The capital town of the district with the same name, with 10 000 inhabitants, is the largest town on the south coast of Crete and the southernmost of Europe.

Blessed with very mild climate, temperatures rarely dropping below 12 degrees centigrade in the winter, while the rain fall is extremely low. The average number of sunshine days exceeds 340 a year. The mild climate, favourable to agriculture is the important reason for the development of many green houses to the west of the town, producing off season vegetable for export in the main European markets.

The town stands on the ruins of the ancient city of Ierapytna and it is frequent that valuable pieces of antiquity are discovered, such as the most recent, full size statue of Goddess Demeter, housed in the local Museum.

All the civil services, banks and a hospital are found in the town. Local busses run frequently from Ierapetra to Agios Nikolaos, to Sitia serving small villages along the south coastal road, and Iraklion where the major International airport and harbour.

Lined along the sea front are numerous restaurants, taverns and bars.

From the small quay, boats leave every morning, returning early afternoon, for the subtropical Chrisi (Donkey) Island famous for its white beaches and the turquoise sea.



The Venetian fortress Kale standing guard at the entrance of the fishing port, built by the Venetians in 1212, is restored and used as open theater during the summer cultural festivities "Kyrvia" held in Ierapetra every year during the months of July and August.