SITIA

AN EXOTIC PALM FOREST AND CRETE’S ‘MUSE’

Sitia

Welcome to Sitia

Though not conventionally pretty, Sitia exudes an attractive vibe that stems from not having sold its soul to mass tourism. It’s a slow-paced, friendly place where agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy.
 In the tranquil old town above the fishing harbour, whitewashed buildings tumble down a hillside laced by steep staircases and accented by a ruined Venetian castle. Down below, tavernas and cafes line the bustling waterfront and wide promenade along Karamanli. A long, sandy beach skirts the bay to the east.
Many visitors use Sitia as launch pad for explorations of Vaï, Moni Toplou, Zakros and other remote destinations further east, although it's well worth spending a day or two in town. 

sitia

Holidays In Eastern Crete

Crete is an island of antithesis
Lover of sea or mountain, archaeology, history,individual and winter holidays, or cretan cuisine, Crete is the fulfillment of the desires of any vacationer.
Pristine, sandy beaches for swimming or watersports, windsurfing, clear sea, full of subaqueous treasures for diving, scuba or fishing.
Ideal place for trekking and winter holidays. Mountains, gorges, caves and fields with magnificent colours of flora and fauna, unique in the whole world, meeting traditional villages and Cretan people.
It may become for you, what it has for so many visitors, a unique, special and charming place to be visited time and time again.

Sitia is the easternmost end of Crete. The home of Vitsentzos Cornaros is a dreamy place, ideal for holidays.

Locals, cheerful, fun-loving, friendly have grasped the meaning of life. You will not hear about vendettas and arms. Enjoy Sitia!

The History of Sitia, Crete

sitia

Such a small town, but such a long history! Sitia actually takes its name from Eteia, the ancient Minoan city. This may have been home to one of the seven sages of antiquity, Myson (some say he was from Laconia, in the Peloponnese). The city prospered throughout the ages due to trade with other ports throughout Greece and the Mediterranean. During the Byzantine era, it continued to prosper, becoming the seat of a Bishop.
This was a favorite city of the Venetians during their rule, but an attack by the pirate Barbarossa and then a terrible earthquake changed the city’s fortunes. During the Ottoman Era, the Pasha Hussein Avni rebuilt the city, calling it Avniye, although of course the Greeks called it Sitia still.

What to See and Do in Sitia, Crete

The only trace left of the Venetians in today’s Sitia is the Kazarma fortress. The name comes from “Casa de Arma”, and it’s now often the site of outdoor concerts and events. The view from here is stunning!
Sitia has an Archaeological Museum where you can enjoy findings from many eras of the history of the surrounding area, including Bronze Age findings from the tiny island Mochlos (almost certainly formerly connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land) and Zakros, one of the four Minoan Palace of Crete. The Paleokastro Kouros, a statue found in the excavation of Paleokastro, is another highlight. There are also exhibits from the Geometric Period (ca. 900 – 700 BC) so called because geometric patterns and motifs decorated the pottery. There are also exhibits from the Greco-Roman period.

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Inspiration for poets, the largest palm forest in Europe, 'loot' for pirates and a spectacular holiday destination in its own right

Sitia is an attractive seaside town that hasn't sold its soul to mass tourism. Whitewashed houses cling to a hillside laced by steep staircases and topped with a ruined Venetian castle. Below, a promenade lined with tavernas and cafes hems in the fishing harbour. It’s a slow-paced, friendly place where agriculture is the mainstay of the local economy.
This very small coastal town is an ideal destination for those who want to escape the more touristy areas to the west. This is Crete’s most unspoiled location, where life is not built around tourism. Tourists are warmly welcomed, and the facilities and services are excellent. But in Sitia you will be better able to connect to the authentic local culture of Crete. Stunning natural attractions are near Sitia

The Vai palm forest

In the 1980s Vai was decreed a protected area and cleaned up. Today it is considered one of the most beautiful parts of Crete and the beach has been awarded a Blue Flag by the European Union.

Vai beach

You really must visit Vai if you’re in Crete, especially in the east of the island. It’s just like a tropical beach, with its palm trees and small islet in the middle of the bay.

The palm forest of Vai now covers an area of approximately 250,000 square metres, making it the largest palm forest in Europe. You will hear different stories about how palm trees came to Crete: 

Images of Sitia

Kouremenos beach is just on the other side of the peninsula (that Vai is on) from Sitia. This long sandy beach is a great favorite with windsurfers from all over Europe.

Itanos Beach – sometimes called Ermoupoli – is just above Vai. It’s actually a series of three sandy coves with unspoiled sandy beaches.

Koufonissi-beach-near-sitia
Some of Crete’s more remote beaches may not always be serviced with cantinas and bars- always have some water and snacks with you as you explore.


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