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Sightseeing in Sitia

One of the first sights to impress the visitor to Sitia is its Late Byzantine fortress, known as the Kazarma (Casa di arma). Today, this impressive fortress, which is open to the public, is used as an events venue, especially during the summer months.

Visit the town’s Archaeological Museum. The most famous item in the Museum is the chryselephantine figurine from the Minoan city of Palaikastro as well as the Linear A tablets.
Address: Sitia-Piskokefalos National Road.

You must certainly include in your programme a trip to the Vai palm tree forest, where the native clusters of the Phoenix Theofrasti (palm of Theophrastus) form a unique forest – not only in Greek terms but in the whole of Europe. Vai is 28 kilometres from Sitia and is located next to ancient Itanos. Legend has it that the famous palm forest was born from the seeds of the dates that Egyptian soldiers would spit out when they came over from Africa.

Visit the historic Toplou Monastery, 12 kilometres east of Sitia, which was recently restored, along with its two museums: one museum contains icons and books, important religious relics and ecclesiastical items, while the other holds engravings and historical artefacts (tel. +30 28430 - 61226).

Beaches of Sitia

Swim in the organised beach of Sitia, at Mochlos, which is located in the fishing village of the same name, and also at Agia Fotia. If you seek something less busy, then go northwest to the beach of Papadiokampos. The beach at Vai, with its blue-green waters, is wonderful, with the palm trees reaching as far down as the sand. Near Vai is the beach of Erimoupoli, and a trip there can be combined with a visit to the archaeological site of Itanos. The other most beautiful beaches in this region are Makrygialos, Xerokampos and Chiona.

Excursions near Sitia

Sitia has ten gorges and approximately 300 caves, while it is also home to the largest colony of Eleonora’s falcons (Falco Εleonora) in the world. Don’t miss the chance to go hiking in the Richtis gorge, one of the most beautiful of the small gorges of eastern Crete. The route begins a little outside of the village of Exo Mouliana and its total length is approximately 4.5 kilometres. Even so, the most famous gorge in the region is the gorge of Zakrou, known also as the “gorge of the Dead” as in the cracks and hollows of its rocks the ancient Minoans would bury their dead. This is an incredible route lasting 2.5 kilometres, which ends next to the Minoan palace of Kato Zakros – the fourth-largest Minoan palace in the whole of Crete.

Very close to the cape of Goudourou is Gaidouronisi (Chrysi island), which is 8 miles south of Ierapetra and is known for its white sands and cedar forest.

Don’t miss the chance to visit the little island of Spinalonga. It took its name from the Venetians thanks to its shape (= long thorn). The leper colony of Spinalonga was founded in 1904 and, after the union of Crete with Greece in 1913, the first patients from all over Greece started to arrive. Later, Spinalonga even accepted patients from other countries, raising the number of inhabitants to 1,000. The so-called island of the living dead had patients residing in it up until 1957. In 1970 the island was proclaimed a protected archaeological area and the leper colony was razed to the ground. Today, it welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The “Island”, which became widely known through the novel of the same name by the author Victoria Hislop, is considered one of the most important sights on Crete.

Food and Entertainment in Sitia

Traditional tavernas and mezedopolia (meze restaurants) keep the traditions of the local food culture alive in Sitia, serving eggs with staka cheese (a milk product between cheese and yogurt), dakos rusk with xygalo (a soft, sour cream cheese), snails, myzithra cheese pies, sfougato (type of omelette) and apaki (smoked pork).

At night, when the lights on the beach light up, so does the mood in the picturesque tavernas that serve the delicious cuisine of Sitia, accompanied by tsikoudia, and in the little bars along the waterfront.

Shopping in Sitia

What should one first buy in blessed Crete? Tsikoudia spirit and olive oil (the oil of Sitia is the best in the world), honey and local wines (known since antiquity), aromatic herbs and local cheeses are among the things that you must definitely take with you when you leave eastern Crete.

One very well-known local product is the xygalo of Sitia, a cheese that is very similar to galotyri and katiki of Domokos, with the difference being that it is less salty.

Getting from the airport to Sitia

To get to the town from the airport you can hire a car (a good choice as you can explore the surrounding area) or take a taxi.

Fly with Olympic Air to Sitia and discover a region with famous monuments, wild beauties, wonderful beaches and delicious food!