The Skinakas Observatory is a joint research facility operated by the University of Crete and the Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). It hosts and operates three telescopes with mirror diameters of 1.3 m, 0.6 m, and 0.3 m respectively.

The observatory's operations are supported by staff from the Department of Physics of the University of Crete and the Institute of Astrophysics of FORTH.

Skinakas Observatory is located on Mount Ida (Psiloritis) in central Crete, at an altitude of 1,750 m. It lies 25 km in a straight line from the city of Heraklion, while the road distance is approximately 50 km. On the way to the observatory, about 20 km before reaching Skinakas, one passes through the traditional town of Anogeia, known for its significant role in modern Cretan history. Northwest of the observatory, about 6 km away in a straight line, lies the famous Ideon Cave, where, according to mythology, Zeus was raised.