Makrygialos Harbor
Makrygialos Harbor is the small harbour of Makrygialos, a relaxed resort on the south-east coast of Crete, on the Libyan Sea east of Ierapetra. Set beside a long shallow beach, it serves fishing boats and boat rentals, and is a departure point for trips along the coast and out to the uninhabited island of Koufonisi.
A South-East Coast Resort on the Libyan Sea
Makrygialos lies on the south-east coast of the Lasithi region, facing the warm Libyan Sea. It grew around a long, shallow, sandy beach — one of the safest for young children on this coast — with a small harbour at one end. The port shelters fishing boats and rental craft and is the main way out onto the sea for visitors staying along this quiet stretch of shore.
What You'll Find
Boat Trips to Koufonisi Island
Seasonal boat trips run from the Makrygialos area to Koufonisi, an uninhabited island off the south-east coast known for its sandy beaches, clear water, and ancient ruins. It is one of the most distinctive excursions from this part of Crete.
A Small Harbour and Boat Rentals
The harbour combines fishing boats with small rental craft, letting visitors explore the coves and clear water along the coast. Tavernas line the seafront beside the port.
A Long, Shallow Beach
Makrygialos is built around a long sandy beach that shelves very gently into warm, shallow water, making it especially popular with families and offering easy swimming right beside the harbour.
Nearby Destinations
Koufonisi Island
The uninhabited island of Koufonisi, reached by seasonal boat from the Makrygialos coast, offers empty sandy beaches, turquoise shallows, and the remains of an ancient settlement.
Ierapetra
The town of Ierapetra, the southernmost in Europe, lies about 24 kilometres west of Makrygialos and offers boat trips of its own to Chrissi Island.
Pefki Gorge
Inland behind Makrygialos, the Pefki gorge offers a shaded walking route down through pine-clad slopes toward the coast.
Makrygialos Harbor is an easygoing base on Crete's south-east coast, combining a long family beach with boat rentals and seasonal trips to the untouched island of Koufonisi.
