Location
Makrygialos
Makrygialos (meaning long beach) is a modern town on the south coast of Crete, part of the Lasithi Prefecture. It has a similar ambience and lifestyle to that of a Cornish village some 20 years ago. It features the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan country house. The long sandy beaches of the area around Makrygialos have attracted visitors for many years. It is a two hour drive from the airport at Heraklion. Makriyialos is characterised by some of the best beaches in Crete, secluded coves, crystal clear waters of the mediterranean sea, outstanding and locally produced fruit, vegetables, fish, lamb, chicken, olive oil and wine. Thanks to many days of sunshine and very little rain, this island produces high specific gravity oil and regularly wins the Gold medal award in international competitions. All around Makriyialos are thousands and thousands of acres of raw, majestic countryside and mountains.
Lasithi prefecture
Lasithi is the easternmost prefecture on the island of Crete. Its capital is Agios Nikolaos, the other major towns being Ierapetra, Sitia and Neapoli. The mountains include the Dikte to the west and the Sitia Mountains to the east. The Sea of Crete lies to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south.
To the east of the village of Elounda lies the island of Spinalonga, formerly a Venetian fortress and a leper colony. On the foot of Mount Dikti lies the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its windmills. Vai is well-known for its datepalm forest.
Thanks to stunning beaches and its mild climate year-long, Lasithi attracts many tourists. Mass tourism is served by places like Vai, Agios Nikolaos and the island of Chrissi. More off-beat tourism can be found in villages on the south coast like Myrtos, Makrys Gialos or Makrigialos, Xerokambos and Koutsouras.
The prefecture is home to a number of ancient remains. Vasiliki, Fournu Korfi, Pyrgos, Zakros and Gournia are ruins of Minoan date, Lato and Itanos were Doric towns..