Some days go exactly as planned.
This was… not one of those days.
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The Original Plan: Milonas (Mylonas) Waterfall Hike
We started the morning ambitious. Very ambitious.
The plan was to kick off our day with a hike to Milonas (Mylonas) Waterfalls (Mee-LOH-nas), a lush cascade tucked into the mountains south of Ierapetra. From everything we’d read, the hike itself sounds beautiful — a rocky trail winding through a gorge, framed by steep cliffs and wild greenery, ending at a waterfall that spills dramatically over the rock face.
A few things became clear during our “just one more Google search” phase:
- The roads leading there aren’t particularly well marked
- Finding the trailhead can be tricky
- The unpaved, rough access road is challenging – not recommended for rental cars
It’s also worth noting for summer travelers that the waterfall often has very little water during the hottest months. By all accounts, fall and winter are the best times to visit when recent rains bring the falls back to life.
We were there at the beginning of December, which honestly probably would have been perfect conditions — cooler temperatures, greener landscapes, and a strong water flow. Still, after staring at Google Maps, satellite views, and each other… we chickened out.
If you’re braver (or better prepared), by all means — go for it. It genuinely sounds lovely. For us? We pivoted. Crete rewards flexibility.
Plan B: Koutsounari Long Beach
And wow, did Plan B deliver.
We ended up at Koutsounari Long Beach (Koo-tsoo-NAH-ree – the ts is crisp, like in “cats”), a long stretch of pebbly shoreline just east of Ierapetra. It’s wild, wide open, and refreshingly undeveloped — the kind of beach that makes you take a deep breath the second you step out of the car.
We went for a long walk along the water, waves rolling in beside us, mountains rising behind us. The scale of it all is stunning. This is also where we decided to take out the drone.
The footage? Incredible.
The moment? Short-lived.
Somewhere between “this is going to be amazing” and “just one more shot,” our drone lost power and dramatically dove straight into the sea.
A true sacrifice.
Perhaps Zeus demanded it. ⚡️
Bye-bye drone.
You flew bravely. You died beautifully.
Ierapetra: History, Boardwalks & the Venetian Fortress
Drone-less but undeterred, we headed into Ierapetra (Ear-RAP-etra), Crete’s southernmost city — and the southernmost city in Europe.
Ierapetra has a completely different feel than northern Crete. It’s sunnier, calmer, and deeply tied to its past. The city has roots going back to ancient times, later shaped by Venetian and Ottoman rule. You can still see that history layered into the streets.
We walked along the seaside boardwalk, watching fishing boats bob in the harbor, and made our way to the Kales Fortress, a small Venetian fort built in the 13th century to protect the port from pirates. It’s compact but atmospheric, and worth a wander for the views alone.
Lunch at Searocco: A Highlight
From there, we landed at Searocco, right along the water — and it was easily one of the best meals of the day.
Amazing views, relaxed atmosphere, and truly excellent food. The kind of place where you linger longer than planned, watching the waves and wondering if you should order just one more thing.
They had this amazing salad with locally prepared pork bits, dried figs and sesame crisps. Perfection!
Highly recommend.
Myrtos: Cats, Charm & Coastal Calm
Our final stop was Myrtos (MEER-tos), and it might have been our favorite surprise of the day.
Once a quiet fishing village, Myrtos is now a laid-back beach town that still feels deeply local. Whitewashed buildings tumble down toward the sea, and the pebble beach curves gently along the bay.
We strolled along the beachside boardwalk, toes almost in the water, soaking in the calm energy. And then came the cats.
Dozens of them.
Everywhere.
Stray cats lounging in doorways, stretching in the sun, weaving between café tables. Our daughter was in absolute heaven — making friends with every single one, obviously.
Myrtos is the kind of place that makes you slow down without trying. Quiet, charming, and wonderfully unpretentious.
| The Syps Family Ierapetra and Myrtos Tip Box ☀️ Bring a Travel Umbrella – glad we had ours as it started to rain during our walk down the beach ☀️ A Travel Beach Blanket is super handy when you want to have a seat and enjoy the sound of the waves ☀️ Don’t fly your drone over the water if it’s too windy or you suspect the battery might be low ☀️ Be flexible! Plans can change and that’s not always a bad thing. |
The Syps Survival Summary
Did we survive the drone sacrifice to Zeus? No. Not immediately.
What followed was a seven-step grieving process:
- Denial (“It’ll resurface… right?”)
- Bargaining (“If we wade in just a little…”)
- Anger (directed at technology, wind, and possibly the gods)
- Blame (mostly on batteries)
- Silence
- Muted cursing (from my husband, primarily)
- Acceptance… and moving on
Eventually, peace was made. The drone rests somewhere beneath the Mediterranean Sea, Zeus is presumably pleased, and we carried on — slightly lighter in gear, heavier in memories.
All jokes aside, this day was a reminder that not everything needs to go perfectly to be memorable. Sometimes the detours, the skipped hikes, and the dramatic drone sacrifices become the stories you tell long after the trip ends.
And honestly?
Ierapetra, Myrtos, and just a touch of chaos made for a pretty perfect Crete day.