Lassithi Sights & Attractions

This is a lush green plain of wild beauty. Many picturesque villages and windmills dot this plateau. The capital village is Tzermiado.

This is the largest palm forest in Europe and spreads around a gorgeous, sandy beach. It used to be a free camping spot but today it is prohibited.

The spectacular vision of white windmills on the Lassithi plateau is one of a kind. Located on a fertile plain, they used groundwater to irrigate the crops. Though most of them are no longer in use, they remain a huge pole of attraction.

The Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos was established in 1970. It houses a rich collection of findings from excavations in eastern Crete. The exhibits date from the Minoan till the Roman times.

Lake Voulismeni is the main feature of the town. It is connected to the sea through a channel and many fishing boats find a safe shelter in its waters.

This is where the lepers of Greece were transferred, until the 1960s. Nowadays, Spinalonga is uninhabited but excursion boats from Elounda transfer visitors there in summer.

In close distance to Ierapetra lies the impressive Gorge of Ha. Crossing this gorge is dangerous due to the abrupt rocky landscape.

Located in the Lassithi Plateau, Havgas Gorge is 4 km long and the hiking path is relatively easy. The highlight is the Neraidokolympos Lake, where there is a small waterfall with a large round boulder at its base.

Kazarma Fortress was built by the Venetians during Medieval times to protect the town from enemies. Today many cultural events are organized there in summer.

Lato was an ancient Minoan town built between two hills. Today visitors can see the remains of a fortress, a temple, and an ancient theatre. The location offers an amazing view of the Gulf of Agios Nikolaos.

Being one of the largest and most important monasteries in Crete, the Toplou Monastery can be found on the way from Sitia to Vai Beach. The date of its foundation is unknown, but it is estimated around the 14th century.

The Cave of Milatos can be reached through a short walking path. It is of historical importance for Crete as 3,600 Greeks were slaughtered there by the Ottomans in 1823. Inside the cave, there is a small church.

Chrissi is a small island on the southern side of Crete. It can be reached by boat from Ierapetra in about an hour and is famous for its exotic beaches.

The Minoan Palace of Zakros was discovered in 1961 and is the fourth greatest palatial center after Knossos, Phaistos, and Malia. The surrounding area, including the Gorge of the Dead, is rich in archaeological treasures.

Temporarily closed
The Kales Fortress stands right at the entrance of the port of Ierapetra. It was constructed by the Venetians in the 13th century but not much of the castle has survived to this day.

Ancient Pressos was continually inhabited from the Neolithic till the Hellenic times. It was one of the most powerful cities in eastern Crete, but today few of the towns survive.

The Monastery of Panagia Kroustalenia is close to Tzermiado village on the Lassithi Plateau. It was constructed in the 13th century. The monks of this monastery majorly contributed to the Cretan Revolution.

The church of Panagia Kera is a three-aisled church with many frescoes from the 14th and 15th centuries. It is located 9 km west of Agios Nikolaos and 1 km from Kritsa.

Amazonas Park houses an impressive array of domestic and exotic animals, from goats and donkeys to monkeys and parrots, and is a perfect spot for vacationing families looking for some out-of-the-box fun.

Temporarily closed due to construction work.
The monastery of Faneromeni stands on a hill overlooking the sea, at a distance of 8 km from Sitia. The main church was built in the 15th century and the view from its location is breathtaking.

This museum is housed in the former Commercial Ottoman School, offered by the Municipality of Ierapetra to the Ministry of Culture. The museum exhibits items from the Minoan, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Roman times.