Southeast Crete: Ierapetra and Makrigialos

Southeast Crete at a glance

• Makrigialos is a small seaside resort with a harbour, tavernas and several beaches nearby.
• Ierapetra offers beaches and a waterfront alongside the shops and everyday life of a working Cretan town.
• The climate is one reason to consider the region beyond summer. Historical weather records for Ierapetra show warmer average temperatures and fewer days with precipitation than records for Souda near Chania.
• Best suited to: travellers who want beach time, local food and day trips without basing their entire holiday in a large resort.

Why visit southeast Crete?

Crete is often introduced through Chania, Rethymno and the celebrated beaches of the west. Travel to the southeast and the island takes on a different character. Much of the landscape looks drier and more rugged. Along the coast, holiday villages sit close to agricultural areas and towns where life continues after the summer visitors leave.

Makrigialos and Ierapetra make useful bases for exploring this part of Crete. Choose Makrigialos if a beach and a small harbour are central to your plans. Choose Ierapetra if you prefer the services and atmosphere of a town.

The climate: what do the figures show?

Southeast Crete has a climate advantage that is particularly relevant to autumn and winter travel. According to long-term data from the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, Ierapetra averages 21.3°C (70°F) and 4.6 days with precipitation in October. At the Souda station near Chania, the corresponding figures are 19.4°C (67°F) and 9.3 days.

The difference is also visible in February: Ierapetra averages 12.9°C (55°F) and 9.7 days with precipitation, compared with 11.0°C (52°F) and 14.5 days at Souda. These are historical averages for two weather stations, not a forecast for a particular trip or a measurement for every village in the southeast.

The mountains and the south-facing coast help shape the region’s weather. There can still be windy, rainy and cool days. In autumn, plan for the possibility of swimming, but leave room in your itinerary for other activities.

Makrigialos: a beach holiday at a slower pace

Makrigialos, also written Makry Gialos, is a small seaside destination with tavernas around its harbour. It is easy to spend a quiet day here without a long itinerary: walk to the beach, stop for lunch and return to the waterfront in the evening.

The name roughly means “long shore”. The main beach stretches towards Analipsi and has shallow water in many sections, making it appealing to families. West of the centre, Kalamokanias has darker, coarser sand and a different feel.

Beaches near the harbour

Katovigli is close to the harbour and easy to reach on foot. Sunbeds and umbrellas are usually available during the holiday season.

To the east is Diaskari Beach, also known as Green Beach. It offers a more tucked-away setting. Check what is open if you visit outside the main season; beach facilities and tavernas can change their hours.

For more ideas, see our guide to the beaches around Makrigialos (in German).

Walks beyond the coast

The countryside behind Makrigialos is worth exploring. Around Pefki village and Pefki Gorge, walking routes offer views over olive groves and towards the sea. Conditions in a gorge can change after rain, so check the route and weather before setting out.

A stop mentioned in our original guide is the “Weinlaube”, a small café near Pefki where you can pause for the view and perhaps try a glass of raki (German-language article). Check its opening hours before making a special trip. Families planning walks elsewhere on the island may also find our guide to hiking with children on Crete useful (in German).

Makrigialos at a glance

Atmosphere: small coastal resort with a harbour and tavernas
Beaches: a shallow main beach and other nearby stretches of coast
Practicalities: shops and services for a holiday stay; check opening hours outside summer

Ierapetra: a town on Crete’s south coast

West of Makrigialos, Ierapetra faces the Libyan Sea. It is a place where visitors share the streets with residents going about their daily lives. Agriculture is an important part of the surrounding area, and the greenhouses along the coast are hard to miss.

Ierapetra may suit you better than a small resort if you want a wider choice of shops and restaurants, or if you are planning a stay outside the peak holiday season.

The old harbour and Kales Fortress

Ierapetra’s history adds another reason to explore on foot. Ancient Ierapytna prospered in part because of its position on trading routes. Today, the Venetian Kales Fortress by the harbour and traces of the Ottoman period are among the town’s historic landmarks.

Leave time simply to walk along the waterfront and through the older streets. There are beaches in and around Ierapetra, though the mix of sand and pebbles varies. If the beach is the main purpose of your day, look at the particular stretch you plan to visit.

Are there plans for a new marina?

The municipality presented a study in March 2026 for improving and expanding Ierapetra’s port facilities. Its proposals include floating pontoons, better protection from waves and more space for fishing and leisure boats.

These are plans, not a completed new marina. For now, the existing harbour is a place to explore on foot and a departure point for boat trips.

Boat trips to Chrissi Island

Trips towards Chrissi Island are offered from Ierapetra. Before booking, ask the operator about the current route, whether landing is permitted and which areas visitors may enter. Access rules for this protected island have changed over time, and its sensitive interior is subject to restrictions.

Ierapetra at a glance

Atmosphere: a working town with a harbour and local life throughout the year
Beaches: several options in town and along the nearby coast
Practicalities: shops, restaurants and everyday services
Places to explore: Kales Fortress, the older streets and the waterfront

Makrigialos or Ierapetra: where should you stay?

Stay in Makrigialos if you picture mornings at the beach and evenings around a small harbour. It works especially well when you want a relaxed holiday with many essentials close by.

Stay in Ierapetra if you want a town as your base, a broader choice of services or a trip outside the main summer season. You can visit both places during the same holiday.

Consider your arrival airport before choosing accommodation. Crete is a large island, and a transfer from the far west to the southeast can take more time than the map suggests. For a shorter trip, it is usually more comfortable to explore one part of the island well than to change bases repeatedly.

Frequently asked questions about southeast Crete

Is southeast Crete warmer than western Crete in autumn?

The historical weather-station figures for Ierapetra and Souda near Chania show a higher average temperature and fewer days with precipitation in Ierapetra in October. Conditions vary from year to year and from one location to another, so use the figures for perspective rather than as a promise of sunshine.

Can you swim in Makrigialos in October?

Many visitors may find swimming pleasant on suitable days, but sea and air conditions vary. An October itinerary works best when it includes beaches alongside walks, meals and day trips.

Is Makrigialos suitable for families?

The shallow sections of its main beach and the short distances within the village make it an appealing option. As at any beach, check the wind, waves and conditions on the day.

What is the main difference between Makrigialos and Ierapetra?

Makrigialos is a small seaside resort centred on its beach and harbour. Ierapetra is a town with more shops, restaurants and year-round daily life. The better choice depends on how you want to spend your time.

Has Ierapetra’s new marina been completed?

The municipality presented plans to improve and expand the port in 2026. That announcement does not establish that a new marina has been completed.

Can you visit Chrissi Island from Ierapetra?

Boat excursions are offered, but landing arrangements and access to the island can change. Confirm the details with the operator shortly before booking.

Do you need a car in southeast Crete?

You can spend a beach-focused stay in Makrigialos without driving every day. A car gives you much more flexibility for Pefki, other beaches and trips between towns. Allow realistic travel time on Crete’s roads.

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Sources and travel notes

• Hellenic National Meteorological Service: historical climate data for Ierapetra, data period 1956–2010.
• Hellenic National Meteorological Service: historical climate data for Souda near Chania, data period 1958–2010. The stations describe their own locations; neither represents every part of its wider region.
• Municipality of Ierapetra: presentation of the port development study, March 2026.
• Visit Greece: Ierapetra.
• Cretan administration: Chrissi Island access rules for 2025. Check the rules applicable to your travel dates.