Ierapetra

Ierapetra, on Crete's southern coast

Ierapetra is a city in Crete.

Having the distinction of being the southernmost city facing the African coast, Ierapetra enjoys the smoothest, almost rainless weather in Europe, with a temperature that rarely drops below 12 °C all year. It has the largest population in the prefecture of Lassithi (East Crete) and the fourth largest in all Crete. In 2021 it had almost 27,000 inhabitants.

Get in

Ierapera 1956-2010
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       101     16 9       71     16 9       45     18 10       20     21 12       10     25 16       1.3     29 20       0.2     32 23       0.7     32 23       14     29 21       42     25 17       62     21 14       108     18 11 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       4     61 49       2.8     61 48       1.8     64 50       0.8     69 54       0.4     76 60       0.1     85 68       0     90 74       0     90 74       0.5     84 69       1.6     77 63       2.4     70 57       4.3     64 52 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

By bus

The KTEL intercity buses connect Ierapetra to Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos, to Sitia and other towns.

By plane

The closest airport (58 km) with frequent domestic and charter flights is Sitia airport (JSH ^IATA). There is also a ferry line from Athens (Piraeus) to Sitia.

Get around

There is basically no public transport. The city itself is walk-able, however getting into the surroundings by foot is lengthy. The area is quite flat, so a bike is a good option - otherwise there are numerous car rental services scattered around.

See

The visitor can take a leisurely walk in the vivid city centre, along the coast, in the small municipal park near the Town Hall, or in the quiet picturesque narrow streets of "Kato Mera", the old part of the town.

• 1 Bramiana Reservoir. A dam and the artificial lake since 1986. An important wetland and a station for migratory birds, in fact, it attracts the largest populations of waterfowl in Crete. Over 218 different species of birds have been recorded in the area. Not much to see otherwise, but can be walked around from the parking at the main road. (updated Mar 2024)
• 2 Faneromeni monastery (Μονή Φανερωμένης Κρήτης). Has a church built inside a cave. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 Gournia excavation site. An ancient palace complex, excavated on 20th century, with unknown original name.  
• 4 Tower of Vaïniá. A tower overlooking the village, in a very ruined state. (updated Mar 2024)
• 5 Mastoras waterfall. A 210-m-high waterfall located in the gorge, loses most of its water to vapor. 
• 6 Timios Stauros chapel. A tiny chapel at the top of the rock, accessible by some 200 steps. The view from the top contains the village and surrounding mountains, looking away from the sea. (updated May 2024)
• 7 Minoan water tank. 3000-year-old water tank, but ultimately it's just around 5x5m square-shaped hole in the rock. (updated May 2024)
• 8 Turkish mosque. It is a disused building, with hardly any maintenance. But at least the surroundings are pretty picturesque. (updated Jun 2024)

Do

• 1 Walk with Donkeys Sanctuary, Anatoli (15 minutes drive from Ierapetra. Phone for directions and time), ☏ +30 697 6088547. By appointment. A sanctuary for unwanted, injured and abused donkeys. Situated in a beautiful area just below the village of Anatoli there is a sanctuary for donkeys. Offering guided walks with the donkeys to carry the delicious picnic that is provided. Donkey rides for children. Farm visits to see donkeys and other animals. Get away from the tourists and enjoy the mountain air and peaceful nature and beauty. Phone for an appointment. 
• 2 Thrypti mountain range. An around 20x9 km mountain range with top peak Afentis (1476 m), covered with gorges.  

Gorges

• 3 Orino Gorge (Canyon Red Butterfly). One-directional hike goes from Oreino towards Koutsouras, it's about 5 km, going down from lush vegetation towards mountain views, with streams and small waterfalls along the way.  
• 4 Milona Gorge. 20-min walk with a 40-m-high waterfall at the end. Part of the path is via disused water drain. The waterfall may be dry outside the rain season.  
• 5 Ha Gorge. A narrow gorge with an intermittent stream inside, around 1 km deep, 3 m wide and 1.5 km long. Only accessible with proper mountaineering equipment, but the entry point can be normally accessed by foot paths.  
• 6 Sarakinas Gorge. Around 1.5 km long (takes around 1.5 hr), with walls at most 150 m. A stream flows through it, so expect getting wet in the rainy season. No climbing equipment is required, however several places require climbing on big rocks, holding on to the provided ropes etc., so good shoes are recommended. Accessible from both ends, start from upper part is easier to pull off. Kids under 4 years will probably have hard time even with parents help. On the southern end, there's a small pub/restaurant.  
• 7 Mesona Gorge   and Havga Gorge   are generally only suitable for experienced climbers with at least basic equipment.

Beaches

• 8 Mirtos beach (Paralía Mýrtos). A calm beach nearby a tiny town covered with shops and pubs. 
• 9 Koutsounari long beach. Around 3km long beach with black sand and pebbles. (updated May 2024)
• 10 Chrysi island. An island that is 15 km away and visible from the shore, with pristine beaches and clear waters. It is a nature reserve, thus the access is limited. The boats anchor some 100 m from the shore and the rest has to be swam through. The companies operating the boats (mostly for the whole day) usually provide food for the day, as well as services like toilets, lending umbrellas, sometimes also transfer by smaller boats to the shore for the non-swimmers.  

Buy

The character and charm of the old warm neighborhood has been retained, whilst it has been given new life as a shopping and eating experience for the visitor. A tempting variety of shops, open-air cafes, bars, restaurants and traditional taverns, makes Ierapetra the ideal place to relax, enjoying shopping, eating, drinking or simply wandering around.

Drink

The prefecture of Lassithi produces probably the best "raki" in Crete, a white spirit made from grapes. Try it at some local "taverna" or "kafenio", together with "meze".

Sleep

Huge, luxurious hotel complexes have been built in the last years inside and around Ierapetra. There are also lots of small guest houses and rent rooms.

• 1 Dorovinis Houses in Ierapetra. A group of restored Venetian houses in Anatoli Village. 

Budget

• 2 Camping Koutsounari (beside Almyra Hotel), ☏ +30 2842 061213. (updated Feb 2016)
• El Greco Hotel, 42, "Mihali Kothri" St, ☏ +30 28420 28471, +30 28420 28472. 2-star hotel with 33 rooms. WC/bath or shower, satellite TV, air-conditioning, mini fridge. (updated Feb 2016)
• 3 Galaxy Hotel, 4, Omirias St, ☏ +30 28420 26541. (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 Kothris Apartments, Andrianou St, ☏ +30 28420 24180. Furnished apartments. (updated Feb 2016)
• 5 Zakros Hotel, 12, Andrianou St. (updated Feb 2016)

Mid range

• Aroma Creta Hotel (Ferma village), ☏ +30 28420 61163, info@aromacreta.gr. (updated Feb 2016)
• Astron Hotel, 56, Kothri Str., ☏ +30 28420 25114, +30 28420 25117, astron@hotelastron.com. (updated Feb 2016)
• Blue Star Hotel (Katharades beachh), ☏ +30 28420 25060, +30 28420 89113. (updated Feb 2016)
• 6 Coriva Village (Ferma village), ☏ +30 28420-61160, +30 28420-61161, +30 28420-61162. (updated Feb 2016)
• Irene Villas, ☏ +30 28420 28361. Apartments (updated Feb 2016)
• 7 Kakkos Bay Hotel 3 Αστέρια (Ferma village), ☏ +30 28420 61111. (updated Feb 2016)
• Minoan Prince Hotel, ☏ +30 28420 25150. (updated Feb 2016)
• Nakou Village Apartments (Koutsounari), ☏ +30 28420 61815. 21 self-catering studios and apartments, built in 1987 and renovated in 2007. Satelite TV, Air-conditioning and Wi-Fi. (updated Feb 2016)
• 8 Porto Belissario (village of Ferma), ☏ +30 28420 90910, +30 28420 61360. (updated Feb 2016)

Splurge

• 9 Arion Palace Hotel, ☏ +30 28420, +30 25930, +30 22240. 4-star hotel. 82 rooms equipped with satellite TV, refrigerator, safe, telephone, hair dryer. 800 m from the beach. (updated Feb 2016)
• Ostria Beach Hotel (Katharades beach), ☏ +30 28420 25711-4, ostriahotel@ostriahotel.gr. A 5-star hotel. (updated Feb 2016)
• Creta Suites Resort (1 km from Koutsounari beach), ☏ +30 28420 61915, cretasuites@hotmail.com. A 4-star hotel (updated Feb 2016)
• 10 Almyra Hotel & Village, 9th km of Ierapetra - Sitia Road (Koutsounari beach), ☏ +30 28420 62550, info@almyrahotel.gr. Upscale resort with private beach (updated Feb 2016)
• 11 Diktynna Luxury Villas (Anatoli village). A 4-star residence complex (updated Feb 2016)
• 12 Petra Mare Hotel, Philotheou 10Α, ☏ +30 28420 23341-9. An all-inclusive 4-star hotel primarily focused on families with children, 227 rooms with balcony, half of the rooms have direct view of the sea. Has children pools and facilities, as well as a swimming pool and small beach strand. Various activities are available, bike rental, spa and wellness, cultural events in the evenings, all-day food/drinks (restaurant and/or buffet). (updated Feb 2016)
• 13 Sunshine Crete Beach & Village Hotels (Koutsounari beach), ☏ +30 28420 61713. (updated Feb 2016)
• Tylissos Beach Hotel, +30 28420 80546, +30 28420 23798 (on the outskirts of Ierapetra). (updated Feb 2016)

Go next

The street near the Town Hall is where most bars and small night clubs are gathered. They are popular with locals, especially during the holidays (July–August, Christmas and Easter), and on Friday and Saturday nights.

Eating and drinking is a major part of the Cretan merry-making, and can make a great night out. You get find some excellent food in taverns in the villages around Ierapetra, either on the sea side, or further higher on the surrounding mountains.