Sitia (Greek: Σητεία) is a city in the Sea of Crete region of Greece.

Understand

Sitia, 18 km from Palekastro and 60 from Ierapetra, with a population of 9500 people, is the easternmost city on Crete and perhaps the least developed. Even during the busy summer peak, Sitia retains a certain charm and laid-back style. On the other hand, this means that it is not deserted in the winter, like other tourist resorts of Crete.

During the Venetian occupation the town of Sitia was destroyed three times. In 1508 by a terrible earthquake, in 1538 by the pirate Barbarosa and in 1651 by the Venetians so as not to fall in the hands of the Turks. For two centuries Sitia ceased to exist as a town, until 1869. The present city was built in 1870.

Sitia is the seat of administrative and public services for the county.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Sitia Airport (JSH  ^IATA). Has connections to Athens, Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodes and some charter flights abroad.  

Scheduled services

Domestic:

• Olympic Air from Alexandroupolis, Athens, Karpathos and Preveza-Lefkas
• Sky Express from Athens and Heraklion

There is no public transport from the airport to the city center. Your options are walking 5 kilometers or taking a taxi (€12, September 2023).

By bus

There are regular KTEL bus services from Heraklion and Agios Nikolaos as well as from Ierapetra. The frequency of connections depends on the time of year.

By boat

Sitia has sea connections with Heraklion, Santorini, Pireaus and other Aegean islands.

See

The region has been inhabited since the Minoan period. At Petra, to the east of the town, a section of an ancient settlement has been excavated.

Vai Beach and Forest in Sitia.

• Vai forest and beach, the largest natural palm forest in Europe.
• 1 Moni Toplou (Greek: Μονή Τοπλού), ☏ +30 2843 061226. Founded in the mid 15th century, is one of the most significant monasteries in Crete. (updated Dec 2016)
• 2 Kazarma fortress (Greek: Καζάρμα). A 13th century Venetian fortress. (updated Dec 2016)
• Gorge of the Dead (at Kato Zakros).
• 3 Richtis Gorge and Waterfall (Greek: Φαράγγι του Ρίχτη). HIking path for the gorge starts just below Exo Mouliana village (served multiple times daily by the bus line to Agios Nikolaos, driving time approx. 20 mins from Sitia) and descends to a pebble beach, passing a beautiful waterfall. free. (updated May 2022)

• Ha Gorge (at Ierapetra).
• Various archeological sites with ancient Greek and Minoan settlements, such as in Itanos and Mochlos.
• There is a waterfront with restaurants and cafes, a large public beach, and an archaeological museum which holds many of the findings from Palekastro.
• 4 Archaeological Museum of Sitia, National Road Sitia-Piskokefalos, Τ.Κ. 72300, Sitia. 0830-1500. Closed on Tuesday.. Small museum displaying local archaeological finds, with a focus on artifacts from the Minoan era. €3 (full), €2 (concession). (updated May 2022)

Do

View of Chamezi village, Sitia municipality, from the south as of Nov 2015; the Chamezi Viaduct construction site of E-75 is in the foreground

Strolling on the streets of Sitia

There is not too many tourists in Sitia, therefore you can really observe daily life of Sitians by walking through the town. You can pick into the small shops, and stores, listen to old ladies gossiping, watch old men sipping their coffee.

Sitia's harbour

Sitia has beautiful harbour full of colourful small fishing boats, and good restaurants, tavernas and cafes. This harbor is much different then the one in Rethymno or Chania because it is not too commercialized yet. This harbour serves more Sitia's citizens and their families rather than tourists and that's what is good about it.

Information Centre on Sitia's harbour There is a little building on the corner of K.Karamanli and A.Papandreou, on the harbour. You can get there lots of information on where to go and what to see. You can get there a list with all the events for July and August, such as shows, fiestas, concerts etc. You can get there a phone number to Hotel Union of Sitia 2843 0 28428. They can help with finding a room in Sitia, especially if you are on the budget and want to have your room booked ahead. Phone: +30 2843028300 Address: corner of K.Karamanli & A.Papandreou- on harbour Directions: little building on the corner of K.Karamanli and A.Papandreou, on the harbour.

Eat

Kali Kardia Tavern Kali Kardia Tavern is located two blocks from Sitia harbour. Phone: +30 2843022249 Address: Foundalidou street 22 Directions: Foundalidou street between N. Kazantzakis and Metaxaki (2 blocks from the harbour)

Sitia Cafe Great atmosphere. Bathroom clean. Address: K. Karamanli street, Sitia Directions: on the corner of K. Karamanli street and A. Papandreou street

Tzivaeri Rakadiko Popular with locals for dinner. This food is a fusion of Greek cuisine and fast food, meaning, that it was still Greek food, but mostly deep fried, Greek salads however are huge and superb. Address: the corner of E. Venizelou and Kapetan Sifi - on the harbour

Zorbas People go there for meat dishes, however veregtarian options are available. The whole place has nice decor with beautiful view. Address: E Venizelou & N. Kazantzaki corner - on the harbour

To Limani Right beside Zorbas, great food, vegetarian options available. Very friendly staff. Beautiful views of the harbour. Address: Corner of E Venizelou & N. Kazantzaki - on the harbour

Sleep

There are a lot of choices for accommodation in Sitia. There are some hotels near the harbour of the town. There are also one or two luxurious hotels, category A. But you can find cheap and expensive rooms or apartments as well. Some of them are new built and there are ideal for spending your holidays. Either in town or a suburb all of them are very close to the sea and keep the conditions for a good stay either you choose a cheap or an expensive option.

• Hotel Krystal (Crystal). It is a nice building, conveniently located and easy to find. Front desk person is very nice and professional. Corner rooms on the 4th floor have nice view of the entire Sitia bay. Rooms are nice and clean, and have long balcony with great view. Nice size bathroom, TV and AC. Breakfast is more than enough, although boring after 4 days. Prices: US$20-40. Phone: +30 28430 - 22284. Address: 17 KAPETAN SIFI 723 00, SITIA Greece. Directions: located in the center of Sitia, 70 m from the sea and few blocks from Sitia boardwalk. Other Contact: info@ekaterinidis-hotels.com.
• Olive Coast Suites, Agathias, ☏ +30 28430 28953. Olive Coast Suites is located in Palekastro just 18 km from Sitia. 65-98. 
• Lassion Golden Bay, Agia Fotia (5 km from the center of Sitia on the way to Vai), ☏ +30 28430-28950. Category B’ superior hotel, began working from the summer of 2004 and is constituted from 20 bungalows (of which 3 apartments) and 8 rooms that are spread in an extent area of 16 km. above sea. Each room contains autonomous unit A/C, for heat and cold, satellite TV, mini bar/refrigerator, safe, bath/WC (with hair dryer), veranda or balcony. Also provides swimming pool (thalasso), tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, playground, pool bar, central bar, 1 pool bar, 1 central bar, tavern, lounge with central TV/DVD/home cinema, breakfast room (breakfast buffet), Internet connection in the reception area. 
• Corina apartments (one-star), Petras , Sitia (1.2 km opposite Sitia), ☏ +30 2843028320. This complex comprises 7 Mediterranean style bungalows/apartments, fully furnished and equipped, close to Petras beach (just 130 metres), opposite the town of Sitia. Ideal for families with children. The bungalows are built on 4 different levels of a hilloc. Check-in and keys at the Hotel Elysee. 
• Hotel Elysee, 14 , Karamanli Str. , Sitia (At the beginning of the beach , 150 metres from the town square.), ☏ +30 2843023427. Boutique-like, 4 floor hotel at the very sea-front of Sitia, a stone-throw away from the beach, immaculately clean, modern, nicely-decorated rooms. Spectacular view of the harbour and the sea, really friendly staff. 

Go next

• Ierapetra
• By ferry, to Kassos and Karpathos

Routes through Sitia

Heraklion ← KaloChorio Istron ←

W  E

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