Tour in Lassithi

Best known to the locals as Gaidouronissi, this exotic island paradise is accessible by boat from Ierapetra, where it is 8 nautical miles. The uninhabited island of eerie beauty, surrounded by emerald crystal clear waters, is a declared wildlife refuge [KED] and part of the NATURA 2000 program. It hosts a rare ecosystem, an ancient cedar forest of 350 acres with trees aged 200-300 years and beaches with wonderful fine sand. During your visit, it is worth a walk to the shores of Belegrina, Hadjivolakas, Kataprosopo to the recently discovered Minoan settlement, the church of Agios Nikolaos [13th century] and the lighthouse, but also the highest point, Kefala hill which reaches 31 m. and offers irresistible views. The beach has only a few umbrellas and sun loungers as gentle behavior is required so as not to endanger the fragile ecosystem. Excursion boats depart from Ierapetra [40-45 minutes] for Chryssi, making daily excursions from May to October.

Another scenic destination, a rare habitat included in the NATURA 2000 network, is hosted in the municipality of Ierapetra and is none other than the unique beauty of Selakano forest in the Dikti mountain range, south of the Afendis Christos peak (2,148 m). You will find it at a distance of about 35 km from Ierapetra, while it is a meeting point for hikers everywhere, as from here it passes the route of the European Trail E4 that crosses the Lassithi plateau. The smells from the pine forests, cypresses, and springs with gurgling waters that you will meet along the way compose a refreshing landscape. The walk is indeed the best you can enjoy, before visiting the homonymous village of Selakano which hosts the temples of Panagia Selakaniotissa and Agios Efstathios and a traditional tavern to sunbathe. You can also head to Metaxochori at an altitude of 600 m [via Parsa Gorge] and the village of Christos with the Monument of the Fallen [easy path, fantastic view].

The southernmost city in Europe is strategically located in southern Crete, off the African coast, and is one of the island's most fertile and productive cities. Blessed with the highest temperatures but also the least rain, it is characterized as "the sunniest city in Greece" and has developed into a very organized tourist resort with an interesting nightlife. It is an ideal destination for getting to know the southeast coast and is located very close to beautiful sandy beaches with deep blue waters, gorges, caves and beautiful picturesque villages. Walking in the old town, you will admire the Kale Fortress built in the port by the Genoese pirate Pescandore [1212], the Holy Metropolitan Church of St. George [1856], the historic church of Afentis Christos [14th century] next to the port, the mosque, the Ottoman Fountain, the Ottoman School [1899] and of course you will enjoy walks on the pier with excellent cafes, bars and restaurants. In Ierapetra, there are also three beaches for swimming: the municipal beach, a fully organized East Beach of Agios Andreas [sand and rocks], the also organized South beach next to the Kale Fortress [offers water sports, diving, windsurfing, beach-volley, paintball) and the sandy beach of West Beach, which is also very popular. 

A special relationship connects Crete with the miraculous Agia Zoni of the Virgin Mary, the sacred relic that was transferred to the Holy Monastery of Vatopedi after the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks to be saved by the barbarians. In 1820, when Heraklion, Crete, was suffering from a terrible plague epidemic, Cretan priests came to Mount Athos and appealed for the miraculous Holy Zone to be sent to their island so that the Virgin Mary could perform her miracle and drive the deadly from the island. Then, the Turkish persecutions forced the escape of the Holy Zone to Santorini, from where it was acquired in 1831 and returned to the Monastery of Vatopedi.

Every summer, on August 31, a day that was officially established as “Celebration Day of the Presentation of the Holy Zone of the Holy Virgin” by Emperor Manuel I Comnenus (1143-1180), hundreds of believers flock to the Holy Parish Church of Agia Zoni of Ierapetra, of the prefecture of Lassithi and at an altitude of 220 meters, where a festive evening is held with great enthusiasm.