Welcome to the easternmost and least mountainous region of Crete, where the population resides in four semi-urban centers: Áyios Nikólaos, Ierápetra, Sitía and Neápoli. The mythical palm tree forestof Váï, the Gulf of Mirabello, the windmills on the Plateau of Lassíthi (the largest in Crete), beaches lapped by crystalline water, beautiful cities and luxurious hotel resorts all make up a ratherfascinating world.
10 km north of Áyios Nikólaos you will find a jet-setter haven, Eloúnda, a famous cosmopolitan resort with luxury accommodation facilities. The village is built on the southerncoast of the Gulf of Eloúnda, 1km east of the ancient settlement of Oloúnda.
Close to Eloúnda lies the island of Spinalónga (meaning long thorn), which you may access by boat from Eloúnda, ÁyiosNikolaos or Pláka. Boat trips from Eloúnda take approximately fifteen minutes while trips departing from Áyios Nikolaos take almost an hour. The former leper colony is today an unoccupied island andone of the main tourist attractions in Crete due to its historical and significance. In addition to the abandoned leper colony, where the lepers%u2019 houses still stand, you can admire its fortress aswim at its small pebble beaches. Note that there are no accommodation facilities on the island; therefore the visit here can last only a few hours.
Neápoli, located 15km northwest of ÁyiosNikolaos, was the region%u2019s capital until 1904. Today it is a small town nestled picturesquely on an olive grove valley. It is distinguished by its excellent urban planning and well-preservedneoclassical buildings. The town boasts among others an interesting archaeological collection, a Folklore Museum, Byzantine monasteries (don%u2019t miss the 15th century Monastery of Kremastá)
A lexplored region of Crete is Sitía, a busy port of the northeastern Crete, the sea gate from Crete to the Dodecanese and the birthplace of the poet Vintsentzos Kornaros, author of "Erotokritos".Getting to this more isolated region, located 70 km east of Áyios Nikolaos, takes you on a journey through magnificent countryside generously adorned with dramatic gorges (Áyion Pánton gorge and theRichti gorge), intriguing villages hanging onto inland peninsulas or steep hillsides. Sitía is also home to notable monasteries (like Toploú), archaeological sites, palm-forested beaches, sparklingbays and fascinating routes across the mountains.
Váï, located 94km northeast of Áyios Nikolaos, is the only palm forest in Europe consisting of more than 5,000 trees and extending for about 250hectares. There are many legends concerning the creation of this palm forest. It is said that it dates back to medieval times when the Arabs conquered Crete and planted those trees; others say thatthe trees were planted by Saracens pirates who used to hide in the area. In front of the forest lies a long sandy beach, which combined with the lush vegetation forms an impressive desert-likelandscape.
Ierápetra, 35km south of Áyios Nikolaos, is the largest city in Lassíthi region and the sunniest city in Europe! The most interesting sightseeings here are the 19th century mosque inthe old town, the 13th century Kalés Venetian fortress at the port entrance, the Archaeological Collection housed in the building of the former Ottoman School at the City Hall square, and a plethoraof old churches.
In Lassíthi region, various feasts are also organised all-year-round. Visitors will always have the opportunity to participate in a traditional Cretan feast, where they canlisten to the sound of the Cretan lyre and enjoy proud Cretan dancers twirling in a pendozáli dance.
