Nestled in a protected bay on the north coast of Crete, Agia Pelagia is a small fishing village and a popular beach resort near Heraklion. It is named after the church of the Savvathiana Monastery, which dates back to the 13th century and was one of the most important monasteries in Crete during the Venetian period.
Things to do in Agia Pelagia
Spend your days swimming and sunbathing on Agia Pelagia Beach, where you’ll find umbrellas and sun loungers for rent. Jet skis are available if you want to explore further afield and scuba diving excursions are also on offer. Dotting the waterfront are a handful of restaurants serving locally caught seafood, as well as lively beach bars.
Just inland is the whitewashed Ekklisia Agia Pelagia, the church after which the village is named. Step inside to admire its beautiful mosaics and wall paintings or light a candle near the altar. On the waterfront is the tiny chapel of St. Pelagia with its stone-built walls and distinctive white dome.
Agia Pelagia makes an ideal base for visiting Heraklion, a vibrant port city and the capital of Crete. Browse the outstanding collection of Minoan artworks on display at the Heraklion Archaeological Museum or get up close to antique cannons, textiles and ceramics at the Historical Museum of Crete. Don’t miss the sprawling archaeological site of the Palace of Knossos with its well-preserved frescos.
Getting around Agia Pelagia
Agia Pelagia is around 25 minutes’ drive from Heraklion and Heraklion International Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Regular ferries connect to Heraklion from the Athenian port of Piraeus. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Agia Pelagia and the village is small enough to explore on foot.