Archanes Flavors Women's Cooperative

In the picturesque village of Archanes, just 15 km from Heraklion, you’ll find wineries, museums, and plenty of charming tavernas where you can enjoy a great meal. But don’t leave without stopping by the Archanes Flavors Women’s Cooperative.

Here, you can pick up authentic Cretan treats like xerotigana (honey-drenched pastries), along with olive oil, wine, herbs, and raisins—all made with care by the cooperative’s passionate members. 

If you time your visit right, you can watch these talented women at work, and even learn how to make your own traditional sweets or rusks. It’s a hands-on experience that brings you closer to Crete’s culinary heritage.

And if you're feeling adventurous, try the kolyva—a dish usually associated with memorials, but here, it’s so delicious that people enjoy it simply for the taste!

Try Sfakian pies, cheese pies, and herb pies made with Cretan greens, and, of course, the famous kalitsounia/lychnarakia!