As you round the headland, AGIA PELAGIA is laid out below, a sprinkling of white cubes around a deep blue bay, unbelievably inviting from this distance. Closer to, the attraction is slightly diminished: continuing development is rapidly outpacing the capacity of the narrow, taverna-lined beach, and is beginning to take its toll on the village. Meanwhile, the water is clear and calm, and the swim­ming excellent. Water-skiing, parasailing and motorboats are all available if you're prepared to pay. There's a superb view, too, of all the ships which pass the end of the bay as they steam into Iraklion - spectacular at night when the brightly lit fer­ries pass. Although the beach can get very crowded with day-trippers from Iraklion at weekends, the resort clings to its exclusivity in the shape of two of the best-looking luxury hotels on the island - the top-flight Capsis Beach (www.capsis.gr), on a promontory overlooking the town, and the more modestly priced Peninsula (www.peninsu­la.gr), over on the headland beyond, which is almost a village in itself.

If you feel in need of a little more space, you can always head for the nearby beaches - Ligaria to the east or Mononaftis to the west - which are much more welcom­ing, with a couple of tavernas fronting each beach respectively, but with fewer facilities. Buses run six times a day from Platia Eleftherias in Iraklion (the Astoria hotel) to the central Capsis Beach hotel. If you take a long-distance bus from Irdklion that is bound for Rethimnon or Hania, you face a steep three-kilometre descent from the drop-off point on the main road - and it's even worse walking back up, although residents seem favourably disposed to giving lifts. For food, the seafront tavernas are much of a muchness with one exception. The recently arrived Caldera, towards the western end of the main beach, is a stylish ouzeri, bar and mid-priced restaurant serving well-pre­pared Cretan and international dishes on a charming terrace.
The wine list is extensive and offers some excellent lesser-known Cretan and Greek wines from small producers. For cheaper eats you could always head into the village where there are some basic takeaways and small supermarkets for the makings of a pic­nic on the beach. Accommodation tends to consist of hotels and studios or apartments with cooking facilities, rather than straightforward rooms.

Out of season, these can be excellent value if you're prepared to bargain hard, but through the summer they're mostly block-booked. If you do want to stay, it's a question of wandering around asking at every door with a sign - the owners will usually know who (if anyone) has a room free. A couple of places worth a try include Zorba's Rooms, along the nameless main street behind the beach or, on the road above it, Danai Rooms, the latter has en-suite rooms with kitchenette and fridge. Otherwise, try one of the travel bureaux, such as Pangosmio, just past the Vasilis Supermarket on the main street behind the beach at the western end. Just across from Pangosmio, Netcafe Atlas (daily 11am-2pm & 5-11 pm) can provide Internet access. For late-night entertainment, there are plenty of bars lining the beach, including loud disco bars such as Banana and more subdued cocktail bars, like the nautically themed Bloom. Up the hill heading out of town, Mythos, Nanu and Paradise are other popular and noisy nightspots

1 - Pennystella Apartments
The Pennystella apartments are placed in a particularly privileged point overlooking the gulf of Agia  Pelagia and Lygaria while are only five minutes walking to the beach ...

2 - Renia Apartments
Renia Hotel/Apartments is combined by two different buildings. The first one is made on traditional Greek island architecture. Just 70m from the beach, 0m from the village (Agia pelagia) center.

3 - Mariana Apartments
located right in the middle of the village of Agia Pelagia , which means that they are right next to the beach ad all the stores.  Provides amazing views both to the sea and the mountains.

4 - Scala Palace Hotel
located in the settlement of Agia Pelagia, west of Heraklion (Iraklio) Town, Crete. It lies in a peaceful, picturesque area, just 70 meters from Agia Pelagia Beach, surrounded by deep blue seas and rugged mountains ...

5 - Villa ILIATORAS
built in a hill just above the beach of 'Mononafti' in the area of Agia Pelagia, in a big extent surrounded with trees and flowers. It generally offers unique view and is a very romantic and quiet place for holidays nearby the sea ...