Ierapetra

Agia Fotia

Agia Fotia is one of the most beloved beaches, located 45 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 12 km east of Ierapetra, in the vicinity of the village of Agios Ioannis. At the eastern end of the beach, there is a spring in the rock that flows fresh water, while behind the western end, in the area of Katergos, a second secluded small beach is formed. The settlement takes its name from the picturesque church of Agia Foteini, located next to the river and at distance of about 200m from the beach. The beach has many tamarisk trees, while the surrounding rocks, which have been elaborately sculpted by the salt and wind, are impressive. It has fine grayish pebbles and calm crystal clear waters and is very well organized with taverns, hotels and beach bars.

Chrissi Island

The thousands of visitors who arrive daily by boat from Ierapetra to Chryssi mainly enjoy swimming at the beach of Belegrina or Chrysi Akti. Clear blue waters, white sand with pink hues from the thousands of broken shells and the junipers that hold the sand with their huge roots, form the setting that makes anyone forget about his problems. The access to the island is by boat from Ierapetra and the journey takes about 50 minutes. The boats stop at the beach and the bathers swim to land. Collecting shells, sand and anything else found on the island is strictly prohibited, while great care is required not to break branches from the protected junipers. The beach is not sandy, but initially it is flat. However, after a few meters the pavement turns into sand.

Explore the Venetian Fortress of Ierapetra

Standing at Ierapetra’s fortress, overlooking the old neighborhoods and gazing out to the sea, you’ll let the stories of the Saracen pirates take over your imagination. A point of architectural pride for Ierapetra and its most impressive attraction, the famous Fortress of Kales was built at the beginning of the 14th century and has witnessed its fair share of history – notably the Venetian and Ottoman wars. Well-preserved, it hosts various cultural events, like the Kirvia Cultural Festival every summer.

The house said to have hosted Napoleon 

Many claim that Napoleon, on his way to Egypt to declare war on the Mamelukes in July 1789, stopped to Crete and spent the night in Ierapetra. The two-storey house said to have hosted him in Ierapetra, is located in the old town.