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Mirtos in southeast Crete

Mirtos is located approximately 15 kilometres west of Ierapetra in south-eastern Crete. In my opinion, it is the most pleasant tourist resort in this part of Crete. The village - which has around 700 inhabitants - offers a lovely mix of Greek everyday life and low-key tourism tourism. Mirtos is sometimes spelled Myrtos.

Mirtos near Ierapetra in southeast Crete.

The beach and the village of Mirtos.

Everyone passes the fantastic beach promenade in Mirtos at some point during the day.

The cosy beach promenade in Mirtos.

There is no charter to Mirtos, everyone who travels here does so on their own, hence the cool atmosphere that characterizes the village. Many foreigners, mainly from Holland, Great Britain and Germany, live all or part of the year in Mirtos.

Restaurant Mirtos serves very good Cretan food and is not to be missed.

Restaurant Mirtos serves very good Cretan food. They also have a nice outdoor dining area.

In the village there are about fifteen taverns, restaurants and cafés, a few bars and a couple of shops. There are also several supermarkets, a bakery and some jewellers and fashion stores here. The most popular, and best, tavern on the main street is called Restaurant Mirtos. Very good traditional Cretan food is served here.

Good tavernas and restaurants along the beach promenade in Mirtos in southern Crete.

The beach promenade in Mirtos in one direction

Most of the tavernas, restaurants, bars and cafes are located along the attractive beach promenade. All have divine views of the Libyan Sea. One of the cafes is adorned with works of art made of stones. At the taverna there is a sign with a warning text that you are not allowed to take photographs. Something that seems to have the opposite effect.

Mirtos is located approximately 15 kilometres west of Ierapetra in south-eastern Crete

The cafe that you are not allowed to take photos of but that everyone does anyway.

Good cafes and bars along the beach promenade in Mirtos in southern Crete.

The beach promenade in Mirtos in the other direction.

The beach in Mirtos is narrow and consists of pebbles mixed with a portion of sand. Sunbeds and umbrellas can be rented and there are also some water sports activities. The beach and the restaurants above make me think of other beaches with similar appearances. I then think first and foremost of the beach in Matala in Crete and the beach of Skala Eressou in Lesbos.

The beach and beach promenade in Mirtos on Crete.

The beach and beach promenade in Mirtos in one direction.

Mirtos beach in southern Crete.

The beach and beach promenade in Mirtos in the other direction.

Along the beach in Mirtos, shady tamarisk trees grow, but there are also sunbeds for rent.

The part of the beach where shady tamarisks grow.

The beach in Mirtos is perfect for those who like to swim and bathe in crystal clear water.

The lovely water and endless sea in Mirtos.

In some places in southern Crete, it is so cleverly arranged that you can see the sun rise and set from the same place. But not at the same time. :-) It's not very common, but it does happen. Mirtos is one such village and Paleochora in south-west Crete is another.

The beautiful sunset in Mirtos in southern Crete.

The sunset in Mirtos.

The beautiful sunrise in Mirtos in southern Crete.

The sunrise in Mirtos.

Along the main street in Mirtos are many shops, such as this well-stocked Supermarket.

Along the main street are many shops, such as this well-stocked Supermarket.

There is an interesting museum in Mirtos.

One of the side streets in Mirtos.

Cosy restaurants in the village of Mirtos on Crete.

One of the restaurants in the alleys.

If you enjoy Greek home cooking from Crete, you will love the village of Mirtos.

The evenings are magical even in the alleys.

Perhaps what I like best about Mirtos is to get up early in the morning before the village has woken up, prepare my breakfast, make my coffee, and then sit on the balcony and look out over the Libyan Sea and philosophize about bygone times and times which is to come. It's worth the whole trip here if you ask me.

The village of Mirtos in Crete suits you if you want safe peace and quiet and want to avoid mass tourism.

A quiet and meditative morning in Mirtos.

A cold beer and a view of the Libyan Sea from a balcony at the Pelagos 1 pension in Mirtos, Crete.

A cold beer and a view of the Libyan Sea from a balcony at the Pelagos 1 pension.

Mirtos is a good base for hiking, and for excursions by car, moped or mountain bikes. Organized hikes, including to the Sarakina Gorge, are organized by travel agencies in Mirtos. If you like donkeys, you can visit the Anatoli Donkey Farm in the village of Anatoli about 25 kilometres north-east of Mirtos. The farm is run by a British couple who got tired of their stressful everyday life and moved to Crete. Today they run a health home for donkeys and dogs. They gratefully accept donations, large and small. Read more on their website.

ACCOMMODATION IN MIRTOS

There is plenty of accommodation in Mirtos and there is no problem finding rooms except during high season. The best is, of course, to live along the promenade, the view of the sea is adorable. There are also many hotels inside the alleys and above the village. We have stayed at Pelagos 1 on the seafront and at Mirtos Hotel which is on the main street.

Mirtos Hotel is located on the main street in the village of Mirtos and is a very good hotel. Book here.