The southern city of Ierapetra, in Crete’s Lasithi region, is a popular destination, especially for those who want to sail to Chrissi Island. Ierapetra is the perfect base to take a Chrissi Island day cruise.
However, there’s a lot more to see and do in town. Ierapetra is close to some beautiful beaches on the Libyan coast and interesting historic sites. Furthermore, you can easily reach places like Toplou Monastery or the archaeological site of Kato Zakros from Ierapetra.
If you’re considering spending a few days in the village and wondering where to stay in Ierapetra, check out the following suggestions!
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Best Ierapetra Hotels in Crete
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📍 Top tours I recommend on the island:
– Boat cruise to Balos Lagoon & Gramvousa
– Ticket to Knossos Archaeological Site
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Known as the southernmost European town, Ierapetra is a small, lively city on the Lasithi region‘s southern coast.
Visited mainly by those interested in spending a day on the nearby Chrissi Island, the city of Ierapetra offers many exciting activities and nearby day trips, too.
Considered the ideal base to venture into the island’s southeastern side, many travelers spend a few days in Ierapetra.
If you’re one of them, this guide to the best Ierapetra hotels, rental homes, and villas will be super helpful when booking your accommodation.
Remember that Chrissi Island is one of the most popular day trips from South Crete; therefore, book your accommodation a few months in advance to secure the property you want at a convenient fee! Let’s begin!
Best Ierapetra Hotels for a Short Stay
If the main reason to stay in Ierapetra is a visit to Chrissi Island or you plan to sleep in town for just a couple of nights, then these hotels offer the basics you’ll need in Ierapetra.
Helios
Helios is an affordable property in Ierapetra, ideal for a short stay or a budget holiday. It has excellent reviews and is only 300 meters from the beach.
The non-smoking property features air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace. It has one bedroom and a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, a toaster, a washing machine, a fridge, and a stovetop.
Astron Hotel
Astron is a 3-star hotel in Ierapetra located at the water’s edge, with a view of tIerapetra Bay. The hotel has rooms with panoramic sea or mountain views, soundproof windows, and hypoallergenic mattresses and pillows. Laptops are available and provided upon request.
The hotel is conveniently situated directly next to Ierapetra’s outdoor stadium, where guests can freely jog or engage in group sports such as basketball or football.
The hotel bar serves freshly ground coffee and homemade snacks. Guests can enjoy a hearty, certified Greek breakfast at the on-site restaurant that uses fresh Cretan ingredients produced locally.
Mirtos Hotel
Mirtos is a city hotel featuring free on-site parking in the nearby village of Myrtos, approximately 15 kilometers from Ierapetra. The hotel is only 50 meters from the beach and features air-conditioned rooms with a TV and balcony.
On-site, you can find a restaurant and a convenient mini-market. The hotel has bright and colorful rooms with a fridge and an electric kettle, while some rooms offer views of the Libyan Sea.
The hotel’s restaurant serves typical Cretan dishes on a gorgeous vine-covered terrace.
Best Ierapetra Hotels for Couples
These are some of the most convenient (and romantic) places to stay in Ierapetra!
NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort
NUMO Ierapetra Beach Resort is a gorgeous hotel in Ierapetra that is ideal for couples looking for the most romantic setting in Crete.
The resort features beautiful gardens, 2 restaurants, 3 bars, and 2 swimming pools. The property features fully furnished rooms, all with a fridge or a minibar, satellite flat-screen TV, and gorgeous garden views
On the premises, you will find a mini market, a pool bar, an outdoor cinema, and a tennis court. There’s also a restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes and a tavern for those who prefer traditional Greek flavors.
Pignolia Suites Adults Only
Pignolia Suites is situated 700 meters from Agia Fotia Beach. It provides accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden, and a shared lounge.
Guests can use the terrace or barbecue area and enjoy views of the sea and the mountains. Rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a kitchen, and a dining area.
Tylissos Beach Hotel – Adults Only
Tylissos Beach Hotel is another adult-only property in Ierapetra. The hotel is a few meters from its private beach and less than 1 km from the center of Ierapetra.
The hotel features a swimming pool, a poolside bar, and a snack bar at the private beach with free sun loungers.
The air-conditioned rooms have furnished balconies and views of the sea, pool, or garden. They also feature satellite TV and orthopedic mattresses.
The main restaurant serves European and Greek buffet breakfasts daily, as well as Cretan and International cuisine. Sports facilities include beach and pool games and gym and yoga programs.
Best Ierapetra Hotels for Families
Traveling with the family in tow? Check out these family-friendly hotels in Ierapetra.
El Greco Hotel
El Greco Hotel offers kid-friendly accommodation in Ierapetra, including an indoor play area and babysitting services (at a small additional charge).
The hotel on Ierapetra’s seafront promenade comes with modern and spacious rooms and suites with balconies, a minifridge, and air conditioning.
The hotel restaurant enjoys views over the Libyan Sea and features a delicious American and Greek breakfast buffet. Mediterranean dishes and traditional Cretan cuisine are served at the à la carte restaurant Porfyra.
Galaxy Hotel
Galaxy Hotel is a family-friendly property featuring family suites in Ierapetra. It is centrally located, only 100 meters from the beach.
The hotel features a snack bar with free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms decorated with simplicity. They feature a balcony, a mini fridge, and a TV with cable channels. At the hotel, staff can arrange a car rental to visit the scenic beach of Mirtos, 10 km away.
Traveling with a baby? No problem! Cots are available upon request and for free.
Fani’s Family House
Fani’s Family House is only 2 km from the main beach of Ierapetra. The guesthouse is only 200 meters from Agios Andreas Beach and offers comfortable air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi.
The homestay features family rooms with a coffee machine. Some units have a balcony or a patio with sea views.
Available each morning, the breakfast at the property includes continental dishes and a selection of fruits and cheese.
Villas in Ierapetra
Check out these properties if you’d like to spend a few days in a luxurious villa with a pool, a barbecue area, and a garden.
Persephone Art Country House
Persephone is a beautiful traditional villa with stunning sea views. It has excellent reviews and offers air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace, an ideal spot for outdoor dining.
The spacious holiday home features 3 bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven, a washing machine, a toaster, and a fridge. A laundry service is also available.
Cretan Villa
Cretan Villa is a complex of traditional homes in Ierapetra and one of the best-rated places to stay. Housed in an 18th-century building, Cretan Villa is in the center of Ierapetra. It has a gorgeous courtyard with a seating area. The units feature tastefully decorated rooms fitted with traditional stone details.
The nearest beach is 220 meters away. Guests have free access to a small library and the garden. Plenty of traditional tavernas are within a short walk of the property.
Serene Villas
Serene Villas is a perfect place to accommodate up to 6 guests. Within less than 1 km of Achlia Beach and a 16-minute walk from Agia Fotia Beach in Ierapetra, the villas offer a private pool, a garden, and free private parking. The place with sea views also offers a sun terrace and free WiFi
All the air-conditioned units feature a desk, a coffee machine, a dishwasher, and an oven. There is also a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a toaster, and a fridge.
The villa complex has a picnic area to spend a day in the open.
Airbnbs in Ierapetra
Wanting to book a rental home or a small flat in Ierapetra? Then check out these properties.
Central Beauty
Central Beauty is situated about 400 meters from the beach. It provides accommodation with amenities such as free WiFi and a flat-screen TV.
The apartment offers a balcony with city views. It also has one bedroom, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a coffee machine. For added privacy, the accommodation features a private entrance.
Harmony Home
Harmony Home is a 2-bedroom apartment with a terrace in Ierapetra, within just 1.7 km of Ierapetra’s West Beach.
This apartment provides accommodation with a balcony, free WiFi, and air conditioning. The flat features 2 bedrooms, a living room, and a fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher and coffee machine. The property has an outdoor dining area only 600 meters from the nearest beach.
Kyma Crete Beachfront
Kyma Crete Beachfront is a top-rated two-bedroom apartment 400 meters from Ierapetra’s main beach. The beachfront home offers air conditioning and access to a patio ideal for outdoor dining.
The spacious flat has 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with sea views. This apartment is allergy-free and non-smoking.
Resorts in Ierapetra
These properties offer half or full board in Ierapetra and features of all-inclusive resorts.
Enorme Santanna Beach
Enorme Santanna Beach is one of my favorite places to stay in Ierapetra. This beachfront resort offers 4-star accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a garden.
The property has a restaurant, a terrace, and a bar. The hotel’s daily breakfast features continental, American, or vegetarian options. Suites and rooms offer a desk, a coffee machine, and a kettle.
Sunshine Crete Village
Sunshine Crete Village is located in Koutsounari on a hillside, five minutes from the beach and has beach volleyball facilities.
The all-inclusive village features a theme restaurant, the Italian Mamma Mia, and a buffet restaurant with an outdoor terrace. The hotel also features a bar, a lounge, a swimming pool with a kids’ section, and a playground.
Rooms come with panoramic sea and mountain view rooms and air conditioning.
Complimentary beverages are served at the 4 available bars, including a pool bar, a beach bar, and the tennis courts. Free private on-site parking is available for guests.
Sunshine Crete Beach
Sunshine Crete Beach is set on the beach of Kourtsounari. The complex features a spa center and 4 swimming pools. This property also welcomes guests with a restaurant, a water park, and a seasonal outdoor pool.
For families traveling to Ierapetra, the property features evening entertainment and a kids’ club.
All rooms have air conditioning and a balcony or terrace. The hotel also features a daily buffet breakfast, a late continental breakfast, and a buffet restaurant for lunch and dinner.
Other amenities included are a sauna, table tennis, and mini-golf. The property also offers a paid airport shuttle service.
>> Book a stay at Sunshine Crete Beach
What to Do in Ierapetra
A town that will surprise you, Ierapetra is the most important city on the southern coast of Crete. Bigger than the capital of the region, Agios Nikolaos, Ierapetra offers plenty of activities and things to do.
This guide to the best things to do in Ierapetra is an excellent starting point to plan your itinerary. However, if you’re looking for a quick guide to the best things to do, don’t miss the following activities in town:
- Explore the Kales, Ierapetra’s old Venetian Fortress.
- Visit the House of Napoleon, where the French ruler spent a night in Crete.
- Check out the Turkish Mosque in the center of the town.
- Discover the Archaeological Collection of Ierapetra, the most important museum in the area.
- Savor fresh fish in one of the many seaside tavernas.
Day Trips and Tours from Ierapetra
Being an important city guarantees that Ierapetra is an excellent base from which to explore the villages and beaches of southeast Crete.
To the east and west of Ierapetra, there are several picturesque villages along the coast. Some of them shelter incredible beaches that most tourists know nothing about.
Besides, two uninhabited islands can be visited in the area, the famous Chrissi and the gorgeous Koufonisi, which are a short sail from the village of Markigialos.
In the area, hiking enthusiasts will enjoy a walk in the Butterfly Gorge or through Achlia Gorge, which ends in a magnificent beach. You can also explore Sarakina Gorge, one of the most impressive canyons in the area.
Other gems to visit near Ierapetra include the beaches of Xerokampos, the coastal town of Sitia, the impressive Vai palm tree beach, and Toplou Monastery.
The smaller of the Minoan palaces unearthed on the island, Kato Zakros, is also a fantastic day trip from Ierapetra.
No matter whether you can visit the site, venture into the Gorge of the Dead, or spend a relaxing day at Kato Zakros Beach.
I publish new content about Crete almost every day! Bookmark my Crete and Practical Guides pages to learn more before your trip.
Are you dreaming of a getaway to Crete but feeling overwhelmed with planning?
- You can join my Facebook Group, Things to Do in Crete, a friendly gathering of Crete enthusiasts.
- With my consultation call services, I have assisted countless travelers in crafting the perfect Crete experience. Please, email me for more information!
Don’t forget travel insurance!
Although Crete is a safe destination, getting travel insurance is like having a safety net for your adventures. Consider purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself and your loved ones from unexpected situations.
- Heymondo offers customizable plans that suit your itinerary and activities. >> Get a quote from Heymondo here.
- Safety Wing offers insurance plans for long-term travelers. >> Get a quote from Safety Wing here.
Read more about East Crete
- How to Visit Vai Palm Beach, Crete: Complete Insider’s Guide
- Your Picture-Perfect Day Trip to Chrissi Island, Crete!
- Stunning Beaches in East Crete (Lasithi Region): Complete Insider’s Guide
- An Unforgettable Visit to Toplou Monastery in Lasithi, Crete
- Tips to Explore the Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros, Crete
More resources to enhance your Crete adventure
Start by checking out my ultimate guide to planning your trip to Crete, packed with helpful essential information. Remember to explore the articles on prices in Crete, common mistakes to avoid, and insider secrets for an unforgettable experience.
Use this comprehensive Crete packing list to ensure you have everything you need. Explore the best places to visit on Crete Island, discover my tours and activities, be amazed at Crete’s incredible beaches, and check out the best times to experience its beauty.
If you are exploring specific areas like Lasithi or Heraklion, I’ve got detailed guides to help you make the most of your time.
Suggested accommodation in Lasithi
No time to read all my accommodation guides? Check out these places to stay:
- Affordable: Porto Maltese in Agios Nikolaos.
- Mid-range: Ostria Apartments in Ammoudara.
- Luxury: Elounda Peninsula in Elounda.
- Check also for Homes in Agios Nikolaos and the best Elounda Resorts.
More useful travel resources
- Check out all the digital travel guides I’ve specifically written about Crete. They are affordable and practical to check from your mobile.
- Find convenient ferry tickets with Ferryhopper.
- Welcome Pickups offers a convenient pre-paid airport transfer service, while Discover Cars is the engine I use to find a rental car on the island.
- To book adventures, tours, and cultural experiences, I recommend Get Your Guide.
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A Local’s Guide to the Best Ierapetra Hotels
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the Crete. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. During the last five years, I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.