The picturesque town is located on the north coast of Crete - Agia Pelagia. Traveler reviews indicate the wide popularity that this area has recently acquired in terms of tourist vacations.
Background of Agia Pelagia
The island of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is washed by the waters of three seas: from the north - Cretan, from the south - Libyan, and from the west - Ionian. A few millennia ago on the island there was the oldest, according to scientists, civilization in Europe - Minoan, which is confirmed by numerous archaeological excavations and historical and cultural monuments. Ancient tombs of this civilization were found in the vicinity of the town of Agia Pelagia (Crete). Reviews of scientists speak about the uniqueness of these findings. It is believed that at this place was the oldest city called Apollonia, or in another Elephant, built in the ninth century BC and subsequently destroyed by an earthquake.
Agia Pelagia - a popular resort
Only a small fishing village a few decades ago was on the island of Crete Agia Pelagia. Reviews of tourists, admired by wonderful quiet bays, magnificent beaches and the unique beauty of the local nature, show that it has turned into a popular resort with excellent leisure infrastructure. Now it is connected by a new convenient road with the capital Heraklion and other large settlements of the island. The town is formed by several small villages, the white houses of which are comfortably located on mountainous slopes, descending in a semicircle to the sea - these are Greece, Crete, Agia Pelagia. Reviews from tourists about this place are just wonderful.
Church of St. Pelagia
At the top of the hill is the church of St. Pelagia, which gave the name to the village. This is an active temple, in which church services are still held. During the Middle Ages, one of the first monasteries of the island of Crete, Savvatianon, was located here, and the chapel of St. Pelagius was built nearby. According to legend, a miraculous icon of the Holy Pelagia was found in it in ancient times. You can enter this tiny building only by bending down, and indoors it is impossible to straighten up to the full height. However, numerous pilgrims came here, hoping for a cure for serious illnesses. They tried to transfer the icon to the monastery church, but somehow it was again in the chapel.
Climate of Agia Pelagia
In a quiet bay at a distance of two tens of kilometers from the capital, Heraklion is comfortably located on the island of Crete (Greece) Agia Pelagia. Reviews of tourists characterize the local climate as moderate subtropical with hot, dry summers and humid, warm winters. The swimming period lasts from April to October. In mid-spring, the air temperature reaches 23 degrees, and the water warms up to 20 degrees and remains warm until mid-autumn. July, August is the hottest period, at which time the water in the sea warms up to 25 degrees. And the average temperature in winter reaches 16 degrees.
Features of Agia Pelagia
The main advantage of Agia Pelagia was the protection of its bay from the northern winds that raise high waves in the open sea. It is closed on three sides by mountains, so the sea is calm here, even during heavy waves. Small coves on the coast form comfortable windless beaches with clean white sand or pebbles, attracting a huge number of both local residents and tourists. Even for families with children, wonderful beaches on the island of Crete (Agia Pelagia) are suitable. Reviews say that they are well equipped for active leisure activities, and crystal clear water allows you to see the seabed.
The beaches of Agia Pelagia
1. In the village of Fodele, in the homeland of the famous Greek artist El Greco, there is a beach well protected from the winds. It is conveniently divided into two halves: the western part is well equipped for a comfortable stay, the eastern part is designed for lovers of complete privacy.
2. One of the popular beaches - Monofartis, is located north of Agia Pelagia. Closed to the winds, it has an excellent leisure infrastructure and is a favorite diving spot. Here you can also take courses for beginners at the Diving Center with professional and very attentive instructors.
3. Nearby is the beach of Psaromura - it is also protected from the wind. There are sun loungers and umbrellas on the shore, and there are taverns and cafes nearby.
4. West of Agia Pelagia is the pebble beach of Kladissos with all modern conveniences.
5. The delightful beach of Filakes is surrounded by steep cliffs, you will have to get to it by water. This is perhaps the most beautiful beach on the entire north coast. Fine clean sand and the azure sea attract extreme lovers.
6. Despite the narrow beach strip of the coastline, fine white sand and a developed leisure infrastructure attracts the central and longest beach of Agia Pelagia, Crete. Reviews here are characterized as excellent and comfortable.
7. Ligaria - a beautiful sandy beach located in a closed lagoon and perfectly equipped for outdoor activities. On weekends, it is especially crowded.
8. Maid Beach is named for the village. This pebble beach is loved by locals and lovers of fishing and diving.
9. One of the most beautiful is the pebble beach of Amoudi, it can be reached only from the sea. It is famous for its mysterious caves in the rocks.
Hotel service
Lots of diverse hotels - luxury and small villas, large modern hotels and economy hotels - located on about. Crete, Agia Pelagia. Reviews from grateful guests confirm their excellent service and convenient location. Due to the terrain, a magnificent panorama of the sea coast opens from the windows of the hotels. Near the coastal beach strip are many hotels in Agia Pelagia (Crete). Reviews of tourists note that the most popular are those located near the beach - no need to climb after swimming along the steep slopes. And for those who consider such a walk useful for the body, there is a large selection of excellent hotels located higher in the hills.
Some of the hotels of Agia Pelagia
1. A magnificent hotel on a green hill near the sea - "Diana Apartments". Spacious rooms open onto a balcony with wonderful views of the picturesque bay.
2. The comfortable hotel "Pela Mare" is surrounded by a beautiful flowered garden. On its territory there are two pools. The beach is also located nearby. When leaving, many guests leave a review: “Holidays in Agia Pelagia (Greece, Crete) was simply amazing!”
3. The luxurious Savvas Apartments is located next to the beach of Agia Pelagia. The comfortable rooms have balconies and a terrace overlooking the sea.
4. "Sunday Life" - this cozy hotel is located within walking distance of the beach. Its French windows open onto a spacious terrace with a unique view of the seascape. The hotel also has its own pool; the local restaurant serves products grown on its own site.
5. Hotel "Belvedere" is located in a wonderful bay near the beach and off the road, so it is quiet and calm. Spacious rooms open on one side to a balcony under which lemon trees grow, and on the other to a terrace with a beautiful panorama of the sea.
6. On the vast territory of the hotel "Capsis Elite" is a wonderful botanical garden and zoo, as well as several swimming pools and restaurants.
7. Surrounded by lush gardens, the Out of Blue Elite Hotel has three private beaches and greenhouses, an amusement park for children. It also has a spa with hydromassage.
All about holidays in Agie Pelagia, reviews, tips - all information can be obtained at any hotel in the city.
Knossos
Not far from Agia Pelagia is the most famous historical monument on the island - Knossos Palace. Knossos was the main city of Crete during the time of the most ancient Minoan civilization. Legend connects Knossos with the legendary name of the Cretan king Minos, a friend from Greek mythology. According to some assumptions, it is here that the famous Labyrinth is located, from which the Ariadne thread helped Theseus get out .
On the hill of Kefalos, where Knossos was subsequently built, the first settlement appeared in the 7th millennium BC, for many millennia it turned into a grand and powerful palace city, consisting of one and a half thousand rooms. The palace has an almost square shape, but it does not have an ordered layout of the premises. They form a unique mess around the courtyard. Despite such asymmetry of the rooms, lighting, sewage, and also water supply and ventilation systems are well thought out. All utilities are placed in such a unique way that repair work can be done at any point. In the ceiling, light wells are arranged in a special way, thanks to which magnificent lighting was created. Water was supplied using two stone gutters from reservoirs, one of which was filled from a natural reservoir, and the second during rains.
The wealth and luxury of the palace are spoken by magnificent frescoes adorning its walls. Most of them are kept in museums in Heraklion. The frescoes depict flowers, plants and animals, elegant dancing people. There are no military plots or images of leaders. There are also no religious paintings.
The constant excavations of Knossos began only at the beginning of the 20th century. Thanks to the English archaeologist, the world learned about the oldest civilization and its great monument.
Fodele Village
Next to Agia Pelagia in the orange and lemon orchards lies the village of Fodele, famous for the fact that the famous El Greco lived and worked in it. Now an artist’s museum is open here with reproductions of his paintings and a bust made by a famous sculptor is installed. Nearby is the Panagia Church with unique 14th-century frescoes.
According to scientists, in the ancient village of Fodele, the ancient city of Astali existed in ancient times.
Caves of Zeus
On the Lassithi plateau are the famous caves of Zeus - Dikteyskaya and Idea. According to legend, Zeus was born in the Dikteysky cave. In the first room is his altar, which was decorated with statues, beautiful dishes and other ornaments, which are now stored in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. After passing into the second room, you can see the underground lake, where, according to legend, a newborn was bathed. Fantastic stalactites and stalagmites give the cave unreal beauty. Nearby is the Idea Cave, in which religious rites called the Idea Rings were held.
Greece, about. Crete, Agia Pelagia is a delightful place, a paradise of nature, designed for a wonderful and comfortable stay. For many families, this resort has become a favorite destination for annual vacations.