Sandstrände

Koutsouras Beach

Ierapetra, Lasithi · Free

Highlights & amenities

Entry: Free

About

A calm pebble beach below pine-covered mountains.

Koutsouras is a seaside village on the south-east coast of Lasithi, between Makrigialos and Ierapetra. Its beach is pebbly with calm, clear water, and it's usually quiet. The village has tavernas, small hotels and rooms.

The nature around Koutsouras is remarkable. The slopes of the Thrypti and Ornos mountains are covered in pine forest, and the Red Butterfly Gorge, where Jersey tiger moths gather in summer, starts just behind the village. Walking up the gorge is a lovely way to escape the heat.

Ierapetra is the southernmost town in Europe, and the area around it is known for its greenhouses, which produce vegetables for all of Greece. The coast stretches east to Makrigialos and west to Myrtos, with long beaches, small coves and a warm climate that allows swimming from April to November. Boats leave Ierapetra for Chrissi island, with its cedar forest and white sand. Inland, the Sarakina and Ha gorges and the Selakano forest offer cool escapes.

Around Ierapetra

North coast, on the Cretan Sea
Nearest town: Makrigialos, about 3 km by road
Nearest airport: Sitia airport (JSH), about 32 km by road

Lasithi, the eastern end of Crete, is quieter and greener than you might expect. Agios Nikolaos wraps around a small lake and a lively harbour, with cafés on the water and beaches within walking distance. Just north, Elounda and Plaka look across to the fortress island of Spinalonga, one of the most moving places on the island. More about Lasithi