Margarites
Μαργαρίτες
A mountain village at the foot of Mount Ida, famous for handmade pottery, with more than a dozen pottery workshops where you can watch masters throw clay and buy traditional Cretan pithoi.
Margarites' pottery tradition dates back to the Minoan era. Several family workshops still operate in the village, making large storage jars (pithoi), tableware and decorative pieces from local red clay, and some offer throwing experiences. The village is small, with cobbled streets, old plane trees in the square and cafés that give it a mountain village feel. About an hour is enough to explore. It is about 27 km from Rethymno and is often combined with the Arkadi Monastery and the Ancient Eleutherna site for a half-day loop. Pottery is heavy, so ask the workshops whether they offer packing or shipping.
Opening hours
Workshops about 09:00–19:00 (varies by workshop)
Nearby sights
- Ancient Eleutherna & Museum
- Melidoni Cave
- Arkadi Monastery
- Bali
- Rethymno Beach
- Idaean Cave & Nida Plateau
- Anogeia
- Venetian Harbour & Lighthouse of Rethymno