The beaches at Ferma, Ahlia, and Makrigialos, next to the settlements of the same names, are wonderful, with deep or shallow crystal clear pebble waters. They are edged with rocks, and pine trees fill the landscape. About 6 km west of us is the beautiful and quiet pebble beach and crystal clear waters of Koutsounari, or Long beach, as it is 5 km long. All the beaches are well looked after.

To the south of Ierapetra, and just eight nautical miles away, is Chrissi, an island seven kilometres long and two kilometres wide. This is a unique island in Greece, as the trees are cedars of Lebanon and the major part of the sand consists of small, thin shells. The water is clear and a turquoise colour. Its cedars form the most natural forest of cedars of Lebanon in Europe (average tree age: 200 years, average tree height: 7 metres). It is one of the few places which modern civilization has not touched and is therefore protected by the Natura 2000 program, as an area of outstanding natural beauty and a wildlife refuge. On the north side of the island there is a small bar, the Church of St. Nicholas, a beacon on the north-west side and a house on the north-east side. The island has three residents. From mid-May until the end of October, small boats depart daily from Ierapetra and Makrigialos for Chrissi. After an hour’s journey, the ship approaches the south side of the island, which is the most peaceful, at the “Vougiou Eye”, where there is a small pier and a restaurant-canteen.

The Ha gorge is considered one of the wildest of Greece, a rare morphological phenomenon of nature. Its name probably derives from the verb “χάσκω”, meaning “to separate” or “to gape” – to form a chasm or an opening.

It is narrow, very sheer and extends for approximately 1800 metres, but access to it is very difficult. Inside, there are around 24 waterfalls, 10-35 metres high. Getting through it is difficult and requires the use of rope, and swimming in pools of water.

This virgin habitat has been untouched by man since its formation and it prohibits anyone from knowing it well or going through it. In and around the gorge, the flora and fauna are very rich. Small lakes are important wetlands for many migratory birds, but also for birds and mammals who live there permanently, and many rare and endangered plant species have found an ideal refuge in the gorge.

Mesona Gorge is a continuation of the Havgas Gorge to the southeast, towards Mount Thripti. It is passable from the ancient path from Kavousi, through Havgas, and continues parallel to Mesona.

The Sarakina Gorge is near the village Mithi, twenty-two km west of Ierapetra, in the southeast foot of Mount Dikti. It is small (only one and a half kilometres long) but beautiful, with ponds and waterfalls, particularly impressive since the walls reach a height of 150 metres. Just an hour is enough to pass through it and find the Kryopotamos River. An hour walking amidst the lush vegetation of plane trees, myrtle, oleander and osier. Along its bed flows the Kryopotamos almost all year; it is passable on foot only in the summer, and in the spring the river bed is ideal for canyoning.

They also call this the “Sarantapihos” Gorge because, when the mythical giant passed by here, he bent down to drink some water and his long beard tore the mountain in two, so the gorge was created.

The Pefki (Pine) Gorge starts south of the village of Pefki and ends just north of the “White River” area at Makrigialos. It is one of the most beautiful small gorges of Crete, with spectacular formations and vegetation. The well-designed path following the riverbed of the gorge for virtually the whole of its length makes it very accessible.

The Gorge of Mylonas, or St. John, is located 18 kilometres east of Ierapetra. It starts from the village of Agios Ioannis (altitude 500 metres) and ends at the beach of Kakia Skala. The descent of the gorge from Agios Ioannis is interrupted by waterfalls and so it is impossible to get down without technical means from the top and through the bed of the gorge. Access to the large waterfall of Mylonas is via two routes: the easier one passes through the pine side of the gorge and is part of the old ditch to carry the water; the other, through the riverbed, is more difficult.

The attraction of the gorge is the large waterfall of 20 metres, to which those who visit the gorge are led. Especially in winter, after heavy rainfall, the waterfall doubles in volume and the view is unique.

Enjoy the E4 hiking trail of Lassithi

There is great archeological interest among the Minoan Palace of Zakros as well as the Minoan and Ancient cities of Lato, Palaikastro, Itanos, Mochlos, Hamezi and Gournia.

The history of our Monasteries is rich as well. Moni (Monastery) of Toplou, Moni Faneromenis and Moni Kapsa are just a few of them.

Fun, passion and love for the sea. IERAPETRA DIVING CENTRE

Local products such as olive oil, honey, dairy produce, traditional bread and rusks, local meat, seafood, wine, raki etc. make up the wonders of Cretan cuisine.

Try the cheese pies, courgette balls, “staka” (see above), boiled goat, rabbit cooked in wine, snails in oatmeal, fried snails, potatoes in their jackets, “dakos” (a Cretan meze consisting of a slice of soaked dried bread or barley rusk topped with chopped tomatoes and crumbled feta or mizithra cheese, and flavoured with herbs, such as dried oregano), Cretan barbecued goat and anything else created by the imagination of your host.