Agia Pelagia - characteristics and facilities

Originally a fishing village, Agia Pelagia has grown over time into a seaside town and a popular tourist resort, which provides its visitors with the necessary facilities for a pleasant holiday - beautiful beaches, accommodation facilities, restaurants and taverns, shops with various goods and night bars or car rental, pharmacy or ATM.

Large hotels are located on the edge of the resort near two neighbouring bays, while in the centre of the resort you will find accommodation in apartments. Overall, however, this is a quiet and very relaxed resort, the nightlife is not very lively and is mostly concentrated in a few bars in the centre of town. The atmosphere of the resort may also be due to the fact that the town is not directly on the main road running along the north coast of Crete, but about 2-3 km from it.

Beaches around Agia Pelagia

The resort of Agia Pelagia is situated on the shores of a beautiful bay, which protects it from the adverse natural influences. The beaches and the sea in this area are well shielded from the wind, and the water is calm and crystal clear. The bay is mainly sandy beaches, some of which are gently sloping and suitable for smaller children, but others have less access to the sea due to large rocks and stones. On the other hand, the rocky walls of the bay provide good conditions for snorkelling and diving, as the underwater life in these places is really rich and interesting.

The coastline is very rugged and the resort has several official beaches, but also many small natural beaches or hidden coves. Agia Pelagia is one of Crete's diving centres and there is a sports diving club on the main beach. If you prefer to relax in the sea or play with your children, there are several well-protected coves with calm and warm waters.

The main beach of Agia Pelagia is covered with fine, golden sand and the coastline slopes gently into the sea. The beach is organised and offers tourists a wide range of water adrenaline sports, including a diving school. To the west of the main beach lie Filakes beach (a tiny and quiet beach below the Capsis hotel), Kladissos beach (a smaller beach that can be resorted to in the main tourist season when the central beach is crowded with tourists) or Mononaftis and Psaromoura beaches (they also tend to be emptier, but unlike the others are already more exposed to the northern winds). If you head east of the main beach, you can reach Ligaria beach (a nice beach, well protected from the wind) or Mades beach (a small beach with a few shops, you can see the large luxury hotel Athina Palace from here).

Excursions and sights nearby

The symbol of the seaside resort is the small church of St. Pelagia (Aghia Pelaghia), which stands on a high rock directly above the sea. The locals had the church built on this spot because her icon was found here. One of the most beautiful monasteries in Crete is considered to be the nearby Savathianon Monastery, in the grounds of which there is a cave with a built-in church of Aghios Antonio. The village of Rodgia, with its magnificent views over the whole bay and the town of Heraklion, and the village of Achlada, with its beautiful old stone fountain and the churches of Aghios Ioannis and Aghios Tryfonas, are also popular destinations.

Thanks to its proximity to the main road, the resort is a good starting point for exploring the beauty of the whole island of Crete. Be sure to also visit the capital Heraklion with the remains of the Venetian walls, the beautiful harbour and other historical sites.

For whom the centre is suitable

The resort of Agia Pelagia is ideal for a relaxing holiday. The main hustle and bustle is along the coastline where visitors can enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, nearby tavernas and even experience a bit of adrenaline in the form of diving or sailing. But don't expect a buzzing nightlife or other activities. On the other hand, the capital is close by and you can go there for entertainment, shopping and historical sightseeing.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Lygaria

Most favourite resorts of Crete: Adelianos Kampos, Agia Marina, Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion (Iraklion), Hersonissos, Chania, Ierapetra, Kalamaki (Matala), Malia, Platanias (Chania), Rethymno, Stalis

Resorts, beaches, sights or trips - clearly listed on the map of Crete.