With approx. 320 sunny days per year, not a single hint of massive tourism and nice and cozy family tavernas, Mirtos is a place of relaxation at its best. 

It is located on the southern coast of Crete, only 15km away from Ierapetra. With a subtropical climate and surrounded by greenhouses, in Mirtos you will find that the food is much tastier than in other regions. 

Although it is a small village, of only 600 inhabitants (not sure if cats were counted 😊) it has a long beach that has received the “Blue Flag Award”. It might not be as idyllic as Balos or Elafonisi, as it has a grey colour and it’s pebbled, not golden sand, but the Libyan sea is much warmer (trust me, I did go for a swim there and felt the difference).

One other thing I loved here is that the beach is administered by the local tavernas in front of it. All tavernas are family business and the food is delicious. Here I had the best fried kalamari and a very good wine. So, if you go to any taverna and buy something (even just a coffee or a beer, it doesn’t have to be food), the sunbeds are for free. Also, the beach is super safe. You can just leave your belongings on the sunbeds and go for a swim. 

Good to know before you go:

· There is low phone coverage here, especially if you are in roaming. Even the local SIM cards do not work sometimes, so make sure you have enough cash money, as POS might not work. There are ATMs in the village

· Expect to see cats. A LOT OF CATS, everywhere 😊 they will even sleep on the tables and chairs from the tavernas and beg for food. Be careful what you feed them, not all human food is good for them (lemons are toxic, avocado is deadly, for example)

· It’s a small and quiet village, not so touristy, but the locals speak English very well

· Bring special water shoes. The beach is pebbled and so is the seabed

· Although the Libyan sea is warmer, expect high currents and an abrupt entry (after 3 or 4 steps, the water was already reaching my neck

· Mirtos is sheltered from the wind, but if there is, expect high winds

· The temperature is a couple of degrees warmer than in the north