Ierapetra, situated 35km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, is the southernmost city of Greece. Its location in one of the warmest areas of Crete makes it a highly sought-after tourist destination, even during the autumn months. The area is famed for its plentiful beaches which extend along a long stretch of coastline, each with its own unique characteristics. Typically, the beaches are made up of fine black pebbles which don’t stick to the skin, and the waters are usually calm.
There are three main beaches in the vicinity of Ierapetra, the first of which is Limanakia. Located to the west of the city near the old mosque, Limanakia has a coarse sand seabed, shallow waters and is usually quite peaceful. Visitors to this beach can enjoy a selection of amenities, as the town is close by. There is also a channel in the middle of the beach which leads to a small artificial salt lake.
East of Limanakia is the Fort of Kales, guarding the port of Ierapetra. Next to the fort is the Apovathra Beach, a sandy beach with shallow waters. It is well-equipped and provides a range of activities such as watersports and scuba diving. This beach is the most organized of all the beaches in the area.
