The Palace of Phaistos is one of the key centers of Minoan civilization in Crete, second in importance only to Knossos, and a major cultural attraction in southern Heraklion. Human settlement in Phaistos traces back to the Neolithic era, with the introduction of metal use around the middle of the 3rd millennium BC, which spurred further development. At the start of the 2nd millennium, power shifted to kings who constructed grand palatial centers. The initial palace was built

Knossos was inhabited for several thousand years, beginning with a neolithic settlement sometime in the seventh millennium BC, and was abandoned after its destruction in 1375 BC which marked the end of Minoan civilization. It was located high up on a hill to give it a strategic advantage. The first palace on the low hill beside the Krairatos river was built around 1900 BC on the ruins of previous settlements. It was destroyed for the first time along with the other Protopalat

Aptera was one of Crete's most important city-states. It is situated on a plateau 200 meters above Souda Bay, approximately 15 km from the city of Chania on the road to Rethymno. The theater played a crucial role in the public life of ancient cities. In ancient Aptera, the theatre was constructed on the southernmost side of the site, facing the White Mountains. The main components of the theatre are the koilon (auditorium), the orchestra, and the skene. It is estimated to hav