Best things to do in Ferma in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Ferma is a small coastal town on the south coast of Crete, about 10 km east of Ierapetra in the Lasithi region. The country around Ferma is green and verdant, with dense pine forest that stands out against the arid landscape of eastern Crete. The town lies 4 km south of the village of Agios Ioannis, and a string of tiny bays runs along the coast below it.
Sitia airport lies about 32 km away and is the closest airport to this stretch of coast. Ferma suits beach days rather than town life, and its shoreline breaks into small separate bays instead of one long strand, with hotels set above them.
Things to do in and around Ferma
Five outings lie within about 10 km of the town, listed below from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Ferma beach. Livadi, the largest bay on this coast, sits 0.6 km from the town and is described in full further down this page.
- See the Roman fish tanks at Vothoni. The tanks stand 1.1 km from Ferma, and the Vothoni site takes little more than a short stop.
- Climb to the Mylonas waterfall. The Mylonas or Saint John gorge begins near Saint John village at 500 m and ends at Kakia Skala beach, 3 km from Ferma. Two ascending trails leave from that beach, and the easier reaches the high fall of the Mylonas canyon in about 20 minutes through pine woods.
- Walk the Ahlia gorge. The gorge begins west of Skinokapsala at a spot called Kipos, runs under pine trees and finishes at Ahlia beach. Winter turns the riverbed of the gorge 3.9 km away into a run of waterfalls of 5 m to 8 m, and its sandstone walls are broad enough to pass without canyoning gear.
- Spend a day in Ierapetra. The southernmost city of Greece sits 10.3 km west on the Libyan Sea coast. A sandy town beach, the harbour with its Venetian Kales fortress and the boat trip to Chrissi Island are the three things most people come to Ierapetra for.
Two further gorges lie within 8 km of the town. The Ha gorge is 7.5 km away and the Orino gorge 8 km away.
About the town and its setting
Ferma is a small coastal town given over largely to hotels, and the pine forest behind it makes this a green pocket of an otherwise dry corner of Crete. Agios Ioannis, the village 4 km north, gives its name to the long beach west of Ferma.
The shoreline breaks into a string of tiny bays rather than one continuous beach, and smooth rocks and steep cliffs stand between them. Koutsounari, the neighbouring hamlet, follows the same green pattern: it sits on a verdant hill among olive groves and pine trees, a kilometre north of the coast and backed by the Thripti Range.
Ferma beach
Ferma beach is the largest bay along this coast, and it also goes by the names Livadi and Xerokamara. Fine pebbles cover the shore, the water is clear and deep, and lush vegetation, smooth rocks and steep cliffs border the bay. Hotels flank the beach on either side.
Access is by two stairways that start from those hotels, and the beach itself is unorganised, so bring shade and water. Several springs rise on the sand, and the rest of the string of tiny bays runs along the coast from it.
Beaches in and around Ferma
Ferma has 4 more beaches within 3 km, in an area known across east Crete for the number of them.
- Giorgakis lies 1.5 km away, fine pebbles, rocks and natural caves under towering cliffs, split in two by a low rock. Stairs from the Ferma Solaris Hotel give the way down, and the smaller western beach is a stream outlet from the Strongyli peak region.
- Agia Fotia sits 2.3 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.
- Koutsounari Long beach is 2.9 km away, the Long Beach of Agios Ioannis, 5 km of broad coarse grey sand and one of the longest in Crete. Tamarisk trees punctuate the shore, and its length keeps whole stretches looking deserted.
- Galini lies 3 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.
Where to eat in Ferma
Eating in Ferma runs to tavernas and bar-restaurants along the coast road.
- Steki Taverna – Pizzeria is 0.4 km away.
- Kakkos Bay Taverna stands 1.3 km away.
- Nalŭ All Day Pool Bar sits 1.3 km away.
- Pelagos Sea Side Restaurant lies 1.6 km away.
Getting to Ferma
Ferma sits on the coast road that runs east out of Ierapetra along the south of Crete. Ierapetra is about 10 km west, Makry Gialos 11 km east, and Sitia roughly 31 km away. Sitia airport is the nearest airport at about 32 km.
A car makes the days here easier, because the bays, the gorge entrances and the two towns are spread out along that road.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ferma in Crete?
Ferma lies on the south coast of Crete, about 10 km east of Ierapetra, in the Lasithi region, 4 km south of the village of Agios Ioannis.
Does Ferma have a beach?
Yes. Ferma beach lies 0.6 km from the town and is the largest bay on this coast. It also carries the names Livadi and Xerokamara, and it has fine pebbles, clear deep water and two stairways down from the hotels above.
Is Ferma beach organised?
Ferma beach is unorganised. Two stairways from the neighbouring hotels are the way down, and vegetation, smooth rocks and steep cliffs border the bay.
How far is Ferma from the airport?
Sitia airport is about 32 km from Ferma and is the closest airport to this part of the south coast.
How many beaches are there near Ferma?
5 beaches lie within 3 km of Ferma, counting the town’s own bay: Ferma beach, Giorgakis, Agia Fotia, Koutsounari Long beach and Galini.
Can you walk a gorge from Ferma?
Two gorge walks start within 4 km of Ferma. Ascending trails from Kakia Skala beach, 3 km away, lead into the Mylonas gorge, and the Ahlia gorge starts 3.9 km away and needs no canyoning gear.
Where Ferma is
Best things to do in Ferma in 2024 is located at Ferma. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
