Makry Gialos (Μακρύ Γιαλός) is a municipality in the Lasithi prefecture, Crete island, Greece. Population 4,204 (2001). The seat of the municipality is in Koutsouras.Was established in 1998 when the communities of Schinokapsala, Orino, Stavrochori, Chrisopigi, Agios Stefanos, Pefki, Lithines and Pervolakia amalgamated into one district, (Δήμος). You also can find in books and maps different spellings of the name like; Μακρύγιαλος, Makrigialos, Markygialos, Makri Gialos, Makry Yialos, Makriyalos, Makris Gialos Makri Yialos. The regional district of Makry Gialos (Δήμος) lies on the southeast coast of Crete island, Greece.
120 Km away from Herakleio town ( with the main Island airpot and harbor) and 30 Km from Siteia (with the smallest airport and harbor).
The area faces the Libyan Sea (part of Mediterranean, which separates Crete from North Africa, is just 350 km (215 miles) away. The backdrop of the area is mountainous and made up primarily of granite. From the mountains there are small valleys and gorges leading down to the coast. On the higher slopes there is an abundance of Walnut, Apple, Pear and Olive trees. On the lower slopes the main industry is farming and olive trees. Down below along the main coastal road, farming can also be found along with the greenhouses, in which most of the produce grown is tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines and bananas, which grow all year round. The sun and the rich soil give more taste to the fruit and vegetables, and the region has won the Gold Medal for the extra virgin olive oil (SITIA 0.03).
The population of the area today is approx. 4.500 people. Before the introduction of tourism and greenhouses, the life revolved mainly up in the villages, which you find nestled in the mountains, a lot of them are not visible from the sea, for this reason they were safe from pirates. Back in the early days the main work for the villagers was farming or tending their flocks on the higher peaks.
Today, life revolves around the coast. People have come down from the villages to the coast to live, as there is more work in the towns and resorts. The older generations still live up in the villages along with their history and old stories, and foreigners who have bought old houses, using them as holiday homes.
The main industry today around Makry Gialos is tourism and greenhouses and the harvesting of the olive trees. In general you find the locals friendly, smiling and hospitable. The Cretan dialect spoken in this region is near to ancient Greek.
The morphology of the land presents beautiful landscapes, varying from place to place. Places with pine forest and wild oak trees, with granite nuggets and sharp rocks. Places with smooth hillsides with low bush land or orchards, and olive groves. We mustn’t forget the fire we experienced back in 1993, which destroyed thousands of acres of woodland, olive and pine trees.
The Bay of Makry-Gialos boasts the longest shallow sandy beach of East Crete. Other beaches are Diaskari, Langada, Amoudi, Mavros Kolibos, Galini, Koutsouras; some of them are commercial beaches and some are deserted.
Between the mountains you find dried up riverbeds, which are flowing down to the sea during the winter months.The modern villages are built along the coastal road between Ierapetra and Sitia. On the boundary of the area are (from west to east) the villages Galini,Achlia, Mavros Kolibos, Agios Panteleimonas, Koutsouras, Makry-Gialos with the litlle harbor, Analispi with the long sandy beach, Aspros Potamos, Sopata, Pilalimata Lagada and Kalo Nero with many apartments, studios and hotels for rent.
In the region there are three beautiful gorges for hiking through. Butterfly gorge in Koutsouras, Pefki gorge above the Aspros Potamos (White River) hamlet, and Pervolakia gorge which starts from the Monastery Kapsa, which is one of the most impressive gorges of this area.
The highest peak in area, is Afendis Stavromenos 1500 metres (4.500 feet) The only possible way to reach the top is to walk or with a jeep 4 X 4. You can enjoy unforgettable and stunning views of Eastern Crete, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, Ierapetra and the surrounding islands of Chrissi and Koufonisi and much more depending on the visibility. On this peak is the small windswept chapel of Jesus Crooss. Along the side of the chapel is a large room with beds where you can spend the night (free of charge). Also there is a large room built for the celebration of the church’s feast day on 14th September. During the winter months the peak is covered with snow.
Other places worth exploring are the peaceful, timeless, traditional villages, which are tucked away in the mountains away from the coast. Shinokapsala, Orino, Stavrochori, Chrisopigi, Lapithos, Agios Stephanos, Pefki, Lithines, Upper and Lower Pervolakia. With their stone built houses and narrow paved streets, along with ancient stonewash houses. Every village has its own village square with a big plane tree in the middle, as well as decorated churches and each village is unique. There are many small churches scattered around the hillside on top of peaks, built in caves, by the side of springs and in the most charming of settings. These churches represent the strong Orthodox religion.Along the coast about 6 km from Makry-Gialos, is the Monastery Kapsa built on a sheer rock face, close to the spectacular Perivolakia Gorge. Believed to have been founded in the 15th century. In 1471 it was destroyed by pirates and abandoned. In 1841 it was renovated by Yerontoyannis a reformed robber who lived there as a hermit. He built the church and dedicated it to John the Baptist. Inside the chapel Yerontoyannis’ skull can be found. The monastery celebrates its feast day on the 29th August.
Around the area there are many archaeological sites, which are not of great importance to the Archaeological Society, though some of the artifacts which have been excavated can be found in the Archaeological Museum in Agios Nikolaos.
The area often experiences strong winds, like most of the East Greek Islands. These winds are called the Meltemia. They are strong northern winds, blowing mostly in January, February and July, August. During the summer these winds help to keep the temperatures down and during the winter months they give clear and sunny days. The area has (a microclima) the longest summer in Europe,six to eight months, but not too hot (summer winds). The winter is short and mild. The rainy days are few and far between and the temperatures almost never touch as low as six degrees.The sea water, is as well perfect for swim in Noveber.
The climate of the area with its sunny days and dryness is ideal for people to stay, who suffer with health problems, such as asthma, arthritis, and heart problems.
The all area is a popular destination for people who are looking for relaxation and quiet holidays, Ideal for young families with small childrens (safe beach)
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