Windmills of Lasithi
The old white windmills of the plateau.
Landmarks & old quarters · Lasithi Plateau
Lasithi
Beaches, sights, villages and services in Lasithi.
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.
Up in the mountains, the Lasithi plateau is a flat green bowl ringed by peaks, dotted with old windmills and orchards. Above the village of Psychro is the Dikteon cave, the birthplace of Zeus in myth. The villages of Kritsa and Mochlos, the Minoan town of Gournia and the gorge of Richtis are all easy day trips.
Further east, Sitia is a relaxed working town, and the palm beach of Vai, the monastery of Toplou and the bays around Kato Zakros feel far from the crowds. On the south coast, Ierapetra is often called the sunniest town in Europe, and the island of Chrissi offshore has cedar trees and white sand.
Good to know: the far east is about 2.5 hours from Heraklion, so stay a night or two to enjoy it without rushing.
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Ancient Lato
A Doric city between two hills.
Archaeological sites · Agios Nikolaos
Toplou Monastery
A fortified monastery with its own wine.
Churches & monasteries · Sitia
Recommended
HappyHandyman
One certified tradesman for water, power, heating and cooling, and everything else around the house.
Handyman · Hersonissos
Sarakina Gorge
A gorge with pools you wade through.
Gorges & hikes · Ierapetra
Ierapetra
Europe's southernmost town.
Villages & Towns · Ierapetra
Hidden gem
Maridatis Beach
A small untouched pebble beach between Vai and Kouremenos.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Hidden gem
Papadiokampos Beach
A wild shore with big rocks and a small pebble cove west of Sitia.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Hidden gem
Agia Irini Beach
A secluded pebble beach at the end of a gorge in the far south east.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Hidden gem
Agriomandra Beach
A quiet escape with turquoise water near Kavousi.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Hidden gem
Alona Beach
Dunes covered in sea daffodils at the mouth of the Katsounaki gorge.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Hidden gem
Peristeras Beach
A secluded sandy beach framed by cliffs east of Ierapetra, nudist friendly.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Kalamokanias Beach
A quiet beach of dark sand next to Makrigialos, mostly used by locals.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Hidden gem
Karavopetra Beach
A secluded sandy beach with crystal clear water at Xerokampos.
Secluded coves · Sitia
Hidden gem
Livadi Beach
The biggest of the coves at Ferma, with pebbles and crystal clear water.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Hidden gem
Maheridi Beach
Three remote coves between Achlia and Koutsouras, known for their seabed.
Secluded coves · Ierapetra
Mpoufos Beach
A turquoise beach at the mouth of the Selinari gorge, east of Sissi.
Sandy beaches · Agios Nikolaos
Gra Ligia Beach
A village beach 5 km west of Ierapetra among the greenhouses.
Sandy beaches · Ierapetra
Gournia
A Minoan town you can walk the streets of.
Archaeological sites · Agios Nikolaos
Sitia
A relaxed eastern town.
Villages & Towns · Sitia
Kritsa
Weaving village on a hillside.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Plaka
Fishing village opposite Spinalonga.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos
Richtis Gorge and Waterfall
A shady gorge with a 20 m waterfall.
Gorges & hikes · Sitia
Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos
Finds from eastern Crete.
Museums · Agios Nikolaos
Sissi
A small harbour village.
Villages & Towns · Agios Nikolaos