Myrtos, a quaint seaside village, lies 13km west of Ierapetra where the River Kryos meanders through the stunning Sarakina Gorge and into a valley abundant with greenhouses and citrus groves. Despite recent mild development, Myrtos has retained its traditional charm. Its appealing beaches, characterized by coarse grey sand that doesn’t stick to the skin, have amassed a global following. The village offers small hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, a gas station, and a clinic, in addition to a nearby pharmacy and accessible bus route to Ierapetra.
The extensive beach, considered among the finest in southern Crete, is ideal for serene family vacations as it’s sheltered from strong winds. According to locals, Myrtos is where the wind never rages. The beach is well-equipped with lifeguards, umbrellas, showers, changing rooms, cafes, restaurants, water sports, and beach volleyball. As you head west, the beach widens and offers even more tranquility.
Take a leisurely stroll around Myrtos’ local harbor or wander through its traditional narrow streets filled with lush gardens and homes that echo Aegean landscapes. The surrounding nature and gorges are also worth exploring. Notably, you can visit two Minoan settlements, Fournou Korifi (near Nea Myrtos) and Pirgos (on the east shores of the River Kryos), which were uncovered during excavations. The Archaeological and Folk Art Museum of Myrtos, situated next to the old church of St. Anthony, is a point of interest. Lastly, a monument in the village commemorates the 18 victims who were executed by the Nazis in 1943 as retribution for the deaths of two Germans in the neighboring village of Symi.
Yes, Myrtos beach is suitable for swimming. However, visitors should be cautious of the strong currents and waves.
Yes, there is a lifeguard on duty at Myrtos beach during the summer months.
Yes, visitors are allowed to bring their own food and drinks to Myrtos beach.
No, there is no fee to enter Myrtos beach.
Yes, there are several restaurants and cafes located near Myrtos beach.
Yes, there is parking available at Myrtos beach. However, it can get crowded during peak season.
The water colour of the Myrtos beach is blue.
The Myrtos beach has sand and fine pebbles.
The water depth at the Myrtos beach is normal.
The sea surface at the Myrtos beach is usually calm.
The Myrtos beach usually has a normal crowd level.
The Myrtos beach has accommodation options, food and water nearby, umbrellas and beds, sports facilities, showers, and a Blue Flag.
The Myrtos beach can be accessed by bus services and a paved road.
Yes, there is tree shade available at the Myrtos beach.
Find below list of things to do near Myrtos beach:
Discover the scenery of Crete’s White Mountains on a road trip from Platanias to Zourva. Explore local villages, stop to take photos of gorges, and savor a typical snack in Zourva.
Begin the tour with pickup in Platanias, then set off through the colorful scenery of the Orange Valley. Continue climbing slowly up the west side of the White Mountains, admiring the views as you go.
After passing Meskla village we will have a short stop to visit a small Sarakina gorge where we will see the impressive rock walls of the gorge just a short walk away from the road. Curvy road will take us all the way up at Zourva where we will have a break with a simple snack with incredible view.
Breathtaking sceneries will continue to the next village Therisso which played an important role in Crete’s modern history. On the way back to Platanias we will drive along the Therisso gorge where you can admire the high vertical cliffs and the huge Plane trees.
Route: Platanias – Patelari – Meskla – Zourva – Therisso – Varipetro – Agia – Drakiana – Platanias
Through this route we explore the south-eastern Crete. We head to Agios Nikolaos and stop in the traditional village of Kritsa, one of the most famous villages of Crete with its narrow picturesque alleys and its traditional shops.
Afterwards we ascend through a beautiful route with magnificent views and end up at the Katharo Plateau at an altitude of 1250 meters where we stop for coffee in a traditional cafe. We cross the forest of SELAKANO and end up in the SARAKINA Gorge which will surprise you with its beauty. Continuing and after our amazing meal, we reach the southernmost end of eastern Crete, the village of Myrtos with its amazing beach where you can have a swim in the crystal clear waters of the LIBIAN SEA.
Returning through a very beautiful route we arrive at your hotel.
This route will leave you with the very best memories.
Explore the natural beauty of South Crete on our “Sarakina Gorge” safari tour! Discover the charm of Kritsa village, capture breathtaking Mirabello Gulf views, and navigate the off-road terrain of Kroustas Pine Forest. Savor a cup of coffee in Males village. Afterward… The highlight of your tour awaits at Sarakina Gorge, a sublime natural spectacle that is certain to fill you with wonder and amazement. Hike through this stunning canyon, surrounded by towering rock formations and lush vegetation. The brave may even take a dip in the natural pools that dot the landscape. After hiking … Taste Crete with a delicious lunch combined with local wine in the family’s restaurant. As the journey continues, venture to the coastal haven of Myrtos, where crystal-clear waters beckon you to refresh in the embrace of the South Cretan sea. Dive into a Cretan paradise!
On our ATV-Quad tour from Ierapetra we go off-roading in the rugged landscapes of Crete’s southern coast. We start with a theoretical introduction and a small driving practise, before we start the adventure. Lonely tracks away from main traffic, in the midst of the most beautiful nature will take you to a beautiful landscape on the Cretan mountains. Splash through streams, wind along ancient gorges, and look for island wildlife from behind the wheel of a personal quad vehicle. Get a taste of Cretan history and culture during several stops along the way, including a traditional Greek brunch at Kalamafka Village. The off-road quad safari from Ierapetra explores hard-to-reach areas of Crete’s southern coast. A Great way to experience Cretan culture and nature off the beaten path.
Find below the list of hotels near Myrtos beach:
Situated in Myrtos in the Crete Region, Myrtos Harmony Apartments is just 5 metres away from a sandy beach. It boasts a terrace and views of the sea. Free WiFi is provided throughout the property.
The accommodation is air conditioned and features a seating area. There is also a kitchen, equipped with an oven and toaster. A fridge and stovetop are also featured, as well as a kettle. Towels and bed linen are available.
Bike hire and car hire are available upon request at the property and you can engage in various activities such as snorkelling and windsurfing. Agios Nikolaos is 51 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 77 km from the property.
from
€75
/night
Set in Myrtos, 100 metres from Myrtos Beach and 2.4 km from Vatos Beach, Mitato Studios offers accommodation with free WiFi, air conditioning, a garden and a terrace.
All units come with a balcony with inner courtyard views, a kitchenette with a fridge and a stovetop, and a private bathroom with shower. Kitchenware and kettle are also offered.
Lake Voulismeni is 46 km from the apartment, while Panagia Kera Church (in Kritsa) is 45 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 72 km from Mitato Studios.
Centrally located in the seaside village of Myrtos Village, Mirtini Apartments is just 80 metres from the beach. Featuring free Wi-Fi throughout, its self-catered accommodation provides garden views from its terrace or balcony.
A fully functional kitchen with a fridge, microwave and oven is standard in all the modernly decorated apartments. Each is air conditioned and has a washing machine and flat-screen satellite TV with pay-per-view channels. A glass shower stall, slippers and hairdryer are found in the bathroom.
Taverns, cafés and shops are all within a short walking distance from Mirtini Apartments. It is 15 km from the town of Ierapetra. Heraklion International Airport is 80 km away.
from
€73
/night
Offering free WiFi and free private parking, Stonehouse Elia Up is set in Myrtos, just 100 metres from Myrtos Beach. The air-conditioned accommodation is 2.3 km from Vatos Beach.
The apartment has a balcony, 1 bedroom, a living room and a well-equipped kitchenette.
Kalikovrechtis Beach is 2.9 km from the apartment, while Lake Voulismeni is 46 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 72 km from Stonehouse Elia Up.
from
€65
/night
Situated in Myrtos, within 200 metres of Myrtos Beach and 2.4 km of Vatos Beach, Myrthe Apartments features accommodation with a garden and free WiFi. Boasting family rooms, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The accommodation offers airport transfers, while a car rental service is also available.
The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. With a private bathroom fitted with a bath and a hairdryer, some rooms at the hotel also boast a city view. At Myrthe Apartments rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels.
Kalikovrechtis Beach is 3 km from the accommodation, while Lake Voulismeni is 46 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 72 km from Myrthe Apartments.
from
€65
/night
Situated 100 metres from Myrtos Beach and 2.4 km from Vatos Beach, Ismini Apartments Myrtos in Myrtos features air-conditioned accommodation with views of the inner courtyard and free WiFi.
All units come with a terrace with garden views, a kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and a private bathroom with walk-in shower. A stovetop and kitchenware are also available, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle.
Guests can relax in the garden at the property.
Kalikovrechtis Beach is 3 km from the apartment, while Lake Voulismeni is 46 km from the property. The nearest airport is Sitia Public Airport, 72 km from Ismini Apartments Myrtos.
Find below list of beaches near Myrtos beach:
Vatos, a small settlement situated 18km west of Ierapetra and 3km east of Myrtos, falls within the jurisdiction of the village Gdohia. The village is accessible via the asphalt road that links Mirtos and Tertsa. Most of the locals earn their living by growing bananas and vegetables in the area’s greenhouses. Positioned at the entrance of a lush valley that starts in the north at Gdohia, the village boasts the expansive Vatos beach which extends east to Mirtos, featuring numerous secluded beaches along its coastline. The beach is distinguished by its unique grayish pebbles typical of southern Crete, and it’s known for its deep waters. As Vatos is not a developed area, the beach is usually tranquil, frequented mostly by locals. Some parts of the coast are adorned with tamarisk trees. To the west of Vatos, you’ll find the settlement of Kalikovrehtis, home to another pebbly beach.
If you happen to visit Vatos on July 27th, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in the feast day of the church of Saint Panteleimon. It’s also worth visiting the nearby village of Gdohia, with its narrow lanes and rejuvenating springs. A sad incident occurred in Gdohia in the autumn of 1943 when 43 residents were executed by the Nazis in revenge for the killing of two German soldiers in the village of Kato Simi. The village is also home to the ancient chapel of Annunciation, which houses rare Byzantine icons. Lastly, archaeologists have discovered traces of a pre-Minoan settlement between the beach and the village.
The Kallikovrechtis beach, situated 19km west of Ierapetra and 4km east of the scenic town of Myrtos, can be accessed via an asphalt road from Myrtos or Tertsa. This beach is part of the Ghodia village outskirts and is created at the Kalikovrechtis stream’s exit, nestled between the peaks of Kolechtos and Kako Oros, right on the boundary that separates the counties of Heraklion and Lassithi.
Kallikovrechtis is home to only a handful of cottages, and the beach itself is entirely untouched. It boasts beautiful, fine, greyish pebbles, and the water is typically tranquil. A few tamarisk trees provide shade, and due to the high and steep slopes, the beach gets shaded early in the afternoon. The road linking Teresa and Myrtos runs directly above the beach, making access quite easy.
Tertsa, a quaint village, is nestled 91km south of Iraklion and 54km southwest of Agios Nikolaos, positioned between Myrtos and Psari Forada. The village, situated in a lush valley carved by the Tsounas river, houses a fresh water spring within a small gorge formed by the river. The majority of the land in Tertsa is owned by settlers from the northern village of Sykologos, just 7.5km away. Originally, the structures in the settlement served as storage depots for carobs and citrus fruits harvested in the region. Presently, the handful of villagers continue their agricultural pursuits, their land teeming with greenhouses of bananas and fields of tomato, pepper, cucumber and more. The Byzantine church of St. George is a significant landmark near the village.
The village overlooks a tranquil beach adorned with rough grey sand. Despite its lack of development, Tertsa retains its traditional Cretan charm, with just a few taverns and rooms available. The settlement is shaded by several tamarisk trees. The beach extends westward to Vourdolakos bay, beyond the rock of Psaroharako. The beach beyond the rock, also named Psaroharako, is more secluded and beautiful than the one in front of the settlement.
Ammoudares, a seaside location 8km west of Ierapetra and 45km south of Agios Nikolaos, shares its beachfront with nearby Nea Anatoli and Stomio. The Ammoudares coastline features a series of long beaches with coarse grey sand. They are mostly uncrowded and secluded, largely due to the surrounding greenhouses which may deter visitors due to potential pesticide use in the waters.
A kilometer east of the initial Ammoudares beach, you’ll encounter Kalamaki beach. Hidden from the main road and largely undiscovered by tourists, its sandy shores are a quiet haven. It’s also referred to as Kapelas, named after a renowned pizzeria once run by an American in the area. Kapelas translates to ‘tavern owner’ in Greek. The beach is nestled amidst towering cliffs adding to its tranquility.
Access to both Ammoudares and Kalamaki is possible via the main road from Ierapetra heading west. If you’re fortunate to visit the Ierapetra vicinity, there are numerous appealing beaches that warrant exploration. However, if solitude is what you’re seeking, both Ammoudares and Kalamaki offer a peaceful retreat.
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