Best things to do in Analipsi in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Analipsi is a coastal resort village on the north coast of Crete, 4 km west of Hersonissos in the Heraklion region. Analipsi sits in a valley just behind the shore, 18 km east of Heraklion along the same coast. Hotels, shops, restaurants and tourist amenities fill the village, which stays less touristy and more peaceful than the resorts on either side of it.
Heraklion airport is 15 km from Analipsi and Agios Nikolaos 37 km to the south-east. The village works as a beach base: the sand below it is the longest stretch on this part of the coast, and 4 more beaches, 2 gorges and 2 neighbouring resorts sit within 7 km.
Things to do in Analipsi
Analipsi has 6 outings within 7 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at the village beach. Analipsi beach starts 600 m from the centre, runs longer than any other beach in this area, and holds more sand than the small beaches in front of the Anissaras hotels 3 km east. Access points and sections appear on the Analipsi beaches page.
- Watch birds at the Aposelemis river mouth. The river meets the sea 1.4 km west, between Analipsi and Gouves, and the pond behind the shoreline shelters migratory birds and rare species. Follow the coastal road west from Analipsi beach to reach the sandy beach at the outlet.
- Dive from the dock at Cape Sarandaris. A concrete dock stands on the rocky western side of the cape, 3.7 km east, beside the chapel of Saint George Sarandaris. The coves next to it, known as Limanakia, stay calm because the cape shields them from the strong north-west winds.
- Hike the Aposelemis Gorge. The canyon lies 4 km away and runs longer than any other in the northern Heraklion prefecture, ending at the settlement of Agriana near Hersonissos. Water fills parts of it only after heavy rain, and the canyon sees few visitors despite its closeness to Heraklion.
- Spend an evening in Hersonissos. The town lies 4 km east and has plenty of bars and cafés. Beaches, places to stay and things to do there sit on the Hersonissos town page.
- Walk down the Agia Anastasia Gorge. The route starts 6.9 km away at Kenourgio Horio in the Pediada province, 160 m above sea level, and ends at Gournes on the coast after about three hours. Oleanders line the stream, though the gorge carries rubbish dumped from the sheepfolds around it.
About Analipsi village
Analipsi village takes its name from its church of the Ascension of Christ, since analipsi is the Greek word for Ascension. Analipsi sits in a fertile valley, and the ground around it is worked mainly as olive groves. In the early 20th century the settlement went by another name, Svourou Metohi, after the Turks who owned the land then.
Ownership changed when Crete was freed from the Ottomans. The land passed to the shepherds of Agios Georgios, a village on the Lasithi Plateau, who grazed their flocks here through the winter. Descendants of those shepherds now hold large properties on the site, and the hotels, shops, restaurants and tourist amenities of the resort stand on that ground today.
Beaches near Analipsi
4 more beaches lie within 5 km of Analipsi, and they differ mainly in how organised they are.
- Aposelemis lies 1.4 km west, sandy at the river outlet with shallow, cool water, and left largely unorganised with only a handful of umbrellas and sunbeds despite the large hotels nearby.
- Anissaras sits 3 km east, small sandy beaches with rocky seabeds in front of all-inclusive hotels, which draws snorkellers; regular waves can make swimming harder.
- Sarandaris coves begin 3.7 km east, small beaches also called Limanakia running from the cape to Hersonissos harbour, with calm water and a rocky seabed suited to snorkelling.
- Gouves follows 4.2 km west, sandy beaches at the foot of Mount Ederi with umbrellas, sunbeds and lifeguards, long favoured by families.
Where to eat in Analipsi
Places to eat in Analipsi cluster in the village centre and along the shore, all of them within 500 m.
- Sirtaki Restaurant Greek Tavern is in the village centre.
- Barbantonis stands 100 m from the centre.
- Orange Cafe sits at the same distance, 100 m from the centre.
- Bliss Bar Restaurant lies 500 m from the centre.
- Ocean Seaside Food & Cocktails stands 500 m from the centre, on the seafront.
Getting to Analipsi
Analipsi lies off the National Road that runs east from Heraklion towards Agios Nikolaos. Analipsi sits 15 km from Heraklion airport and 18 km from Heraklion city, both of them west along this coast, with Hersonissos 4 km east and Agios Nikolaos 37 km to the south-east.
2 neighbouring settlements sit within 4 km. Kato Gouves, 3.6 km away at sea level, is a modern coastal resort with organised beaches, hotels, family apartments, tavernas, a sports centre and shops, and it rents cars and motorbikes on site. Above it stands Pano Gouves, the hill village at 100 m on the western slopes of Ederi hill, which rises to 322 m; its turning leaves the National Road towards Agios Nikolaos at the 17.3 km mark.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Analipsi in Crete?
Analipsi sits on the north coast of Crete, 4 km west of Hersonissos and 18 km east of Heraklion, in the Heraklion region.
How far is Analipsi from Heraklion airport?
Heraklion airport lies 15 km from Analipsi, which is 3 km nearer than Heraklion city.
Does Analipsi have a beach?
Yes, Analipsi beach begins 600 m from the village centre and is the longest beach in this area. It holds more sand than the Anissaras beaches 3 km east, whose seabeds are rocky.
Is Analipsi a quiet resort?
Analipsi is less touristy and more peaceful than the resorts around it. The village keeps its own hotels, shops and restaurants, while the valley behind it is still worked as olive groves.
What does the name Analipsi mean?
Analipsi is the Greek word for the Ascension, and the village is named after its church of the Ascension of Christ. Its earlier name was Svourou Metohi, after the Turkish landowners of the early 20th century.
Can you walk a gorge from Analipsi?
2 gorges lie within 7 km of Analipsi. The Aposelemis Gorge is 4 km away and ends near Hersonissos; the Agia Anastasia Gorge starts 6.9 km away at Kenourgio Horio and finishes at Gournes after a descent of about three hours.
Where Analipsi is
Best things to do in Analipsi in 2024 is located at Analipsi. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
