Mirtos village: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Myrtos is a quiet whitewashed seaside village on the south coast of Lassithi in southeast Crete, sitting at the mouth of the River Kryos about 13 km west of Ierapetra. It is known for its calm grey-sand beach sheltered from the north winds, two Early Minoan archaeological sites (Pyrgos and Fournou Korifi), a small archaeological and folk-art museum, and an unhurried village atmosphere with no busy nightlife. This guide covers where Myrtos is, the beach, the things to do, where to eat and stay, and how to get there.

Sometimes spelt Mirtos, the village lies in the Lassithi Prefecture and serves as the administrative centre of a municipality that groups it with four other villages. At the 2001 census it had a population of around 500, and it keeps a strong traditional character despite the tourism that arrives each summer.

What and where is Myrtos

Myrtos is a coastal village on the south side of eastern Crete, in the Lassithi Prefecture. It stands where the River Kryos meets the Libyan Sea, framed by narrow streets, lush gardens, blue doors, and white walls. Life here runs at a slow pace: agriculture is the main occupation, greenhouses spread across the surrounding land, and the pace only lifts during the summer season.

The village keeps a genuine blend of tradition and tourism. Summers are lively but never hectic, and winters return to farming and quiet. For a relaxed base on the south coast rather than a resort, the nearest larger town for shopping, banking, and services is Ierapetra.

The beach at Myrtos

The main beach has ash-grey sand and crystal-clear water, and it sits in a spot sheltered from the northwesterly and northerly winds that can pick up elsewhere on the island. The sand is coarse and grey, which means it does not stick to your skin, and the beach widens toward the west where it becomes quieter and more tranquil.

Facilities along the front include lifeguards, umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms, with cafes and restaurants close by. There is space for beach volleyball, and water sports are available in season. For a full rundown of amenities and conditions, see the dedicated page for Myrtos beach.

Beaches nearby

Two and a bit kilometres away lies Vatos, a pebbled beach shaded by tamarisk trees. Just west of it is Kalikovrehtis, another pebbly stretch for those who like to walk a little further from the crowds. The village beach at Tertsa is around 4 km away for a longer day out. If you prefer pebbles and shade over sand, start with Vatos beach.

Things to do in Myrtos

Beyond swimming and slow mornings on the sand, the village rewards a wander. You can explore the narrow streets, sit at a traditional kafenio, and take in the colours of the place, from the blue doors and white walls to the red tomatoes ripening on the trees.

The area has a deep past worth seeking out. On the east shores of the River Kryos, an easy path leads to the Minoan settlement of Pyrgos, and near Nea Myrtos you can reach a second settlement at Fournou Korifi. Both date to the Early Minoan period, roughly 2800 to 2000 BC, and together they make Myrtos a genuine stop for anyone interested in prehistoric Crete.

To put those sites in context, visit the Archaeological and Folk Art Museum of Myrtos, which stands next to the old church of St. Anthony. The village also carries a more recent memory: a monument commemorates the 18 victims who were executed by the Nazis in 1943 as retribution for the deaths of two Germans in the neighbouring village of Symi.

For a wider day out, you can drive to Ierapetra and take a boat to the island of Chrissi or explore the town itself. A full list of local ideas is gathered on the page for things to do in Myrtos village.

Where to eat and stay in Myrtos?

Myrtos keeps things simple and local. Along and just back from the seafront you will find restaurants and tavernas, café-bars, and minimarkets, the kind of places where the day drifts from a morning coffee to an evening meal by the water. The mood is unhurried, and the absence of loud nightlife is part of the appeal.

For a longer stay, the village offers a range of studios and apartments, many within a short walk of the beach. Booking ahead is wise in high summer, when the small number of rooms fills quickly.

Getting to Myrtos

Myrtos is reached along the district road that runs west, roughly 16 km from Agios Nikolaos, Sitia, or Ierapetra when you approach from the east. The most scenic route comes from the north, where driving from Heraklion takes you through Viannos before reaching Myrtos and then Ierapetra, a journey of about two hours. The views are memorable, especially after Viannos, where the road opens onto one of Crete’s most striking pine forests.

By public transport, a bus connects Myrtos with Ierapetra roughly every two hours. Because services are limited and the best sites and beaches are spread along the coast, many visitors prefer to drive so they can reach Pyrgos, Vatos, and Tertsa at their own pace. If you are flying in, Heraklion International Airport is about 80 km away and Sitia Public Airport about 72 km, and you can arrange a hire car for the whole trip on our car rental page.

Practical tips

• Bring water and shade for the archaeological sites, as the paths are open and there is little cover.
• The coarse grey sand suits families who dislike fine sand sticking to everything after a swim.
• Time a visit to the museum with a walk to Pyrgos, since both sit close to the river.
• Stock up on pharmacy items and banking in nearby Ierapetra, since the village keeps only basic services such as a petrol station and a clinic.

Beaches in and around Myrtos

Myrtos has its own beach at the river mouth and 4 more within 6 km along this run of the Libyan Sea coast, 3 of them west of the village and 1 east towards Ierapetra. Myrtos and the beaches beside it share coarse grey sand and greyish pebbles, the usual surface on this coast. The whole stretch faces south, away from the north winds. The River Kryos reaches the sea at the village after cutting through a canyon 1 km inland, and its valley of greenhouses and citrus groves backs the shore; the walking route is described on our guide to the Sarakina Gorge.

• Myrtos beach is the village beach, 0.2 km away, an extensive stretch of coarse grey sand that does not stick to the skin and stays sheltered from strong winds. The village behind it holds small hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, a petrol station and a clinic, with a pharmacy nearby and a bus route to Ierapetra.
• Vatos sits 2.2 km west, a long beach of greyish pebbles with deep water, running east from the settlement back towards Myrtos and holding several secluded coves along the way. Vatos is undeveloped, so the sand stays quiet; the settlement falls under Gdohia village and sits at the entrance of a valley, with bananas and vegetables grown under glass around it. The asphalt road linking Myrtos with Tertsa gets you there.
• Kalikovrechtis lies 3.0 km west, an untouched beach of fine greyish pebbles at the exit of the Kalikovrechtis stream, set between the peaks of Kolechtos and Kako Oros on the boundary between the Heraklion and Lasithi counties. The water is usually tranquil, a few tamarisk trees give shade, and the high steep slopes behind put the beach in shadow early in the afternoon. Only a handful of cottages stand here, and the asphalt road from Myrtos or Tertsa reaches it.
• Tertsa follows at 5.1 km west, the beach of a small village in a valley carved by the Tsounas river, between Myrtos and Psari Forada. A fresh water spring rises in a small gorge the river has formed. The buildings here began as storage depots for carobs and citrus fruit, and the few villagers still farm, with greenhouses of bananas and fields of tomato, pepper and cucumber around them.
• Ammoudares is a series of long beaches of coarse grey sand 5.8 km east, sharing a beachfront with Nea Anatoli and Stomio. They stay mostly uncrowded, in part because greenhouses surround them and visitors worry about pesticide reaching the water. Kalamaki lies 1 km east of the first beach, hidden from the main road and sandy; it is also called Kapelas, after a pizzeria an American once ran here, kapelas meaning tavern owner.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Myrtos village?

Myrtos is on the south coast of the Lassithi Prefecture in southeast Crete, at the mouth of the River Kryos, about 13 km west of Ierapetra.

Is Myrtos beach good for families?

The beach has calm, clear water sheltered from the north winds, plus lifeguards, umbrellas, showers, and changing rooms. Its coarse grey sand does not stick to the skin, which many families prefer.

What are the Minoan sites near Myrtos?

Two Early Minoan settlements, Pyrgos on the east shore of the River Kryos and Fournou Korifi near Nea Myrtos, both dating to roughly 2800 to 2000 BC. The Archaeological and Folk Art Museum of Myrtos, beside the old church of St. Anthony, helps put them in context.

How do I get to Myrtos?

Drive west along the coastal district road from Ierapetra, Agios Nikolaos, or Sitia, or come from Heraklion via Viannos in about two hours. A bus links the village with Ierapetra roughly every two hours.

Is there nightlife in Myrtos?

No. Myrtos is a peaceful village with tavernas and café-bars rather than clubs, which is a large part of its charm.

Which beaches are near Myrtos?

Myrtos beach sits at the village, and 4 more lie within 6 km. Vatos is 2.2 km west, Kalikovrechtis 3 km west, Tertsa 5.1 km west and Ammoudares 5.8 km east towards Ierapetra.

Are the beaches near Myrtos sandy or pebbly?

Myrtos beach is coarse grey sand, while the two beaches immediately west of the village are pebble. Vatos and Kalikovrechtis both have greyish pebbles typical of southern Crete, and Ammoudares to the east returns to coarse grey sand.