Built in the mid-1980s as a way to preserve and showcase Cretan life, Arolithos (a-ro -li-thos), 11km southwest of Iraklio, is a reasonably authentic-looking recreation of a traditional Cretan village. It’s a cluster of buildings containing workshops, a kafeneio and stores selling local products. Most visitors arrive on tour buses for a quick wander and peek inside the Museum of Rural History & Folks Crafts , where household and agricultural items illustrate various facets of country life. Some of the buildings have hotel rooms (from €60).
