Lasithi Prefecture is the easternmost prefecture on the island and it borders the prefecture of Hreaklion to the west. Lasithi is surrounded by the Sea of Crete to the north and the Lybian Sea to the south.
         
The prefecture of Lasithi is divided into 3 provinces: Ierapetra, Sitia and Mirambellos. Its capital is the city of Agios Nikolaos, which sits partially upon the ruins of the ancient city of Lato pros Kamara. It has a population of 19 462 inhabitants. The city of Agios Nikolaos is located in the norhern part of the island, at about 67 kilometres of Heraklion, in the bay of Mirambello. During the last decades, tourism has developed a lot here and tourists can find all sorts of accommodation, from hotels, to studios and rooms to let. Swimming is possible at the municipal beach, the beach at the small port (Kitroplatia), at Ammoudi, at Chavania, at Almyros, or Ammoudara. All of these are well-organised beaches, with clean sea and many facilities for the swimmer. The town is connected with the three capital cities of the prefectures via the New National Road, departing from Aghios Nicolaos and ending up at Kissamos (Kastelli) Agios Nikolaos does not have an airport, but it has a small port connected to Piraeus all year round.
         
Other important towns and villages are Iarapetra, Sitia, Neapoli, Elounda, Myrtos, Makrys Gialos, Xerokambos and Koutsouras.
         
Lasithi Prefecture has a population of 77 917 (2005 census) and an area of 1 823 km².
         
The main mountains that cover Lasithi Prefecture are Sitia Mountains (to the east) and Dikte (to the west). East of the village of Elounda lies Spinalonga, an island which was a Venetian fortress and a leper colony.
         
Lasithi is home to many ancient remains like the Doric cities of Lato and Iatnos, or the Minoan ruins at Vasiliki, Fournu Korfi, Zakros, Pyrgos and Gournia.
         
Tourists can enjoy the cristal clear waters on beaches like Agios Nikolaos Municipal Beach, Ammos Beach, Kitroplatia Beach, Amoudi Beach, Havania Beach, Elounda Beach, Dreros Beach, Plaka Beach, Vlichadia Beach, Milatos Beach, Sissi Beach, Boufos Beach, Avlaki Beach,  Kalimera Kriti Beach (Beaches located North West of Lassithi Prefecture, following the route from Agios Nikolaos Town to West),  Almiros Beach, Amoudara Beach, Karavostasi Beach - Kalo Horio,  Agios Panteleimonas Beach, Chrissi Akti Beach, Gournia Beach,  Pachia Ammos Beach,  Tholos or Kavousi Beach, Mochlos Beach, Sitia Beach, Erimoupolis Beach, Vai Beach, Psili Ammos Beach, Maridati Beach, Kouremenos Beach, Hiona Beach, Skinias Beach (Beaches located North East of Lassithi Prefecture, following the route from Agios Nikolaos Town to East), Kato Zakros Beach, Krinaki Beach, Xerokambos Beach, beaches of Lefki (or Koufonissi) Island, Goudouras Beach, the beach at the Monastery of Kapsa, Lagada Beach, Diaskari Beach, Makrigialos Beach, Koutsouras Beach,  Mavros Kolymbos Beach, Achlia Beach, Agia Fotia Beach, Ferma Beach,  Koutsounari Beach (Makris Gialos) (beaches located South East of Lassithi Prefecture, following the route from East to West), Ierapetra Beach, the beach on  Chrissi (or Gaidouronisi) Island, Mirtos Beach (beaches located  South West of Lassithi Prefecture, following the route from East to West).