Aptera was one of the most significant city-states of Crete. The site is located on a plateau of an altitude of 200m above sea level about 15 km away from the city of Chania. The city was fortified with a strong wall, a large part (4 km) of which survives today.

A temple of the 5th-4th century BC, Roman vaulted tanks, a large carved theater, a boulevard and a nearby necropolis have been found in Aptera. The various finds include various vases, coins, figurines, inscriptions and sculptures.