Ierapetra is located 30km south of Agios Nikolaos, in the narrowest part of Crete, and is the southernmost city of Greece. It is a modern city of about 12,500 residents, who mainly deal with agriculture, as Ierapetra produces vast quantities of vegetables that are exported mainly to Europe. The city is also very well organized touristically with large and small hotels along its beaches, many facilities for eating and entertainment. Most cafés and taverns are located in the city's seafront promenade, bustling throughout the summer.
Ierapetra is built in the location of the ancient city Ierapytna. In the past, it was called with other names such as Kyrva, Kamiros, Pytna, and Ierapytna. Ierapytna was located in the narrowest part of Crete (12km), having a strategic location for trading. The city’s main opponent was Presos town (to the east), which was destroyed in 155BC. Thus, Ierapytna acquired the largest territory in Crete, which in 150BC covered the area from Tsoutsouras till the cape of Xerokambos. After Presos, the main rival was Itanos, near the present Vai.
In the Roman Era, Ierapytna flourished and became one of the most cosmopolitan cities of the Roman Empire. Its port was particularly important because of its easy access to Egypt. Ierapytna maintained its importance during the first Byzantine period but was later destroyed by the Arabs. During the Venetian occupation, the Venetians gave great importance to the town and decided to fortify it by building the castle.
The most famous attraction of the city is the fortress Kalés, located at the entrance of the old harbor. It was built in the 13th century and is now used for cultural events. A walk along the beachside road in the afternoon to the fort is a great idea.
Moreover, if you come in Ierapetra you must visit the small, but picturesque, old town in the area called Kato Mera. One of the weirdest attractions in the old city is the "Home of Napoleon”, where according to the tradition, Napoleon Bonaparte stayed for one night in July 1798, during his campaign against the Mamelukes (in Egypt). Bonaparte is told to have asked a family to host him, without telling them who he was. When he got up this morning, he left a note saying in French: "If you want to know who your stranger was, I am Napoleon Bonaparte".
The Castle of Ierapetra 
Agia Fotia beach at Ierapetra 
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.
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.
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.
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 Mosque 
The mosque 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.
In the summer of 1798 the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte conducted his campaign against the Mamluks in Egypt to protect the French trade in the region and to block the access of the Brits in India. During his trip to the east it is said to have stayed for a night in a house in Ierapetra.
The Roman Naumachia of Ierapetra 
One of the highlights of ancient Ierapetra was the Naumachia (naval battle), a maritime theater where bloody battles were performed by prisoners and slaves of the Roman Empire. This was the transfer of arenas to the marine environment. The Naumachia was inspired by Julius Caesar in 46 BC.
Church of Jesus Christ our Savior at Kato Mera (Ierapetra) 
The double aisled temple of Jesus Christ our Savior (Afendis Christos) and Saint Charalambos is located in the district of Kato Mera, near the port of Ierapetra and very close to the fortress of Kales. It is the oldest temple in the city, which has taken its present form as a result of successive interventions.
