16°C
The town of Ierapetra, with its Venetian fortress – the Kale, is known for its cultivation of greenhouse crops, as is the whole region. The southernmost town on the island, it also enjoys a warm climate that prolongs the bathing season. Four beaches are associated: West Beach, Kato/Lower Beach, that of Aghios Antonios and finally Peristeras.
This, not surprisingly, gets its name from being located to the west end of the seaside front of the town: it runs up the Kale fortress, which is near the town’s centre. Well developed, with sand and shallow water, it gets crowded with people. At its centre is a small canal that ends in a small lake, the Nauvmachia.
The Kale, at the east end, marks the boundary between this and the Lower Beach.
This starts at the Kale at its west end: it has coarse sand and quiet shallow waters. It is thus most suitable for swimming and different water-sports – such as scuba diving. Organized as well, there are nearby plenty of tavernas and cafeterias.
A little to the east again is the beach of Aghios Antonios.
This starts by the church of Aghia Fotini at the west and stretches unbroken for 4 km. It is the biggest by far of the Ierapetra beaches: its west end is organized and known as the Plage tou Demou (the Municipal Beach). It is sandy, with small pebbles and quiet shallow waters.
East of this and at the east end of the beaches is that of Peristeras.
The beach at the east end of those of Ierapetra is a secluded spot: it has sand, rocks and shallow waters. A second, rockier, stretch of the same name lies to the east.
From the centre of Ierapetra town, and further east along the coast too, we can see opposite us a small island – Chrysi or Gaidouronisi. Which every summer gets a vast horde of visitors.
Αμμώδης
Ναι - Πολλές επιλογές
Ναι - Πολλές επιλογές
Ναι - πολλές επιλογές
Σε ορισμένα σημεία
The Rural Greece is an online portal that connects travellers with unique destinations and local businesses in the countryside, offering authentic experiences through activities that highlight nature, traditions and culture.
For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
