Psari Forada is a small village on the south coast of Crete, in the Lasithi region, 21.2 km west of Ierapetra. The village is also known as Mesa Psari, and it sits tucked into a ravine cut by a small stream, just above its own beach at Sidonia. The warm climate along this coast suits olive trees, subtropical fruit such as bananas and early outdoor vegetables, and the fields and greenhouses around the village still work that ground. Tourist development here has stayed modest.

Heraklion airport lies 48.2 km away, with Agios Nikolaos 29.1 km north-east and Hersonissos 37.4 km north. Psari Forada suits a quiet stay on the south coast, within a few kilometres of several undeveloped pebble beaches and two technical canyons.

Things to do in Psari Forada

Six outings lie within about 6 km of the village, listed below from nearest to furthest.

Swim at the village beach. Sidonia lies 1.3 km south and is also called Psari Forada beach, or Kato Psari; it is thought to stand on the site of the ancient town of Sidonia.
Look into the Panagia canyon. The Panagia Keralimeniotissa gorge starts 1.9 km away, runs about 600 m with six rappels, and needs canyoning gear, so it is a trip for an equipped group rather than a walk.
Walk along to Tertsa. The hamlet 2.7 km west sits in a valley carved by the Tsounas river, with a fresh water spring inside a small gorge; its buildings once stored carobs and citrus fruit, and Tertsa now grows bananas and vegetables under glass.
Visit the monastery at Arvi. Agios Antonios Monastery stands 4 km from Psari Forada.
See the Arvi gorge. The canyon splits Arvion Mount in two north of the coastal village of Arvi, 4.4 km away, where the shrine of Zeus Arveios once stood; the Arvi gorge is cut into the limestone of Mount Dikti and needs canyoning equipment and torches for its run of waterfalls.
Drive up to Gdohia. The village 5.3 km away stands at 225 m beside the Ierapetra-Viannos provincial road, looks out over the Libyan Sea, and keeps old stone houses with chiselled doorframes; Gdohia takes its name from the verb “gdyno”, meaning to skin, set fire or devastate, after raids by pirates from the Barbary Coast.

Beaches in and around Psari Forada

Psari Forada has its own beach at Sidonia, 1.3 km south, and 4 more lie within 6 km along the same coast. Grey pebbles and deep water are the pattern here, and most of these beaches have no facilities at all.

Sidonia lies 1.3 km south, also written Syndonia and also known as Kato Psari. The settlement was once a coastal village of fishermen and farmers from Kalami, 9 km to the north, and it shares the stream ravine with Psari Forada.
Faflagos is 2.1 km away near Arvi, at the foot of a valley crossed by the Blavaris river, which rises at Kato Symi and usually dries up in summer. The sand is coarse and grey, the amenities run to a canteen, a few rooms and a handful of shade trees, and the long beach of Latomia adjoins it to the west.
Tertsa sits 2.7 km away in a green valley between Myrtos and Psari Forada, below a village whose land belongs largely to settlers from Sykologos, 7.5 km north.
Kalikovrechtis lies 4.7 km away at the mouth of the Kalikovrechtis stream, between the peaks of Kolechtos and Kako Oros, on the boundary between the Heraklion and Lasithi counties. The pebbles are fine and greyish, the water is usually calm, tamarisk trees give shade, and the steep slopes put the beach in shadow early in the afternoon.
Vatos stands 5.4 km away under the village of the same name, at the entrance to a valley that starts inland at Gdohia. The beach runs east towards Myrtos with small secluded stretches along the way, and its greyish pebbles and deep water are typical of southern Crete.

Where to eat near Psari Forada

Eating here means village tavernas, the nearest 1.3 km from Psari Forada and the rest strung along the coast towards Arvi. The choice is Cretan taverna cooking, snack bars and one pizza kitchen.

Taverna Koufoyannis is the closest kitchen, 1.3 km out.
“Lambros” Taverna stands 2.8 km along the coast.
Taverna Diktina sits 4.4 km out, near Arvi.
Ritrovo Pizza serves pizza and coffee, 4.5 km away.

Getting to Psari Forada

Psari Forada sits on the coastal strip west of Ierapetra, 21.2 km from the town. Tertsa lies between Myrtos and Psari Forada on the same shoreline, and an asphalt road joins Myrtos to Tertsa, so approaches from the west run along the coast. Inland, the Ierapetra-Viannos provincial road passes Gdohia 5.3 km above the village.

Agios Nikolaos is 29.1 km north-east, Hersonissos 37.4 km north and Heraklion airport 48.2 km away, so arrival here means a drive across the island rather than a coastal run. A car is close to essential: the beaches, the canyons and the hill villages such as Riza, 5.6 km away at 540 m in the southern Dikti range, all sit on separate roads.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Psari Forada in Crete?

Psari Forada lies 21.2 km west of Ierapetra on the south coast of Crete, in the Lasithi region, with Agios Nikolaos 29.1 km to the north-east.

Does Psari Forada have a beach?

Yes: Sidonia, 1.3 km south of the village, is also called Psari Forada beach. Four more beaches lie within 6 km, among them Faflagos at 2.1 km and Tertsa at 2.7 km.

How far is Psari Forada from Heraklion airport?

Heraklion airport sits 48.2 km from Psari Forada, on the far side of the island from this south-coast village.

What else is Psari Forada called?

Psari Forada is also known as Mesa Psari. Its beach settlement 1.3 km south carries three names of its own: Sidonia, Syndonia and Kato Psari.

Can you walk a gorge from Psari Forada?

The two gorges nearest Psari Forada are technical canyons rather than walking routes. Panagia Keralimeniotissa, 1.9 km away, has six rappels and has been bolted by Cretan speleological clubs, and the Arvi gorge, 4.4 km away, needs equipment and torches for its waterfalls. Sarakina Gorge is the next one along, 8 km from the village.

Is Psari Forada a quiet place to stay?

Psari Forada has seen only modest tourist development. The beaches around it are largely unorganised, Vatos and Kalikovrechtis have almost no buildings, and Myrtos lies 7.6 km west along the coast.