Agia Pelagia is the decoration of Crete. A relaxing holiday in Crete: Agia Pelagia resort Crete Agia Pelagia beach slab sharp depth
The city of Agia Pelagia in Greece
The small village of Agia Pelagia is located 20 km west of the capital of Crete, Heraklion. This tourist place is chosen, as a rule, by lovers of a calm and quiet beach holiday without active nightlife. However, it cannot be said that Agia Pelagia is boring: it has everything you need for a pleasant and quality holiday. The pride of the village is its beautiful sandy beaches, which attract tourists from surrounding areas.
The village itself is completely new, it is only 50 years old, although previously there were cities with a rich history on this site. Today Agia Pelagia is a true tourist village that has gained immense popularity among both Cretan residents and tourists.
Hotels in Agia Pelagia
Agia Pelagia is a very popular tourist village, so there are quite a lot of hotels here. To help you get your bearings, we offer you a short overview, which includes hotels with an excellent reputation and excellent reviews from tourists.
Family apartments Diana are located in a quiet location on the seashore, in a picturesque bay. Friendly staff, excellent location and cozy atmosphere have earned positive reviews from vacationers. The village center is only 200 meters away.
150 meters from the sandy beach, Andy's Plaza Aparthotel is built, the rooms of which are decorated in a pleasant style and guarantee a comfortable stay. In the roof garden of the hotel you can relax, enjoying magnificent views of the sea. The hotel is surrounded by hills, mountains and nine beaches: both sandy and rocky.Thanks to its convenient location and excellent service, this hotel has a high rating.
Another superbly located hotel is the Sunday Life, just a few minutes from the beach. All rooms offer picturesque views of the village and the sea. The hotel has its own swimming pool, and the restaurant serves excellent local and European cuisine. Many products are grown directly on site.
The family-run Zorbas Studios have rooms with views of the hotel's blooming citrus garden or the sea. There is everything you need for a good holiday, the beach is just 50 meters away. Tourists appreciate Zorbas Studios for its excellent location and friendly staff.
Happy Cretan is 1.5 km from Agia Pelagia Beach and features an outdoor seawater swimming pool with hydromassage and a fitness centre. The excellent quality of food, including homemade sweets, local cuisine, and refreshing drinks, is reflected in positive reviews from tourists; they are also satisfied with the hotel’s infrastructure.
Capsis Elite Resort in Agia Pelagia occupies a vast area with 7 fresh water swimming pools, a spa, 7 restaurants, a botanical garden and a zoo.
Located 100 meters from the center of Agia Pelagia, the architecture and interior design of Out of the Blue Elite Hotel can be compared to a Cretan village. The hotel is surrounded by gardens, three magnificent beaches and a river. In a variety of restaurants you can enjoy perfectly prepared dishes of Cretan, Italian, French, Greek cuisine, the products for which are grown in the hotel's greenhouses. Out of the Blue Elite also features a spa with a sauna and hammam, where you can go for a massage or hydrotherapy treatment. In the Capsis Minoan amusement park, children under 10 years old can relax for free, and very interesting events are held there to get acquainted with the Minoan civilization, including myths.
Transport in Agia Pelagia
Since the village of Agia Pelagia is built in the form of an amphitheater, you should choose your hotel very carefully so that you do not have to spend a lot of time and effort climbing up the mountain (the farther from the beach, the higher the hotel). If this doesn’t bother you and you like to walk or plan to travel by car, there will be no problems. Agia Pelagia is located only 20 km from Heraklion, where you can get there by bus, and from Heraklion you can travel throughout Crete and Greece in general - even by plane, or by ferry. It is also possible to rent a motorbike or car in Agia Pelagia if you want to drive on your own.
Agia Pelagia on the map of Crete
The village of Agia Pelagia is conveniently located in the very center of Crete on the northern coast, 20 km from Heraklion, which is clearly visible on the map. You can zoom in or out on the map to better see the location of Agia Pelagia in relation to other cities on the island of Crete.
Agia Pelagia is located only 20 km from the capital of Crete, so the weather there is about the same as in Heraklion; detailed information can be found on our website in the special section Weather in Greece.
Sights of Agia Pelagia: what to see
Agia Pelagia is a new village and exclusively touristic, so it does not have its own attractions. Unless you can go to a small church. But 20 km from the village is the capital of Crete, Heraklion, where it has its own attractions, and you can go to other cities of Crete on excursions. Conveniently, Heraklion and Agia Pelagia are located in the middle of the island, so you can go in any direction.
Getting to Agia Pelagia from Heraklion is not difficult: buses from the capital of Crete run every 1–2 hours, but not until late in the evening.
There are a lot of taverns and restaurants in Agia Pelagia, you can choose for every taste and budget. There are pretentious places and simpler ones, there are taverns with a special Greek atmosphere. In any case, you will be fed deliciously everywhere, but for what money – it’s up to you to decide.
Beaches of Agia Pelagia
The sandy beaches of Agia Pelagia are what the village can be proud of. No wonder even celebrities come here. The main advantage of the beaches of Agia Pelagia is protection from the winds, since the village is located in a bay, which is very convenient for families with children, but the beach itself is quite narrow.
If you walk a little north from the village, you can relax on the uncrowded small-pebble beaches of Kladissos, Mononaftis (sharp entrance to the water), Psaromoura, which, however, are more susceptible to winds. And in the south of Agia Pelagia there is the village of Lygaria with the beach of the same name. In the village itself, the central beach is usually crowded, but the beach is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, showers, toilets and changing rooms. You can also go diving here; the calm sea is conducive to this. Walking along Cape Souda (you will have to walk through water up to your chest, but it’s worth it), you will find yourself at Fylakes beach - the most beautiful in the village and in all of northern Crete. Fine sand, emerald water and the high rocky mountains of the cape create a stunning atmosphere for a pleasant holiday.
What is the resort?
Those who like a measured pace of relaxation and a homely atmosphere come to Agia Pelagia. There are no noisy parties here, but there is no shortage of entertainment either. You can browse the souvenir shops or rent a car to travel around Crete. There will be no problems with food in Agia Pelagia. The small village offers all types of establishments - from expensive restaurants with luxurious views to traditional cozy taverns that serve equally high-quality and tasty dishes.
The main advantage of Agia Pelagia is its narrow but immaculate coastline. The bay of the village is reliably protected from the winds by rocks. When the sea is raging in other resorts of Crete, in Agia Pelagia the water remains calm. This is what attracts vacationers, especially tourists with children. The central beach of the town is covered with soft sand, although the entrance to the sea is quite sharp. There are safe flat areas in the middle. You can diversify your leisure time with diving - in Agia Pelagia they are ready to teach it to everyone.
There are other beaches near the resort. The small bay of Ligaria is also protected from the wind and equipped with everything necessary. Psaromura beach is preferred by the Cretans themselves, who come here for the weekend. However, waves are common here.
What to visit nearby
The peculiarity of Agia Pelagia is its convenient location. The village is located almost in the center of Crete, which makes it a good point for traveling around the island. Although Agia Pelagia itself is not famous for its attractions, it is very close. Its current state can hardly be called excavations - rather, it is a reconstruction, which will give an approximate idea of the appearance of the luxurious Minoan palace.
Returning from Knossos, you need to stop at. It is in the capital of the island that it is better to do shopping, and at the same time you can see the main attractions of this city: the Morosini Fountain, the Cules Fortress and the beautiful Venetian Loggia.
From Agia Pelagia you can go to the Palace of Malia, which is considered one of the most important archaeological sites of Crete. The excavation area includes vaults, the Western Court, columns with signs carved on them, a loggia, staircases and many other buildings. The Mali Palace has not undergone reconstruction, unlike the Knossos Palace. The higher its value for tourists.
It’s worth a trip to the picturesque village of Rogdia. It is located on a hill and offers amazing views of the sea and Heraklion. By the way, local taverns offer such delicious food that residents of the Cretan capital have become frequent guests in Rogdia. In the village you can stroll along the narrow streets and explore the traditional houses. And, of course, see the ancient monastery of Savvafianon.
Driving close to Agia Pelagia, you can get to the village of Fodele. It is known as the birthplace of El Greco, which attracts a lot of tourists. Fodele is surrounded by orange groves, and the river flowing nearby makes the village a fertile oasis. In Fodele, it is worth stopping near the Byzantine church and visiting El Greco's house. Here is a collection telling about his work and life.
A magnificent decoration of the nature of Crete are the bays. The bay is quite popular and famous among tourists. The delightful mountain landscape combined with seascapes will provide unforgettable impressions and excellent photographs for the most demanding tourists. However, there are still several beautiful coves that are located very close to Heraklion on the northern coast of Crete. Agia Pelagia(Αγία Πελαγία [āɣia palaɣia]) is a small resort seaside village, nestled in a charming bay near the capital of Crete.
The beaches of Crete are usually exposed to all the winds, and finding a quiet spot is not so easy. The simple fishing village of Achlada, located nearby in the mountains, gave rise to a rather popular holiday destination - the resort of Agia Pelagia. Due to its favorable location - on the eastern side of the cape, where there is no wind, the village quickly gained popularity among tourists.
Crete Island, Agia Pelagia
The bay resembles an amphitheater, which reliably protects it from almost all sides. The village of Agia Pelagia inherited its name from the ancient church dedicated to St. Pelagia, a historical and architectural monument. Hotels in the resort town delight with variety - for every taste and budget. They use windmills in their design and play with the motifs of the famous Knossos Palace with pleasure. There are apartments, hotels and villas. Along the embankment there are restaurants, taverns, cafes and bars. In small supermarkets you can buy everything you need for your holiday.
Climate and weather
This area has a mild Mediterranean climate. Thanks to the excellent protection of the mountainous surroundings, there are practically no winds in Agia Pelagia. Summer is dry and warm, the thermometer averages 26 degrees Celsius. Winter is damp, humid and also relatively warm. The minimum temperature in winter can be around 8 degrees.
Beaches of Agia Pelagia
Wonderful clean sandy beach Agia Pelagia stretches along the entire coast of the bay. The beach strip itself is quite narrow, but entry into the water is comfortable. The water is so clean and transparent that all the pebbles at the bottom are clearly visible. Along the edges of the bay there are sea urchins. The beach is equipped with umbrellas and sun loungers. There are showers, changing rooms and toilets. Tourists can use yachts, boats, pedal boats, boats and kayaks. For lovers of scuba diving there is a diving club.
If you go further north and go around Cape Suda, you will see a small, completely unique beach Flykis(Fylakes), hidden in a small gorge in another cove, which can only be reached by swimming. The magical emerald color of the water and the finest sand surrounded by rocky mountains attract tourists from all over Crete, whom yachts bring daily on sailing excursions.
Cladissos(Kladissos) is a small hundred-meter strip of sand and pebbles with a gentle entrance to the sea. There is no wind or waves here. You can only get to the beach through the Kapsis Hotel. Sometimes you have to argue with the guards, who do not have the right to prevent tourists from entering the hotel territory because of the excavations being carried out here, according to a court decision. Beach infrastructure: umbrellas, sun loungers, showers, changing cabins - this is all the property of the hotel. There is an inflatable town on the water for children.
Psaromura(Psaromoura) - also well protected from wind and waves, due to its orientation to the east. Located next to the Kapsis Hotel, a little to the west of it. The beach is dotted with small and medium pebbles. The entrance to the water is quite sharp and not very comfortable; it is better to have special shoes. Equipped with everything you need: umbrellas and sun loungers. There is a rescue tower. It is possible to rent a boat or kayak.
Mononaphthys(Mononaftis) - the beach is oriented to the east, so it is also windless and calm here. Covered with small and medium pebbles, in some places there is sand and large pebbles. It has a sharp and uncomfortable entry into the water due to large stones and slabs. The beach, although equipped with everything necessary, is not the most popular, and therefore not crowded. There is an opportunity to go diving.
On the south side, in the village of the same name, there is a beach Ligaria(Lygaria). True, there is wind and waves much more often there. It is located east of the central beach of Agia Pelagia. The beach is covered with coarse sand and is well equipped.
Agia Pelagia, attractions
Despite the youth of the resort, there is something to see here. The main local attraction is from the 12th century, not only completely preserved, but even operational.
On the shore, on the left side of the bay, right by the water, there is a very small old chapel in which there are icons and candles are constantly burning. To enter you need to bow thoroughly - the doorway is very low, and only a child can stand there at full height. According to legend, an icon of St. Pelagia, considered miraculous, was discovered here. Local residents say that the icon was transferred to the temple, but it miraculously returned back.
A little to the left you can see old fishing boats, hung as if for repairs, but now more reminiscent of museum exhibits. The left side of the bay is a small peninsula, which is completely occupied by one of the most expensive hotels in Agia Pelagia - Capsis Elite. On the vast territory of the hotel there is a zoo, a botanical garden, 7 swimming pools and even excavations are underway. That is why the entrance is open to everyone throughout the day.
Agia Pelagia is well located for sightseeing and other attractions. Not far from the village are the Savvatyana monastery with the chapel of St. Anthony in the village of Rodia and the town of Fodele - the birthplace of the famous artist El Greco (Domenico Theotokopoulos).
Thanks to its proximity, tourists have the opportunity to explore everything, both in the capital itself and near it. There are daily buses to the city from Agia Pelagia (approximately once an hour) and car rental services are available.
Location of Agia Pelagia
The resort village of Agia Pelagia is located in the bay of the same name, on the eastern part of the cape of the northern coast of Crete. From the capital of the island, Heraklion, to the village the distance is about 20 kilometers. The nearest large city to the west is 60 kilometers away.
How to find Agia Pelagia
You can get to Agia Pelagia in the following ways:
- by rented car
Not far from Agia Pelagia there is the national highway E 75. To get to the village with a rented car, you need to follow it and turn at the sign for the country road leading to the sea. From the side of Rethymno, follow the signs after the village of Akhlada (Αχλάδα [akhlaða]), and from the side of Heraklion, look for the sign after the village of Paleokastro (Παλαιόκαστρο [palaeokastro]).
- by bus
There are buses that go directly to Agia Pelagia, but they are rare. You need to find out the schedule. If you want to walk, you can take any bus going from Heraklion to Rethymno and ask to stop at the turn to Agia Pelagia.
- by taxi
A taxi from Heraklion will cost about 30 euros, and from Rethymno - about 100 euros.
The mysterious island of Crete has always attracted travelers. Here, beautiful Mediterranean nature is combined with an abundance of attractions. Arriving in the capital of the island, tourists prefer to go further to relax, because there are no good beaches in this city. After driving 23 km east along the coast, you find yourself in a cozy bay, protected from sea winds. It is here that the small village of Agia Pelagia is located, which we chose as a place to stay on vacation during our next trip to Greece.
After the noisy capital of Crete with an abundance of cafes, restaurants and other places for youth hangouts, this place seemed quiet and calm to us. But at the same time, there was enough entertainment here so that the vacation we had been waiting for so long did not become monotonous and brought us many new impressions.
How to get there
To get to Agia Pelagia, tourists choose different modes of transport, but the most popular are air and water. After all, even when traveling by car, you will have to transfer to the ferry that goes to Crete, and from there continue moving around the island. We chose the plane, having purchased tickets during spring break through a promotion on one website. Do not forget that a Schengen visa is required to travel to Crete, as well as to visit other cities and islands of Greece. This document is issued at a special visa center.
By plane
Air travel remains the most popular way to get to the Greek island. If you purchase tickets long before the tourist season, you get decent savings. The main rule: periodically monitor airline ticket sites so as not to miss discounts.
Direct flights
I try to choose non-stop options, because moving with children from one plane to another is not very convenient. For residents St. Petersburg and Moscow In spring, summer and autumn, it is most convenient to fly on charter flights - air tickets on them are much cheaper. Before making a purchase, I compare prices for neighboring dates.
The approximate cost of tickets from Moscow is 375-450 EUR or 25-30,000 RUB in high season per person in both directions. When departing from St. Petersburg, tickets will cost 675-900 EUR or 45-60,000 RUB. If you subscribe to the site's newsletter and purchase tickets 4-5 months in advance, you can find better deals. Travel time will be no more than 3.5-4 hours. The same option is also suitable for tourists from other Russian cities: Krasnodar, Yekaterinburg, Magnitogorsk, Kazan, Samara.
Options with transfer
When there are no suitable charter flights, you can get to Crete with a transfer. Despite the fact that travel time increases (after all, there is sometimes a gap of several hours between flights), many travelers manage to take advantage of this break and go for a walk around the city. You just need to remember that you need to show up at the airport no later than 1 hour before departure to check in again.
Excellent options for connecting are the following cities: , Sofia, . It is convenient to change planes in the capital of Greece, Athens. This is exactly what most travelers do. The main rule when buying tickets with a transfer is to carefully calculate the time between flights and use it to your advantage. You should carefully study the cost of plane tickets from different airlines. Flights to Europe and Greece are carried out by:
- Yakutia Airlines;
- Aeroflot;
- UTair;
- Astra Airlines;
- S7 Airlines;
- Air Serbia;
- Ural Airlines;
- RusLine;
- Aegean Airlines;
- Lufthansa;
- Ellinair.
Flights with transfers cost about 315 EUR or 21,000 RUB. I prefer to first look at all offers from different airlines to choose the most suitable ones in terms of departure time and ticket price.
How to get from the airport to the city
The largest airport in Crete - Nikos Kazantzakis (HER) - is located in Heraklion. From here it is about 26 km to Agia Pelagia. A transfer from the airport will take you 25-30 minutes, which is why tourists prefer to settle for a holiday near the Mediterranean Sea in this small, calm town.
If you have not booked a transfer from a tour operator, you can get to your hotel in Agia Pelagia by bus or taxi. First you need to take route No. 1 or No. 78 to the bus station in Heraklion. Buses depart from the airport every 15-20 minutes, the fare is 3 EUR. From there you can get 6 EUR to the place on any of the intercity buses that go towards or Chania.
Taxi is not a cheap way to get around Crete, but it saves travelers a lot of travel time. Moreover, after 20:00 the buses no longer run. To take a taxi from Heraklion airport to Agia Pelagia, you can pre-book a car on a special website for a certain time. If the service has not been ordered, then you should go to one of the cars that are always ready near the exit from the airport terminal. The cost of travel to the village will be 35-40 EUR.
By bus
It would seem that it would be simply impossible to get to Agia Pelagia in Crete using a vehicle such as a bus. However, this particular method of transportation is becoming very popular. Moreover, you don’t have to look for flights, change from one bus to another and book accommodation. Now there are bus tours that will take travelers to their destination, and experienced guides will conduct a tour of transit cities.
Such a trip will cost 850-1150 EUR. The price includes insurance, hotel accommodation, meals and ferry travel to Crete. If you travel from Moscow or St. Petersburg, the travel time will take at least 2-3 days. During the trip, it is planned to visit historical sites in Sofia and Bucharest.
Such tours are becoming increasingly popular due to the precise organization and convenience of modern vehicles equipped with appliances, toilets and mini-showers. Buses can travel non-stop throughout the day. The following companies sell bus tours to Greece: “Petrotour”, “Ost-West”, “Planet Travel”. Departure takes place by agreement with the group leader from the offices of tourist organizations.
The most popular route is ()- , but recently ferry trips to Heraklion, and from there throughout the island. Agia Pelagia is included in the visit program thanks to two Orthodox shrines: the churches of St. Marina and Pelagia.
By car
Traveling to Agia Pelagia by car is associated with numerous difficulties, so only a few decide on such an adventure. This type of travel is suitable for those who have at least 2 weeks to rest. On the road, travelers will face challenges such as traveling through multiple countries and going through customs. But you will be able to create your own route and change it at any time.
From Moscow
The most convenient route involves crossing countries such as:
- Slovakia;
- Macedonia.
The distance will be 3,290 km. A shorter route passes through the territory of Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria. It allows you to shorten the journey by 350 km. After passing through these states, travelers should get to any Greek city that has a ferry connection to Crete. The port of Piraeus near Athens is best. In addition to tickets, passengers will have to pay for car transportation. Typically, travel for two people and a car costs no more than 150 EUR. I will tell you in detail how to get to Agia Pelagia from other countries and from the Greek islands by ferry in the next section.
From Saint-Petersburg
Travelers living in St. Petersburg are better off planning their route by analogy, without stopping in Moscow. There is another way - through Lithuania, Latvia, and then, as in the first option, we pass through Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Macedonia, and then to Athens and by ferry to Crete. Travel time will be at least 3.5 days.
Travelers should note that some sections of the highways along the way have tolls. All of them are marked on the interactive map. Special signs also warn about this.
There are such roads on the route in Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. To pay for traffic on them, you need to buy a vignette - a plastic card that gives you the right to travel on a toll road. For a passenger car it costs from 3 to 7 EUR. A vignette can be bought at a gas station, in a supermarket or on a special website. The minimum validity period is 1 week, even if the travel time across the country is 1 day. For each state, the entry card is purchased anew, keep this in mind.
By ferry
You can get to the largest island of Greece by ferry from Italy, Turkey, and Cyprus. For this purpose, both cargo ferries with several deck levels and small high-speed vessels that can accommodate no more than 50 passengers depart daily. In addition, ferry services have been established between Greek cities on the mainland. These include Piraeus, Kasos,.
Tickets can be purchased on special websites or upon arrival at the port. Usually the schedule needs to be clarified, especially in winter and autumn, when there are storms at sea.
From Piraeus to Heraklion The ferry takes at least 9 hours, so specifically for the convenience of passengers it departs at 21 and 22 hours. During the summer, there is an additional flight on Fridays at 18:00.
Ferries from the islands run 2 times a week, only from Mykonos to Crete can be reached 5 times a week. The time of the sea trip, as well as ticket prices for one passenger, depend on the distance between points and the popularity of the route:
- -Heraklion - 33 EUR, 14 hours;
- -Heraklion - 89 EUR, 4.5 hours;
- -Heraklion - 21 EUR, 8 hours;
- (Thira)-Heraklion - 73 EUR, 2.5 hours;
- Kasos-Heraklion – 14-20 EUR, 6 hours.
Transportation is carried out by ferry companies Hellenic Seaways, Anek Lines, Sea Jets.
How to get from the port to the city center
All ferries arrive at the port of Heraklion, which is located near bus station A.
We usually, upon arrival at the port, buy a ticket for any bus going towards Rethymnon or Chania. They do not enter Agia Pelagia, but stop on the highway 1 kilometer from the village. A ticket costs 3-4 EUR.
Clue:
Agia Pelagia - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 0
Kazan 0
Samara 1
Ekaterinburg 2
Novosibirsk 4
Vladivostok 7
When is the season? When is the best time to go
When it comes to such an interesting island as Crete, it is difficult to single out any season that would be the most attractive in terms of vacation. Local attractions can be explored at any time of the year. However, if you are planning a beach holiday, then it is better to choose the period between May and October.
Based on my own experience, I think the most comfortable time to travel is the end of summer or the beginning of autumn. But it is worth considering that at this time the number of tourists wanting to relax increases, and you need to book accommodation in advance so as not to be satisfied with the average option.
Agia Pelagia in summer
With the onset of summer in Agia Pelagia, the flow of people wishing to enjoy the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea increases. The first months of this time of year are liked by many tourists because it is not as hot here as in Egyptian and Turkish resorts. However, it is still better to choose a room with air conditioning, because during the day the temperature often rises to +30 °C and above. It's good that the evening is cool. The difference between daytime and evening temperatures is approximately 8-10 °C.
The hottest summer months in Agia Pelagia are July and August. If you are planning a vacation with children, it is better to spend the daytime in your room, or plan a trip to one of the Heraklion museums. But under no circumstances should you visit open-air attractions. It is better to move swimming and relaxing on the beach to the morning or evening, when the sun is not so hot.
Agia Pelagia in autumn
With the onset of autumn, the beach season reaches a new level. Many families with school-age children go home, so Agia Pelagia becomes more free. Local residents consider this time to be the most successful time for a vacation: during the day there is no longer any sweltering heat, and the sea temperature remains within +25-26 °C. This weather lasts until mid-October. This time is suitable for purchasing profitable travel packages for tourists who did not have time to relax in the summer. Most of the tours booked for the season are sold at cheap prices. You can check the availability of tours to Agia Pelagia, for example, at.
In the second half of October, there are significantly fewer tourists, and by the beginning of November almost all hotels are closed. The high tourist season in Agia Pelagia is over.
Agia Pelagia in spring
Spring in Agia Pelagia can be divided into two different periods. The first of them is more like winter time, because it rains periodically, and the temperature does not rise above +17-19 °C. Starting from mid-April, the first tourists open the beach season in Agia Pelagia. At this time, Crete is very beautiful: all the trees are covered with fragrant flowers, and the water in the sea is already warming up to +18 °C. There are even the first people who want to swim.
But May here is more reminiscent of one of the summer months, except that the evenings are not so warm. At this time, youth festivals are held in Crete.
Agia Pelagia in winter
Few people dare to go to Crete to the village of Agia Pelagia in winter. During this period, the air temperature drops to +15 °C, and the sea is often stormy. The water temperature remains at no higher than +17 °C.
December and January are distinguished by the fact that strong winds blow almost all day long, with only occasional calm. February is marked by significant warming, there are more sunny days and less rain. Although the temperature of water and air remains at the same level. At this time, all nature begins to prepare for spring.
Clue:
Agia Pelagia - weather by month
Districts. Where is the best place to live?
There is no specific division into districts in Agia Pelagia. If you follow the road from the main beach past cafes and shops and turn right, you will see a wild landscape enlivened only by olive trees and vineyards. The indigenous people of Agia Pelagia are engaged in growing vegetables and fruits, as evidenced by numerous greenhouses. In addition, here you can find small flocks of sheep and goats walking along the road, and not far from Monanaftis beach we saw a large apiary with bees.
But if you look at the village from the sea, you can see that its position resembles an amphitheater.
First beach line
The most prestigious hotels are located in a cozy bay near the beach, so this area is considered to be main in Agia Pelagia. It is marked on the map with a number 1 . Here, near the municipal beach, there are many restaurants and taverns, and further up the street, souvenir shops and a supermarket.
Second line
A little further away, at a distance of 500 m, there are hotels with conditional second beach line. They are also popular with tourists.
Third line
Before third the beach line from the sea will have to go at least 1.3-2 km. It was in the hotel of this remote area with the simple name Nicolas villas that we decided to stay. According to the travel agent, the beach was only 700 meters away. But in reality the distance was about 2 kilometers. On the other hand, we were lucky because we were able to take long walks around the village and explore it, but I advise tourists with small children to choose accommodation closer.
Prices for rooms in hotels located in different areas are practically the same. Tour operators explain this by the fact that even from remote hotels to the central beach there are free minibuses. In the next section I will talk about the cost of living in Agia Pelagia in more detail.
There is no shortage of hotels and hotels in Agia Pelagia. In addition to them, there are luxury apartments, and on houses near the beach there are advertisements with the inscription: Rent a room. I try to check prices for and before traveling. And I use it for comparison, because there you can compare hotel prices from different sites and choose the most profitable option.
What are the prices for holidays?
Prices for housing, food and souvenirs in Agia Pelagia are very diverse. As in many seaside villages, before paying for an item, you can try to bargain with the seller. True, not everyone reduces the price as willingly as in Turkey.
The cost of hotel rooms in Agia Pelagia directly depends on the season of travel. From mid-May they begin to rise and fall only after the end of September. A sure way to save money is to book accommodation long before your planned trip, in which case the cost of accommodation will be much lower.
Housing
Different types of housing have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, when choosing apartments that are cheaper in price (about 23-38 EUR per person per day), you need to look for a place to eat and buy plane tickets separately.
And when choosing a package tour with a hotel and all-inclusive meals, you will have to pay the appropriate price:
- 3* - 24-28 EUR;
- 4* - 36-45 EUR;
- 5* - 52-75 EUR.
Nutrition
We had enough food provided at the hotel, but still wanted to try some of the local cuisine. Usually, instead of dinner, we went for a walk along the main beach and stopped at one of the snack bars to eat and drink a cocktail or glass of wine. For the two of us, 30-40 EUR was enough.
Otherwise, prices were no higher than in other Greek resort towns:
- milk - 1.8 EUR;
- 10 eggs - 3 EUR;
- meat - 5-7 EUR;
- cheese - 6-8 EUR;
- fruits - 1-3 EUR;
- bread - 0.8-1.2 EUR.
Travel by transport
To travel by bus or minibus within 20 km you will need 3-4 EUR per person. You can buy a ticket directly from the driver. For longer trips, it is better to rent a car, which will cost 40-60 EUR per day, depending on the year of manufacture.
A taxi ride to Heraklion will cost 60 EUR, to Rethymno - 75 EUR, to Chania - 120 EUR.
Excursions
During the trip from the airport, the girl guide told us that you can book any excursion directly at the hotel. But later, after studying the prices indicated in the price list, we realized that they were too high. Not having much experience in dealing with street travel agencies, we decided to plan our trips ourselves and rent a car.
Later, after talking with other tourists from our hotel, we learned that in Agia Pelagia there are 3 good companies that are located in transport rental offices. They are easy to recognize by their inscription rent a car . To find such an agency, you need to walk along the main street near the beach. Another office is located on the road to Mononaftis beach. They provide excursions at a normal price:
- jeep safari - 59 EUR;
- fishing on the open sea - 70 EUR;
- yacht trip - 35 EUR;
- Balos Bay - 37 EUR;
- Samaria Gorge - 42 EUR;
- Spinalonga - 40 EUR.
Another profitable option is to book a tour on one of the sites. This is exactly what we are doing now, and we get good savings.
Main attractions. What to see
The attractions of Agia Pelagia include not only objects located in the village itself, but also those located 5-8 kilometers from it. During our walks, we paid attention to the nature and buildings of Agia Pelagia, which give the village a unique flavor.
Top 5
Beaches. Which ones are better
One of the main advantages of the beaches of Agia Pelagia is their protection from the winds blowing from the mainland. Many hotels from 4 stars have their own recreation areas by the sea, so tourists who come to relax there do not have to look for a place to swim on their own.
Our hotel was located almost 2 km from the nearest beach, so we had to walk. I note that Entrance to all beaches is free . At any of them, sun loungers and umbrellas are provided for those interested for 4 EUR, and more economical tourists can sit directly on the sand or pebbles, laying down a mat. The most popular beaches in Agia Pelagia are:
Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?
As throughout Crete, there are several Orthodox churches near the village and in Agia Pelagia itself. All of them are valid. In order to get inside, you need to have clothes suitable for visiting a religious place; visitors in short shorts or skirts and with bare heads are not allowed. I will highlight:
Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?
Museum of El Greco
There are no museums in Agia Pelagia itself, but just 10 kilometers away is Fodele, the childhood village of the famous Renaissance artist El Greco, born in 1541. The artist's house-museum is known throughout the world. It houses several paintings and their copies that made the artist famous; the interior decoration of the house has been completely preserved.
Opening hours and visiting: The house-museum is open all days except Mondays - from 09:00 to 17:00. Ticket price for an adult is 3 EUR.
Parks
One of the main disadvantages of Agia Pelagia is the lack of park area. Instead, tourists have to walk along the road or the central beach. This, of course, is also an interesting activity, but on the street you cannot hide in the shade of trees, as in the park. One can only hope that the authorities of Agia Pelagia will someday allocate money for the development of the park.
Tourist streets
The streets in Agia Pelagia wind through the hills and fields of the locals. The main street of the village is considered to be the one that leads from the center of the beach deep into the resort. And it is called accordingly: Agias Pelagias. Here you can leave your car in the parking lot and continue your walk on foot. In addition to souvenir shops, the center has a pharmacy, a supermarket, several travel agencies and a car rental office.
If you head to the right from the main street, you will come to the road Marikas Kapsi, passing by vineyards and private apartments. And if you turn left onto El. Venizelou, then you can admire the homes of the indigenous Cretans.
There are shops here that are visited daily by ordinary residents. They sell homemade cheeses, meats, milk and olive oil.
What to see in 1 day
If by chance I found myself in Agia Pelagia for 1 day, I would devote it to exploring the sights of the village and relaxing on the beaches. Just in case, I made a strict plan so as not to miss a minute of precious time:
- 08:00-09:00 - swim on the central beach to recharge your batteries for the whole day;
- 09:00-10:00 - have breakfast in one of the cafes near the beach;
- 10:00-12:00 - walk along the streets of the village, admiring the ancient buildings;
- 12:00-13:00 - visit the main attraction of Agia Pelagia, the Church of St. Pelagia;
- 13:00-14:00 - have lunch at a fish tavern, ordering octopus kebab with vegetable salad;
- 14:00-16:00 - take a boat trip with swimming in the open sea;
- 16:00-17:00 - go to the zoo, which is located at the Capsis hotel;
- 17:00-18:00 - swim on Psaromur beach;
- 18:00-19:00 - go shopping and souvenir shops located near the municipal beach;
- 19:00-20:30 - go up to the observation deck near Agia Pelagia to admire the beautiful views from above;
- 20:30-22:30 - end the day by heading to Nefeli Bar to have dinner and a glass of wine in the famous bar.
What to see in the area
The surrounding areas within a radius of 100 kilometers abound with attractions. There are so many of them that it is difficult to choose just one from the huge list. We have to prioritize. Some people like natural beauty: gorges, mountains and the sea, while others want to visit holy places, monasteries and temples. We enjoyed walking around the nearby cities, Heraklion, Rethymno, Agios Nikolaos, and visiting historical sites and famous beaches along the way. In addition, I advise you to visit:
Nearby Islands
Food. What to try
In order to explore the peculiarities of Cretan cuisine, you need to get out of the hotel and take a tour of the taverns of Agia Pelagia. I recommend doing this, even if the hotel provides full board and there is no need to additionally search for places to eat. Otherwise, the rest will not be complete. Eating in Greek cafes and restaurants is not just a meal, it is a large part of folk culture. Of the large number of dishes offered on the menu, you must try:
Despite the fact that the village is small, you can find eateries here to suit every taste. Most of them are located near the main beach of Agia Pelagia, while the rest are located a little further away. A good fish tavern was located on the road to our hotel, Nicholas Villas.
We liked that almost all cafes have such a custom as a compliment from the owner, which is presented to the guest along with dessert. This is a special sign of gratitude and respect. Most often these are sweet pastries or unleavened pies with cottage cheese, served with a small cup of honey. In some cases, instead of food, visitors are treated to homemade wine, liqueur or aniseed vodka (rakia), or a plate of fruit grown in their own garden.
After much thought, we decided that almost all taverns in Agia Pelagia have very welcoming owners and reasonable prices, but the best food is in the restaurant « El Greco" on the central beach and in the tavern "UNikolaos", located opposite the entrance to the Kapsis Hotel.
The cost of a hearty dinner for two with meat or fish, side dish and salad will be about 25-30 EUR, a glass of good wine will cost 4-7 EUR. A serving of gyros in pita or moussaka costs 5-7 EUR. However, when ordering portions, you need to take into account that they are very voluminous. One was enough for us for two.
Budget
- Cochili;
- George;
- Yamas;
- Classico-cafe.
Mid-level
- El Greco;
- Edem;
- Zorbas;
- Acropolis Taverna.
Expensive
- Almyra Seaside Food & Cocktails;
- Mouragio Restaurant;
- Kri-Kri;
- Sunday life.
Holidays
In Agia Pelagia, all national and religious Greek holidays are celebrated, but no lavish celebrations are held. The main celebration in the village is considered to be October 8, when they celebrate Saint Pelagia's Day, whose name the village bears. On this day, pilgrims from all over the island come to the chapel on the beach to worship the shrine.
In addition, other holidays are celebrated in Agia Pelagia:
- January 1 - New Year;
- January 6 - Epiphany;
- March 25 - Greek Independence Day;
- April 16 - Easter;
- July 17 - St. Marina's Day;
- August 15 - Assumption of the Virgin Mary;
- October 8 - Saint Pelagia's Day;
- December 25 - Christmas.
Safety. What to watch out for
As for safety in Agia Pelagia, tourists who come here on vacation can rest assured:
- It is extremely rare, but still, theft of personal belongings occurs on the central beach, so it is better not to take expensive mobile phones and cameras with you or go with your hotel neighbors and take turns swimming.
- When walking around the village, you should carefully walk along the roads; here they are very narrow and it is not always possible to go onto the sidewalk.
Things to do
There is not much entertainment in the village, but experienced travelers are unlikely to have a question about what to do in Agia Pelagia. We spent most of our time visiting sights in a rented car. At other times, they sunbathed and swam on the beaches, explored local shops and taverns, and walked along the streets.
Shopping and shops
Shops in Agia Pelagia sell mainly souvenirs, but there is also a small Vasilis supermarket near the central beach where you can buy groceries. In addition, there are shops selling beachwear and shoes, as well as simple swimming equipment: circles, fins, masks, breathing tubes and goggles.
During our walks, we saw several shops with the sign “fur coats” in Russian. This means that the most active buyers of fur products are our compatriots. The prices for all souvenirs and bathing goods are inflated, but the Greeks are reluctant to bargain. For a product costing 10 EUR, the price was reduced by only 1-2 EUR.
Bars. Where to go
You can drink a glass of Cretan beer or a glass of homemade wine in any restaurant or tavern. And for those who want to order a cocktail from a professional bartender or listen to pleasant youth music, it is better to choose one of the bars located on the beaches of Agia Pelagia.
Among them:
- Nefeli Bar;
- Nanu Cafe Bar;
- Del Mar Cafe Bar;
- Cafe Bar Royal Crete.
These establishments start working in the evening at 19-20:00, when the coolness descends on the village. Visitors can enjoy pleasant Greek music and bar service until 04:00. Prices for drinks in bars are very affordable, for example, a glass of beer costs 3 EUR, wine - 5-7 EUR, cocktails - from 4 to 8 EUR.
Clubs and nightlife
The village cannot boast of a vibrant nightlife. At this time it is mostly quiet here. In order to dance, it is better for young people to go to. For those who do not want to make such trips, it is better to choose a five-star hotel, which pays great attention to the leisure of residents.
Extreme Sports
Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift
There is no shortage of shops and souvenir shops in Agia Pelagia. I advise you to make a list of gifts for relatives and friends in advance, so that later you don’t get overwhelmed by the variety of souvenirs. There are products for every taste here. I prefer to buy things that are not very bulky so that they do not weigh a lot and do not take up space in my travel bag. Magnets, souvenir plates, mugs are suitable, they are inexpensive - 0.5-2 EUR.
When I travel to Agia Pelagia, I always buy a set of spices so that I can cook tzatziki, meat, fish and French fries at home.
In addition, the list of required purchases includes:
- olive oil and cosmetics based on it - 5-10 EUR;
- miniature figurines of ancient Greek gods - 5-7 EUR;
- napkins with traditional embroidery - 3-5 EUR;
- national hats - 4-6 EUR;
- shells and sponges - 0.5-4 EUR;
- board games - 5-8 EUR;
- honey with nuts 1 liter - 7-10 EUR.
Many people bring traditional alcoholic drinks from Crete - metaxa cognac for 12-25 EUR per liter, ouzo grape moonshine for 8-10 EUR per liter, rake anise vodka for 11-15 EUR per liter, ancient wine retsina for 5-8 EUR per liter . However, do not forget that you can take out of the country at least 1 liter of strong alcohol, and 2 liters of wine and olive oil per person.
How to get around the city
The easiest and most inexpensive way to get around Agia Pelagia and get to other cities in Crete is to rent a car. In this case, you don’t have to adjust to the bus schedule and buy expensive excursions to get to your chosen travel point. But if you don’t have a driver’s license with you, then buses passing by Agia Pelagia are also suitable.
Taxi. What features exist
We used taxis only as a last resort, preferring to ride passing buses, a rental car or a motorcycle. But just in case, we copied the number written on the car while we were at the airport. If you need to go somewhere by taxi, you can ask for the phone number at the hotel reception or at the nearest travel agency (in addition to conducting excursions, they make money by driving tourists).
I liked booking a taxi online through a special service. You just need to indicate the dates of your trip, the desired brand of car, place of departure and arrival. The cost of a taxi depends on the distance to be traveled:
- to Heraklion - 40-65 EUR;
- to Rethymno - 74-90 EUR;
- to Agios Nikolaos - 96-115 EUR;
- to Chania - 136-165 EUR.
Buses
Agia Pelagia is a small village, so it does not have its own bus station. When we vacationed here, we had to walk most of the time. Although it was possible to get to the beach by a free minibus from our hotel. In addition, passing buses stop in the center of the village. You can take them to cities that are nearby: Heraklion or Rethymnon.
Fare
The fare depends on the distance of travel. For example, a trip to Heraklion will cost 5-6 EUR. You should not hope that the bus will stop at Agia Pelagia to pick up tourists. It is better to go onto the federal road, but even there the probability of stopping is not so great. If you get to the bus station in Heraklion, then from there you can get to any place in Crete.
Transport rental
Despite the fact that the size of the village is not large, there are several offices for rental vehicles. You can rent not only a car, but also bicycles, scooters, small motor boats or speedboats. Rental locations can be identified by a special sign Rent a Car. You can look for rental companies in neighboring larger cities or use the search engine.
Even without knowledge of English, it is easy to agree with the owner about what kind of car is needed for the trip. To do this, you will be presented with a special price list, in which the cost of rental per day will be indicated next to the car model. If you are traveling without children, a motorcycle or scooter will be a convenient and inexpensive way to get around the island.
Driving on the roads in Crete is a pleasure. Although in some sections you get the impression that you are riding on some kind of exciting attraction, where the road surface winds up and down, left and right. If you are going on holiday to Agia Pelagia and decide to rent a car, then I advise you to follow a few simple rules to ensure a successful trip:
Agia Pelagia - holidays with children
If you are planning a trip to Agia Pelagia with children, you will have to organize their leisure time yourself. There is not a single public playground in the settlement, unless there is already one on the hotel premises. Fun activities for children include swimming in the sea and playing with pebbles and sand.
Anything to add?