Ierapetra, the most southern town in Crete and in Europe

Ierapetra is the most southern town in Creta and one of the sunniest places in Europe. After Heraklion, Chania and Rethimnon it is the 4th largest town on Crete. It is situated in a fertile area on the part where the island is the most narrow. Here the national road goes north to Pachia Amos and then to Agios Nikolaos or Sitia, making a crossroad for the traffic.

Ierapetra is a modern city with mostly large concrete buildings. Only the center in the old city with its buildings from the Turkish time and the fishing port is still really authentic. Here are the narrow streets with nice small cozy traditional houses where you can walk around. At the harbor front there are many restaurants and kafenions where you can have a snack or a drink. On the east side of Ierapetra you find the long beach of the city. Here are the most hotels. In spite of the hotels the beach is not really busy.

The history of Ierapetra

Not too much is known about the history of Ierapetra, but it used to be a powerful town in the east of Crete during the Hellenistic period. It even made its own coins. After an earthquake in 1508 destroyed large parts of the town it was rebuilt by the Venetians. In 1647 Ierapetra was conquered by the Ottoman Turks.