Mirtos is a charming and popular small tourist center in the south of Crete, just a little west (14 kilometer) of Ierapetra. It has got narrow streets, one leading into the village, others running steeply down from that street to the promenade and the beach. In the village there is a wide choice for taverna's, restaurants, hotels, small pensions and shops. Most of the taverna's are at the seafront, and most of the hotels in the backstreets. It is a lively place but in a good way, and it is cosy with lots of flowers in pots in front of the houses, and trees that are painted white at the bottom. Mirtos has got a lovely sandy beach with umbrellas and sunbeds. Just outside the village towards Vatos there are more beaches, which are more quiet than the beach of Mirtos itself.

Once the village of Mirtos was the secret tip of the backpackers, now it has become more lively, but because there are no really large hotels in Mirtos it is not overcrowded yet. In recent years more and more people find their way to the village through mouth-to-mouth advertisement. The number of shops, mini-markets, restaurants and accommodation is also increasing every year. In addition to the simple accommodations that you had earlier, there is now more choice for the more spoiled tourists that are looking for some luxury.

The large beach of Mirtos is excellent for swimming and also the proximity of so many other beaches means that there is space for everybody. Mirtos has about 700 inhabitants. The village is protected by the Dikti Mountains and also because of this it is blessed with a subtropical climate. This means that over all it is usually just a little bit warmer here than on the north side of the island. In Mirtos you can find all amenities, such as supermarkets, butchers, a grocery store, a bakery, a car rental and all kinds of shops and restaurants. Altough this sounds maybe a bit touristic there is still a feeling of Greek authenticity in the village of Mirtos.

Just outside Mirtos there are several excavations. On the hill Pirgos on the east side of the village remnants have been found of a settlement that dates back to the Minoan period (untill 1450 BC). In the Hellenistic period there was a sanctuary here. There are remains of walls and beautiful stone floors that you can take a look at. A little bit further to the east there was in early Minoan times (2600 BC) a stronghold / settlement on the hill Fournou Korfi. This is one of the largest Minoan settlements that is known but usually the entrance is closed.

In the village of Mirtos you can also see the he Agios Antonios church which dates from the 14th century and is probably even older (12th century). After being destroyed (probably during the Venetian period) it was rebuilt in 1853. The walls contain old pieces of marble and pieces of columns and statues, that are believed to have come from a Greek-Roman temple. In 1950 the church was restored.

We have walked the Sarakina Gorge in southeast Crete under the guidance of our guide Clive. The walk through the Gorge of Sarakini is quite heavy and takes about four hours. Because of all the climbing it is wise to wear good sandals (you must occasionally pass the water), a good condition and plenty of water are also needed. Your tour starts from the village of Mithi near Mírtos. There is also another possibility. If you come from Ierapetra towards Mirtos you will see a bridge just before the village. Before this bridge you go down the path off and you walk intill you see an ancient Roman bridge with arches. Here you turn right and immediately turn to the left. Follow the river bed and you will end up in the Sarakina Gorge. After half hours you will see another bridge. Left tof it lies the village of Mithi and here is another path back to Mirtos. We recommend to walk the gorge with Clive because he knows exactly where the best place is to climb and where it is the safest to go back down again. If you want to book the tour with Clive than please contact taverna Votsalo in Mirtos or Dick and Siemon of Villa in Mertiza Mirtos. They can help you at the phone number of Clive or tell you when he is present at Votsalo. "

Kastro Studios & Apartments are located 150 metres from the sea, in Mirtos village. The complex is set in a lovely 2,000 square metre garden and features a swimming pool and a library. All accommodation types at Kastro are self-catering and spacious with independent balconies. Air conditioning, TV and safe are included. Other facilities and services include a snack bar and free parking. Facilities and rooms for the disabled are also available.

Check availabilities and prices & book the Kastro Apartments & Studios - click here.

Set amidst lush gardens, the family-run Villa Myrthe is located in Myrtos Village of Lasithi area, within 150 metres from the beach. It offers self-catering units with free Wi-Fi and views over the Mediterranean Sea, or the garden. Opening to a furnished balcony or terrace, the apartments are air conditioned and decorated with dark-wooden furnishings. Each features a well-equipped kitchenette with dining table, fridge and small electric oven. A satellite TV and a private bathroom with shower are available. Guests will find restaurants and shops within 75 metres from Villa Myrthe. The seaside town of Ierapetra is 15 km away and the city of Heraklion is at a distance of 90 km. Free public parking can be found nearby.

Check availabilities and prices & book Villa Myrthe Apartments - click here.

Just 5 metres from Mirtos Beach, Paradise Studios features self-catered accommodation with straight views of the Libyan Sea. Guests can enjoy a drink at the on-site bar or use the BBQ facilities. Free Wi-Fi is provided. All air-conditioned studios are simply decorated and have a kitchenette with a mini fridge, cooking hobs and coffee maker. A TV and private bathroom with shower are included. Taverns, cafés and shops can be found within a short walk from Paradise Studios. a diving centre and boat rental facilities are located nearby. The town of Ierapetra lies 15 km away and Heraklion International Airport is 80 km away.

Check availabilities and prices and & book Paradise Studios - click here.

Centrally located in the seaside village of Myrtos Village, Myrtini Apartments is just 80 metres from the beach. Featuring free Wi-Fi throughout, its self-catered accommodation provides garden views from its terrace or balcony. A fully functional kitchen with a fridge, microwave and oven is standard in all the modernly decorated apartments. Each is air conditioned and has a washing machine and flat-screen satellite TV with pay-per-view channels. A glass shower stall, slippers and hair dryer are found in the bathroom. Taverns, cafés and shops are all within a short walking distance from Myrtini Apartments. It is 15 km from the town of Ierapetra. Heraklion International Airport is 80 km away.

Check availabilities and prices & book Myrtini Apartments - click here .

The southeast of Crete is the most peaceful part of the island of Crete, where you regularly bump into an empty beach, and yet there are a number of cosy coastal villages with a bit of life such as his Mírtos, Makrigialios and Analipsi. One of the places in the southeast of Crete, which we discovered was Mirtos. This village turned out to be a pleasant surprise and our attention was drawn by Villa Mertiza. It is a complex with 22 apartments and studios in 2008 where we have taken a look. It is run by people from Holland. It looked very cared for and had a modern kitchen with a refrigerator and coffee maker. There is also more comfortable and stylish than what you might normally find in a typical Greek studio or apartment. So no plastic chairs, but with good beds and just a bit more luxury and better dressed up. Mírtos is also a popular place to stay so it's wise to reserve (when we were there in October, there was just a studio left where we could take a look). In the complex of Villa Mertiza there is a reception and there is a large covered terrace where there are comfortable seats. Here you can read your newspaper or a book or you can drink a coffee. If you want you can have breakfast at Villa Mertiza as well.

Tel. Information and bookings: 0030 6932735224 / (0030) 28420 51208 - Send an e-mail to Villa Mertiza
For more information about Villa Mertiza and Mirtos click here

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Big Blue is situated in the lovely village of Myrtos, south Crete and offers spacious, soundproofed rooms, with free internet access throughout the hotel. Enjoy the great views of the sea and the village from your private balcony. Relax in the garden, surrounded by citrus groves, and taste some of the hotel's home made wine. Each room is fully equipped with modern amenities for your convenience. Air-conditioning and heating are also provided, so your comfort is guaranteed, whatever the weather. There are also BBQ facilities on-site for outdoor dining. The beach is just 30 metres from the hotel and there are plenty of outdoor activities that can be accessed around Big Blue. Take a walk through the local forests, go fishing, or rent a car through the hotel and explore the historic sites. The village has all the local amenities you will need as well as good public transport connections to Heraklion, Ierapetra and Agios Nikolaos.

Check availabilities and prices & book the Big Blue Apartments - click here.

Next to Mirtos in the southeast of Crete lies the village Tertsa. It is very quiet and there are many nice sand beaches, which are also suitable for naturists. In the village of Tertsa itself is the large sandy village beach with sunbeds and umbrellas and on either side of this beach there are a large number of beaches to choose from. The beaches on the west side of the village are superb, quiet and perfect for naturism. Dick and Siemon of Villa Mertiza (see above) manage a small complex here called Villa Lambros. The village of Tertsa is very small, with 70 inhabitants, and yet with a few tavernas and a mini market. One of the tavernas, Lambros Taverna is very good and people are very friendly and hospitable. If you like to spend a couple days in real peace and quiet (with the exception of occasional barking dog) and you want to enjoy the sun, nature and a delicious glass of ouzo on the balcony, this is a place for you. No rush, everything relaxed and no noise of cars. We stayed in a well decorated and neat apartment with a separate bedroom, a couch and an armchair, a dining area, a complete kitchen (including coffee machine, water cooker, electric hot plates, refrigerator etc), a bathroom and a large balcony with sea view.

Tel. : 0030 6932735224 / (0030) 28420 51208 - Send an e-mail to Villa Lambros
For more information about Villa Mertiza and Mirtos - click here

Moments Cafe Bar is situated at the beach of Mirtos. Here we just had some wine. It was hospitable that they put some plates with nuts and with peach on the table. The service was friendly.

Our verdict: an 8 out of 10

Only a small menu here in Cafe Bar Corina in Mirtos, on the southcoast of Crete: breakfast, ice cream, yoghurt with honey and a beautiful cup of Illy coffee. Not much, but what they serve is okay. It is situated on the boulevard where most of the restaurants are.

Our verdict: an 8,5 out of 10

Karovastasi is situated on the seaside at the promenade of Mirtos. We sit down here here because we like a to eat some fish. Then we suddenly appear to have entered a different country. You are requested not to make any photos and the owner of the taverna thinks he can claim a copyright on some piled stones (see pictures). The menu of Karovastasi is limited to but there is fresh fish so we order this. The man with mustache that serves at the taverna not particularly friendly, but oh well, just as long a the fish tastes good who cares? First we get two thin slices of bread and the wine. The wine is good, the fish is small and not particularly good. It's not served with fries, but only with some tomatoes and cucumber slices and a couple of pepper rings. We aske for the bill which is written on a sheet of notebook. The cash register stays untouched? We get the impression that there might be an attempt to evade the tax. No raki or fruit or something sweet after, as usual in Greek tavernas.

Our verdict: a 4 out of 10