Makris Gialos is a small coastal settlement 24 kilometers in the east of Ierapetra, 35 kilometers in the west of Siteia and 60 kilometers from Agios Nikolaos. Makris Gialos is a famous tourist destination. There are many taverns, rooms to let, cafeterias, supermarkets, ATMs etc in the area.

There is a small port for the fishermen of the settlement and the exits of the green Pefka gorge and the Kokkines Petaloudes or Oreino gorge are near Makris Gialos.

The beautiful and hospitable beaches are one of the reasons of its touristic development. A magnificent, sandy beach is in front of the settlement that is about 1 kilometer long. The beach is organized and the sea is very swallow and warm even in the winter. There are also many beautiful beaches in the east and west. The near-by Agia Fotia and Goudouras settlements are also worth visiting.

HISTORY

The area is inhabited from the Minoan Era according to the excavations.

The development of the settlement started in the last years as there were not even roads in the area till the end of the World War II.

Its building started from 1980 to 1995.