Best things to do in Achlia in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Achlia is a small coastal settlement on the south-east coast of Crete, about 14 km east of Ierapetra in the Lasithi region. The settlement sits in a cove backed by the steep, pine-covered slopes of the Thrypti Range, and it falls within the jurisdiction of the village of Schinokapsala. Building along the shore has stayed light, and the cove holds a few umbrellas, some water sports, a handful of places to stay, mini markets and tavernas. The name is also written Ahlia.
Sitia airport lies roughly 29 km away and is the closest airport to this stretch of coast. Achlia suits a quiet beach holiday rather than a resort week, and the sea in the cove is usually calm, which makes it straightforward for families.
Things to do in and around Achlia
Five outings lie within 8 km of the cove, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Ahlia beach. The beach sits 0.4 km from the settlement and is described in full further down this page.
- Walk the Ahlia gorge. The gorge begins west of Skinokapsala at a spot called Kipos, runs under pine trees and finishes at Ahlia beach, so the walk ends at the sea. Its sandstone walls are broad enough to pass without canyoning gear, and through the winter the Thripti Range feeds a river that drops over a string of waterfalls of 5 m to 8 m. The nearest point of the gorge is 1.1 km away.
- Climb to the Mylonas waterfall. The Mylonas or Saint John gorge starts near Saint John village at 500 m and ends at Kakia Skala beach, 4.3 km from Achlia. Two ascending trails leave from near that beach, and the easier one reaches the high fall of the Mylonas canyon in about 20 minutes through pine woods.
- See the Roman fish tanks at Vothoni. The tanks stand 4.4 km from the cove, and the Vothoni site takes little more than a short stop.
- Spend a day at Makry Gialos. The fishing village and beach resort sits 7.9 km away beside the Libyan Sea, with a small harbour and a sandy beach running roughly 1 km east of it. About 1,000 people live in Makry Gialos year-round, and 4 more beaches lie close by.
Two further gorges sit within 8 km of the settlement. The Orino gorge is 5.1 km away and the Ha gorge 8 km away.
About the settlement and its setting
Achlia is a small community gathered around one cove, and it belongs administratively to Schinokapsala. Pine trees and the steep slopes of the Thrypti Range close the cove in behind the shore, and the Ahlia gorge carries the winter run-off from that range down to the beach. The settlement itself holds a few places to stay, mini markets, tavernas and the sand.
Galini, the village 0.4 km along the coast, is a little more developed and stands in the same pine-dotted landscape. Its coastline hides coves and pebbly beaches that only a few concealed paths reach. Agia Fotia, 1.1 km away, takes its name from the local church of Agia Fotini and draws people out from Ierapetra.
Beaches in and around Achlia
Achlia has 5 beaches within 3 km, running from coarse sand through fine pebbles to dark grey shingle.
- Ahlia lies 0.4 km away, coarse sand and clear blue water in a cove where tamarisk trees give shade. A few umbrellas and some water sports are the extent of the organisation, and the sea is usually calm.
- Galini sits 0.4 km away, fine pebbles and clear calm water over a seabed that turns rocky in places. Tall conglomerate rocks hide the beach from the main road, and it is not easy to reach, which keeps it quiet.
- Agia Fotia begins 1.1 km away, coarse greyish sand in a small bay at the outlet of a stream from the Thripti mountain. Plane trees cover the stream, conglomerate cliffs ring the bay, and beach bars, tavernas and hotels stand on the shore.
- Giorgakis is 1.9 km away, fine pebbles, rocks and natural caves below tall cliffs in the Ferma area, split into two parts by a low rock. Stairs from the Ferma Solaris Hotel give the way down.
- Mavros Kolimbos follows at 2.2 km, also called Agios Panteleimon, with dark grey pebbles and usually tranquil water. The seabed is rocky in parts, which suits snorkelling, and tamarisk trees shade a beach that has no organised facilities.
Where to eat near Achlia
Eating near Achlia means tavernas and a café along the coast within about a kilometre.
- Taverna Galini stands 0.4 km away, at Galini.
- Cafe Ελίν is 0.6 km away.
- Agia Fotia Cretan Restaurant sits 1.1 km away, by the beach of the same name.
- The River Restaurant lies 1.2 km away.
Getting to Achlia
Achlia sits on the road that runs east out of Ierapetra towards Makry Gialos along Crete’s southern shoreline. Ierapetra is 14 km back to the west, Makry Gialos 7.9 km further on, and Sitia about 28 km away. Sitia airport is the nearest airport at roughly 29 km.
A car makes the days here easier, because the gorge entrances and the resort at Makry Gialos are spread over several kilometres of that coast road. The two closest beaches, at 0.4 km each, stay within walking distance.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Achlia in Crete?
Achlia lies on the south-east coast of Crete, about 14 km east of Ierapetra, in the Lasithi region. The cove falls within the jurisdiction of Schinokapsala.
Does Achlia have a beach?
Yes, Ahlia beach lies 0.4 km from the settlement, a cove of coarse sand and clear blue water. Tamarisk trees shade part of the sand, the sea is usually calm, and the organisation comes down to a few umbrellas and some water sports.
How far is Achlia from the airport?
Sitia airport is roughly 29 km from Achlia and is the closest airport to this part of the south-east coast.
Is Achlia suitable for families?
The calm sea and the light development at Ahlia beach suit a quiet family stay. Makry Gialos, 7.9 km away, adds a main beach that shelves gently into shallow clear water for younger children.
Can you walk a gorge from Achlia?
Yes. The Ahlia gorge ends at Ahlia beach. The route begins west of Skinokapsala at the Kipos spot and runs under pine trees, and its sandstone walls are broad enough that no canyoning gear is needed. In winter the river fed by the Thripti Range falls through a series of waterfalls of 5 m to 8 m.
Where Achlia is
Best things to do in Achlia in 2024 is located at Achlia. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
