Lasithi is the easternmost of Crete’s four regions. It may be less popular with visitors than Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion, but in my opinion, it is also the part of the island that has kept more of its traditional character.
There are fewer visitors, fewer large resorts, fewer organised beaches and, in many places, a more traditional way of life. If this is the side of Crete you would like to experience, I definitely recommend spending at least a few days of your trip in Lasithi.
Choosing where to stay, however, is not necessarily easy. Lasithi has three main towns – Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra and Sitia – as well as seaside resorts and much smaller villages that offer a completely different type of holiday.
In this guide, I’ll help you decide which area of Lasithi suits you best and where to look for accommodation.
Which area of Lasithi should you choose?
- Agios Nikolaos: Best for an all-round stay, restaurants, beaches and easy day trips.
- Sitia: Best for a peaceful, authentic stay and exploring eastern Crete.
- Ierapetra: Best for exploring the south coast, quieter beaches and a more local atmosphere.
- Elounda: Best for luxury hotels, resorts and easy access to Spinalonga.
- Makry Gialos: Best for families with children and relaxed beach holidays.
1. Agios Nikolaos – best overall base in Lasithi
Agios Nikolaos is the capital of Lasithi and is located on the western side of the Gulf of Mirabello. Unlike Crete’s other regional capitals, Agios Nikolaos is not known for a large Venetian old town, city walls or a historic Venetian harbour.
It is still a very picturesque town, with one feature that makes it immediately recognisable: Lake Voulismeni, right in the centre. Around the lake, you will find cafés, tavernas and restaurants, and this is also where much of the life of the town is concentrated.
Agios Nikolaos has the relaxed feel of a small seaside town, with plenty of traditional touches, but at the same time it has all the facilities you are likely to need during your holiday.
Pros
- Picturesque town with all the main facilities and services.
- Plenty of accommodation, restaurants, cafés and bars.
- There are beaches within the town, including Kitroplateia, Ammos Beach and Ammoudi, which you can reach on foot.
- A good base for visiting Kritsa, Elounda and Spinalonga.
Cons
- You will not find the same concentration of large resorts within the town as you will in Elounda.
- Nightlife is relatively relaxed rather than lively and club-focused.
- There is no airport in Agios Nikolaos, so most visitors arrive through Heraklion or Sitia.
Recommended places to stay in Agios Nikolaos
- (€€€) Emerald Lake Studios: Apartments overlooking Lake Voulismeni, with kitchenettes and balconies. Ammos Beach is about a 4-minute walk away, and restaurants and shops are within easy walking distance.
- (€€) Hotel Port 7: Small hotel next to the port and promenade. There are double rooms as well as studios with kitchenettes, including larger options for families. Breakfast is available at the hotel.
- (€) Creta Hotel: Self-catering studios and apartments on a quiet street, about 150 metres from the beach and a 5-minute walk from the town centre. A useful option if you want a kitchen and do not need full hotel facilities.
2. Sitia – best for a quiet and authentic stay in eastern Crete
Sitia is the easternmost major town in Crete and has a relaxed, traditional character. Its palm-lined harbour is one of the prettiest parts of town, while Kazarma Fortress stands above it and is one of Sitia’s most recognisable landmarks.
This is a good place to stay if you are looking for α quieter holiday, good food and a more local atmosphere. Sitting at one of the tavernas along the waterfront is one of the things I would definitely recommend doing while you are here.
Pros
- Sitia has both an airport and a ferry port, which can make arriving in eastern Crete easier.
- A good choice for travellers who want to experience the quieter and more traditional side of eastern Crete.
- An excellent base for exploring Vai Palm Forest, Zakros, the Gorge of the Dead and Xerokampos.
- A long beach starts close to the town centre.
- There are plenty of shops, tavernas and cafés, as well as a few bars.
Cons
- It may be too quiet for travellers looking for lively nightlife.
- The main beach is exposed to northerly winds, so the sea can sometimes be too rough for comfortable swimming.
- It is less convenient if most of the beaches you want to explore are on the south coast of Lasithi.
- There are fewer large resorts and hotel complexes.
Recommended places to stay in Sitia
- (€€€) GM Exclusive Luxury Suites and SPA: Six large suites close to Kazarma Fortress and the port. The suites have kitchens and balconies or terraces, and the property also has a gym; the outdoor hot tubs operate during the summer season.
- (€€) Sitia Bay hotel: Beachfront apartments about a 5-minute walk from the town centre. All units have a kitchen, and the property also has a swimming pool, private parking and a small children’s play area.
- (€) ELYSEE HOTEL: Straightforward hotel on Sitia’s seafront road, around 50 metres from the beach and 150 metres from the town centre. It also has private parking, which is useful if you are exploring eastern Crete by car.
3. Ierapetra – best for exploring the south coast
Ierapetra is one of Lasithi’s three main towns and, unlike Agios Nikolaos and Sitia, it is located on the south coast of Crete.
It has a pleasant seafront promenade, older neighbourhoods and the Venetian Kales Fortress standing at the edge of the harbour.
Ierapetra works well for a relaxed holiday, although you will also find a few bars that get lively in the evening. For me, its biggest advantage is its location. Staying here gives you much easier access to the beaches of southern Lasithi, which I personally find more beautiful. They are also much less affected by the northerly winds that can make swimming difficult on the north coast.
Pros
- A relatively quiet town where you can experience a more local side of Crete.
- Beaches within and close to the town, including Apovathra Beach, Limanakia and Ierapetra Beach.
- Easy access to some of the beaches and seaside villages of southern Crete, including Koutsounari, Myrtos and Gra Lygia.
- Boat trips to Chrissi Island depart from Ierapetra.
Cons
- Ierapetra does not have an airport. Sitia Airport is around an hour away by car.
- Nightlife is fairly limited if you are looking for clubs and late nights.
- There are fewer large hotel complexes than in some of Crete’s more developed resort areas.
Recommended places to stay in Ierapetra
- (€€€) El Greco Boutique Hotel: Four-star hotel on the seafront, within walking distance of the old town, port, restaurants and shops. It has standard rooms as well as sea-view rooms and suites.
- (€€) Astron Hotel: Central hotel next to the sea and around five minutes on foot from shops, cafés and restaurants. It has 24-hour reception and several room categories, including sea-view rooms and suites.
(€) Coral Hotel – Hotelia Hospitality Group: Located in the centre of Ierapetra, about 30 metres from the sea. The same property group also has apartments with kitchenettes and larger units for families or longer stays.
4. Elounda – best for luxury hotels and resorts
Elounda is probably the most developed resort area in Lasithi. It is located on the northwestern side of the Gulf of Mirabello, just north of Agios Nikolaos, and is known for its large resorts, luxury hotels and wide choice of restaurants.
The area also attracts many visitors because of its proximity to Spinalonga. Boats leave from Elounda for the island, where you can visit the Venetian fortress and learn about its later history as a leper colony.
Another characteristic part of the landscape is the old salt pans around Elounda.
Pros
- One of the best areas in Lasithi if you are looking for luxury hotels, large resorts and spa facilities.
- Plenty of restaurants and places to eat.
- Very convenient for boat trips to Spinalonga.
- Closer to Heraklion than most of the other areas in this guide.
- Easy access to beaches around Elounda and the calm waters of the Gulf of Korfos.
Cons
- Elounda does not have an airport. Heraklion Airport is around 67 km away, while Sitia Airport is around 76 km away.
- There is no major passenger port connecting Elounda with the rest of Greece, so most visitors arrive through Heraklion or Sitia.
- Accommodation tends to be more expensive, and the area attracts more visitors than most other parts of Lasithi.
Recommended places to stay in Elounda
- (€€€) Royal Marmin Bay Boutique & Art Hotel: Five-star adults-only resort built on a hillside outside the centre of Elounda. It has a beach area, pools, restaurants and spa facilities, so it suits travellers looking for a full resort stay rather than accommodation in the centre of the village.
- (€€) Elounda Colour Apartments: Apartments close to the central square, with kitchen facilities in every unit. Elounda Beach is about 500 metres away, and restaurants and shops are within walking distance.
- (€) Kavos Bay Apartments: Beachfront apartments with kitchenettes, a swimming pool and free parking. They are outside the busiest part of Elounda, with the centre roughly a 20-minute walk away.
5. Makry Gialos – best for families with children
Makry Gialos is a quiet seaside resort on the southeastern coast of Crete. What makes it stand out is its long sandy beach and shallow water, which is also the main reason I think it is such a good choice for families with children. The Municipality of Ierapetra also describes Makry Gialos as a sheltered, shallow beach that is particularly suitable for families.
The village has a small harbour, tavernas, cafés, apartments and smaller hotels. The general atmosphere is very relaxed, so this is somewhere I would choose mainly for days at the beach, swimming and long dinners by the sea.
Pros
- A long sandy beach runs along the village, and there are several other beaches nearby, including Kalamokanias, Koutsoureli, Lagoufa and Lagada.
- A good option for families and couples looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday.
- It does not attract the same crowds as many of Crete’s larger resorts.
Cons
- Makry Gialos does not have its own airport. Sitia Airport is the closest option.
- There is very little nightlife. Evenings here are much more about dinner and drinks by the sea than bars or clubs.
Recommended places to stay in Makry Gialos
- (€€) White Pearl: Studios directly on the sandy beach, with no road between the property and the sea. They have kitchen facilities, free parking and options for up to four guests, making this one of the most practical choices for families with young children.
- (€€) Aelia Apartments: Six self-catering apartments about 200 metres from Kalamokanias Beach. Each apartment is around 42 m², sleeps up to four people and has a fully equipped kitchen.
- (€) Cybele Apartments: A small complex of 12 self-catering units, including studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments. A practical option if you want more space and your own kitchen rather than hotel facilities.
I hope this guide has helped you choose the right place to stay in Lasithi and made planning your trip a little easier. If you are also visiting other parts of Crete, you can find my guides to Chania, Rethymno and Heraklion here as well.
