cost around €78. Affordable car rentals in Crete vary depending on the car type.
What is the contribution of Lebena Ruins to Crete Tourism?
The tourism industry in Greece, especially on the island of Crete, has become the fastest tourism market in Greece. It has recorded a 60% growth in the past six years. Crete is well known to have its long tradition and history, especially in culture. It is also very safe for tourists from around the globe. There are many great places to visit in Crete, and one of them is the Lebena Ruins. The Lebena ruins are one way of discovering and understanding the ancient life of Greece. A tourist who loves history and likes to visit archaeological sites will definitely appreciate the Lebena ruins. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the global tourism industry has been greatly affected. People are advised to stay home and limit their travels. The tourism industry in Crete has declined, and there are no tourists visiting the island. Now that the world has opened its way, especially in travelling, the tourism industry is expected to be back in Crete. A total of 4.55 million international tourists visited Greece between January and July 2021. This only indicates that people are now back to travelling and spending their holidays in beautiful places. The travel restrictions are also improving, but still observing Covid-19 protocols.
What are the nearest places to Lebena Ruins?
Listed below are the nearest places to Lebena Ruins.
- Lentas. Lentas is a coastal village in the south of Crete, Greece. It belongs to the community of Miamou, within the municipality of Gortyna. Lentas has a rich and historical past. During the tremendous earthquake of 46 B.C.it was destroyed and eventually rebuilt.
- Miamou. A mountain village and a community in Greece, 60 km south of Heraklion, is the Miamou. It is in the municipality of Gortyn. It has a population of 96. Miamou was first inhabited during the end of the Neolithic period.
- Tripiti. Another historical archaeological site is Tripiti. It is located in southern Crete, along the coast to the east of the village of Lendas. There are three permanent freshwater springs in the area. One water spring is only 150 metres east of the site and at 135 metres above sea level.
- Koumasa. The Koumasa cemetery is located between Loukia and Koumasa near the southern border of the Mesara plain, right at the foothills of the Asterousia Mountains. Koumasa is a Minoan archaeological site that was first excavated from 1904 to 1906 by Stephanos Xanthoudides.
- Apesokari. The Apesokari is an ancient Minoan cemetery and an archaeological site. It is in the municipality of Gortyna in the south of Heraklion. It is now a modern village with a population of 103. The archaeological site was first excavated during World War II. The site has four tombs, three tholos tombs and one rectangular-shaped tomb. These tombs were considered to be the tombs of the elite during those times.
What are the movies about Lebena Ruin?
There are no movies about Lebena Ruin so far. Although a perfect historical site for a film, there are no movies related to the Lebena Ruin yet.
Is Lebena Ruins in UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
No, the Lebena Ruin is not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A place that may be considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site must demonstrate influence in a global context. However, Lebena Ruins is an archaeological site that contains a rich history of Ancient Greece.
Why are Lebena Ruins considered archaeological sites?
Lebena Ruins is considered an archaeological site because it was once part of the Hellenistic civilisation. The ruins were once Roman baths. It used to be a sanctuary, where Asklepios and Hygeia were worshipped. It was built as a healing thermal spring famous for hydrotherapy, and it also functioned as a sanatorium. There are numerous archaeological finds discovered in the Proto-Minoan graves which were excavated in the area.
