Ierapetra is the southernmost city of Greece. Located on the shores of the Libyan Sea, it has stood for centuries at a strategically important point of Crete, providing full control over the southern coast of the island. Over time, Ierapetra has grown into a large tourist center.

Today, everything is abundant here: from restaurants and taverns to beaches, historical monuments, and hotels of all categories. Ierapetra equally welcomes young people, families with children, and nature lovers. Who is suitable for a vacation in Ierapetra?

  • for those to whom life begins after sunset - the city has a well-developed nightlife;
  • for families - in Ierapetra there are many hotels that are perfect for a family vacation;
  • for those who want to enjoy the beauty of the southern coast of Crete;
  • for vacationers who want to combine beach relaxation with excursions.

What sets Ierapetra apart is the highest number of sunny days not only among Cretan cities but also throughout Greece. It rarely rains here. It is said that the mountains of Central and Western Crete act as a barrier to thunderclouds. The season in Ierapetra starts in May when the air warms up to +25 °C, peaks in July and August (+32 °C), and ends in October with average daytime temperatures reaching up to +24 °C.

And furthermore, Ierapetra is an incredibly fertile region. No matter what month you come here, you will be provided with fresh vegetables and juicy fruits.

How to get

The city of Ierapetra is located in the south of the Lasithi prefecture, 96 km from Heraklion. If you are flying to Crete to Nikos Kazantzakis Airport, you first need to take a bus to Heraklion, and then transfer to a bus to Ierapetra. The city is also connected by transportation to Agios Nikolaos and Sitia.

From Heraklion to Ierapetra, you can drive by car on a good road through Agios Nikolaos. The second route is longer but at the same time more picturesque: through Ano Viannos and Mirtos with a stop in these two mountain villages.

How to move?

It is most convenient to get around Ierapetra on foot. In the city, all the notable places are compactly located, and there is a well-equipped waterfront. However, you can also use the city bus.

Just a 5-minute walk from the main square, on Lasthenous Street, there is a bus stop called KTEL. From here, you can take a bus to Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, or Sitia. If you prefer, you can always rent a car in Ierapetra: there are plenty of rental companies in the city.

What to see?

Throughout its long history, Ierapetra has managed to accumulate an impressive heritage. You can immerse yourself in the past without leaving the city limits. Here is what you should visit in Ierapetra:

  • Archaeological museum located in a former Ottoman school building. Its collection includes items from the Minoan, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Roman periods;
  • Kales Fortress - the hallmark of Ierapetra. It was built by the Venetians in the city's port to observe enemy ships of Arab pirates. Kales appeared around the 12th - 14th centuries. It suffered from Turkish raids and earthquakes but was restored;
  • Old Town of Kato Mera - the historical part of Ierapetra. There is a lot of interesting things here. For example, the house where Napoleon stayed overnight in the 17th century, the Temple of Jesus Christ used simultaneously by Orthodox and Catholics, a Turkish mosque with an Ottoman fountain opposite. In short, the Old Town is the best illustration of Ierapetra's rich and multicultural past;
  • Ruins of the Roman naumachia, built specifically for staging naval battles. They existed in many cities of the Roman Empire, but naumachiae are extremely rare in Greece. In shape, Ierapetra's naumachia resembled a lake with an outlet to the sea. Nearby, traces of the city's Byzantine walls remain - destroyed by the Saracens.

In the vicinity of the city, there is also a lot to see:

  • The monastery of Aksion Esti (2 km from Ierapetra) is a modern female monastery founded in the 1980s. In addition to the main three-nave cathedral with a painted dome, the monastery also has several small chapels;
  • Ha Gorge (14 km from Ierapetra) is one of the wildest gorges in Crete, only passable by experienced hikers. It is about 1 km long and ranges in width from 3 meters to just 30 centimeters. Along the way, there are small waterfalls and lakes that can only be traversed with special equipment. However, Ha Gorge is incredibly beautiful, rich in endemic fauna and flora. So, if you are well-prepared, it's worth embarking on this journey;
  • The monastery of Ayasmenos (2 km from Ierapetra) is a monastery with a short but interesting history. In the late 19th century, a tomb with the bones of an unknown monk was discovered at this site. The relics emitted a beautiful fragrance, which led to them being recognized as miraculous. In honor of the monk, the monastery of Ayasmenos was built. Today, thousands of believers come to venerate the relics, and there are many testimonies of miracles performed after prayers.

What to do?

Ierapetra opens up endless possibilities for relaxation. After all, nearby there are pristine beaches, shops, and, of course, directions for unforgettable excursions.

Active Recreation

For active recreation in Ierapetra, the city beach is perfect. Here you can enjoy all kinds of water sports, including diving and parasailing. From Ierapetra, you can go on a mini-cruise on a yacht with swimming in the open sea or on a safari in the mountains of Crete, visiting places that most vacationers simply do not know about.

Shopping

For those who enjoy shopping in between beach days and sightseeing, Ierapetra has a variety of stores: from souvenir shops to fashionable boutiques. To remember your vacation, you can take home leather goods, ceramics, and home textiles.

Every Saturday a farmers' market is held on Psilinaki Street. On the stalls, you can find products from local producers at low prices: vegetables, fruits, berries, a variety of cheeses, honey, olives, and Cretan sausages.

For children

In Ierapetra, many hotels are focused on family vacations with children. They offer pools, playgrounds, and special menus. As for entertainment, one of the best options is a trip to the island of Chrissi. You can enjoy an exciting sea journey to the shores with crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. If desired, you can also visit Hersonissos, where there is an aquarium with sea creatures and a water park. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Nightlife

In Ierapetra, the nightlife is excellently developed. It is a lively modern city, quite large by Cretan standards. Here you will find lounge bars, clubs, and pubs. The best parties can be found near the Kales Fortress and along the entire waterfront - this is where the majority of establishments are concentrated.

Excursions

It is convenient to go on excursions from Ierapetra - short or day trips.

17 km away is the Minoan city of Gournia. The ancient settlement was only discovered in the early 20th century. It was found that Gournia flourished in the 1550s BC, was famous for its small palace complex, next to which was a pagan temple. Gournia was built amphitheatrically on a hill. Even today, while examining the ruins of the city, one can simultaneously enjoy views of the sea. In addition to the remains of the palace, in Gournia, the ruins of workshops, public buildings, and houses have been preserved.

Located 25 km from Ierapetra is the Minoan villa of Makri Yialos. It was built almost at the end of the Minoan civilization, and in terms of architecture, the villa resembled a miniature palace. Among the ruins of the Makri Yialos villa, a large courtyard, rooms, remnants of an altar, and columns have been preserved. During the excavations, archaeologists determined that the once luxurious villa was destroyed by fire.

It takes less than an hour to travel from Ierapetra to Agios Nikolaos. This is a lively and large city, known for Lake Voulismeni, excellent shopping opportunities, and small but clean beaches.

One of the most popular types of excursions from Ierapetra is sea trips to the island of Chrissi. This paradise isle is located 8 nautical miles away from the city. The island is completely flat: the highest point is at 30 cm above sea level. Visitors primarily come to Chrissi for its immaculately white beaches. The island is part of the Natura 2000 program due to its natural beauty and ecological significance. Among the historical landmarks on the island are Roman tombs, the 13th-century church of Agios Nikolaos, and an old lighthouse.

Where to stay?

Hotels in Ierapetra are mainly categorized up to 4*. There are many apartments available for rent. Overall, accommodation in Ierapetra is quite budget-friendly. Many hotels have pools and cozy green areas, bicycle rental services, and diving equipment rental available on site.

What to taste?

Restaurants are scattered throughout the city. If you want to enjoy not only lunch but also the views, you can choose one of those located near the waterfront. The main place in the menu of restaurants in Ierapetra is given to seafood and fish. The water here is clean, large ports are located far from the city. Therefore, trying fish dishes is a real pleasure. It's better to order meze right away to try several appetizers at once.

In addition to fish, restaurants in Ierapetra always offer traditional local dishes: the appetizer dakos, smoked pork apaki, shrimp saganaki with feta in a tomato and basil sauce, as well as excellent wines of the region - from white and red to rosé and muscat.

Useful info

  • Every summer, from mid-July to the end of August, the traditional festival "Kirvia" takes place in Ierapetra. Its program is diverse and includes performances by folk groups (singers, dancers, musicians), concerts by well-known artists in Greece, theatrical performances, Cretan craft fairs, and beach parties. Many events are free, while some may require a symbolic fee for entry. The festival "Kirvia" takes place in open spaces around the city and the fortress of Kales, as well as in nearby mountain villages;
  • Although the beaches in Ierapetra are clean and well-equipped, it is worth visiting the neighboring ones. Nearby, there are the beaches of Agia Fotia, surrounded by cliffs, the wide sandy-pebble beach of Kaki Scala, and the small secluded bay of Livadi.