Informacja dotycząca plików cookies
Serwis wymaga plików cookies do prawidłowego działania strony. Korzystanie z serwisu bez zmiany ustawień dla plików cookies oznacza, że będą one zapisywane w pamięci urządzenia. Ustawienia te można zmieniać w przeglądarce internetowej.
Makry Gialos (Μακρύ Γιαλός) is one of the less-appreciated tourist destinations in Crete. It's a pity, because unlike those located on the north coast, it is here that we can enjoy the full tourist infrastructure and a good sandy beach, without sacrificing peace.
In the middle of the last century Makry Gialos resembled one of many towns located in the south of Crete. A small fishing village was concentrated around the bay creating a natural harbor here. This situation changed only in the 1950s, when an asphalt road was brought to this place from Ierapetra . From that moment, Makry Gialos recorded strong growth and eventually became one of the most important tourist centers located in this region of Crete.
Today, tourists who use the services of travel agencies as well as people who organize their stay are willing to come here. A special curiosity is the fact that Makry Gialos is also a place where Cretans willing to relax from the hustle and bustle of Heraklion are happy to spend their holidays.
However, modern dynamic development does not mean that human activity in this place is limited only to the last few decades. The first excavations carried out here only from 1971 revealed a number of remnants proving that already in the Minoan era in the present Makry Gialos there was a developed settlement.
Thanks to subsequent excavations, which began in 1977, archaeologists managed to discover the remains of a Roman villa, which was most probably used from the third century BC until the first century AD At present, work in this position is still not completed, so making far-reaching conclusions is not possible . It is only known that this house was built with the use of expensive materials and had all the facilities typical for that period - it is worth mentioning, for example, a bath or a central heating system called hypocaustum.
Unfortunately, relatively few artifacts constituting personal belongings of the inhabitants and old home furnishings were discovered in the area of the excavations. The most likely explanation for this situation is that the area of the existing excavations has been stripped over the centuries by pirates and self-proclaimed treasure hunters.
The average independent tourist will find in this place practically everything that is necessary for a carefree vacation. Along the main road leading through Makry Gialos there are a number of stores offering a wide range of various products. The inquisitive will find even a real "vegetable garden" and bakery, where local pastry and fresh bread are sold every working day. If you want to buy tasty bread or crispy rolls then you have to get up relatively early. Coming here around 10 o'clock most likely you will find only sweet pastries on the shelves (which we also recommend). And do not let it fool you that local residents will come out of the bakery with nets full of fresh bread - these are usually earlier orders sold under the counter;)
In this place you will also find an ATM, as well as a branch of the Greek post office. Most hotels offer free internet access via WiFi.
Of course, you can not forget about the large number of taverns, the vast majority of which is located near the port side of the coast. They offer a full selection of dishes typical of Cretan cuisine. The fact that most of them serve delicious dishes let it testify that in the evenings they fill up with guests and in some of them it can be hard to get a free table. We, from our own experience, can recommend you the tavern Agyrovoli.
Two Greek words that form the name of this village give some idea of its appearance. The Macro member (Μακρύ) means long, while Gialos (Γιαλός) means the wordseashore. In fact, as for the Cretan standards, the place can boast of the name of the long and sandy coast.
The main beach called by the local Hania or Long Beach (long beach) is located next to a small port and stretches along the coast of the central part of the village. This place is characterized by a fully sandy bottom, whose great advantage is also the fact that it falls very gently and slowly. Even at a relatively large distance from the shore, the water is still not very deep. This beach can be quietly recommended for families who spend holidays with smaller children.
At the height of the harbor with the beach is adjacent taverns, which offer an excellent selection of local dishes. Some of them also have sun loungers on the beach, which are a kind of free addition to orders. In our opinion, this is a great way to attract customers. Personally, we were eager to use this option :)
Behind a small peninsula that marks the west end of the main beach and the port is the second, slightly more intimate beach called Kalamokanias. Unfortunately, due to the stony-gravel substrate, this beach is not as comfortable as described above on Long Beach. However, if you care about the transparency of water and you feel like a little rest from people, this will be a great place. This place is very often chosen by local residents
Further beaches available from Makry Gialos are already located within Analipsi. Some of them are eagerly crowded with guests spending their stay in large hotel facilities located east of Makry Gialos. Due to the terrain and the fact that the coast is separated by a hotel area, these beaches seem to be inaccessible to tourists from outside.
Although Makry Gialos can be perceived by some as a typical tourist destination, in our case it met 100% (and maybe even more) of the demands placed on it. We loved the slightly less formal relaxed atmosphere on the main beach and the large and honest hospitality of all the Cretans we met here.
Wejście do hotelu Perygiali
Zacieniona weranda obok naszego pokoju
Koci dzikus w hotelu Perygiali
The vast majority of people relaxing here are those who organize their leisure alone. Hardly anyone rests here in the rhythm of meals issued in hotels, so even in the afternoon hours there is no effect of "extinction" of beaches.
Unfortunately, if we finish our description on this, it will not be full and truthful. Over the many years of tourism development, modern Makry Gialos has grown with the neighboring town of Analipsi. Walking along the main road running parallel to the coast, it is difficult to set a border between them.
In the descriptions of trips served by Polish offices, hotels located in Analipsi are assigned to Makry Gialos. In our opinion, this is not entirely right, because it is easy to feel the completely different atmosphere of both places. Analipsi is an example of a typical tourist town focused on a mass client. This is particularly evident during a voyage along the coast. Closed enclaves of All Inclusive hotels with a substitute for private, crowded beaches made a very unpleasant impression on us. It also discouraged us to use the beaches located in this part of the coast. We personally do not like the organized form of recreation in the crowds. Nevertheless, some of the Readers probably find these hotels in the eye ;-)
The location of this town in the extreme eastern part of the island is a perfect excuse to visit two major cities located in this region. Access to both Ierapetra and Sitia is possible by using the KTEL bus. There are several courses available each day to both cities.
If you like hiking it is an interesting trip to the Pefki ravine. The start of a relatively straight trail, about 4.5 km long, is located south of Makry Gialos and is easily accessible to tourists.
Not far from Makry Gialos, the route leads through the Orino gorge. In the spring you can find picturesque waterfalls on the trail, which, however, dry up to summer. Unfortunately, this place is notit is too popular among tourists. We have not met anyone on this route.
Organizing a separate trip will also require a trip to the Pervolakia Gorge located on the east of Makry Gialos. One of the peculiarities of this place is the unusual monastery of Moni Kapsa, whose white buildings seem to grow out of steep rock walls.
A good idea is a cruise on Koufonissi. It is a full-day trip, during which tourists have the opportunity to relax on two of the 36 beaches on this island. A more detailed description can be found in our separate article: Cruise to the island of Koufonissi .
Z lewej strony widoczny niewielki piracki statek pływający na wyspę Koufonissi
Niewielki port w Makry Gialos
Makry Gialos widoczne ze statku płynącego na wyspę Koufonissi
Makry Gialos is one of the largest eastern Cretan towns on the east. Getting to it is relatively easy and not very complicated. Coming from the central part of Crete, follow the signs for Heraklion, Agios Nikolaos and then Ierapetra. When you reach the last place, all you need to do is look for further direction indicators that will guide you towards the east. From this point, Makry Gialos is only half an hour away by car and less than 25 kilometers.
Makry Gialos is also a pretty good choice for people who want to take a KTEL bus here. Based on our own experience, we can write that the problem is not even access from the airport in Heraklion . The relatively large number of connections made from this place to Agios Nikolaos and to Ierapetra definitely facilitate planning a trip. The only inconvenience may be the need to make 1-2 transfers.
↤ click the appropriate part of the island to change the bottom map
Information about one of the more known tourist cities of Crete, or about Malia. Description of attractions located in the city of Malia and a description of the specificity of this town.
Kritsa is one of the largest villages in Crete. The village has a lot of shops with local crafts.
The Lasithi Plateau is located about 70 kilometers from the capital of Crete - Heraklion. The average height at which the terrain of this plateau is located is 840 m above sea level.
One of the tourist attractions eagerly visited by people spending their holidays in Crete is the Dikte (Psychro) cave. The main factors that attract people to this cave are a rich and varied dripstone robe and a close connection with mythology.
Among the olive groves in the place called Logari, which is less than a kilometer from the village of Kritsa, there is a small Byzantine church of Panagia Kera from the 13th-14th centuries.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
Most people crossing the route between Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra will definitely notice the large crack which is marked by the mountain located east of this road. This majestic geological creation called Ha was probably created as a result of an earthquake.
Xerokambos is a small settlement in which you will find literally several taverns, and most of the buildings are single-storey and one-story houses. The big advantage of this beach is a gentle sandy descent to the sea.
Agios Nikolaos (Άγιος Νικόλαος) is a small town with less than 20,000 inhabitants. permanent residents (according to statistical data from 2001). This city is the capital of the Lasithi nomos.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Although Elounda seems to be a sleepy fishing town to this day, however, appearances should not fool you, because this town and its surroundings can boast of probably the largest number of the best hotels.
Stalida is located directly along the coast and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Crete, which definitely comes alive with the advent of the tourist season
The ancient city of the LATO can be found near the charming village of Krista near Agios Nikolaos.
It is recognized that Gournia was inhabited between 3000 BC. 1,200 BC and is one of the few cities unearthed to a large extent.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
Zakros is the fourth-largest Minoan palace in Crete in importance and size. This latest found, built on the east coast of the island is located in the village of Káto Zákros.
The first palace was built around 1900 BC. in the place where there was a quite impressive settlement whose remains were later transformed into the central part of the city.
Moni Toplou (Μονή Τοπλού) also called as The Great Monastery is one of the most beautiful and important monasteries in Crete.
Moni Toplou (Μονή Τοπλού) also called as The Great Monastery is one of the most beautiful and important monasteries in Crete.
O Vai zrobiło się głośno, gdy w latach 70-tych na tle palmowego gaju nakręcono reklamę kokosowych batoników Bounty.
This inconspicuous little island located about 5 km from the center of Elounda is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Crete.
When heavy equipment entered the promontory near Sitia, no one expected that this area contained the ruins of the Hellenic city.
The abundance of water and shade mean that even at the peak of the tourist season, this place is full of lush vegetation.
At the top of a cone-shaped hill called Souvloto Mouri, the remains of an unusual building with a unique oval shape were discovered.
The ruins of the ancient city of Itanos are located at the eastern tip of Crete, less than 3 kilometers north of the famous palm beach of Vai. Although there are also nice beaches at Itanos, unlike its well-known neighbor, this place does not attract crowds. There are either accidental stray tourists or excavation enthusiasts here.
Just over 2 km from Palekastro, next to Chiona beach, there is a large archaeological site called Roussolakos
Just over 2 km from Palekastro, next to Chiona beach, there is a large archaeological site called Roussolakos
Ierapetra (Ιεράπετρα) is the fourth largest city of Crete and also the largest town located in the Lassithi prefecture.
Diaskari Beach, also known as Green Beach, is less than 3 km from Makry Gialos.
Koufonissi is a small island in the Libyan Sea, located just a stone's throw from the southern coast of Crete.
Less than 10,000 population of Sitia makes the city the smallest in Crete. Some even go a step further and say perversely that it is rather the largest village of Crete.
Napoleon's house is one of the few typically tourist attractions in Ierapetra. About what could have happened here in the summer of 1798 and possibly how much in this legend is the truth we write in the article on the page below.
Zakros is a small town on the east coast of Crete, less than 40 km south-east of Sitia.
Moni Kapsa Monastery is one of the most interesting monasteries in Crete. Its massive buildings were erected on rocky, gray slopes surrounding the nearby Pervolakia Gorge.
However, Pachia Ammos is not a typical crowded and lively tourist destination, which is not lacking in the north of Crete.
Zakros is a small town on the east coast of Crete, less than 40 km south-east of Sitia. Through Zakros leads the main road leading from the north coast to the 8 km distant Kato Zakros, where there are ruins of the Minoan palace and the entrance to the Gorge of the Dead. However, few of those who are going to these places stop at the center of the village of Zakros and leave the car to explore this interesting place.
Margarites at every step does not let you forget about what the inhabitants live with. Even trees seem to bear here pots that hang picturesquely from branches. It is in this peculiar way that one of the craft workshops advertises its products. After visiting the Margarites, our luggage was enriched by a good few kilos of pottery. Although products from this village can be bought practically all over Crete, it is only here that you will find less-known, though equally beautiful, patterns. Despite its popularity, Margarites has preserved its authentic Greek atmosphere, so it is worth taking a walk along the main street, which is simply flooded with local potter's products.
Chora Sfakion is an extremely picturesque mountain village of the mountainous and wild region of Sfakia located in the south-west of Crete. This special placement on the Libyan Sea in a way behind the mountain range of Lefka Ori makes the Chora quite isolated from towns dominated by mass tourism. Currently, access here is not a major difficulty because the roads, although narrow and winding are already covered with asphalt.
Komentarze
komentarz z
Byłam, polecam:-)
Wypełnij poniższy formularz aby dodać komentarz
lub kliknij w poniższy link aby skorzystać z możliwosci komentowania przez facebooka:
https://www.facebook.com/crete.poland/posts/10154606664817551