The ultimate relaxation on the islet of Chrissi, Crete
The Golden or Gaidouronisi is the small island located in S. Crete, about 15 km or 9 miles S. of Ierapetra, in the Libyan Sea. With a length of only 7 km and a width of 2 km, Chrissi is filled every year with visitors who enjoy the beaches of the island, with their golden sand. Chrissi belongs to the program NATURA 2000, as "«Special Area Natural Beauty»" and is defined as "«Wildlife Sanctuary», KAZ.The island, in addition to its beautiful beaches, is also famous for its unique natural Forest with Cedars of Lebanon. The age of the trees in the cedar forest is over 200 years and their height reaches 7 m. The beaches are sandy, organized, in some places, with many beautiful shells that you will find mainly on the N. side of the island.
The permanent residents are three and the sights are the chapel of Agios Nikolaos (13th century), a building and an old salt pan, on the NE side of the church, some wells and ancient carved tombs (Roman era), S. and SW of Agios Nikolaos and in the NW of the island, a Lighthouse.
In the E. and W. parts of the island there are remains of habitation from the Minoan Era.
For food, there is a beach bar, on the beach which is N. of the island.
ACCESS
From May to October, there is a daily connection with Ierapetra in Crete. Daily cruises are made with the company's tourist ships. Chrissi Daily Cruises, ARISTOVOULOS, BALOS, CHRYSI EXPRESS, BALOS EXPRESS and PORTO GRAMVOUSA.
The boats depart for Chrysi, on the S. side, with various itineraries, from 10:00 to 13:00 and the duration of the trip is 1 hour (information tel.: 28420 20008, 24820 89988).
USEFUL INFORMATION
Ierapetra is located in the south of Lasithi Prefecture and if you do not have your own means of transport you can go by local buses, KTEL, from Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos. The distance from Heraklion to Ierapetra is 104 km. The Heraklion International Airport "NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS", in the Nea Alikarnassos area, is only 4 km from Heraklion.
In Ierapetra there is free parking where you can leave your car and take the boat to Chrysi.
Heraklion Bus Station, tel.: 2810246534
Agios Nikolaos Bus Station, tel.: 2841022234
Sitia Bus Station, tel.: 2843022272
Ierapetra Bus Station, tel.: 2842028237
Ierapetra Port Authority, tel.: 28420 22294
Ierapetra Police Department, tel.: 28420 90160
Ierapetra Health Center, tel.: 2842 340122
Heraklion International Airport, tel.: 281 0397800, 2810397136
Unfortunately, there is no proper waste collection infrastructure on the island, resulting in the garbage remaining here and being scattered by the wind. Next year, when you visit, you might find it waiting for you in some corner of the island, hidden in the bushes.
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