Best things to do in Schinokapsala in 2024: Activities and Attractions
Schinokapsala is a village in the Lasithi region of eastern Crete that holds Ahlia beach within its jurisdiction, 0.9 km away and 15 km east of Ierapetra. Schinokapsala stands east of Ierapetra, south-east of Agios Nikolaos and south-west of Sitia, on the south-east coast between Ierapetra and the resort of Makry Gialos. Five beaches lie within 2.5 km of the village, and a walkable gorge drops from its western edge to the sea.
Sitia (JSH) is the nearest airport to Schinokapsala. The coves here are small and mostly unorganised, shaded by tamarisks rather than lined with sunbeds.
Things to do in and around Schinokapsala
Six outings lie within about 4 km of Schinokapsala, listed here from nearest to furthest.
- Swim at Ahlia. The cove sits 0.9 km from the village, ringed by the steep slopes of the Thrypti Range and its pine trees, with coarse sand and vibrant blue water. Development at Ahlia stops at a few umbrellas and water sports, tamarisks give the shade, and the sea is usually calm.
- Walk the Ahlia Gorge. The ravine begins west of the village at the spot called Kipos and finishes at Ahlia beach, under a cover of pine. Winter rain off the Thripti Range feeds a river through Ahlia Gorge that drops in waterfalls of 5 m to 8 m, and its sandstone walls stand wide enough to need no canyoning gear.
- Snorkel at Mavros Kolimbos. The beach lies 1.1 km from Schinokapsala, with dark grey pebbles and usually tranquil water. Parts of the seabed at Mavros Kolimbos, also called Agios Panteleimon, are rocky and suit snorkelling, and the cove is unorganised with tamarisks for shade.
- Find Galini beach. The cove sits 1.6 km away between Ahlia and Agia Fotia, with fine pebbles and clear calm water over a seabed that turns rocky in places. Towering conglomerate rocks hide Galini beach from the main road and make it hard to reach, which keeps it quiet.
- Reach the Maheridia beaches. Three cliff-backed beaches lie 2.2 km from the village by Koutsouras, and boats reach all but the easternmost. That last one is walked down to on two trails hidden in pine wood east of the Apiganias woods, where a short dirt road ends at a parking area above the eastern bay.
- Hike the Orino Gorge. The canyon lies 4 km from Schinokapsala, below the springs of Orino village, fed by sources high on the Abelia plateau between the Thripti and Papouri mountains. Canyoneering gear is needed on Orino Gorge, where the river carves waterfalls and pools and a final trio at Peristerionas closes the route. The Mylonas Gorge follows at 5.1 km.
About the village and its setting
Schinokapsala is a village whose name carries down to the coast below it. Schinokapsala holds Ahlia in its jurisdiction, and the gorge that shares the beach’s name starts west of the houses, so village, ravine and cove read as one unit. Our own pages spell the name both Schinokapsala and Skinokapsala.
The setting is the seaward edge of the Thripti Range, where pine woods run from the slopes above Ahlia to the Apiganias woods at Koutsouras. Streams come down off Thripti to each cove, and the one at Agia Fotia is cloaked by enormous plane trees. Makry Gialos, 6.7 km away, is the nearest resort centre: a fishing village on the Libyan Sea with a small harbour, about 1,000 year-round residents and the role of local centre for a municipal unit inside the Ierapetra municipality. Our guide covers Makry Gialos in full.
Beaches in and around Schinokapsala
Five beaches lie within 2.5 km of Schinokapsala, starting with Ahlia at 0.9 km. They run from a sandy family cove to cliff-backed beaches that only a boat or a hidden trail reaches.
- Ahlia lies 0.9 km away, a small community in a cove with coarse sand, calm blue water, tamarisk shade and light development, 15 km east of Ierapetra.
- Mavros Kolimbos sits 1.1 km away, dark grey pebbles and tranquil water with rocky patches that suit snorkelling, unorganised, 16 km east of Ierapetra.
- Galini is 1.6 km away, fine pebbles and calm water hidden behind conglomerate rocks, reached on a concealed path, 13 km east of Ierapetra.
- Maheridia stands 2.2 km away by Koutsouras, three cliff-backed beaches, two of them boat-access only and the third reached through pine wood.
- Agia Fotia lies 2.3 km away, a bay of coarse greyish sand ringed by conglomerate cliffs, with beach bars, taverns and hotels, 12 km east of Ierapetra.
Where to eat near Schinokapsala
Eating near Schinokapsala means beach tavernas and cafés along the coast road, the closest 800 m out.
- Taverna Galini does taverna cooking 800 m away.
- Cafe Elin pours coffee 1.8 km away.
- The River Restaurant sits 2.4 km away.
- Agia Fotia Cretan Restaurant serves Cretan cooking by the bay, 2.4 km away.
- Steki Taverna – Pizzeria mixes taverna dishes with pizza, 4.9 km away.
Getting to Schinokapsala
Take the main road that runs east from Ierapetra towards Makrigialos along Crete’s southern shoreline. Our Ahlia page places the village’s beach 15 km east of Ierapetra and 50 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos, and our Mavros Kolimbos page notes that public buses also serve this coast. Sitia (JSH) is the nearest airport.
Two directions open from the village. Makry Gialos lies 6.7 km further east along the coast, about 25 km from Ierapetra and 33 km from Sitia, while the Orino Gorge turns inland into the Thripti and Papouri mountains 4 km away.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Schinokapsala in Crete?
Schinokapsala lies in the Lasithi region of eastern Crete, east of Ierapetra on the south-east coast. Our Ahlia page puts the village’s own beach 15 km east of Ierapetra and 50 km southeast of Agios Nikolaos.
Does Schinokapsala have a beach?
Ahlia beach lies 0.9 km from Schinokapsala and falls within the village’s jurisdiction. Four more beaches sit within 2.5 km, among them Mavros Kolimbos, Galini and Agia Fotia.
Can you walk the Ahlia Gorge without equipment?
Yes, the sandstone walls of the Ahlia Gorge stand wide enough that the walk needs no canyoning gear. The route runs from the Kipos spot west of Schinokapsala down to Ahlia beach, past waterfalls of 5 m to 8 m that run in winter.
Which beach near Schinokapsala suits families?
Ahlia suits families, with coarse sand, usually calm sea and tamarisk shade 0.9 km from the village. The cove keeps a few umbrellas and water sports, with mini markets, taverns and rooms nearby.
Which airport is nearest to Schinokapsala?
Sitia (JSH) is the nearest airport to Schinokapsala. Makry Gialos, 6.7 km east along the coast, sits about 33 km from Sitia and 25 km from Ierapetra.
Where Schinokapsala is
Best things to do in Schinokapsala in 2024 is located at Schinokapsala, Crete, Greece. The map below shows the exact spot; Google Maps and Waze give turn-by-turn directions.
