South East and 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. Birthplace of Zeus, and of European civilisation, Crete has been inhabited for 8,000 years. Home of the Minoans and their successors the Eteocretans ('true cretans'), the island has been occupied by Mycenaean and Dorian Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Venetians, and Ottomans. Crete eventually joined Greece in 1913, over 80 years after Greek independence.
A land of mountains, plateaux, gorges, and coast, south east Crete enjoys better than average weather, thanks to its North African influenced climate and mountainous hinterland that often takes the edge off the sometimes fierce northerly 'meltemi' winds. The municipality of Makrys-Gialos, and the village resort of Makrigialos, are ideally positioned, 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. Explore east Crete...
Makrigialos / Makriyialos / Makry-Gialos
| Makrigialos is a small town on the south-eastern coast of Crete, some 45 miles (70km) from the tourist hotspots of Elounda and Agios Nikolaos, and a world removed from the frenetic pace of Malia. The long sandy beach offers safe shallow bathing against a backdrop of granite mountains painted olive-grove green, and the local area is rich in natural, historical, and cultural treasures, from gentle gorge walks to secluded coves, from Minoan and Venetian ruins to timeless Cretan villages, just waiting to be discovered. More... The town is officially spelled in English as Makry-Gialos, but is commonly written as Makrigialos, and also Makriyialos, Makri Gialos, Makrygialos, and other forms. |
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Accommodation
| Holiday accommodation available in Makrigialos ranges from locally owned apartments and studios with self catering facilities, to luxurious villas, houses and cottages, and includes two low-key hotel complexes, the majority of them either on the coast or within a very short walk of it. Selected accommodation can be booked online on this web site, and a comprehensive list of accommodation can be viewed in the accommodation directory. |  |
How to get here
| Makrigialos is a hidden gem you won't find in any tour operator brochure. Largely untouched by mass tourism, you can arrange your holiday here independently. We've compiled all the travel information you'll need to help you discover this special little place by the sea away from the madding crowds. More... |
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Weather
| Located in the Mediterranean, on the southern edge of Europe, Makrigialos has short mild winters and gloriously long hot summers, all being recorded by the Makrigialos weather station. Current weather, forecasts, and averages for Makrigialos... |
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Directory
| We are compiling a growing directory of tourist services in Makrigialos and south east Crete, with information about accommodation, bars, restaurants, shops, activities, places of interest, and tourist-related services, including links to website, contact details, and satellite maps showing locations. View the Directory... |
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