Lassithi

Lassithi is the easternmost prefecture on the Crete island with many popular destinations for visitors such as picturesque mountainous villages and beautiful coastal resorts.

Agios Nikolaos is the capital,built around a picturesque sea lake,upon the ancient Dorian city of Lato.Agios Nikolaos has become a popular,cosmopolitan resort that attracts visitors all around the world.The town offers many accommodations, taverns,cafe bars and shops.The port of Agios Nikolaos,is ideal place for romantic walks and relaxing especially at night.Also there are byzantine churches you can visit as well as the remains of ancient Lato.

Ierapetra is a beautiful seaside town on the south of Crete and and the largest town of Lassithi.It has been built on the site of Doric ancient town «Ierapytna».You can visit the remains of the «Gerapetra» fortress built by the Genovese during the 13th century AD,the Church of the Metamorfossis of Christ, built in the 14th century AD and the Turkish mosque in the old town.In Ierapetra there are plenty of tourist facilities,accommodations,bars, cafes and taverns, mostly boarding the harbour.Also, boat tours are organised from Ierapetra to the exotic Gaidouronissi island.

Sitia,built amphitheatrically around the homonymous bay,is a pretty, traditional town that offers many accom
modations and tourist facilities as well as many beaches that have been awarded the European Blue Flag.Several waterfront cafes and tavens in the port that is filled with many fishing boats,creat a charming atmosphere.A remaining part of a Venetian fortress stands at the east of the town adding to the natural beauty.

Elounda is one of the most cosmopolitan destinations in Greece with many exclusive hotels.However retains its authentic character and offers a unique landscape with many coves and pristine beaches.Elounda is built on the site of the ancient town of Olounta.

Sightseeing of Lassithi

Lassithi prefecture is full of traditional villages and historical settlements such as Sissi,Kritsa,KatoZakros,Mochlos,Neapolis,Plaka,Paleokastro and many more.

The archeological sites: the Dorian town of Pressos northeast of Agios Nikolaos,the Minoan settlement of Gournias northeast of Agios Nikolaos,the ancient Dorian town of Lato Etera southwest of Agios Nikolaos,the remains of the fourth Minoan palace in ancient Zakros

The three archaeological museums in Agios Nikolaos,Sitia and Ierapetra,have many finds that emanate from the eastern Crete and date from the Neolithic period to the Hellenic-Roman times.

The exhibits of the three folk museums in Agios Nikolaos,Sitia and Ierapetra,reflect the cultural and historical development of the area.

You can visit many historical churches and monasteries such as the Church of the Kera Panagia,the Monastery of Toplou,the Church of the Panagia Vigliotissa,the Kapsa Monastery,and the Panagia Faneromeni Monastery.Most of them was built during the 14th and 15th century.

Beaches

There are manybeautifult beaches along the coasts of Lassithi.The most organized of them are found on the northern coasts.Some of the most popular are:

Agia Fotia beach is an organised beach 13 km from Ierapetra.It has been awarded with the European Blue Flag for its clean waters.

Vai is one of the most famous beaches in Crete located close to the village of Paleokastro.It’s a sandy organised beach surrounded by the largest palm forest in Europe.

Chrisi beach  is close to the village of Kalo Horio with white sand and crystal clear waters.

Istro is an organised sandy beach protected from strong winds,13 km south of Agios Nikolaos.

Voulisma is a pretty, sandy beach next to Istron, with crystal-clear waters.

Amoudara is a long and beautiful beach,5 km south of Agios Nikolaos.

Havania is a sandy, organized beach near the centre of Agios Nikolaos.

The popular beach of  Almyros resort

Gaidouronisi or Chrisi, is a famous islet with beautiful sundy beaches,8 nautical miles south of Ierapetra harbour in the Libyan Sea.

Koufonissi is an islet with sand dunes and amazing beaches in the Libyan Sea.

Getting to Lassithi

If you are coming from abroad by plane to the airport of Heraclion and then by bus or taxi.From Athens by plane or  by ferry boat from the port of Pereaus to Elounda’s port.