The hidden gem on the coast of south east Crete
Makrigialos (officially spelled Makry-Gialos) is "...a little-known gem of a place...undiscovered and not overrun by the tourists..."* It has one of the best beaches in Crete – long and sandy with crystal clear waters and an excellent choice of beach-front bars and tavernas – and a wide range of accommodation, from budget to luxury, studio to villa.
Makrigialos is not just about "total relaxation".* It is ideally located to explore the natural, historical, and cultural treasures of east Crete: the Lasithi plateau, Spinalonga island, Toplou monastery, ancient and modern ruins, deserted coves, and traditional mountain villages, to name just a few.
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Sitia Airport News
First fruits in the long development of Sitia airport as an international airport? Dutch charter airline ArkeFly, part of the travel giant TUI, to commence direct flights between Amsterdam and Sitia for the 2012 season. Read more... -
In Sitia - east Crete travel guide
Pick up your free copy of In Sitia tourist guide at the Remax/maCreteland Tours office in Makrigialos for information about local beaches and some great day-trip ideas out of Makrigialos.
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Mid-July Music Weekend
Traditional Greek, modern Greek, and good old beach parties - the mid-July weekend has something for everyone in Makrigialos and the local area
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Casa dei Mezzo Music Festival 2011
8th annual Casa dei Mezzo music festival featuring classical music in spectacular settings
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Kalo Nero & Moni Kapsa
'Secret' beaches east of Makrigialos, and the monastery at Moni Kapsa
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Lights! Camera! Action!
Watch videos of Makrigialos and east Crete in the new South East Crete Holidays video gallery
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Blue Flag Beaches
Makrigialos beaches retain their blue flag quality accreditation for 2011
Latest News
On this site
Click titles to expandMakrigialos (Makry-Gialos)
Makrigialos is a rural village on the south east coast of Crete, some 45 miles (70km) from the tourist hotspots of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, and a world away from the frenetic pace of Malia.
It is ideally located, with the best beaches in south east Crete and a central location from which to explore the natural, historical, and cultural treasures of east Crete.
Read more...East Crete
160 miles (257 km) long, up to 40 miles (65 km) wide, and 10 million years in the making, Crete is the largest of the Greek islands – a land of mountains, plateaux, gorges, and coast, birthplace of Zeus, cradle of European civilisation, inhabited for 8,000 years.
Read more...Weather
Located in the Mediterranean, on the southern edge of Europe, and with a north African influenced climate, Makrigialos has better than average weather, with short mild winters and gloriously long hot summers.
Current weather...Travel Planning
Makrigialos is a hidden gem you won't find in any tour operator brochure. Untouched by mass tourism, you can arrange your holiday here independently, and we've compiled all the travel information and resources you need to plan your travel, from cheap flight search to information about airport transfers and local transport.
Find cheap flights and more...Tourism Directory
The South East Crete Holidays Directory is a comprehensive map-enabled listing of tourism related services and businesses in Makrigialos and south east Crete.
Directory...Galleries
A selection of galleries show-casing east Crete and Makrigialos, in photographs, in videos, and in books.
Galleries...Holiday Reading
See the South East Crete Holidays bookstore for more books related to Crete, including more fiction set on Crete, travel guides, specialist books (archaeology, cuisine, walking, and flora), travel writing set on Crete, history, and Greek phrasebooks for travellers.
