Just a 20-minute drive from Kamilari lies Gortyna, one of Crete’s most important ancient cities. Once the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica, Gortyna is famous for its Great Inscription, an ancient legal code carved into stone—one of the oldest in Europe. As you walk through the ruins, you’ll discover the remains of the Roman Odeon, the Temple of Apollo, and the legendary Plane Tree of Zeus and Europa, where, according to mythology, Zeus fell in love with the Phoenician princess Europa. Gortyna offers a fascinating glimpse into Crete’s past and is an easy and rewarding trip by car!