Ierapetra in southeast Crete

Ierapetra is Crete's fourth largest town with approximately 12,350 inhabitants. Ierapetra proudly calls itself Europe's southernmost town, and rightly so, there are a few villages further south, but no town.

Part of the beach promenade in Ierapetra.

Ierapetra has been a centre of agriculture since time immemorial, and remains so today. Something you notice for the whole area is full of greenhouses where fruit and vegetables are produced for export to northern Europe. The fact that the region is so successful in agriculture is due to the warm climate. Here it is warmer than anywhere else in Crete. Something you will feel when you are here.

Part of the beach in Ierapetra.

Ierapetra is a vibrant working-class town and tourism plays only a marginal role. There are taverns and cafes along the port promenade, a Venetian fort in the port and a remnant of a Turkish quarter. There is also a beach, it stretches along the entire bay and is, in my eyes, quite mediocre.

Another part of the long beach.

If you like Greek towns almost completely unaffected by tourism, you will love Ierapetra. I think the old Turkish quarter is the most interesting part of the town.

The old Turkish quarters of Ierapetra.

Nine kilometres south of Ierapetra is Chrissi Island: a small uninhabited island with several sandy beaches and a few tavernas. Boats to Chrissi island depart from Ierapetra twice daily at 10.30am and 12.30pm, the boats return at 5pm and 6pm respectively. I haven't been to Chrissi island so I can't say if it's worth travelling there.

The port of Ierapetra from where the boats to Chrissi Island leave.

To the west of Ierapetra is the small, cosy tourist resort of Mirtos. East of Ierapetra are the beaches of Koutsouras, Achlia, Galini, Agia Fotia, Ferma, Psaropoula and Koutsounari, as well as the popular tourist resort of Makrigialos.

ACCOMMODATION IN IERAPETRA

We have never lived in Ierapetra, so unfortunately I have no tips for accommodation. We always stay in Mirtos when we are in this part of Crete. If we were to stay a few nights in Ierapetra, we would like to consider staying at El Greco Hotel or Coral Hotel, both of which look very nice.

Book Coral Hotel here »

Book El Greco Hotel here »

Book other hotels in Ierapetra here »

WHAT YOU MUST NOT MISS WHEN YOU VISIT IERAPETRA

Don't miss Makrigialos, which you can read about here »

Learn more about Crete here »