Makrygialos (Makris Gialos) is a small town 23km east of Ierapetra close to the exit of the hiking gorge of Pefki and on the outskirts of the village of Agios Stefanos. The wonderful beaches of the village, and the wider area, the calm sea, and the amazing mountain landscape that rises to the north of the village are the main driving force of development.

It consists primarily of two settlements, Makrygialos and Analipsi, now unified as residential settlements. The main beach which joins Makrygialos to Analipsi is known as Hani. Its sandy bottom and very shallow waters make it ideal for families with young kids.

To the west of the beach is the harbor of Makrygialos, from where tour boats depart for Koufonissi. Above, the ruins of a Roman mansion were revealed, while the calm bay of Kalamokania stretches even further west. A Minoan mansion was identified near Kalamokania, at the site of Plakakia.