CRETAN VILLA HOTEL
IERAPETRA CRETE

PLACES TO VISIT

The traveler can use Ierapetra as a point of departure to make trips to the beautiful villages of the region, by the sea or in the mountains.
Several villages in the interior offer to the visitor a traditional atmosphere and lifestyle, making Ierapetra a beautiful resort for your holidays on Crete.

There you will experience the famous Cretan hospitality, taste some of the local unique specialities like "staka", "mizithropites"and "dolmadakia".
The villages of Episkopi, Anatoli, Myrtos, Ai Ghianni, Kalamafka, Kavousi are rich in monuments, monasteries, fortresses and remote beaches waiting for you to discover them.

GOURNIA
Gournia, is one of the most noteworthy archaeological sites in Crete and the best preserved of the Minoan settlements.
It is located 15 km. north of Ierapetra. It appears to date from 1600 to 1400 B.C. The ruins, consist of a town overlooked by a small palace. The town of Gournia is a network of streets and stairways flanked by houses with walls up to 2m. height.

THE GORGE OF HA
The gorge of Ha is located 8 km. north of Ierapetra. Ha is a place where many species of Cretan flora and fauna exist.
If you are lucky you might see eagles or vultures.You can also see an incredible number of wildflowers.

CHRISSI ISLAND (GAIDOURONISI)
The southernmost natural park in Europe.
One hour by boat from Ierapetra finds you on a tropical island. The island of Crissi is located 8 miles south of Ierapetra.
The island is almost flat with colorful volcanic rocks covered in white sand and aquatic fossils.
The shallow crystal blue-green waters,the sandy beaches , the millions of sea shells which are widely spread on the north beaches and the rare cedar forest are the most impressive features of the island.
The island is protected by national and European legislations.(Natura 2000)


FOURNOU KORFI
West of Ierapetra and near Myrtos, on a low hill known as Fournou Korfi was found the prehistoric settlement of Myrtos,dating from the Early Minoan period.
90 rooms and other areas, designed for a variety of uses, have been excavated.
One of the rooms served as a sanctuary. Among the ruins of the settlement a number of pots, stone seals, daggers, weaving implements and a statue of a goddess were found.

SARAKINA GORGE
The village of Mithi is located 20 km. west of Ierapetra.
It is a sparkling charming village of whitewashed houses.
Within a short distance from the village starts the wonderful gorge of Sarakina with plenty of water and vegetation.
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We are at your disposal to provide you with the most useful information so that you can visit, in the best way the natural beauties and picturesque places of our district.