Why You Should Visit Ierapetra & What to Do There
If you are visiting the south of Crete, this super complete guide to Ierapetra is for you. Located in the region of Lasithi, Ierapetra is the southernmost European town. It has a quieter pace of life when compared to other cities in Crete and, despite its calm vibe, there’s a lot to do in Ierapetra!
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About Ierapetra
Ierapetra is an important town on the southeast coast of Crete, and is part of the Lasithi region. It’s located southwest of Sitia, southeast of Rethymno and Chania, and south of Heraklion or Agios Nikolaos. It’s the only important city on the southern coast of the island, fourth in importance in Crete, yet it remains a peaceful coastal village.
📍 It’s Ierapetra โ With an โIโ
Let’s set the record straight: the city’s name is Ierapetra, not โLerapetraโ โ a mistake too often made by so-called travel experts. The name comes from the Greek words ieros (sacred/ancient) and petra (stone), meaning โold stone.โ If an “expert” travel blogger canโt get the name right, be cautious about the rest of their advice.
One of the main reasons to visit Ierapetra is that it offers easy access to uninhabited Chrissi island, one of the most beautiful places in Crete. Different daily cruises leave from the port of Ierapetra daily in the summer season, offering day trips to Chrissi.
The city offers different things to do, there are interesting beaches along the coast, hiking trails and gorges to visit, and prices tend to be more affordable than on the northern coast when it comes to meals and accommodation.
Ierapetra also enjoys pleasant weather for longer months when compared to the rest of Crete, with less rain and plenty of sunshine.
Map and Directions
Distances from Creteโs main cities
- From Agios Nikolaos: 30,8 km, 45 m
- From Sitia: 60 km, 1 h 10 m
- From Heraklion: 140 km, 2 h
- From Rethymno: 173 km, 2 h 30 m
Things to Do in Ierapetra, East Crete
In the past, Ierapetra played a key role in Crete thanks to a strategic position facing Africa. As a consequence, you will find different buildings worth seeing in town, including its Venetian-Ottoman fortress, as well as some interesting monasteries in the nearby area.
Although the beaches in the city center are not impressive, there are many beautiful beaches a few kilometers from town. You can also visit traditional settlements and wonderful gorges near Ierapetra.
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🚙 Book Your Jeep Adventure NowKales, the Venetian Castle
Located at the edge of the ancient port of Ierapetra, this medieval fortress, known as Kales dates back to the early Venetian era. It was probably built in 1212 by the Genoan pirate Pescatore.
In fact, it’s not a known fact that the Republic of Genoa indeed ruled over Crete for a short time before Republic of Venice took over.
What is certain, though, is that back in 1626, Francesco Morosini, the Captain-General of the Venetian forces in Crete, had it rebuilt to make it a safer and stronger construction as it had been damaged during an earthquake in 1508.
Despite its protective nature, the city fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1647, while the fortress was still undergoing reconstruction. Its name derives from the Turkish word Koules, which means tower in Turkish. Today, it’s possible to visit the fort where several cutural events take place in summer.
Archaeological Collection of Ierapetra
Walking to the opposite end of the seaside promenade, you will find the old Ottoman School or Mehtepi. This beautiful building, part of the town’s history, was built for Ierapetra’s Turkish kids in 1899, one year after Crete was liberated from the Ottoman rule.
The Ottoman school houses the small but significant Archaeological Collection of Ierapetra, which includes artifacts from the Minoan, Geometric, and Roman eras found in the area.
During your visit, you can also admire a captivating cast of a Minoan axe and a marble head of a man, discovered near the ancient theater of Viglia and dating back to the Roman period.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and remains closed on Mondays.
Kato Mera, the Old Quarter
Ierapetra’s old quarter is called Kato Mera, which can roughly translate as Lower Place, and it houses some interesting places to visit.
Napoleon’s House
One of the most important places in Kato Mera, only 100 meters from the Kales, is a small building known as to spiti tou Napoleonta, the house of Napoleon.
People from Ierapetra claim that the famous French statesman spent a night in town, in the house of a local family, on his way to Egypt, in June 1798, before the Battle of the Pyramids (July 1798).
The legend tells that Napoleon was incognito, while he left a note to be found after his departure in which he revealed who he was.
The very small house has been under renovation for a long time, and it’s not possible to enter the building.
The Mosque of Ierapetra
The former church of Agios Ioannis in Tzami Square, in the old quarter of Kato Mera, is another place worth a stop. While Crete was under Ottoman rule, the Turkish took over the church (just as they did with many other churches on the island) and transformed it into a mosque.
The Turkish added a marble with a Muslim inscription on the entrance, as well as a minaret. Opposite its entrance, the Turkish also built a sebil fountain that was used for ablutions.
The careful restoration works highlight the beauty of the square building and its wooden roof covered with tiles. Agios Ioannis is now a music school.
Church of the Virgin of the Kales
The Diocese of Ierapetra is one of the oldest dioceses in Crete, there is news of its bishop participating in the Synod of Sardica in AD 343. Therefore, it’s easy to understand why there are so many important churches and monasteries in the area.
The church of Afendi Christo, also known as the Virgin of the Fortress (Panagia tou Kale) is the oldest in town, built between the 12th and 14th centuries, although it has gone through recent renovation.
The church acquires special importance for the residents during Easter when families and children burn a Judas in a unique ritual.
Beaches in and Near Ierapetra
The main seaside of Ierapetra is mainly a walking promenade full of bars, restaurants, and shops, and it extends both to the East and the West of the port. To get to the nearest beach in town, it’s necessary to walk past the port of Ierapetra. Let’s see some of the beaches you can visit in the area
Paralia Ierapetras (city beach)
Paralia Ierapetras is the main beach of the city, and it’s right next to the port. This black-pebbled beach is rather big but tends to get very crowded.
Although Ierapetra is a great place for a relaxing holiday, I suggest exploring, towards the east and the west, to find beaches of authentic beauty.
Myrtos Beach (west of Ierapetra)
Just 14 km west of Ierapetra, the small village of Myrtos (also Mirtos) is worth more than a trip to the beach to enjoy its traditional atmosphere. The well-organized beach in Myrtos is rather long and one of the favorites in Crete for families with kids. Villagers claim that winds never touch Myrtos, and indeed, strong winds don’t seem to affect the beach.
The village is also worth a visit for its small archaeological and folk art museum with objects found in the nearby Minoan site of Pyrgos.
Beaches East of Ierapetra
If you’ve rented a car (something you should do if visiting the south), I suggest taking the national road that connects Ierapetra to Sitia and driving east. On the way, beaches such as Koutsounari, Ferma, Agia Fotia, and Koutsouras are incredibly beautiful, not as crowded as the beaches on the north coast, and a great place for a beach day near Ierapetra.
Next up is the immense bay of Makrigialos, where you can choose to stay in one of the different small beaches in the village. However, when you have passed the big bay of Makrigialos, it’s when things get more interesting.
Along the shore, there are unique beaches that are worth a day trip. Many of them are practically unknown, so crowds won’t be a problem.
I strongly recommend you explore the coastal road, always taking the necessary precautions. Many beaches are completely deserted, so there’s usually no organization, let alone a lifeguard.
The terrain tends to be rocky and harsh, and hiking or climbing is not uncommon if you want to reach the coves. So pack some food, watch your step… and enjoy the stunning southeast coast of Crete.
These are some of the best beaches east of Ierapetra.
Koutsounari Long Beach
Also known as Long Beach, Koutsounari is about 5 km east of Ierapetra, the coastline in Koutsounari is about 2.5 km in length, and is a great place for water sports in south Crete.
The beach is organized, it features several beach bars and restaurants, while there’s also a camping site in the area.
Ferma Beach
Ferma is a little seaside village, no more than 10 km from Ierapetra. Many tiny bays populate the coastline of Ferma, with two important beaches, Livadi and Ferma or Xerokamara.
The beach is stunning not only because of the blue deep waters but also of the rock formations that surround it. The curious landscape includes a small number of date palm trees.
Agia Fotia
If you drive for another 2 km towards the east, you will find one of the most beautiful beaches in the area. Agia Fotia is a small bay surrounded by lush tamarisks providing natural shade and cliffs.
This gorgeous beach is located at the mouth of a narrow river that comes from the mountains. In the area, there are restaurants and beach bars, as well as some rooms to rent and hotels.
Koutsouras Beach
Koutsouras is a village 22 km east of Ierapetra that offers a series of pretty blue flag beaches to spend your day.
Most of them are small and have very dark pebbles, but they are still good for kids because they are not hit by the wind. The water is of beautiful turquoise color and some trees offer shade.
Makrigialos
Makrigialos is probably one of my favorite beaches in the area of Ierapetra. It’s only 25 km away, and it’s a rather small town with different beaches one next to the other.
The sea is shallow and calm and it has always been one of my kid’s favorites since it’s sandy.
There’s a long promenade with traditional tavernas along the beach. But, all in all, the area remains unspoiled, offering a traditional seaside landscape, great to spend a morning before heading further towards the east.
Dragon’s Cave
Driving towards the east of Makrigialos, for about 15 minutes, where you will find Dragon’s Cave or Dragon Beach (although the official name is Ammoudi).
If you bring hiking shoes or trainers, you can go down a fairly steep hill to find this beautiful cove. Protected from the strong winds, this beach with crystal clear waters is surrounded by a rocky formation in the shape of a sleeping dragon.
The area used to be completely secluded, although it now features umbrellas and a small beach bar. Locals also claim that the calcareous limestone and mud in the area have excellent properties for your skin.
Beaches Further East
After Dragon’s Cave, the road extends to the east. Beaches such as Kalo Nero, Asprolithos, or Goudouras are incredibly beautiful.
This is the road that will take you to the easternmost part of Crete, where you can also visit Xerocampos and, after a while, the well-known Kato Zakros with its impressive Minoan Palace. You can read more about these beaches in this guide about Lasithi beaches.
Day Trips from Ierapetra
When spending a few days in this area of Crete, check out these great day trips from Ierapetra to spend a great time!
Selekano Forest
About 35 km north of Ierapetra, it’s possible to drive to the unique Selekano Forest (also known as Selakano), the plateau, and the picturesque village.
Considered the most remarkable pine tree forest in the Mediterranean, the protected area is part of the Natura 2000 Program. In the area, you will find other species, including maple trees, platans, and cypresses. Natural mountain springs are also easy to find.
The forest ends at the peak of Mount Dikti (2148 m). This is one of the largest areas on the island dedicated to apiculture, therefore you will find bees along the way. Around Selekano, it’s also possible to discover vines and walnut trees.
Orino Gorge
Usually known as Butterfly Gorge, this canyon is located near Makrigialos and the best way to access and walk the gorge is to depart from the village of Orino in the north, drive up from Kolimbos, and from there start your way towards the sea (South).
ℹ️ USEFUL INFO
โ The gorge is fairly easy to walk, but some portions of the way require some attention, at a certain spot, you will need to change paths because there is a torrent that would be otherwise impossible to cross.
Achlia Gorge
This small and rather wide gorge is fairly easy to walk in about an hour, even with children, as there’s no need for any special equipment.
Along the walk, you will find several waterfalls and unique views. The best way to access the gorge is from the Achlia Beach, 7 km from Agia Fotia beach, a small and usually uncrowded seaside village.
Sarakina Gorge
Not to be confused with the homonymous gorge located in Meskla (the White Mountains, Chania prefecture), Sarakina Gorge starts 6 km north of Myrtos and is also known as Myrtos Gorge.
The gorge’s width ranges between 3 to 10 m, reaching up to 150 m in height. There’s a river flowing all year long, which forms small pools along the canyon.
Sarakina Gorge can be partially visited if you have no experience in canyoning, but still, want to have a feel of what the landscape looks like.
If you walk for about 20 minutes, you will see a tiny waterfall and a pool too. The legend goes that one of Zeus’ sons stopped at the river to drink and he cut the mountain in half with his long beard.
If you intend to cross this gorge, check with local experts about rainfall in the previous winter. This will determine if venturing into Sarakinas is a possibility.
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🌄 Book the SUV Nature Tour NowHa Gorge
Ierapetra is home to one of the most impenetrable gorges in Crete, the gorge of Ha, where only those with extreme experience and the right equipment could try crossing the canyon.
About 1.5 km long, and just under a meter wide at its narrowest point, the gorge is up to 1000 m deep. It is also known as Thripti Gorge because it stands on the west slopes of the Thripti mountain range (also written Thrypti).
It is considered the most beautiful technical gorge on the island as well as one of the most difficult ones to cross even for experienced climbers.
Ha (also written Xa) is one of the largest fissures in the world and locals strongly discourage venturing into the canyon. The crossing requires over 25 technical descents and only experienced climbers might manage. Fatal attempts to cross the gorge are not rare.
Despite these facts, the narrow entrance of the gorge is stunning, there’s a pond fed by a little waterfall coming from an overlying lake rarely visible.
To reach the entrance of the gorge from Ierapetra, you need to drive for about 15 km on the Ierapetras-Pachias Ammou road until you get to the village of Vasiliki.
Chrissi Island (Gaidouronisi)
Chrissi (ฮงฯฯ ฯฮฎ “golden”) Island or also Gaidouronisi (ฮฮฑฯฮดฮฟฯ ฯฮฟฮฝฮฎฯฮน “donkey island”) is a very small, uninhabited Greek island off the southern coast of Crete, about 14 kilometers south of Ierapetra, on the Libyan sea.
The island, about 2 km wide and 7 km long, is a protected reserve belonging to the Natura 2000 Program. Most of the surface of the island is covered by a rare cedar (junipers) forest, the largest in Europe.
People that visit Ierapetra do so with the main purpose of sailing Chrissi. In that case, it’s important to learn about the weather in Ierapetra before purchasing the boat tickets.
Weather conditions are essential if you’re planning a boat trip to Chrissi .
My suggestion is to be as flexible as your schedule allows. It’s a well-known fact that there are very few rainy days in Ierapetra per year.
It’s also true that it does rain sometimes and so you could see your boat trip cancelled last minute. From personal experience: when I visited Chrissi, the boat left early in the morning under sunny skies in Ierapetra. But by midday, from the bright shores of Chrissi Island, we could see the Cretan coastline blanketed in dark clouds and heavy rain.
⚠️ Travel Tip: Stay Flexible in Ierapetra
To avoid disappointment, try to spend more than one night in Ierapetra in case your boat trip gets canceled due to weather conditions. Weather can shift quickly โ plan with flexibility!
There are a few different bays you can choose from on the island. Chrissi Ammos (Golden Sand, or also Belegrina) is the one closest to the pier, which means you’re likely to find it crowded.
Towards the east of Chrissi Ammos Beach, the beach of Kataprosopo is right across another uninhabited island, Mikronisi. There’s just one beach on the southern part of the island, usually solitary, it’s Vages, ideal for naturism and diving.
☀️ Essential Info for Your Chrissi Island Visit
- 💧 There is no drinking water and just a couple of seasonal bars. Be sure to bring your own provisions for the day.
- 👟 Wear comfortable shoes if you plan to explore โ and because the sand can get extremely hot.
- 🌴 If you arrive with the later boats, you may not find a free umbrella to rent. Bring a hat โ shade is scarce on the beach.
- 🌿 Please take good care of the environment. Chrissi is a protected area of unique natural beauty โ help preserve it.
How to Get to Chrissi
You can reach Chrissi by sea from the port of Ierapetra as well as from the smaller port of the nearby Makrigialos (with higher fees).
The most affordable day cruise trip departing from Ierapetra takes about 50 minutes. Daily boats depart every morning from 10.00 until midday, while the trip back is usually fixed at 16.00. It’s also possible to reach Chrissi Island with a private tour .
📌 There’s a visitor tax to the protected island (around โฌ 1), payable on the boat and not included in the ticket.
Boats dock on the southern coast and it’s necessary to get to the northern coast (beaches) on foot through a well-marked path through the juniper forest.
Food in Ierapetra
It’s fairly common for people to believe that our diet includes lots of fish since Crete is an island. This is not particularly true on the northern coast, where locals prefer lamb and sheep. However, if there’s a place to splurge on delicious fresh fish and seafood dishes, that must be Ierapetra.
Any of the restaurants on the seaside promenade serves inviting fish platters at very convenient prices. Mezedes, raki, and salads are also common offerings by the sea.
For a great dinner, prefer the restaurants located west to port (right before the Kales), while the places on the eastern side are better for coffee or afternoon drinks.
One place I love to have an informal meal is Gorgona. You can read the reviews here. Portions are huge and dishes homemade. I suggest asking the kind staff for the dish of the day and other recommended things to try.
🍽️ Taste Ierapetra!
From cozy seaside tavernas to charming hidden gems tucked into quiet alleys, Ierapetra offers a culinary journey through the heart of Crete. Discover where locals eat, what dishes to try, and the best spots for an unforgettable dining experience.
🍴 Where to Eat in IerapetraNightlife in Ierapetra
Although you might not find the kind of nightlife you could enjoy in bigger cities, there are a few places worth checking out at night in Ierapetra.
The most popular music bars and pubs are on the seaside, mostly towards the east. You can relax, and enjoy music and drinks in Saxo Bar.
Another spot you can visit is located right by the sea, Island Cafe Bar is great for a night cocktail and a quick brunch.
Staying in Ierapetra
If you’re not visiting on a day trip from Sitia or Agios Nikolaos, spend a few nights to make the most of your time, explore Chrissi Island, and visit the city.
- I have personally stayed at the comfortable Popy Apartments, which is comfy, affordable and close to the city center.
- If you prefer a traditional accommodation Cretan Villa Hotel is a Cretan-style stone building, comfortable and well equipped.
- Enorme Santanna Beach is a chic hotel facing the Libyan coast, perfect if you prefer an all-inclusive treatment, with a spa and private access to the sea.
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Best Things to Do in Ierapetra, Lasithi
Gabi, the Crete Insider
Hi, Iโm Gabi โ your go-to local expert in Crete! Iโve been living in Chania, Crete since 2016, and Iโve turned my love for the island into a full-time passion โ 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.
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