Christos village: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Christos is a charming village located on the west mountain slopes of Dikti, at an altitude of 550 m above sea level and just 2 km from the village of Malles. The village is known for its stunning natural beauty, with many running waters and lush greenery. Its narrow cobblestone alleyways and gentle slopes have helped to preserve its traditional character over time.

According to legend, the first settlers of Christos were inspired to settle in the village after witnessing a light every evening at the exact spot where they later chose to build their homes. They later found a holy icon of Christ in some nearby shrubs, which they took as a sign from above and named their village after.

The village has a rich history dating back to the 11th century, with evidence of an ancient Byzantine building and the once-bustling town of Ancient Malla nearby. The church of Transfiguration, built in the 18th century, is located south of the village and was constructed on top of the ancient building. Excavations have unearthed many intriguing finds, including inscriptions, buildings, mosaics, and tombs, as well as artefacts honouring Zeus.

The Selekanos Plateau, located in the Local Department of Christos, is a must-visit for those exploring the area. It boasts Crete’s largest uninterrupted pine forest, as well as the Saint Eustace Church, Panagia Selakaniotissa shrine, Stella’s coffeehouse, and a private events hall associated with the Cultural Association of Selakanos. The area is also home to finely crafted stone mansions belonging to residents from nearby Christos town who flock here during summer months to indulge in its beauty.

The Selakano gorge is another popular attraction in the region, known for its remarkable trails to Afentis and Lazaros peaks. Visitors can also enjoy the region’s delectable Green Beans, served with wild goat, which make for a truly exquisite dish.

Overall, a visit to Christos and its surrounding area is a must for those seeking to escape into the picturesque Cretan landscape and enjoy an array of natural wonders amidst wonderfully varying optical contrasts. It’s no wonder that Ierapetra is known as the deified region of Crete!

Things to do in Christos

The things to do around Christos are monasteries, gorges and other mountain settlements, because no coast road runs on this side of Dikti. Christos is a walking village at 550 m, and the six below are ordered from the nearest outwards, with three gorges among them that differ sharply in difficulty.

1. Visit the Monastery of Panagia Exakousti. The monastery stands at Malles, the village 2 km down the road from Christos.
2. Eat at the Lefkothea Taverna Snack Bar. The taverna is 5.7 km from the village.
3. Look into the Holy Apostles gorge. The Lapathos canyon lies 6 km away on the southern side of Mount Dikti, near Kato Simi and 28 km west of Ierapetra. It is a technical canyon: crossing it takes gear and training, over roughly 4 km and a height difference of about 900 m. The route starts on the small Lapathos plateau, where the Holy Apostles church stands, and finishes on the road between Pefkos and Ierapetra.
4. Walk the Havgas gorge. The gorge sits 6.7 km away near Kalamafka, between the Megali Korfi (1,103 m) and Kokies (993 m) peaks. Rare geological events cut the rock into unusual shapes here, and the walk is short.
5. Drive up to Anatoli. The village lies 7.2 km away at 600 m, nicknamed the village of the rising sun. Its old settlement of stone houses and alleys is protected, and there are two tavernas and two coffee houses.
6. Hike the Sarakina gorge. The gorge runs 1.5 km between the village of Mythi and the coast at Myrtos, where the Kryos river meets the sea. Greek myth credits its making to the giant Sarantapihos, whose beard split the mountain as he drank from the river.

Beaches in and around Christos

Christos has no beach, because the village stands 550 m up on the west slopes of Dikti. Christos is nearer the Libyan Sea than the north coast, and a run of grey-pebble and coarse-sand beaches lies along it west of Ierapetra, around the village of Myrtos. An asphalt road links Myrtos with Tertsa and reaches the two smaller beaches between them.

• Myrtos lies 13 km west of Ierapetra, at the point where the Kryos river leaves the Sarakina gorge and crosses a valley of greenhouses and citrus groves. The beach is long, sheltered from strong winds and made of coarse grey sand that does not stick to the skin, and the village behind it has hotels, tavernas, shops and a clinic.
• Vatos sits 18 km west of Ierapetra and 3 km east of Myrtos, at the entrance of a valley that starts inland at Gdohia. Greyish pebbles and deep water mark the shore, which runs east towards Myrtos past several secluded stretches. The settlement is undeveloped, so the beach stays quiet.
• Kalikovrechtis begins 19 km west of Ierapetra and 4 km east of Myrtos, where the Kalikovrechtis stream comes out between the Kolechtos and Kako Oros peaks on the county boundary. A handful of cottages stand above fine greyish pebbles, the water is usually calm, and the steep slopes put the beach in shade early in the afternoon.
• Tertsa is a small village between Myrtos and Psari Forada, 54 km south-west of Agios Nikolaos, set in a valley cut by the Tsounas river. A freshwater spring rises in the small gorge the river has formed, and the few buildings by the shore were once depots for the carobs and citrus grown here.