Mirtos

Mirtos, also spelled Myrtos, is a picturesque seaside village on the southeast coast of Crete in the Lassithi prefecture, lying about 13 kilometres west of Ierapetra. It sits at the mouth of a wide valley filled with greenhouses and citrus groves, crossed by the River Kryos that runs down through the impressive Sarakina Gorge. Although tourism has been developing here in recent years, Mirtos has kept a traditional, laid-back character that is exactly what attracts people to it. The village fronts one of the best beaches in the area, with ash-grey sand and clear water that invites long, easy swims. A particular advantage of Mirtos is its sheltered position: unlike many beaches on the south coast near Ierapetra, it is largely protected from the strong northwesterly meltemi winds, so the sea here tends to stay calmer and more swimmable when other south-coast beaches are being battered. Reaching Mirtos is easy by car along the southern coastal road from Ierapetra, and there is also a bus that runs roughly every two hours, making it one of the more accessible laid-back villages in the region. The drive in, through the green valley of greenhouses and citrus, is part of the experience. For facilities and atmosphere, Mirtos strikes a relaxed balance. The village offers rooms for rent, small hotels, restaurants, tavernas, cafe-bars, minimarkets and a petrol station. Evenings here lean towards a mellow, sociable mood rather than busy nightlife, with several tavernas and beachfront bars staying open late for unhurried drinks and conversation by the sea. Mirtos suits travellers who want an authentic, low-key village base with a good swimming beach rather than a high-energy resort. Nature and walking enthusiasts also have options nearby: the area north of Myrtos opens up opportunities for hikes and a visit to the Selakano forest, a notable pine ecosystem buzzing with bee activity, making the village a comfortable launch point for the surrounding landscape.