Neapolis town: Beaches, Stays, Things to do

Located in a valley of olive groves, Neapoli (also Neapolis) is a charming city situated 54 km east of Heraklion and 15 km west of Agios Nikolaos. This tranquil and picturesque town, steeped in history and culture, offers a tapestry of elegant buildings, lush gardens, and historical churches, making it an embodiment of Cretan charm.

Tracing its roots back to the Venetian era, Neapoli, originally a small village known as Kares, has evolved significantly over the centuries. The Venetians reconstructed and renamed it Kenourgio Chorio (New Village), and it saw further development during the Turkish Occupation, becoming the administrative centre of the Lassithi Prefecture. This period of growth is reflected in the town’s architectural heritage, including the Court building, old secondary school, and the Bishopric Offices of Petra. Cultural enthusiasts can explore the Folk Museum of Neapoli and the grand architecture of the old orphanage, now housing an archaeological collection and the Eliakis Public Library.

The Cathedral of Panagia, a magnificent structure at the town’s heart, is a testament to its historical depth, being the second-largest church in Crete, built on the site of a former mosque and temple. The town’s historical narrative is further enriched by the ruins of Dreros, an ancient city with the temple of Apollo Delphinios, revealing tales of the Dorian invasion and subsequent city-state significance.

In contemporary times, despite facing neglect post-World War II and a trend of youth migration to larger cities, Neapoli retains its majestic character. Its culinary scene centred around the main square near the Cathedral of Megali Panagia, is renowned for producing orgeat (soumada), a traditional sweet almond drink symbolic of Cretan hospitality. The town’s quaint streets, such as those in the Agios Dimitrios neighbourhood, lead to historical gems like the old aqueduct and the Seraglio of Maslum Karakasis.

Neapoli, positioned in the Ano Mirabello region of northwestern Lassithi, is not just a historic seat but also a living mosaic of Cretan life. A short drive from the bustling town of Agios Nikolaos, it serves as the focal point of the Holy Metropolis of Petra and Cherronisos, as well as a centre for judicial services. The town’s character is further accentuated by its old mansions, scenic alleys, and Ottoman fountains. The main square, with its idyllic municipal garden and adjacent Folk Art Museum of Neapoli, enhances the area’s serenity and grandeur. Surrounded by historical monasteries and churches, including the Franciscan Monastery of Fraro and the archaeological site of Driros, Neapoli is a hub of history and culture. Additionally, the town is alive with annual cultural and athletic events, with the festivities on August 14th and 15th being the highlight, drawing visitors and locals alike to celebrate Neapolis’ rich heritage and vibrant community spirit.

Things to do in Neapoli

1. Look round the folklore museum. The collection sits on the main square, a few steps from the Cathedral: Folklore Museum of Neapolis.
2. Eat on the square. Two places stand within 100 m of the centre, Finikas Raki-Taverna and Pizza Di Neapoli.
3. Drive up to the two monasteries. Both stand 1.4 km outside the town, Kremasta Monastery and Koufi Petra Monastery.
4. Spend an afternoon at Amazonas Park. The park lies 2.5 km from the town: Amazonas Park.
5. Walk the Adrianos Gorge. The canyon starts at Adrianos village, 5.9 km away, and takes about 3 hours to cross, with large rocks blocking the path in places. The Maridon and Atziganospilios caves sit close by, and the river through it drains near the Agios Nikolaos stadium: Adrianos Gorge.
6. Drive the old road through Selinari. The gorge runs down the eastern slopes of Mount Selena, 6.7 km from Neapoli, and carries the National Road from Heraklion to Agios Nikolaos. The old National Road runs parallel to the new one through the same gorge and comes out near Milatos: Selinari Gorge.

Beaches in and around Neapoli

Neapoli stands inland in its valley of olive groves and has no beach of its own. The nearest sea is 7.9 km away at Milatos on the north coast, and 5 beaches lie within 11 km, split between that coast and the shore around Agios Nikolaos.

• Milatos lies 7.9 km away, a traditional coastal village with a working fishing port on the western edge of the Mirabello province. The coastal settlement of Paralia Milatou lies 1 km north of the village, and the shoreline is a run of small rocky inlets, some of them suitable for swimming. The Milatos cave nearby was the site of a massacre of locals by the Ottomans in 1823.
• Sissi sits 9.3 km away, a seaside village built round a natural harbour of deep green water, with taverns along its narrow streets. The coast here is mostly rocky and the sea usually choppy, so the calm swimming spot is the small beach inside the harbour, which has a few umbrellas and showers. East of the village, Harkoma bay holds the sandy Boufos beach.
• Katsikia (Candia) is 10.6 km away, the last beach going north from Agios Nikolaos towards Elounda. Sand mixed with scattered stones lies in front of the Candia Park Village hotel, reached either through the hotel or by the road around it. The name comes from the goat pens that once stood here.
• Havania lies 10.7 km away, a bay on the road from Agios Nikolaos to Elounda. The municipal beach mixes sand and pebbles and has parking, a food canteen and lifeguards.
• Mirabelo sits 11 km away, two sandy beaches in the Mirabello bays, 2 km north of Agios Nikolaos and opposite the Hotel Mirabello. One of them has a harbour with docks and a small marina, both have umbrellas, sunbeds, showers and a bar, and a small man-made peninsula planted with tamarisk trees separates them.