Makrigialos - characteristics and facilities of the resort

The medium-sized seaside resort of Makrigialos completes a long belt of individual tourist resorts that stretch along the south-eastern coast of Crete, one next to the other. This tourist belt starts with the larger and busier Ierapetra and continues with the small seaside villages (Koutsounari, Ferma, Agia Fotia, Galini, Achlia, Mavros Kolimbos and Koutsouras). Makrigialos, together with the neighbouring Analipsi, is the most easterly of these villages.

Originally a small fishing village, it has been developing since the 1950s and is now one of the most popular tourist resorts in the south-eastern part of Crete. Tourists are attracted here mainly by the beautiful sandy beaches and wonderfully clean sea, complemented by quality tourist facilities. The name of the resort comes from the phrase "Makry Gialos", which translates as "long coast". Makrigialos is located approximately 25 km from the popular tourist resort of Ierapetra and falls under the regional unit of Lassithi.

The tourist area of Makrigialos / Analipsi offers its visitors a sufficient quantity and quality of accommodation, especially smaller hotels, guesthouses or individual apartments for rent. The resort facilities consist of excellent tavernas and restaurants, several bars and cafes. There are large and small shops with a variety of goods, an ATM, a pharmacy and even a doctor. Most of these services can be found along the main promenade running through the resort.

Coast and beaches around Makrigialos

The coastline in the Makrigialos area is gentle and calm, which is why there are several beautiful and popular beaches. The local beaches are sandy to sand and shingle, some of them are organised, others are purely natural. However, the atmosphere here is mostly pleasant and peaceful, and you won't encounter crowds of tourists (typical of the northern coast of Crete). There are usually several tavernas and beach bars near these beaches, and you can also stay in beautiful guesthouses with sea views.

In the western part of the resort is the relatively isolated Kalamokania beach, which will give you plenty of peace and privacy. The beach is not organized, but its fine sand is so pleasant that you can lie right on it.

A small harbour, Makrigialos, forms part of the coastline and the small beach of Katovigli has been created in close proximity to it. It's a kind of Makrigialos beach in a small way - the beach is touristy, covered with golden sand and the coastline here descends gently into the sea.

The most popular and famous beach of the resort is the eponymous Makrigialos beach, a beautiful sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Families with small children or the elderly can enjoy their holidays here, thanks to the gradual entry into the sea. The beach is fully organised and on the adjacent promenade you will find several excellent tavernas (serving dishes made from fresh sea catch) and cafes.

The most easterly beach is Lagoufa, which is already on the border of Makrigialos and Analipsi. Lagoufa beach is partly equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas and partly left free. If you're looking for peace and privacy, try heading here.

Excursions around Makrigialos

Archaeological sites of Makrigialos

Close to Kalamokania and Katovigli beaches lies the first small archaeological site, which contains the remains of a Roman villa dating from around the 1st to 3rd century. The foundations of the building, including a small bathhouse annex, were discovered in the 1980s. The complex included an entrance hall decorated with marble and a mosaic floor with geometric patterns, which probably served as a reception hall. The baths were equipped with baths and an outdoor horseshoe-shaped pool, again decorated with marble.

The reason for the demise of the Roman baths is not known; they were probably looted during the Byzantine era. The few archaeological finds are now part of the collection of the Archaeological Museum of Sitia.

The second archaeological area is located less than a kilometre inland and the finds here are much older, as the remains of a Minoan villa dating back to the 15th century BC have been discovered. The villa was built in the style of the Minoan palaces of the time, with individual living rooms around a central courtyard. The floors of the villa were paved, but what is interesting about this building was its roof - covered with reeds and earth. This is because this type of roof was used in Crete until recently to protect the country stone houses.

According to the findings, the villa was destroyed by a great fire and the surviving artefacts are now housed in the Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos.

Nearby Makrigialos

Makrigialos / Analipsi is situated close to the main road connecting Ierapetra town with the eastern part of Crete, making it a good starting point for various excursions to the nearby and further afield.

The village of Makrigialos is located in the driest area of Crete (the area between the resorts of Sithia, Zakros, Ierapetra and Agios Nikolaos), which is also evident in its surroundings. Just outside the resort, the hills of the local Thripti mountain range start to rise and it doesn't take long to find yourself in the middle of the mountains. Here and there you will come across a tiny mountain village, otherwise the landscape is unspoilt and full of beautiful natural scenery of high mountains and deep valleys.

In the local arid wilderness, individual ravines that have formed between the rocks act as oases. There is more moisture down in the ravines, so you can see, for example, oleanders in bloom even in summer. But the area is most beautiful in spring, when the lush and blooming nature takes your breath away.

A nice excursion tip is the so-called Valley of the Butterflies, a gorge located just a few kilometres from the neighbouring resort of Koutsouras (it takes about half an hour by road from Makrigialos). The first 2 km of the gorge are relatively easy to walk through and you can go for a pleasant walk through the beautiful nature, which will be enriched by the various species of butterflies that live here. Deeper down, however, the rocks start to rise and the terrain becomes much more challenging. Depending on how far you go, you may see several small streams and small waterfalls (the number and intensity of these are greatest in spring).

But unfortunately in 1993, the forests on the southern slope of the Thripti Mountains, including the so-called Valley of the Butterflies, were hit by large and devastating fires. Since then, the area has slowly recovered, although the beautiful red butterflies are still visibly fewer than they used to be. Indeed, forest fires are not uncommon in Greece and the Greek islands.

From the port of Makrigialos, cruise ships sail to the nearby islet of Koufonisi, an uninhabited and quiet island with stunning beaches and azure glowing waters. The island of Koufonisi was known in ancient times as a major centre for the production of rhodopsin, a purple dye used to decorate Roman palaces. The rhodopsin dye was extracted from a particular species of mollusc that lived on the coast of the islet.

We can also recommend the unique "palm" beach of Vai, which lies on the northeastern tip of the island, close to a large grove of date palms. You won't see such a large area of naturally growing palm trees anywhere else on Crete.

Who is the centre suitable for?

Makrigialos Resort offers visitors all the comfort and convenience of a popular tourist destination. If this time you want to explore the beauty of the south-eastern part of Crete while enjoying quality tourist facilities, then Makrigialos is a good starting point for your travels.

More touristic destinations of Crete

Close resorts: Koutsouras

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.