Agia Marina Donkey Sanctuary


This place is for animal lovers. The passionate folk at Kiwi-run Agia Marina Donkey Sanctuary feed and care for abandoned donkeys. At research time, 22 donkeys were in their care, along with a gaggle of geese, goats, dogs and at least one peacock. You'll learn the story of each donkey and be able to shower them with all manner of love and comfort. Note that hours are strict: as many of the donkeys are aged, they too need their siesta.

Visits are free, but the sanctuary accepts donations and sells donkey-related souvenirs and donkey sponsorships. Look for the sign on the Matala–Mires road. It’s signposted 1km on the Matala side of Petrokefali.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Phaestos

1.85 MILES

Phaestos was the second-most-important Minoan palace-city after Knossos and enjoys an awe-inspiring setting with panoramic views of the Messara Plain and…

2. Minoan Tomb

2.3 MILES

Amid fields just outside Kamilari stands a fenced-in, extraordinarily well-preserved circular Minoan tomb with 2m-high stone walls. Side rooms were used…

3. Agia Triada

2.73 MILES

In an enchanting spot 3km west of Phaestos, Agia Triada encompasses vestiges of an L-shaped royal villa, a ramp once leading out to sea, and a village…

4. Museum of Cretan Ethnology

2.91 MILES

Well worth a detour to Vori, this nonprofit museum lifts the curtain on how rural people lived on the island until well into the 20th century. The English…

5. Kommos

3.42 MILES

The Minoan site of Kommos, 3km north of Matala above a fantastic wide and sandy beach, is believed to have been the port of the mighty palace-city…

6. Kommos Beach

3.51 MILES

Located 2km north of Matala near Pitsidia and reached by a steep and winding road, the sun-kissed sands of Kommos hug Messara Bay in one of the region's…

7. Moni Odigitrias

3.74 MILES

About 6km south of Sivas, Moni Odigitrias is a historic monastery with a tower from which the monks fought off the Turks, the Germans and the odd pirate…

8. Matala Caves

4.45 MILES

Matala’s sightseeing credentials are limited to these famous caves where hippies camped out in the 1960s and 1970s (Joni Mitchell immortalised the scene…