The ancient city Lyktos seems to have been built as a small distinct settlement, located one kilometer northeast of the village Lyttos (Xidas). It is situated on a hill, 656 meters above the ruins and two churches are built there, the church of the Holy Cross and the church of Saint George. It is the third most important ancient city in this part of the island, after Knossos and Gortyna.

Lyttos probably existed as a residential center until the 7th century AD, as indicated by the Late Roman facilities. The statues of Marcus Aurelius and Trajan, which have been found in Lyttos, are nowadays in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.