Myrtos

Myrtos is a coastal village in the west of the municipality of Ierapetra, in the regional unit of Lasithi on the island of Crete in Greece. It is located 14.5 km (9.0 mi) from Ierapetra, the most southern town of Europe and 50.5 km (31.4 mi) from Agios Nikolaos, on the road to Viannos. Myrtos is situated at the Libyan Sea. The population of the village in 2010 is about 600 people.

Myrtos has a rich history, and although many think it is a poor town it has prospered with the advent of tourism. The town (village) is full of tavernas although there is also a little jewellery shop, 2 supermarkets, a few souvenir shops and a bakery. There are a few hotels, apartments and studios.

History

The area surrounding Myrtos was already inhabited in the Minoan period, but the current village dates from the first half of the twentieth century. Before that it was the location of a small port, where inhabitants from higher surroundings traded for local products, which they shipped to Ierápetra. Only when threats from piracy along the Cretan coast diminished and it became safer to live there did the village of Myrtos develop.