The small coastal settlement of Lygaria is located 21 km northwest of Heraklion and just 1 km east of Agia Pelagia. Lygaria, built at an altitude of 18 meters, is known for its homonymous beach. Every summer, many people visit it for their vacation.
The name Lygaria (Willow tree) does not come from the plant with its beautiful pink flowers, as many believe, although it is abundant in the area. It comes from the Venetian feudal lord and owner of the place called Ligaras. The name of the Monastery of Panagia Deligara (De Ligara) came from the same person, as mentioned in a document of 1610. The Monastery was located here during the Venetian rule period. Today, the church of Panagia, Lygaria or Lygariotissa, has been built where the ruins of the Monastery used to be.
Behind the cape that protects the beach of Lygaria, to the west, the visitor can find the hidden beach called Parasfougario with coarse sand and small pebbles. The beach is accessible only by sea. Finally, the waterfalls of Lygaria, unknown to most people, are found a short distance from the coast of the settlement.
