Kera. Kera (pronounced Kerá) is a mountain village in the east of the prefecture of Heraklion. Actually, it consists of two villages, Ano (Upper - 680 m above sea level) and Kato (Lower) Kera. These villages you pass when you drive from Hersonissos towards the Lassithi plateau, but then through the villages of Avdou and Gonies. The distance from Hersonissos is 22 kilometers. Although these are mountain villages, in the summer, lots of tourists drive through the villages, that’s why you can see several tavernas along the way and even souvenir shops. Just outside the village is the monastery of the Holy Mother of Kera. The natural environment here is beautiful and very green. On one side you see the high mountains of the Lassithi plateau, on the other hand, far below, you can see among others the Lake Aposelemi and the surrounding villages such as Avdou and Potamies. A very nice traditional village near Kera is Krasi, three kilometers away. If you are in Kera, make a drive and stop by Krasi, it is more than worth it.
Text: Yorgos and Wendy Nikolidakis - Revised by Maxine van Hoften Gee