Hotels in Ierapetra, Lasithi That You Will Love!
The southern city of Ierapetra, in Crete’s Lasithi region, is a popular destination, especially for those who want to sail to Chrissi Island. Ierapetra is the perfect base to take a Chrissi Island day cruise. However, there’s a lot more to see and do in town. Ierapetra is close to some beautiful beaches on the southern coast and interesting historic sites. You can easily reach places like Toplou Monastery or the archaeological site of Kato Zakros from Ierapetra. If you’re wondering where to stay in Ierapetra, check out the following suggestions!
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Known as the southernmost European town, Ierapetra is a small, lively city on the Lasithi region‘s southern coast. Visited mainly by those interested in spending a day on the nearby Chrissi Island, the city of Ierapetra offers many exciting activities and nearby day trips, too.
Many travelers spend a few days in Ierapetra, considered the ideal base to explore the island’s southeastern side. If you’re one of them, this guide to the best Ierapetra hotels, rental homes, and villas will be super helpful when booking your accommodation.
Remember that Chrissi Island is one of the most popular day trips from South Crete; therefore, book your accommodation a few months in advance to secure the property you want at a convenient fee! Let’s begin!
Best Ierapetra Hotels for a Short Stay
If the main reason to stay in Ierapetra is a visit to Chrissi Island or you plan to sleep in town for just a couple of nights, then these hotels offer the basics you’ll need in Ierapetra.
Helios
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Helios is an affordable property in Ierapetra, ideal for a short stay or a budget holiday. It has excellent reviews and is only 300 meters from the beach. The non-smoking property has one bedroom, a terrace, and a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, a toaster, a washing machine, a fridge, and a stovetop.
🤓 Perfect for a no-frills vacation in South Crete.
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Astron Hotel
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Astron is a 3-star hotel in Ierapetra located at the water’s edge, with a view of Ierapetra Bay. The hotel has rooms with panoramic sea or mountain views, soundproof windows, and hypoallergenic mattresses and pillows. Laptops are available and provided upon request.
The hotel is conveniently situated directly next to Ierapetra’s outdoor stadium, where guests can freely jog or engage in group sports such as basketball or football. The hotel bar serves freshly ground coffee and homemade snacks.
🤓 The hotel’s on-site restaurant offers a certified Greek breakfast. They use fresh Cretan ingredients produced locally.
Mirtos Hotel
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Mirtos is a city hotel with free on-site parking in the nearby village of Myrtos, approximately 15 kilometers from Ierapetra. The hotel is 50 meters from the beach and features air-conditioned rooms with TVs and balconies. There is a restaurant and a convenient mini-market on site. The hotel has bright and colorful rooms with a fridge and an electric kettle, and some rooms offer views of the Libyan Sea.
🤓 The hotel’s restaurant serves typical Cretan dishes on a gorgeous vine-covered terrace.
Best Ierapetra Hotels for Couples
These are some of the most convenient (and romantic) places to stay in Ierapetra!
Pignolia Suites Adults Only
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The place is situated 700 meters from Agia Fotia Beach. It provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden, and a shared lounge.
Guests can use the terrace or barbecue area and enjoy views of the sea and the mountains. Rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchen, and a dining area.
Tylissos Beach Hotel – Adults Only
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Tylissos Beach Hotel is another adult-only property in Ierapetra. The hotel is a few meters from its private beach and less than 1 km from the center of Ierapetra. The hotel features a swimming pool, a poolside bar, and a snack bar at the private beach.
The air-conditioned rooms have furnished balconies and views of the sea, pool, or garden. They also feature satellite TV and orthopedic mattresses. The main restaurant serves European and Greek buffet breakfasts daily, as well as Cretan and International cuisine. Sports facilities include beach and pool games and gym and yoga programs.
Best Ierapetra Hotels for Families
Traveling with the family in tow? Check out these family-friendly hotels in Ierapetra.
El Greco Hotel
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This hotel offers kid-friendly accommodation in Ierapetra, including an indoor play area and babysitting services (at a small additional charge).
The hotel on Ierapetra’s seafront promenade comes with modern and spacious rooms and suites with balconies, a minifridge, and air conditioning.
The hotel restaurant enjoys views over the Libyan Sea and features a delicious American and Greek breakfast buffet. Mediterranean dishes and traditional Cretan cuisine are served at the à la carte restaurant Porfyra.
Galaxy Hotel
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This kid-friendly property features family suites in Ierapetra, only 100 meters from the beach. The hotel features a snack bar with free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms decorated with simplicity. They feature a balcony, a mini fridge, and a TV with cable channels. At the hotel, staff can arrange a car rental to visit the scenic beach of Mirtos, 10 km away.
🤓 Traveling with a baby? No problem! Cots are available upon request and for free.
Resorts in Ierapetra
These properties offer half or full board in Ierapetra and the most exclusive features of all-inclusive resorts. Take a look!
Enorme Santanna Beach
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Enorme Santanna is one of my favorite places to stay in Ierapetra. This beachfront resort offers 4-star accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a garden. The property has a restaurant, a terrace, and a bar. The hotel’s daily breakfast features continental, American, or vegetarian options. Suites and rooms offer a desk, a coffee machine, and a kettle.
NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort Crete, Curio Collection Hilton
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This resort is a gorgeous hotel in Ierapetra, ideal for couples looking for the most romantic setting in Crete. The resort features beautiful gardens, two restaurants, three bars, and two swimming pools. The property features fully furnished rooms, all with a fridge or a minibar, satellite flat-screen TV, and gorgeous garden views
On the premises, you will find a mini market, a pool bar, an outdoor cinema, and a tennis court. There’s also a restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes and a tavern for those who prefer traditional Greek flavors.
Things to Do in Ierapetra
A town that will surprise you, Ierapetra is the most important city on the southern coast of Crete. Bigger than the capital of the region, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra offers plenty of activities and things to do.
This guide to the best things to do in Ierapetra is an excellent starting point to plan your itinerary. However, if you’re looking for a quick guide to the best things to do, don’t miss the following activities in town:
- Explore the Kales, Ierapetra’s old Venetian Fortress.
- Visit the House of Napoleon, where the French ruler spent a night in Crete.
- Check out the Turkish Mosque in the center of the town.
- Discover the Archaeological Collection of Ierapetra, the most important museum in the area.
- Savor fresh fish in one of the many seaside tavernas.
Day Trips and Tours from Ierapetra
Being an important city guarantees that Ierapetra is an excellent base from which to explore the villages and beaches of southeast Crete. Several picturesque villages along the coast lie to the east and west of Ierapetra. Some of them shelter incredible beaches that most tourists are unaware of.
Besides, two uninhabited islands can be visited in the area, the famous Chrissi and the gorgeous Koufonisi, which are a short sail from the village of Markigialos.
In the area, hiking enthusiasts will enjoy a walk in the Butterfly Gorge or through Achlia Gorge, which ends in a magnificent beach. You can also explore Sarakina Gorge, one of the most impressive canyons in the area.
Other gems to visit near Ierapetra include the beaches of Xerokampos, the coastal town of Sitia, the impressive Vai palm tree beach, and Toplou Monastery. The smaller of the Minoan palaces unearthed on the island, Kato Zakros, is also a fantastic day trip from Ierapetra.
No matter whether you can visit the site, venture into the Gorge of the Dead, or spend a relaxing day at Kato Zakros Beach.
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A Local’s Guide to the Best Ierapetra Hotels
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, I’m Gabi — your go-to local expert in Crete! I’ve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and I’ve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion — guiding travelers, writing for travel media, and curating local experiences.
I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and other guides. I run the blogs The Tiny Book, Greece Planner, and My Cretan Recipe. Through this platform I help travelers design unforgettable trips to Crete.
