The beach of Amnissos lies about 7,5 km from the city of Heraklion. It overlooks the islet of Dia, which was a very important religious site in Minoan times. Just one km inland from Amnissos, near the village Elia, you can visit the extraordinary Cave of Eileithyia.

The beautiful sandy beach of Amnissos is very close to the city of Heraklion (7,5 km). The beach overlooks the islet of Dia, which played an important role in Minoan times. According to the Greek mythology, Ariadne, daughter of King Minos, was kidnapped from the palace of Knossos, brought to Dia and killed.

However, Amnisos has been inhabited since Neolithic times. In Minoan times it was a port for Knossos, from which Idomeneus and his 90 ships set sail to take part in the Trojan War.

Archeologists have discovered in a villa of 1600 BC the extraordinary Fresco of the Lilies, which is on display in the Archeological Museum of Heraklion. The settlement has been completely destroyed by fire, as all the other Minoan settlements, apparently due to the catastrophic eruption of the Santorini volcano.

One kilometre inland from Amnissos is the Cave of Eileithyia, a significant ancient site.