The capital town of the district with the same name, with 10 000 inhabitants, is the largest town on the south coast of Crete and the southernmost of Europe.
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Mild winter temperatures and low rainfall together with more than 340 sunshine days a year make Ierapetra a very pleasant place to live winter and summer.
The mild climate, favorable to agriculture is the important reason for the development of many green houses to the west of the town, producing off-season vegetable for export in the main European markets.
The town stands on the ruins of the ancient city of Ierapytna and it is frequent that valuable pieces of antiquity are discovered, such as the most recent, full size statue of Goddess Demeter, housed in the local Museum.
All the civil services, banks and a hospital are found in the town. Local buses run frequently from Ierapetra to Agios Nikolaos, to Sitia serving small villages along the south coastal road, and Iraklion where the major International airport and harbor.
Lined along the sea front are numerous restaurants, taverns and bars.
From the small quay, boats leave every morning, returning afternoon, for the subtropical Chrissi (Donkey) Island famous for its white beaches and the turquoise sea.
The Venetian fortress Kale standing guard at the entrance of the fishing port, built by the Venetians in 1212, is restored and used as open theater during the summer cultural festivities "Kyrvia" held in Ierapetra every year during the months of July and August.
