Spinalonga
Spinalonga is an islandin the Gulf of Elounda in north-eastern Crete, in the municipality of Agios Nikolaos, Lasithi. The island belongs to the area of Kalydon and it is near the Spinalonga peninsula.
During Venetian rule, salt was harvested from salt pans around the island.Also, the island was also a leper colony.
You can visit the island by boat from the nearby villages.
Chrissi Island
Chrissi or Gaidouronisi, is an island approximately 15 kilometres (9 miles) south of Crete close to Ierapetra in the Libyan Sea. Approximately 700 metres (2,300 feet) east of the island is the island of Mikronisi. Administratively these islands fall within the Ierapetra municipality in Lasithi.
in addition, it contains a small harbour and church, the Church of Saint Nicholas, on its northwestern coast.
Richtis Gorge
Richtis Gorge is a gorge in Crete, Greece (Map of Richtis Gorge here). It is a park near Exo Mouliana, Sitia, eastern Crete that starts at the traditional village Exo Mouliana.
Furthermore the hiking trail is about 4 km in length of moderate (spring/summer/autumn) to hard (winter) difficulty. The elevation difference between the starting point and the beach is about 350 meters. Along the way you will see rich vegetation and animal life as well as old stone bridges and water mills.
Lasithi Plateau
Lasithi Plateau, is a high endorheic plateau, in the Lasithi regional unit in eastern Crete, Greece. Since the 1997 Kapodistrias reform, it is a municipality whose seat is Tzermiado and the second biggest village is Agios Georgios.Finally, the municipality has an area of 129,9 km2.
Amazonas Park
Amazonas park is a hillside sanctuary for protected animals in eastern Crete. This zoo, focuses on South American animals but also has donkeys and goats. The highlight here is the animal feeding sessions—you can get a bowl of fruit and feed the zoo’s favorite lemurs. Try to snap a selfie while you’re at it! To get there, you’ll have to drive or get a cab from the village of Hersonissos. You can also drop by on a guided tour of the area, which might include the seaside town of Agios Nikolaos and Kritsa.
Voulisma Beach
Voulisma Beach is a small cove south of Agios Nikolaos and north of Ierapetra, with easy access from the capital of Heraklion.
Also, the waters are clear and shallow with fine white sand and pebbles. It is perfectly organized and has been awarded with the Blue Flag for its conditions and facilities. Voulisma is a stunning destination that is worth visiting while in Crete.
The beach of Voulisma, is on the northeastern coast of Crete, close to the village of Istro or Istron. It is the most popular and beautiful among the several beaches that can be found in the three small bays of Istro. Furthermore, the closest larger town is Agios Nikolaos, located about 13 km to the north along the coast.
If you arrive at the airport of Heraklion, the best choice is to rent a car to Voulisma Beach and drive the 75 km distance. There are a lot of enjoyable things to do and interesting places to see at and around Voulisma beach. Also you will find plenty of accommodation options and restaurants close by.
Vai Beach
Vai Beach is a beautiful unpopulated beach of fine sand and pebbles at the far eastern tip of Crete. It has a unique and luscious palm forest of a species found only on Crete.Also, it has a spectacular beach with clear, clean water, excellent snorkelling and plenty of room for everyone.
This beach does not have a village or accommodation. In addition, in summer season the car park is full of temporary services such as food, beach gear, cameras and drinks. There are beach chairs and umbrellas to rent, and the nearby monastery runs a restaurant right on the beach which serves delicious Greek food.
This palm forest is the largest in Europe. The palms are Phoenix Theophrasti and are unique to Crete.
Windsurfing and jet-skiing are popular here, topless bathing is common and nudist bathing is popular at the beautiful small beach of Psili Ammos.
This is not a beach for the faint-hearted. Get there early, very early, to enjoy it best. Head to the north end of the beach to get away from the umbrellas and lounges and relax on the sand.
Greek Mythology Thematic Park
Greek Mythology Thematic Park is in Psychro, province Lassithi, at the point where the visitors of the Diktaean Cave start ascending. The venue hosts more than 50 impressive exhibits – sculptures of modern aesthetics in 3000 square meters.
Apart from the myths and the history of Crete, visitors can see various Greek myths. Get to know the gods and heroes of the Ancient Greeks, but also learn about the most important historical figures of ancient Greece. There is also an interesting exhibition on the history and folklore tradition of the Lassithi Plateau.
The special lighting and sound effects, in combination with the audio tour make the tour in the park very enjoyable. Visitors feel that they are wandering from the dark tunnels of the labyrinth to the bright Greek temples.
Sarakina Gorge
Sarakina Gorge is a canyon in the southeastern part of Crete. It is about 15 km west of Ierapetra and a few kilometres upcountry of Myrtos. Near the small village of Mithi.
Its length is about 1.5 km and the width between 3 and 10 meters. Also, the height of the walls peaks at approximately 150 m. In addition, the river of Kriopotamos flows through the gorge, which carries water at varying levels during the year.
You can access the canyon from the lower end as well as from the upper end. The lower end of the canyon is somewhat easier to locate, while the canyon’s transit from the upper end is easier to manage. The entrance into the canyon is hard to find in both cases, because it was not made touristy accessible yet.
Finally, the level of difficulty of a transition is medium, although one single transit takes only about 1+1⁄2 hours. Otherwise belaying with a climbing equipment is not necessary.
Knossos Palace
Knossos is a Bronze Age archaeological site in Crete. The site was a major center of the Minoan civilization and is known for its association with the Greek myth. It is on the outskirts of Heraklion, and remains a popular tourist destination.
Knossos highlight is the monumental Palace of Minos. Like other Minoan palaces, this building served as a combination religious and administrative center rather than a royal residence. Also, the earliest parts of the palace were built around 1900 BC in an area that had been used for ritual feasting since the Neolithic. The palace was continually renovated and expanded over the next five centuries until its final destruction around 1350 BC.
Agios Nikolaos
Agios Nikolaos is a coastal city on the Greek island of Crete, lying east of the island’s capital Heraklion.
Agios Nikolaos is a tourist town. Tourist attractions include the small lagoon Lake Voulismeni, small beaches in the town and the tiny island of Agioi Pantes. Also the archaeological museum, the local flora exhibition “Iris” and numerous fairs.
The lagoon features a small park with a trail, traditional fishing boats, ducks, pigeons, an amphitheatre and many cafès. Furthermore, the modern city of Agios Nikolaos became internationally well known during the 60’s.
Ierapetra
The town of Ierapetra is on the southeast coast of Crete, on the beach of Ierapetra Bay. This town lies south of Agios Nikolaos and southwest of Sitia, and is an important regional center. Also, with 17,710 inhabitants, Ierapetra is the most populous town in the regional unit of Lasithi. In addition, Ierapetra has the nickname “the bride of the Libyan Sea” because of its position as the only town on Crete’s southern coast.
Present-day Ierapetra consists of two distinct areas, Kato Mera and Pano Mera. Kato Mera is the old town section on the southwestern headland. It has medieval street layout with narrow alleyways, cul-de-sacs, and small houses. You can fing the former mosque and the “house of Napoleon” in this neighborhood, as well as the Aghios Georgios metropolitan church. Pano Mera is a much larger new town section, containing wider streets and three to four-story houses.
Ierapetra’s principal shopping street is Koundouriotou. To the west is the southern headland containing the fortress, a port for fishing boats, and the ‘Navmachia’ area. Further east is a short beach with bars and restaurants, followed by the quay for ferries to Chrissi. Further on lies the main boulevard, which contains hotels, bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. At its end, a promenade runs parallel to Ierapetra Bay’s long beach.
Sitia
Sitia is a port town and a municipality in Lasithi, Crete, Greece. It lies east of Agios Nikolaos and northeast of Ierapetra. Sitia port is on the Sea of Crete, part of the Aegean Sea and is one of the economic centers of the Lasithi region. Sitia has not experienced the effects of mass tourism even though there is a long beach along the road leading to Vai.
The municipality of Sitia is served by the Sitia Public Airport which offers several domestic destinations.
In addition, Sitia is served by a port which connects Sitia and eastern Crete with several other Greek islands as well as with the port of Piraeus. The town also has a marina which accommodates smaller fishing boats and yachts.
