Lassithi Ierapetra

General information

Crete Ierapetra Lassithi: The town of Ierapetra (Holy Stone) is located 35 km south of Agios Nikolaos town and is the largest city of Lassithi. It is boarded by the Libyan Sea and stands on the narrowest crossing of the island. Daily buses link the town to the capital of Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion and Sitia. The town has been built on the site of ancient Ierapytna (from the Doric period), that flourished in the 2nd century BC and became the strongest city of the area during the Roman times.

Ierapetra counts on 11000 inhabitants who are mostly engaged in agriculture and tourism. It is surrounded by abundant cultivations of orange and lemon groves and groceries which are particularly productive because of the frequent days of sunshine and the warm provided by the ideal climate of the area.

Several remains of a fortress built by the Genovese during the 13th century AD can still be seen in the wider region, also known as the Castle Gerapetra, Katelli or Koule. In Ierapetra, visitors can visit the beautiful Turkish mosque in the old town, as well as the fine Church of the Metamorfossis (Transformation) of Christ. This church was built in the 14th century AD and hosts some imteresting frescoes.

Plenty of accommodations of all categories and kinds can be found in Ierapetra as well as various tourist facilities, bars, cafes and taverns, mostly boarding the harbour. Boat tours to the exotic island of Gaidouronissi (Donkey Island), or else Chrissi, are organised from Ierapetra.