The modern village of Ancient Eleftherna is located 30 km South East of the city of Rethymno and 12 km North East of the Arkadi Monastery. It is a small picturesque village at an altitude of 380m at the foot of Mount Psiloritis. It was named after the ancient city Eleftherna.
The archaeological site is today the most important of the prefecture. The ancient city was founded by the Dorians in the 9th century BC.
In 1985, thousands of findings of inestimable value have come to light after several excavations, many of which are already exhibited in the contemporary Archaeological Museum of the region.
In the wider area, the visitor can also find many of the plants and herbs that are included in the flora of the island, some of the best known as oregano, sage, thyme, laurel, perennial olives and others.