Ierapetra town

Ierapetra lies 30 km south of Agios Nikolaos, near the narrowest part of Crete, and is the southernmost town in Greece.

Ierapetra is a modern and lively coastal town whose economy is based mainly on agriculture and tourism. The fertile plain surrounding the town produces large quantities of early-season vegetables, much of which are exported to European markets. Ierapetra also offers well-developed tourist facilities, with hotels of all sizes, restaurants, cafés and attractive beaches. Its seafront promenade is the liveliest part of the town, particularly on summer evenings.

The modern town stands on the site of ancient Hierapytna. Throughout its long history, the settlement was associated with names such as Kyrva, Kamiros, Pytna and Hierapytna. Its strategic position near the narrowest part of Crete and opposite the coast of North Africa encouraged the development of trade and navigation.

One of Hierapytna’s principal rivals in eastern Crete was Praisos, which it destroyed in 155 BC. The city gradually acquired one of the largest territories of any Cretan city-state, extending from the area of Tsoutsouras to Xerokambos. It later competed with the powerful city of Itanos, near present-day Vai.

During the Roman period, Hierapytna flourished and became one of the most important cities in Crete. Its harbour was particularly significant because of its position on the maritime routes towards Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean. The town retained its importance during the First Byzantine period but later suffered destruction during the Arab raids. Under Venetian rule, its defences were strengthened and the fortress of Ierapetra was constructed.

The best-known landmark of the town is the seaside Kales Fortress, situated at the entrance to the old harbour. Its origins date to the Venetian period, although the building underwent later alterations and additions. Today it is an important archaeological site and occasionally hosts cultural events.

Visitors should also explore the small and picturesque Old Town in the district of Kato Mera. One of its most unusual landmarks is the so-called House of Napoleon. According to local tradition, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed there anonymously for one night in July 1798 while travelling to Egypt. The story claims that he left a note the following morning revealing his identity.

Kato Mera is also home to an Ottoman mosque and its accompanying fountain. Near the Town Hall stands the former Ottoman School, built in 1899, which now houses the Archaeological Collection of Ierapetra. Its exhibits originate from ancient Hierapytna and the surrounding region and date from the Bronze Age to the 4th century AD.

The Castle of Ierapetra

Ierapetra already possessed the seaside Kales Fortress during the Venetian period, but the town was not surrounded by a continuous defensive enclosure. The low landward wall around Ierapetra was constructed later by the Ottomans, who felt threatened by pressure from the local population. The wall protected the town only from the land, and its layout is known mainly from a plan recorded by the British traveller Thomas Abel Brimage Spratt. The wall began at the waterfront, east of the present Archaeological Collection of Ierapetra, and continued past Kothri Square and Mosque Square before reaching the area of Sarakina. It had two principal gates: one on its northern side, near the present Town Hall Square, and another on the western side, close to Mosque Square. Outside the wall was a water-filled moat, approximately 2.5 m wide and 1.5 m deep, which the inhabitants called the hendeki. The fortifications were repaired in 1823 and again in 1829. Following the Ottoman withdrawal from Crete in 1898, the wall was demolished for aesthetic, urban-planning and political reasons. The demolition took place in the presence of the French admiral Édouard Pottier, who symbolically gave the signal to the inhabitants. According to the local historical account, approximately 1,500 residents participated in demolishing the fortifications, which had become closely associated with Ottoman rule. Most of the wall has now disappeared. Small remains and traces have been identified near Town Hall Square, recalling the extent of the former fortified town.

Golden beach (Belegrina) at Chrissi

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Thousands of visitors arrive daily by boat from Ierapetra to Chrissi and spend most of their time swimming at Belegrina, also known as Golden Beach. Its brilliant blue water, white sand with pink shades created by thousands of broken shells, and the junipers that hold the sand together with their enormous roots form an unforgettable tropical landscape.

Milonas Waterfall and Gorge

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The Gorge of Mylonas or Agios Ioannis is located 18km east of Ierapetra. It starts near the village Agios Ioannis, at an altitude of 500m, and ends at the beach of Kakia Skala.

Agia Fotia beach at Ierapetra

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Agia Fotia, one of the favorite beaches of all Cretans, is located 45km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and 12km east of Ierapetra. It is a small bay formed at the mouth of a small stream that descends from the surrounding mountains. The settlement takes its name after the local Church of Agia Fotini (or Agia Fotia). The area is hidden in plane trees and tamarisks, while the bay is surrounded by high mountains and cliffs that create a magic scenery.

Sarakina Gorge

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16km west of the Ierapetra is the traditional village of Mythi. At a short distance from the village, the small Sarakina Gorge starts, which ends near the Mirtos. The length of the canyon reaches 1.5km and its width ranges from 3 to 10 meters, with only a few points exceeding that.

Ierapetra beach

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Ierapetra is located 35km southeast of Agios Nikolaos and is the southernmost city of Greece. It is built in one of the warmest areas of Crete, which makes it very popular for holidays, even until the end of autumn. The wider area of Ierapetra is famous for its beaches, stretching along a vast beachfront. Almost all of them are covered by the characteristic fine black pebbles, which do not stick in the leg, and the sea is usually flat.

Agios Andreas beach in Ierapetra

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The east end of the long Ierapetra beach is called Livadia, and beyond this, is called Peristeras. This is a secluded area with high cliffs surrounding it. The beach is sandy and has several smooth rocks in places. You can reach the easternmost part of Saint Andrew by walking from the road. However, there is a second sandy beach in Peristeras, just behind the rocky end of the long beach, that can be accessed by the road. This is very well protected by prying eyes, but there are many rocks.

Fort Kalés at Ierapetra

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The fort Kales was built by the Venetians in the 13th century AD, to protect the town of Ierapetra from its enemies. In 1508 it was destroyed by an earthquake and the Turkish raids. The damage was not repaired, perhaps because it was very serious and there was no funding.

Gra Ligia beach

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Gra Ligia is a seaside village located just 5km west of Ierapetra and 39km south of Agios Nikolaos. It is situated at the exit of a large fertile valley, which is full with greenhouses with early vegetables. Locals were the first to grow vegetables in greenhouses and this was later extended throughout the area of Ierapetra. There are so many greenhouses, that locals call Gra Ligia as “Silicon Valley of Greece”.

Ierapetra

Ierapetra town

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