- Region
- Viannos, south-east Heraklion
- Distance
- 79 km from Heraklion, 35 km from Ierapetra
- Beach
- Coarse sand and pebbles
- Known for
- Bananas, gorge, monastery
Beaches
The main beach west of the harbour has umbrellas. Further west, quieter pebble beaches lead to Meakis, a fine-sand bay about five minutes beyond. The water is usually calm.
Bananas and climate
Arvi has one of the warmest microclimates on Crete, and bananas are grown in greenhouses around the village. The local fruit is small and aromatic.
History
The area has been inhabited since about 2600 BC and was a Roman port; remains of a bath lie near the church of Agios Panteleimon. A Roman sarcophagus with Dionysiac scenes from Arvi is in the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge.
The gorge and monastery
The monastery of Agios Antonios clings to the slope at the entrance to the Arvi gorge, a short walk from the village.
Questions before you go
Why does Arvi grow bananas?
Its sheltered valley has a very warm microclimate.
Is Arvi beach sandy?
It is coarse sand and pebbles; Meakis nearby has finer sand.
What is near Arvi?
Keratokampos, the Arvi gorge and the Agios Antonios monastery.
