Guidebook for Ierapetra
Food Scene
Try slow-cooked pork or lamp in the wood oven, boiled wild greens and local wine. Enjoy the sea view and the beach right in front of you.
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Ἑστιατόριον Κλείω/Restaurant kleio
Try slow-cooked pork or lamp in the wood oven, boiled wild greens and local wine. Enjoy the sea view and the beach right in front of you.
Nice place to chill, after a walk in town. Great music, alternatine, cult design. Try greek coffee with lokum or spoon sweets, home-made liquer or traditional raki. On a pedestrian street, safe for kids to play.
Τό...δίπλα
24 Epar.Od. Ierapetras - Pachias AmmouNice place to chill, after a walk in town. Great music, alternatine, cult design. Try greek coffee with lokum or spoon sweets, home-made liquer or traditional raki. On a pedestrian street, safe for kids to play.
Enjoy great coffee and local biscuits and pastry. Buy traditional barley rusks and energy bars with local ingredients! On Saturday mornings there is a street market nearby, mainly for fruit and vegetables.
Ζαφειράκης Bakery & coffee
1 Al. PapagouEnjoy great coffee and local biscuits and pastry. Buy traditional barley rusks and energy bars with local ingredients! On Saturday mornings there is a street market nearby, mainly for fruit and vegetables.
Between the Lake of Bramiana and the mountain village of Kalamafka a local tavern that offers mostly pork chops cooked on coal and few but special local dishes, like fried snails (Buburistus) and liver with vinegar and herbs.
Ταβέρνα Ὁ Γιαννάκος
Between the Lake of Bramiana and the mountain village of Kalamafka a local tavern that offers mostly pork chops cooked on coal and few but special local dishes, like fried snails (Buburistus) and liver with vinegar and herbs.
Sea side restaurant at the long beach of Koutsounari. It takes traditional cretan and mediterrean cousine to a new level and is totally worth a visit. Try any seafood, their cretan salad and definitely ask the staff for their recommendations, they are very polite and eager to help you choose.
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Pelagos Sea Side Restaurant
Sea side restaurant at the long beach of Koutsounari. It takes traditional cretan and mediterrean cousine to a new level and is totally worth a visit. Try any seafood, their cretan salad and definitely ask the staff for their recommendations, they are very polite and eager to help you choose.
Beach bar and coffee house, ideal to enjoy breakfast, snack, meal or drinks by the sea. sunbathing or between swims.
There is an indoor playground with a small extra charge, for the kids to play under supervision while you relax...
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Waikiki Cafe-Beach Bar
2 Georgiou TzardiBeach bar and coffee house, ideal to enjoy breakfast, snack, meal or drinks by the sea. sunbathing or between swims.
There is an indoor playground with a small extra charge, for the kids to play under supervision while you relax...
A warm, elegant space in a restored old country house with great food. Ideal for hot summer days, where you can enjoy your meal or beer under the shade of the trees in the picturesque square of Kato Chorio Village.
Strictly non-smoking inside.
State and Life
A warm, elegant space in a restored old country house with great food. Ideal for hot summer days, where you can enjoy your meal or beer under the shade of the trees in the picturesque square of Kato Chorio Village.
Strictly non-smoking inside.
On Saturdays local farmers and dairy producers set up the street market all along this street, starting from this little coffee shop - with great coffee by the way- until the playground, where you can have a rest. Until noon, in the market you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, local honey and cheese, sometimes fish, even clothes and accessories.
Michelaros
44 Emmanoiil LamprakiOn Saturdays local farmers and dairy producers set up the street market all along this street, starting from this little coffee shop - with great coffee by the way- until the playground, where you can have a rest. Until noon, in the market you can find fresh fruit and vegetables, local honey and cheese, sometimes fish, even clothes and accessories.
Tavern in the village of Pacheia Ammos, known to locals for its excellent fish and sea-food. Try small fried fish ("maridaki" or "gavros") and also follow their recommendations .
Μερμηγκας
Tavern in the village of Pacheia Ammos, known to locals for its excellent fish and sea-food. Try small fried fish ("maridaki" or "gavros") and also follow their recommendations .
All along this seaside road there are many fish taverns and raki-shops that serve our favourite locally produced drink with a various selection of small dishes (mezedakia) as starters for a main course or not. When in Levante tavern try grilled sardins, octopus salad and fried squid rings. Great view of the sea and room for kids to play safely on the beach a few meters from your table!
Levante
38 Str. SamouilAll along this seaside road there are many fish taverns and raki-shops that serve our favourite locally produced drink with a various selection of small dishes (mezedakia) as starters for a main course or not. When in Levante tavern try grilled sardins, octopus salad and fried squid rings. Great view of the sea and room for kids to play safely on the beach a few meters from your table!
Arts & Culture
Archaeological Collection
ke DimokratiasGournia is the site of a Minoan palace complex, probably the most typical excavated example of a medium settlement size of the Minoan edge region (1700-1540 BC).
It is located on a hill west of Pachia Ammos, near the road connecting Agios Nikolaos to Ierapetra.
The palace – local lord’s home – is in the top of the hill. It was its center and most probably the settlement’s market. A series of steps in the southern side was its “theatre”, used for religious ceremonies.
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Gournia Minoan Town
Gournia is the site of a Minoan palace complex, probably the most typical excavated example of a medium settlement size of the Minoan edge region (1700-1540 BC).
It is located on a hill west of Pachia Ammos, near the road connecting Agios Nikolaos to Ierapetra.
The palace – local lord’s home – is in the top of the hill. It was its center and most probably the settlement’s market. A series of steps in the southern side was its “theatre”, used for religious ceremonies.
Shopping
Bags, beach towels, accessories, souvenirs, gifts and lots of useful staff. Minimal design, quality products, original sense of Crete.
myrto - Arts & Crafts Shop
1 TheotokopoulouBags, beach towels, accessories, souvenirs, gifts and lots of useful staff. Minimal design, quality products, original sense of Crete.
Hand -made jewellery, unique hand painted t-shirts, bags from recycled materials, boho and hippie style clothing, hats, bags and souvenirs. The village of Myrtos has a unique style and vibe, nice places to shop, great food, regular events, an important local history museum and of course a beautiful beach.
Soul's Art
Hand -made jewellery, unique hand painted t-shirts, bags from recycled materials, boho and hippie style clothing, hats, bags and souvenirs. The village of Myrtos has a unique style and vibe, nice places to shop, great food, regular events, an important local history museum and of course a beautiful beach.
Fresh vegetables and groceries and almost anything you might need while on holidays. You can order by phone- 2842304903- what you need - with no minimum delivery. Usually open on Sundays.
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Super Markets Chaniotaki
60 KiprouFresh vegetables and groceries and almost anything you might need while on holidays. You can order by phone- 2842304903- what you need - with no minimum delivery. Usually open on Sundays.
Haris Corner Fashion
1 TheotokopoulouGood quality fashion clothes!
Essentials
Really close to Villa Rallou, this supermarket has mainly local vegetables and fruits and lots of cretan products. You can find almost anything you might need while on holiday...
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S / M CHALKIADAKIS
13 Iatroy PapageorgiouReally close to Villa Rallou, this supermarket has mainly local vegetables and fruits and lots of cretan products. You can find almost anything you might need while on holiday...
Sightseeing
The Fortress of Kales Ierapetra is located at the entrance of the city port and it is the only surviving fort in the south urban center in the south coast of Crete.
Dating back to the early Venetian 13th-15th century and belongs to the type of rectangular fortifications. During the Turkish occupation, the fortress held extensive repairs, that amended the outside and inside. Today is an archaeological site.
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Kalés Fort
10 Str. SamouilThe Fortress of Kales Ierapetra is located at the entrance of the city port and it is the only surviving fort in the south urban center in the south coast of Crete.
Dating back to the early Venetian 13th-15th century and belongs to the type of rectangular fortifications. During the Turkish occupation, the fortress held extensive repairs, that amended the outside and inside. Today is an archaeological site.
The square is named after the mosque (Tzami), which was built in the old city (Kato Mera) at the end of the 19th century, when the Turks conquered Ierapetra and modified the church of Agios Ioannis for their religious purposes. It is held to date in a pretty good condition.
It is spacious and has a Muslim inscription from the Koran on the marble lintel of the entrance. Its minaret was repaired around 1953 and dominates the district. Opposite the mosque there is an Muslim fountain, which has also been restored.
There is a nice pizza restaurant at the square and plenty of room for kids to play.
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Platia Tzami
The square is named after the mosque (Tzami), which was built in the old city (Kato Mera) at the end of the 19th century, when the Turks conquered Ierapetra and modified the church of Agios Ioannis for their religious purposes. It is held to date in a pretty good condition.
It is spacious and has a Muslim inscription from the Koran on the marble lintel of the entrance. Its minaret was repaired around 1953 and dominates the district. Opposite the mosque there is an Muslim fountain, which has also been restored.
There is a nice pizza restaurant at the square and plenty of room for kids to play.
Parks & Nature
Chrissi island is 8 miles south of Ierapetra. It has amazing golden beaches with warm tropical waters and a unique cedar 200 year old forest. You can also look for the minoan ruins, the roman cemetery and the chapel of St.Nikolas which dates to the 13th century.
Due to the shallow waters around Chrissi, snorkelling and diving are popular. Be sure to bring a hat, shoes for walking, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Chrissi is a unique, sensitive ecosystem, protected as an "area of intense natural beauty", so camping, lighting fire and littering is strictly forbidden.
Between middle of May and late October, excursion boats from Ierapetra leave the quay every morning and return in the afternoon
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Chrysi
Chrissi island is 8 miles south of Ierapetra. It has amazing golden beaches with warm tropical waters and a unique cedar 200 year old forest. You can also look for the minoan ruins, the roman cemetery and the chapel of St.Nikolas which dates to the 13th century.
Due to the shallow waters around Chrissi, snorkelling and diving are popular. Be sure to bring a hat, shoes for walking, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Chrissi is a unique, sensitive ecosystem, protected as an "area of intense natural beauty", so camping, lighting fire and littering is strictly forbidden.
Between middle of May and late October, excursion boats from Ierapetra leave the quay every morning and return in the afternoon
A forested valley and a hamlet in the northwestern territories of Ierapetra. In the forest Pinus brutia is a prevalent drought-tolerant species that can withstand six-month droughts and grow in various rocks and soils. There are also kermes oaks , planes, Cretan maples, cypresses and several other plant species. In the basin, where the settlements of Selakano and Mathokastana are located, there are many walnut and pear trees, vineyards and, patches of fields where vegetables are cultivated.
The forest is the nesting and hunting ground of many predatory birds. It is the most productive apiculture spot in Crete.
You can eat great local dishes at the tavern of "Pezoulia".
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Selekano Forest
A forested valley and a hamlet in the northwestern territories of Ierapetra. In the forest Pinus brutia is a prevalent drought-tolerant species that can withstand six-month droughts and grow in various rocks and soils. There are also kermes oaks , planes, Cretan maples, cypresses and several other plant species. In the basin, where the settlements of Selakano and Mathokastana are located, there are many walnut and pear trees, vineyards and, patches of fields where vegetables are cultivated.
The forest is the nesting and hunting ground of many predatory birds. It is the most productive apiculture spot in Crete.
You can eat great local dishes at the tavern of "Pezoulia".
The artificial Lake Bramiana was created in 1986 to gather water from several springs and rivers around for the needs of extensive greenhouse farming in the area. It has become an important wetland and a stopping point for migratory birds. Today, it attracts the largest populations of waterfowl in Crete. According to Natural History Museum of Crete, over 218 different bird species have been recorded in the region (2010), a very large number for such a young lake. All these reasons have contributed to the characterization of Bramiana as a national park.
It is ideal for hiking, cycling and of course bird watching...
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Bramianos Reservoir
The artificial Lake Bramiana was created in 1986 to gather water from several springs and rivers around for the needs of extensive greenhouse farming in the area. It has become an important wetland and a stopping point for migratory birds. Today, it attracts the largest populations of waterfowl in Crete. According to Natural History Museum of Crete, over 218 different bird species have been recorded in the region (2010), a very large number for such a young lake. All these reasons have contributed to the characterization of Bramiana as a national park.
It is ideal for hiking, cycling and of course bird watching...
One of the wildest and most impressive gorges in Greece, Ha is a rare morphological phenomenon of nature, probably caused by tectonic earthquake.
Being practically inaccessible to people, the gorge maintains a rich and diverse flora and fauna. Its depth is about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and the fissure is said to be one of the largest in the world. Late Minoan sites are in the area.
You should not skip a visit to the nearby villages of Thrypti and Monastiraki, for great traditional food and local raki.
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Ha Gorge
One of the wildest and most impressive gorges in Greece, Ha is a rare morphological phenomenon of nature, probably caused by tectonic earthquake.
Being practically inaccessible to people, the gorge maintains a rich and diverse flora and fauna. Its depth is about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) and the fissure is said to be one of the largest in the world. Late Minoan sites are in the area.
You should not skip a visit to the nearby villages of Thrypti and Monastiraki, for great traditional food and local raki.
Sarakina is located a few meters outside and on the northern side from Mythoi village and in a small distance from the beach village Myrtos. Its name comes from Saracen conquerors. It is considered as one of the most beautiful walking gorges of Crete. Its length is only one kilometer long but in this small route each visitor can see a sculpture created by the water in millions of years that corrodes the rock in its path.
According to Greek Mythology, giant Sarantapihos who was son of Zeus, was thirsty and crouched in order to drink water from river Krygios or Myrtos. His long beard ripped the mount rock in half and that’s how Saracen gorge was created
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Sarakinas Gorge
Sarakina is located a few meters outside and on the northern side from Mythoi village and in a small distance from the beach village Myrtos. Its name comes from Saracen conquerors. It is considered as one of the most beautiful walking gorges of Crete. Its length is only one kilometer long but in this small route each visitor can see a sculpture created by the water in millions of years that corrodes the rock in its path.
According to Greek Mythology, giant Sarantapihos who was son of Zeus, was thirsty and crouched in order to drink water from river Krygios or Myrtos. His long beard ripped the mount rock in half and that’s how Saracen gorge was created
The legendary olive tree in Azorias is located 1km south of the village Kavousi, close to the archaeological site of Azorias. This olive tree is a natural monument; it is the oldest olive tree in the world! Indeed, it is grafted on a rootstock of a wild olive tree, making it the oldest sample of grafting in the world.
The olive tree has been declared a natural monument because of the large size of its trunk and because of its location near three ancient settlements.
The maximum diameter of the trunk is 4,9 m and the circumference is 14,20 m. Based on the method of annual rings, it is estimated that the tree was planted in the period 1350-1100BC!
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Mnimiakí Eliá Azoriá
ΑζοριᾶςThe legendary olive tree in Azorias is located 1km south of the village Kavousi, close to the archaeological site of Azorias. This olive tree is a natural monument; it is the oldest olive tree in the world! Indeed, it is grafted on a rootstock of a wild olive tree, making it the oldest sample of grafting in the world.
The olive tree has been declared a natural monument because of the large size of its trunk and because of its location near three ancient settlements.
The maximum diameter of the trunk is 4,9 m and the circumference is 14,20 m. Based on the method of annual rings, it is estimated that the tree was planted in the period 1350-1100BC!
The Gorge of Milonas is located 18km east of Ierapetra. It starts near the village of Agios Ioanis and ends at the beach of Kakia Skala. Descending the gorge from Agios Ioanis is impossible, as it is stopped by a high waterfall, and canyoning equipment is necessary.
However, the high fall of the canyon of Milonas can be accessed through two ascending trails that start near the beach of Kakia Skala. At the end of the ascending trails, at an altitude of 300m, you will meet the high fall of Milonas, having a height of 20m. Below you will meet a small pond with crystal clear water, ideal for a cooling bath.
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ENTRANCE PATHWAY FOR Waterfall of Milona
The Gorge of Milonas is located 18km east of Ierapetra. It starts near the village of Agios Ioanis and ends at the beach of Kakia Skala. Descending the gorge from Agios Ioanis is impossible, as it is stopped by a high waterfall, and canyoning equipment is necessary.
However, the high fall of the canyon of Milonas can be accessed through two ascending trails that start near the beach of Kakia Skala. At the end of the ascending trails, at an altitude of 300m, you will meet the high fall of Milonas, having a height of 20m. Below you will meet a small pond with crystal clear water, ideal for a cooling bath.
12 km east of Ierapetra. The beach is very famous and popular to the locals. The beach has coarse grayish sand and crystal clear calm water. It's well organized and there are beach bars and taverns around. You can find shade under the tamarisk trees of the beach. Recently, beach volley tournaments are being organized at the local court.
Avoid it on Sundays due to the small parking space.
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Aghia Fotia Beach
12 km east of Ierapetra. The beach is very famous and popular to the locals. The beach has coarse grayish sand and crystal clear calm water. It's well organized and there are beach bars and taverns around. You can find shade under the tamarisk trees of the beach. Recently, beach volley tournaments are being organized at the local court.
Avoid it on Sundays due to the small parking space.
Beautiful small pine forest at the entrance of the village Koutsouras, hosts several music concerts during the summer, a small oasis in a generally dry landscape.
Here ends the gorge of Red Butterflies, a unique canyon with many pine trees and springs with fresh water. It is worth visiting the village Orino, on Mount Thripti, where the gorge starts from.
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Δασάκι Κουτσουρά
Beautiful small pine forest at the entrance of the village Koutsouras, hosts several music concerts during the summer, a small oasis in a generally dry landscape.
Here ends the gorge of Red Butterflies, a unique canyon with many pine trees and springs with fresh water. It is worth visiting the village Orino, on Mount Thripti, where the gorge starts from.
A small park and playground with new safe toys and lots of space for kids to run around and play.
Pedikí Chará
A small park and playground with new safe toys and lots of space for kids to run around and play.
Getting Around
KTEL-BUS STATION
28 Lasthenous