Agia Pelagia Crete

Agia Pelagia in Crete is a small fishing village which doesn’t qualify as a mainstream tourist resort – & that is a nice thing. Situated 23 km west of Heraklion, it’s a rich history going back to Minoan times when, because of its strategic & sheltered location, it was an important harbour.

Agia Pelagia Crete

Nestled in the curve of a wide bay at the foot of a hill, its picturesque setting was noticed by a few intrepid businessmen who understood the area’s potential in the burgeoning tourism industry of Crete. Slowly but surely, hotels & restaurants were built but never lots of & so the area has kept its charm. Today, it is a well-liked location for families & couples who prefer a quieter getaway.
Agia Pelagia Nightlife
This is not to say that Agia Pelagia is boring. Most of the town’s social life centres around the shore which means wherever you go, the sounds & sights of the water will colour your evening. There’s tavernas & restaurants whose menus include a range of traditional Greek dishes as well as international fare. Dine out on a balmy summer evening in a different one each night with the sound of the sea lapping nearby. There’s no loud nightclubs to spoil the peace but friendly bars & cafes where you can sip a cocktail or five & watch the setting sun perform a spectacular light show on the sea & sky.

Agia Pelagia Beaches
There’s nine beaches & coves within walking distance of the centre of Agia Pelagia. The main beach is in the centre & surrounded by tavernas & bars so it is very convenient. Because of this, however, it can get very busy & noisy with the water sports on offer. The beach is sheltered from the north winds which can be a nuisance in other parts of Crete so the water is quiet & safe. In the event you prefer quieter places, you can explore to the left & right of the village to find smaller, more intimate beaches, bays & coves.
Agia Pelagia Facilities
There’s a few gold & silver shops as well as memento shops in Agia Pelagia & you will find that the facilities in the village are adequate to cover your needs. However, for some serious shopping therapy you may prefer to go in to Heraklion or one of the bigger cities to the west such as Rethymnon & Hania.

Agia Pelagia Getting Out & About
Within Agia Pelagia itself, there is the natural beauty of the area & picturesque church buildings to explore. In order to go further afield, it is necessary to take one of the few buses in to Heraklion & then catch another bus to wherever you would like to go. There’s sights to see in every direction of the island to suit every taste – archeological sights, water parks, the traditional ‘old’ towns of Rethymnon & Hania, the rugged coast to the south to name a few.
Read more at original editorial at Crete & Agia Pelagia at online resource middle. Once you are in Heraklion, there’s lots of buses to take you where you require to go but getting back to Agia Pelagia in the late afternoon or evening is a tiny bit of an issue. A taxi from the capital will cost about 30 euros.