Holidays in Agia Pelagia - Crete
The village of
Agia Pelagia is situated at the Northern coast of
Crete, 24 kilometres far from Heraklion at the Southwest. It is a famous tourist resort with marvellous sandy beaches, well protected small coves, where the sea is usually calm. Thanks to its wide tourist facilities it receives a good number of visitors; it counts approximately 550 permanent residents. According to the Greek scholars who have studied the history of the area, the actual village has been built on the place of the ancient city of Apollonia. Within the settlement and in the area close to it, it is worth visiting the small church of Agia Pelagia (who has given the name to the village), built on a rock very close to the sea, according to the tradition it is on that point that it has been found the icon of
Agia Pelagia, considered as wonder-working by the people. At a distance of 15 kilometres from the village at the South and 5 kilometres at the West of the village Rodia, within a ravin with luxurious green, it is found the Savathianon Monastery, it is worth visiting the cave found in the territory of the monastery, where it is housed the small church of Agios Antonios.
Those interested in archaeology may visit in the area the important Late Minoan tombs,at Kladistos, as well as the big rectangular construction dated in the Hellenistic period (end of the 4th century BC).
It is also worth visiting the nearby village of Achlada, at a distance of 4-5 kilometres at the Southwest, for the magnificent view, for the old stone fountain of the village and for the twin church dedicated to Agios Ioannis (St. John the Baptist) and Agios Trifonas, the church has a beautiful woodcarved icon screen.
Once in the area on't miss to visit the small village of Rodia 10 kilometres far from
Agia Pelagia at the South. Amphitheatrically built on a low hill, it offers to the visitor a breathtaking view of the Cretan Sea, at Rodia you will also see an interesting Venetian villa.
Agia Pelagia beach ...
Agia Pelagia is in fact more collection of small villages and beaches, of which the head range is most Eastern, decorated with a small ' boulevard ' with restaurants, cocktail bars and supermarkets.The environment in Agia Pelagia is nice, and the bay is very beautiful, with kaiks in the water.
Agia Pelagia is a very green place with trees and flowers. At west of the main beach you'l find still three quieter beaches with less facilities.The main beach which is in the middle of the bay of in
Agia Pelagia is the nicest because its most sandy you have the boulevard behind you and the splendid rocks at the left-hand side. The first beach western of the centre of
Agia Pelagia is called Kladissos. The second beach which you encounter if you run in Eastern direction is called Psaromoura.
The third beach is called Mononaftis, and looks out on a beautiful green rock which stands in the sea. In the surroundings of the beaches are a couple of large hotels, like the Capsis Beach hotel
Agia Pelagia, with a swimming pool and a lot of small maisonnettes.If you are looking for a quiet beach, then you have to try the Ligaria beach.
Except of the tourisme people from Agia Pelagia live of agriculture. For this reason you'll see many fields with vegetables and herbs between the restaurants and hotels.
Getting to Agia Pelagia in Heraklion - Crete
Access from Heraklion is very easy: public bus services are very frequent, taxi is a good and more comfortable alternative and you can always use rented or private car. If you choose to get there via the old road you should drive some more (24 kilometres from Heraklion) but you will enjoy the area and have the chance of sightseeing. Whatever toute you choose, you should be careful in the last 2-3 kilometres, as the winds blowing in the area may affect driving.
