The Region of Lassithi - CRETE

The prefecture of Lassithi is located in the eastern part of Crete. Its capital Agios Nikolaos (or Agios Nicholaos) has about 9.000 inhabitants. The nearest airport is Heraklion. The region of Lassithi has two other small towns, Sitia in the East and Ierapetra which is the most southely town in Europe.
Lassithi region has two mountain ranges, Lassithi and the lower Tripti range and is probably the least developed region of Crete. Touristically, Agios Nikolaos and the whole bay of Mirabello have many hotels and resorts - one of the most developed tourist area of Crete - but tourism in the rest of the region is still very low key. The use of the internet to promote hotels and accommodation is also lagging behind and the small list of "usable web sites" can be seen below.

The hillsides of Lassithi are beautiful, with hidden natural paradises where you can relax and refect. The long shoreline of Lassithi guarantees marvelous beaches where you may spend your leisure time basking in the sun and bathing in the clean waters of the Cretan and the Libyan Seas. Once you have worked up an appetite, you can dine on scrumptious Cretan dishes made with local produce and meats, drink an invigorating cup of coffee and be off for an evening of dancing at the bars and clubs located throughout the Lassithi region.

The capital of the Lassithi region is Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque harbour built on the Mirabello Bay. This cosmopolitan port gathers all the elements a visitor may come across in the prefecture. The wonderful sight of the harbour including the fishing boats and a variety of traditional cafes and taverns, the huge developed tourism as well as people's hospitality, indicate a fullfill atmosphere fot all different visitors tastes. At the south of Lassithi is located Ieraperta, the southernmost town of Europe, a significant port with the majestic fortress and the long beach, facing the Libyan Sea. Close to Ierapetra is plased Chrissi island with its remarkable golden beaches that you can visit on daytrip schedules.

Other developed towns are Sitia on the east part and the cosmopolitan and famous Elounda with the beautiful Spinaloga. Many villages present a special beauty in the prefecture, such as the beautiful Lassithi plateau, with hundreds of windmills, the famous Vai area, with a dense forest of 5,000 palm trees and Neapoli that lies on a green valley, full of olive trees and vineyards. The main products of the prefecture are cereals, olive oil, olives, carobs and currants, potatoes, oranges and mandarins. The most of the ammount are normally exported and well known for their quality.   During your visit to Lassithi prefecture you will find that life has its own rhythm, the traditions are carefully followed and the people always take the time to enjoy their most precious possession, the wonderful landscape of Lassithi