Travel Guide & Beaches for Agia Pelagia Crete
Discover Agia Pelagia Crete – a seaside village near Heraklion with sandy beaches, water sports, traditional taverns, and hidden coves to explore.
Surrounded by mountains and hills, Agia Pelagia is a large seaside fishing village located in the centre of a large bay to the south of the small cape Souda. Situated on the north coast of Crete and just 23 km from Heraklion it is in a central location and easy to reach. Agia Pelagia takes its name from the church of Saint Pelagia in the Monastery of the Sebbathians, the ruins of which can be found just 1 km west of the village.
During the Venetian period, Agia Pelagia was one of the most important shipping ports and was also used to provide help to the besieged Cretans during the seige of Candia (nowadays known as Heraklion). It is said that the legendary ship of Arkadi anchored here during the Cretan Revolution in order to supply ammunition to the rebels.
The last few decades, the resort has seen a huge increase in tourism development and despite being a bustling tourist destination it still manages to maintain its quaint picturesque fishing village atmosphere.
The main beach of Agia Pelagia is long, narrow and sandy. It is well protected from the north winds by the Cape of Souda, on which several ruins of the ancient port town of Apollonia have been discovered. Today on the Cape there is a deluxe hotel complex but you can still visit the antiquities. Just south of the hotel, in the north of the beach there is the chamber of Evresi with a small shrine commemorating the place where the icon of Saint Pelagia was found some centuries ago. If you walk along past the shrine after a few steps you will be above the most beautiful beach of Agia Pelagia. This is called Fylakes which combines two small coves.
The main beach is organised with umbrellas, sun loungers, public toilets and showers. A variety of water sport activities are availble, including peddle boats, scuba diving and snorkelling to name a few.
Descending from the new national road you will have a birds eye view over the village and down below into the shimmering waters. It is quite a way down, so the perfect way to explore the village and its varying neighbouring beaches is by car or motorbike.
In the village you can find many taverns, offering traditional but also international dishes, bars, cafes, shops and boutiques, which will prompt an interesting and exciting shopping tirp through the narrow streets.
Lygaria and Mononaftis
Next to Agia Pelagia there are several almost hidden beaches in the area; many of which can be reached only by foot or by boat) Two seaside villages are Lygaria and Monoaftis. Lygaria to the east of Agia Pelagia is set in a small cove with a sand and pebble beach and a few beach umbrellas etc. It is surrounded by traditional restaurants many of which will serve freshly caught fish.
Mononaftis beach is to the west of Agia Pelagia. This is a lovely small cove with umbrellas, restaurants and hotels, but it is not protected from the north winds. Also as the water deepens here quite unexpectedly it is more suitable for experienced swimmers.
All in all these small resorts, which are relatively close to Heraklion, provide an easy location for water sports, traditional cuisine or relaxation on a secluded beach.