Lasithi

Lasithi is the easternmost regional unit on the island of Crete, to the east of Heraklion. Its capital is Agios Nikolaos, the other major towns being Ierapetra, Sitia and Neapoli. The mountains include the Dikti in the west and the Thrypti in the east. The Sea of Crete lies to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south.

To the east of the village of Elounda lies the island of Spinalonga, formerly a Venetian fortress and a leper colony. On the foot of Mount Dikti lies the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its windmills. Vai is well known for its datepalm forest.

Thanks to stunning beaches and its mild climate, Lasithi attracts many tourists. Mass tourism is served by places like Vai, Agios Nikolaos and the island of Chrissi. More off-beat tourism can be found in villages on the southcoast like Myrtos, Makrys Gialos or Makrigialos, Xerokambos and Koutsouras.


Elounda

Elounda is a resort famous for its beautiful scenery and the luxury hotels which are still being built in the area.

Elounda is ideal for people who want a seaside holiday in a place which is neither too busy nor too isolated.

In Elounda you will find small, pretty beaches, visit the island of Spinalonga, walk along the peninsula of Kolokytha and explore the many little villages far from the sea, offering a window into times gone by.


Spinalonga

Spinalonga is a small island near Elounda in East Crete. Spinalonga  is also known as the Leper Island, as that is where lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were quarantined until 1957.

Today thousands of tourist svisit Spinalonga each summer by boat from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda and Plaka,for a tour of its ruined buildings.

The strategic position of the rocky islet, crucial for the control and defence of Elounda harbour, could not but mark Spinalonga with a turbulent history of fierce battles and much human suffering. 



Useful Phone Numbers

Port Police: 28410 22312

Olympic Air: 28410 28929

Λ.Α.Ν.Ε.: 28410 26465

Taxi: 28410 24000

Touristic Police: 28410 91409

Traffic Police: 28410 91423

Hospital: 28413 43000, 28410 66000


BUS (KTEL)

Agios Nikolaos: 28410 22234

Sitia: 28430 22272

Ierapetra: 28420 28237