Ierapetra

Ierapetra is a laid-back seafront town and the commercial centre of southeastern Crete’s substantial greenhouse-based agribusiness. Hot and dusty in summer, it offers a low-key, authentic Cretan experience and is also the jumping-off point to the semitropical Chrissi Island (also called Gaïdouronisi or Hrysi).

The city's grey-sand beaches are backed by tavernas and cafes where the nightlife is busy in summer. Though few visible signs remain, Ierapetra has an impressive history, with interludes as a Roman port and as a Venetian stronghold, as attested to by the harbour fortress. The narrow alleyways of the old quarter (Kato Mera) flash back to the Ottoman period.

Explore Ierapetra

Chrissi Island
Ierapetra is the launch pad for boat trips to uninhabited Chrissi Island (also known as Gaïdouronisi or Hrysi Island). It is famous for its golden beaches…
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Makrygialos Beach
The fine yellow-sand beach in the Analipsi township at the eastern end of Makrygialos stretches for about 1km and is one of the best on the southeastern…
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Agia Fotia Beach
A popular place for locals to unwind at summer weekends, this coarse-grey-sand cove lapped by tranquil waters and backed by cliffs and tamarisk trees lies…
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Koutsounari Beach
The village of Koutsounari, some 7km east of Ierapetra, boasts one of the longest beaches in Crete (4.5km). It's great for sunbathing in relative solitude…
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Kales Fortress
Overlooking the fishing harbour, the crenellated Venetian fort dates from the 17th century but was built atop an older defensive structure reputedly built…
O
Old Quarter
Inland from the fortress is the labyrinthine old quarter, where you'll see a Turkish fountain, the restored mosque with its minaret, Napoleon's house and…
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Mosque & Turkish Fountain
Dominating a triangular plaza at the northern edge of the old quarter, this yellow-sandstone mosque was built by the Turks in the late 19th century and…
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Napoleon’s House
This is where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed incognito with a local family when his ship anchored in Crete for one night in 1798 en route to…
A
Agios Georgios
Built in 1856 atop a much older church possibly dating to the Venetian era, this handsome house of worship is dedicated to St George, the patron saint of…

Chrissi Island
Ierapetra is the launch pad for boat trips to uninhabited Chrissi Island (also known as Gaïdouronisi or Hrysi Island). It is famous for its golden beaches…
M
Makrygialos Beach
The fine yellow-sand beach in the Analipsi township at the eastern end of Makrygialos stretches for about 1km and is one of the best on the southeastern…
A
Agia Fotia Beach
A popular place for locals to unwind at summer weekends, this coarse-grey-sand cove lapped by tranquil waters and backed by cliffs and tamarisk trees lies…
K
Koutsounari Beach
The village of Koutsounari, some 7km east of Ierapetra, boasts one of the longest beaches in Crete (4.5km). It's great for sunbathing in relative solitude…
K
Kales Fortress
Overlooking the fishing harbour, the crenellated Venetian fort dates from the 17th century but was built atop an older defensive structure reputedly built…
O
Old Quarter
Inland from the fortress is the labyrinthine old quarter, where you'll see a Turkish fountain, the restored mosque with its minaret, Napoleon's house and…
M
Mosque & Turkish Fountain
Dominating a triangular plaza at the northern edge of the old quarter, this yellow-sandstone mosque was built by the Turks in the late 19th century and…
N
Napoleon’s House
This is where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed incognito with a local family when his ship anchored in Crete for one night in 1798 en route to…
A
Agios Georgios
Built in 1856 atop a much older church possibly dating to the Venetian era, this handsome house of worship is dedicated to St George, the patron saint of…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Ierapetra.

See
Chrissi Island
Ierapetra is the launch pad for boat trips to uninhabited Chrissi Island (also known as Gaïdouronisi or Hrysi Island). It is famous for its golden beaches…
See
Makrygialos Beach
The fine yellow-sand beach in the Analipsi township at the eastern end of Makrygialos stretches for about 1km and is one of the best on the southeastern…
See
Agia Fotia Beach
A popular place for locals to unwind at summer weekends, this coarse-grey-sand cove lapped by tranquil waters and backed by cliffs and tamarisk trees lies…
See
Koutsounari Beach
The village of Koutsounari, some 7km east of Ierapetra, boasts one of the longest beaches in Crete (4.5km). It's great for sunbathing in relative solitude…
See
Kales Fortress
Overlooking the fishing harbour, the crenellated Venetian fort dates from the 17th century but was built atop an older defensive structure reputedly built…
See
Old Quarter
Inland from the fortress is the labyrinthine old quarter, where you'll see a Turkish fountain, the restored mosque with its minaret, Napoleon's house and…
See
Mosque & Turkish Fountain
Dominating a triangular plaza at the northern edge of the old quarter, this yellow-sandstone mosque was built by the Turks in the late 19th century and…
See
Napoleon’s House
This is where Napoleon Bonaparte is said to have stayed incognito with a local family when his ship anchored in Crete for one night in 1798 en route to…
See
Agios Georgios
Built in 1856 atop a much older church possibly dating to the Venetian era, this handsome house of worship is dedicated to St George, the patron saint of…

Guidebooks

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