Istron - Kalo Horio

The lower coastal part of this lovely area is known as Istron or Istro and the upper village is known as Kalo Horio. The names seem to be interchangeable. We lived in Istron Kalo Horio for over two years and were never quite sure what to call the village that was our home.

We loved our time in Istron and got to know the area and the locals pretty well. It has lovely beaches, good restaurants and traditional Greek tavernas, friendly and welcoming locals, and some of the nicest walks in the area for flowers and wildlife.

The village of Istron also has a variety of local friendly Kafenions, bars, a bakery and many shops.

ISTRON KALO HORIO

There's a really wide choice of places to stay in Istron Kalo Horio. You can choose luxury villas such as Nimfes Villas or the Istron Bay Hotel. There are also smaller places such as the Anny Sea & Sun Apartments, Elpida Village (formerly the Elpida Hotel) and the El Greco Apartments. Camper vans and some campers also find their holiday locations on the Istron beaches.

Places to See

KTEL buses stop on the main road, so Istron is an easy coastal bus ride from Aghios Nikolaos to the north and Ierapetra to the south. Day trips include Chrissi Island (by boat from Ierapetra), Spinalonga island and the Lasithi Plateau with its windmills.

Flora and Fauna

Istron Kalo Horio is a rewarding place for anyone who loves plants and wildlife. The village sits among wild herb hillsides full of butterflies, goldfinches, hoopoes, wild orchids and birds of prey, and it is a very good spot for birdwatching.

ISTRO

Wandering through the vineyards, olive groves and orange groves expect to see farmers, old ladies, donkeys and goats working the land throughout this part of the village. During your time here you will share the real Cretan village life with the locals.

Most of the Taverna owners in Istron are also farmers who have small market gardens and allotments around the village. They grow and tend their crops and then serve them up in their Tavernas. Most produce their own olive oil, wine, Raki and fresh fruits and vegetables. Some also keep chickens and other livestock so you can be assured that you will have fresh, tasty and organic food in the restaurants throughout the village of Istro.

PANIGHYRI FEAST DAY

Agios Panteleimonas, the patron saint of the village, has his feast day on 27 July, when all the villagers honour their saint by attending the tiny church on the beach at Istron for a panighyri service.

Afterwards, along with a marching band and priests of the eastern Orthodox religion, the villagers form a procession along the beach. The next evening a huge feast with plenty of delicious food, gallons of Cretan wine, traditional Greek dancing and Cretan music are played well into the early hours.

Visitors are made very welcome.

Beaches

Istron has 3 bays, all within easy walking distance of each other and close to the tavernas and shops. One beach is pebbly, and the other 2 have little coves with fine sand or sand with a few pebbles. The water is crystal clear.

Golden Beach or Voulisma Beach at Istron

GOLDEN BEACH

Golden Beach at Istron is, in our view, one of the loveliest beaches in Crete and in all the Greek islands.

Locally it is called Voulisma Beach, and its golden sand and clear sea are wonderful. There's quite a big parking area at the top of the entrance to the beach and to access the beach you need to use the steps to get down from the cliff tops.

The main beach of Istron Golden Beach is a long stretch of golden sand packed with sunbeds and parasols. There are also a few rocky coves for a more secluded beach experience.

VOULISMA BEACH

Voulisma Beach is very popular and is packed during the summer months. There's a little Kantina off the main beach for snacks and drinks and also a small cafe at the top of the main beach.

Across the road is the Panorama taverna, with views over the whole of Mirabello Bay and some of the tastiest food in Istron. It is run by local brothers George and Andreas, and you can be sure of a warm, friendly welcome.

We think the Panorama's mixed fish platter and mixed grill are the finest in the village, and the carafe of red house wine is very good value.

Silver Beach or Agios Panteleimonas Beach at Istron

CHURCH BEACH

Known as Church Beach and also Silver Beach the beach of Agios Panteleimonas at Istron gets its name from the tiny white washed church dedicated to Saint Panteleimonas which is actually on the beach itself. This is a lovely beach that the locals like to use as it never gets too crowded even at the height of the summer.

It has a few pebbles but is mostly soft white sand and is ideal for children as it is very gently shelving. It can get quite choppy at times though if the winds pick up and then the windsurfers have a great time.

It holds a Blue Flag in the 2026 Blue Flag list for Greece, and it has a large parking area, sunbeds and parasols for hire. It has a Kantina, toilets, shower and first aid facility.

Bronze Beach or Karavostasi Beach at Istron

KARAVOSTASI BEACH

A mostly pebbly beach is the Karavostasi Beach at Istron. It is much quieter than the other Istron beaches and is used mainly by the locals. You can stroll through the olive groves to get to Karavostasi Beach and have a snack or drink at the little Kantina. In the summer evenings the Kantina is very popular.

There are tables and chairs on the beach itself and is a truly lovely setting particularly watching the sun setting over the distant mountains. The food and drink served at the kantina is very good value. Try the pork souvlaki with Greek salad and chipped potatoes washed down with carafe white wine – delicious!

Minoan History

The modern day village of Istro sits on the site of the ancient town of Istrona. Archaeologists found the remains of an ancient settlement at Vrokastro, on the hill above the village, which makes an interesting walk during your stay in Kalo Horio.

Eating and Drinking in Istron

Istron has a wide choice for eating out, from snacks at the beach kantinas, the fast food of Ovelix and the grill menu of To Steki to Greek taverna food and Cretan specialities in the village restaurants.

If you're visiting Istron Kalo Horio in eastern Crete then Zygos Taverna should be top of your list for a traditional Cretan meal.

ISTRON POOL BAR

We also love the Panorama, El Greco and Pelagos – all very different in their own ways but all well worth a visit.

For drinks, sport and music in the evening, try the Friends Bar on the main road in Kalo Horio or the Pinocchio Bar.

When we lived in Istron, one of our favourite places to spend time by the pool was the Istron Pool Bar, which had its own children's pool and play area. Children had a whale of a time there, and we enjoyed a café frappé in the morning and a cocktail or two later on. The pool bar has since closed.

Kalo Horio, the Upper Village

Kalo Horio means "good village", and we would agree with that. Some maps spell it Kalo Chorio. The village sits above Istro on the Gulf of Mirabello, among herb-covered hillsides, olive groves and orange groves.

Most visitors stay down on the coast at Istro, which has far more holiday accommodation. Kalo Horio itself has a magnificent church, a tiny school and a play park for small children. The village has views over all 3 bays of Istron.

Istron Kalo Horio lies halfway between Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra on the south coast. Buses on the main road connect Istron with Agios Nikolaos, Heraklion, Ierapetra and Sitia.