Istron (Crete, Greece)

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Just a 10 minute bus ride to the east of the bustling town of Agios Nikolaos, lies the village of Istron nestled invitingly in the Bay of Mirabello.

Istron refers to the beach area on the coast, named after the bay on which it is situated. It is a tiny, low-key resort, whose claim to fame is as the site of an ancient Minoan city of the same name. Nowadays little remains of its ancient heritage, apart from a small museum of local history and folklore, and such tourist accommodation and activities as there are straddle the main coast road overlooking the main beach.

The scenic coastline of the "Cretan Riviera" along the Gulf of Mirabello sweeps away in either direction. Meanwhile, life for the 800-odd inhabitants of the traditional inland villages of Kalo Horio, Pirgos and Prina remains relatively unchanged.

This resort is suitable for beach- and nature-lovers, walkers and anyone with an interest in archaeology. Popular with both young, budget-conscious families and independent mature visitors doing their own thing. Definitely not for midnight revellers.

There is a handful of hotels, but mostly self-catering apartments and rooms of reasonable standard and price.

Locality:

Istron is towards the east end of the north coast, 7 mls S of Aghios Nikolaos, 50 mls SE of Heraklion and its airport. It is nestled deep in the Gulf of Mirabello, backed by high, gently sloping hills with olive groves to the W. Fairly level terrain in the heart of the resort, but sloping seaward where 3 peninsulas form a series of coves and bays.

Beaches - There are three magnificent beaches including the famous Golden Beach, along with a dozen Tavernas, half a dozen Bars, Snack Bars and Cafes (including an Internet Cafe), Souvenir shops and Mini markets provide the ideal choice for holidaymakers.

Sightseeing - Apart from these there are beautiful walks in the area, and Istro is full of archaeological interest. The new village of Istro sits on the site of the ancient town of Istrona, remains of which are still being found today. Because of this, the land closest to the sea has a conservation order and no new building may take place, which leaves the beaches uncrowded and unspoilt. The delightful beaches of Istro Bay are regularly awarded a Blue flag for cleanliness.

Activities - You can spend your days soaking up the sun by the pool, taking part in water sports on the beach or wandering through the olive groves and mountain paths. Following a short siesta you have a wide choice of eating places from the most simple traditional Greek Taverna to a more up-market Restaurant or why not have a meal delivered to your apartment so you can eat while relaxing and enjoying the view from your balcony .

Nightlife - After your meal you might like to stroll to a quiet Cafe or visit one of the lively Bars to join in one of the various Entertainment Nights including Karaoke, Quizzes, Films, Dancing and Family Games. Alternatively you could just sit back, relax and sip a cocktail or beer, under the stars into the wee small hours.

Children are welcome everywhere and some Bars and Tavernas offer special Play Areas and Entertainment for kids, leaving parents free to relax and unwind. Local buses are cheap and frequent and will take you into the busier towns or to some of the tiny traditional Cretan villages where a donkey is the most popular form of transport.

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Population: 10.668.400
Languages: Greek 99% (official), English, French
Currency: euro
Currency code: EUR
Local Times:
Greece - Athens

Country Dialling Code: +30
Voltage: 220V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

2 parallel circular prongs with an earth connector

2 parallel circular prongs with a female earth connector

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Greece appeals to different types of tourist, and very few could fail to find somewhere to suit their taste. From bustling Athens to blindingly bright islands, ancient fragments abound - the belly button of the cosmos at Delphi, fallen columns galore on the sacred island of Delos, frescoed Minoan palaces on Crete and even, quite possibly, the remnants of Atlantis at Santorini. Greeks are fierce guardians of tradition, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to have fun. In addition, hot sun and limpid seas conspire to make Greece a perfect place to relax. Whether you're supping in a beachside taverna , sipping coffee in a shady plateia or disco-dancing till dawn.

The Olympic Games were spawned in ancient classical Greece, along with democracy and the fundamentals of philosophy, science and mathematics. Modern Greece is better known as a great place to vacation rather than a centre of learning and culture. Today the country attracts by offering simple pleasures: delicious food at reasonable prices, local wine, beautiful beaches, sunshine, quaint villages, a seemingly endless lacework of coastline and little islands full of scenic surprises.

The country exudes traditional charm, particularly on its ever-popular islands, which cling to their stereotypical architecture and way of life despite being often over-run by tourists. Black-clad women still deliver vegetables to island tavernas on panniered donkeys, while bronzed, lined fishermen sit in the sun, drink thick coffee, and play dominoes or dice. The tourist infrastructure has intruded in many respects, but the timeless aspect of whitewashed buildings clustered on hillsides around narrow pebbled alleys has been retained. The myriad islands in the Aegean Sea are easily accessible from Piraeus, the historic harbour of Greece's mainland capital, Athens, by ferry or hydrofoil, offering a unique chance for 'island-hopping'. Many of the larger islands also have airports with connections to Athens or seasonally with major European cities.

On the mainland the city of Athens in the south is sprawling, overcrowded and polluted but nevertheless enthralls visitors, while Thessaloniki in the north is vibrant and modern with a Byzantine flavour. Athens is dominated by its major landmark, the Parthenon: the remains of other wonders of the ancient Greek classical world are to be found mainly on the Peloponnese Peninsula, south of Corinth, the gateway to a veritable treasure trove of history.

Greece and Greeks welcome with open arms the thousands of visitors that flock to admire their national assets every year - no-one leaves without having been warmed, both by the sun and the hospitality.

Istron (Crete, Greece)

Istron Suitability Profile