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Ligaria
Just 1km east of the main Agia Pelagia beach and 25 km from Heraklion City, lies the beach of Ligaria. This bay is sheltered by rocks and it is a great place for snorkeling.
Ligaria was developed first as a summer retreat for residents of the capital, Heraklion. It is built around a bay and is well sheltered from the elements. The topography of the area limits the spread of the resort which retains its traditional charm. It is a quiet place ideal for those looking for peace and relaxation.
Provides sunshine in a sheltered bay, crystal clear water, tavernas serving traditional food and some of the friendliest locals on the island. This charming village is an excellent base for exploring many interesting sights in the area.
Lying in a bay adjacent to Agia Pelagia on the north coast of Crete, Ligaria is a small resort with an authentic Cretan flavour. It is a picturesque village of white dwellings nestling into the hillside, a charming church with wonderful views over the bay and narrow streets filled with bougainvillea and vibrantly coloured pot plants. Its beach of sand and shingle shelves gently into the clear waters of the bay. Bathing is safe for children and weak swimmers and the clarity of the water makes it ideal for snorkelling.
Shops provide holiday essentials including gifts and souvenirs. Tavernas and restaurants serve traditional food as well as international cuisine. Fish is a dominant feature of menus. Simply cooked and fresh from the daily catch, it is hard to resist.
The surrounding area has many visitor attractions including the ruins at the Monastery of the Sebbathians, the Gerontospilios cave near Melidoni village.
Places near Ligaria
This beach is less crowded and more isolated than the main beach of Agia Pelagia but still close to the centre of the cosy town of Agia Pelagia. It is nice to take a stroll to the smaller beaches of Agia Pelagia if you are looking for more quiet, peaceful places to sunbathe or enjoy the clear water of the sea.
The beach has fine gravel and green waters, which are almost always calm. It is very well organized, since the hotel has placed several umbrellas, deck chairs, bars, showers and changing rooms for its customers. This beach looks like private, but do never forget that all beaches in Greece are public and open to the public. Kladissos beach is always quiet and remains secluded, since locals prefer the nearby Agia Pelagia because they don’t know about the beach.
Very close to the shore carved post-Minoan tombs have been found. Moreover, archaeologists have revealed a large public building of the third to fourth century AD, called Prytaneion. This was used for the meetings of the politicians of the town, that was probably somewhere here. Some ceramic findings of the area are exhibited in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
Agia Pelagia is a cosy small village on the north coast of Crete, breathing the atmosphere of authentic Greece, even though it is only 22 km from the capital Heraklion. The region is full of natural beauty and due to its geographic position it played an important role throughout history. Where Agia Pelagia is now, there used to be an ancient Greek city, it has been inhabited since around 2000 BC as most findings date back to 1700 BC and 1300 BC when the inhabitants had dealings with Faistos, Knossos and the Cyclades. The ancient town was destroyed by fire in 1200 BC. Sir Arthur Evans mentioned that they were the best salvaged remains of a Minoan harbour. Many of the ceramics collected there, are now found in the museum of Ashmolen in Oxford. The most notable remains found in the wide area: large water containers (for the supply ships), the Roman Aquaduct, engraved tombes etc.