LASSTHI

The most eastern prefecture on Crete is the less occupied with approx. 77.000 locals and the capital Agios Nicolaos. The area is dominated by the Dikti mountains and the Lassithi plain, were we find on 1200 meter above sea level, traditional villages, like Tzermiado, Orthodox monasteries and the caves Psychro or Dikti, the place where according the stories the great Mythological God Zeus was born.

Agios Nicolaos is a modern city with a beautiful inside lake bordering the sea and the promenade. Shops and Restaurants are widely provided and around the city luxurious hotels. The most expensive we find in the village Elounda. Here for sure you’ll need a credit card because nobody walks around with so much cash for a room. In front of the village the island of Spinalonga, were until 1957 the Cretans lived that where infected with lepra. The sickness was seen as a punishment of God and the religious Cretans “exported” the infected people to the former Venetian castle island.
About 6 Km from Agios Nicolaos the 3 aisle church of Kritsa, Panagia (holy Mary) with very good preserved wall paintings. The village nearby offers traditional embroidery made by the women and it was many times used as a decor for the films of Melina Mercouri.

Going to the most eastern parts of this prefecture we meet Sitia, a nice little town with hotels and apartments. It’s built on a hill so that here every house has a perfect view on the sea. In the area is the Monastery of Toplou, which is worth a visit. Following the same route we end up at the Palm Beach of Vai and if we go more south than we come in Zakros, which lies near the famous Irini gorge, with nicknames like the valley of death or butterfly gorge.

The most southern city of Europe is Ierapetra, here we repeat every year the record of the most sunny days in our continent.
Its a town with some historical sites like the fortress, but mainly you’ll find here shops, hotels and apartments, besides the normal local live of course.
A small charming village on 12 Km. west from Ierapetra is Mirthos where people find a harmony of the local live and tourism all year long.