Lasithi

Lasithi Περιφερειακή ενότητα Λασιθίου
Regional unit
Municipalities of Lasithi
Lasithi Lasithi within Greece
Coordinates: 35°05′N 25°50′E / 35.083°N 25.833°E / 35.083; 25.833
Country	Greece
Administrative region	Crete
Seat	Agios Nikolaos
Area
• Total	1,823 km2 (704 sq mi)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	77,819
• Density	43/km2 (110/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code	72x xx
Area code(s)	284x0
Vehicle registration	ΑΝ
Website	www.lassithi.gr

Lasithi (Greek: Λασίθι) is the easternmost regional unit on the island of Crete, to the east of Heraklion. Its capital is Agios Nikolaos, the other major towns being Ierapetra and Sitia. The mountains include the Dikti in the west and the Thrypti in the east. The Sea of Crete lies to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south.

To the east of the village of Elounda lies the island of Spinalonga, formerly a Venetian fortress and a leper colony. On the foot of Mount Dikti lies the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its windmills. Vai is well known for its datepalm forest.

Thanks to its beaches and its mild climate year-long, Lasithi attracts many tourists. Mass tourism is served by places like Vai, Agios Nikolaos and the island of Chrissi. More off-beat tourism can be found in villages on the south coast like Myrtos, Makrys Gialos or Makrigialos, Xerokambos and Koutsouras.

Lasithi is home to a number of ancient remains. Vasiliki, Fournou Korifi, Pyrgos, Zakros and Gournia are ruins of Minoan date, Lato and Itanos were Doric towns.