Agios Panteleimon beach at Istron
Istro(n) is located 12km east of Agios Nikolaos and 22km north of Ierapetra, in the territory ofKalo Chorio. It is a quiet village, situated in a lush valley full with olive groves and springs, which has been developed during the last decades. However, the development was fortunately mild, mainly due to the regional building restrictions because of the archaeological discoveries. The main growth driver of Istron is undoubtedly the emerald beaches which are scattered in three adjacent bays.
The first beach on the west, 1km west of the village, is the most quiet beach of the area called Karavostasi. It's a great beach with sand, not organized. It is formed in the western part of the largest gulf of Istro and is ideal for relaxing moments. All around there are many tamarisk, carob and olive trees. In the same bay, east of Karavostasi you’ll see a big rock, on which there are the ruins of the Minoan settlement Priniatikos Pirgos.
Behind the rock stretches the second beach of Agios Panteleimon, the longest of the area. Agios Panteleimon gets its name from the picturesque church of Saint Panteleimon built on the beach. The beach is sandy and well organized with umbrellas, showers, water sports, etc. It is regarded as a good spot for windsurfing. On the west end of the beach you will meet the important wetland of Kalos Potamos and if you look between the trees you will soon notice that there are two German artilleries of the WW2.
Istron is built on the site of the archaic city Istrona. Ruins of a Minoan city with unknown name have been revealed on the Vrokastro hill, south of Kalo Chorio. During the Venetian Era, the barren plain was turned to a vast olive grove and several water mills were built, ruins of which still exist. Today, locals organize cultural events and the local Folk Museum reminds of their glorious past.
