Those
who explore the area will find that eastern Crete has remained
the most unspoiled area of Crete, the extreme eastern coast
being the most wild and beautiful on the island. There are
45 villages to discover in the area of Sitia, a region renowned
for its hospitality. The
town was rebuilt amphitheatrically in the corner of the bay of
Sitia in 1870, having been previously destroyed by earthquakes
and pirates. The Venetian fort still stands high up in the town,
offering a magnificent view over the bay. It is especially beautiful
on summer evenings when the fort is used as an outdoor theatre,
a venue for the many cultural events organized for the “Kornaria” festival.
Sitia
is a lively town with approx. 11.000 inhabitants. The district
is famous for its considerable olive oil production and for the
excellent quality of its olive oil and wines. There are numerous
local festivals in traditional Cretan style held in villages
throughout the summer, which are well-worth attending, as well
as cultural events in the town.
The
whole district abounds in archaeological and historical interest
from the Minoan period onwards. Within easy reach of Sitia, there
are many places to be visited, such as the Toplou Monastery,
the fourth in size Minoan Palace of Kato Zakros, and other important
archaeological sites at Palekastro, Itanos, Pressos and many
more. There are
two fine museums in
Sitia, archaeological and folklore, with many fascinating exhibits.
The
town itself boasts its own beautiful beach, stretching the whole
width of the bay and with many more secluded areas within easy
reach by bus or car.
For the walker, the hills are covered with aromatic plants and
hundreds of beautiful flowers, especially in the springtime.
PALEKASTRO
Palekastro
is a lively, unpretentious village, its sources of income being
agriculture and tourism and is situated 19km east of Sitia.
Although the village is growing, it manages to retain its character
and charm. The village square is the centre of activities and
is lined with cafes and tavernas. Many a pleasant hour can
be passed here, watching the world go by. During the summer
months, weddings are often held in the village, with the huge
wedding feast taking place in the square, to which everyone
is invited. A chance to try your hand at Cretan dancing! An
enjoyable 20 minute walk through olive groves
leads to a number of beautiful, quiet beaches,
one of which being at Kouremenos bay, famous
for windsurfing. Europe’s largest natural
palm grove, bordering the beautiful beach of
Vai, is just 8km from Palekastro and is well-worth
a visit. Set in a rocky landscape 10km from Palekastro,
is the magnificent 14th century Toplou Monastery,
which is open to visitors and has a rich collection
of icons and other treasures, which can be viewed
in the museum.
XEROKAMBOS
Xerokambos
is located in a relatively untouched region, 48km from Sitia,
10km from Zakros and 22km from Ziros. Mountains, olive groves
and magnificent isolated beaches make up the breathtaking scenery.
In the settlement, there is limited accommodation, with just
a handful of tavernas, cafeneions and mini markets. Xerokambos
boasts probably the finest beaches in the area and is ideal
for those seeking peace, quiet and relaxation. Public transport
stops in Zakros or Ziros, therefore anyone wanting to explore
the area would need to hire a car.
Note: In March, April and October tavernas are not necessarily
open.
MAKRI
GIALOS
This
small village, 38km south of Sitia, overlooking the Libyan
Sea, was once a tiny fishing village, but is now becoming a
popular resort due to the friendly local hospitality. The village
is still unspoilt compared to the larger resorts on the north
coast and is an ideal spot for those searching for quiet holidays,
with visitors returning year after year. The name Makrigialos
means "Long Beach", which indeed it is - the long
sandy beach with its crystal clear, shallow waters, is perfect
for children and non-swimmers, and further out for more experienced
swimmers. The beach is lined with a good variety of tavernas
to suit all tastes, the fishing port being the most picturesque
part of the village. From the port, there is a boat that leaves
each morning for the beautiful island of Koufonisi, returning
late afternoon. Makrigialos has a very good variety of shops,
tavernas and watersport facilities and attracts visitors of
all ages.
KATO
ZAKROS
Kato
Zakros is a most impressive small fishing village, hidden away
in the south-east corner of Crete, behind a beautiful tamarisk-fringed
beach. There are several excellent fish tavernas on the beach,
ideal for relaxing, long lunches or for romantic evening meals!
Kato Zakros is also home to one of the most important archaeological
sites in Crete, the fourth in size Minoan Palace and has a
wonderful atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Although the
palace attracts many visitors during the day, by evening due
to a very limited supply of
accommodation, Kato Zakros is quiet again and as such is ideal
for the visitor who wants to get away from it all. Anyone staying
in Kato Zakros will want to walk down the “Valley of
the Dead”, approximately a 2-hour walk, which leads down
from Pano Zakros to the sea at Kato Zakros.
SUGGESTED
EXCURSIONS
Toplou-Vai
- Kato Zakros
Visit the most impressive 14th century monastery of Toplou, followed
by a visit to Vai, the largest natural palm grove in the whole
of Europe, which fringes a beautiful beach with crystal-clear
waters. On to the tiny fishing village of Kato Zakros, home to
the fourth Minoan Palace, a famous archaeological site not to
be missed!!!
Knossos-Heraklion
Museum
A full day, but anyone remotely interested in archaeology and
history will not want to miss the Minoan Palace of Knossos, which
has been so carefully restored, and the equally impressive Archaeological
Museum of Heraklion, the finest museum on Crete.
Lassithi
Plateau
A whole day is taken up visiting the beautiful, fertile plain
of Lassithi, famous for its vegetable production and its hundreds
of windmills. One should also visit the cave of Psychro, where
according to Greek mythology Zeus, the father of the gods and
people was born.
Ierapetra/Chrissi
Island
A boat leaves Ierapetra (approx. 1 hour from Sitia) in the morning
for a pleasant one-hour cruise to the uninhabited island of Chrissi,
renowned for its beautiful, white sand beaches, covered in millions
of tiny shells. There is a taverna for lunch, drinks and snacks.
The boat returns late afternoon.
‘The
Real Crete’
A chance to discover remote villages, meet the inhabitants, sample
Greek coffee and the local drink Raki in small, village cafes,
accompanied by the delight of ‘mezes’. It is rare
to leave these villages empty-handed, as the locals are extremely
generous and like to give an offering of whatever fruit is in
season, be it apricots late spring to grapes late August. Visit
churches, meet the villagers and see how they live.
Santorini
Island
The boat leaves Agios Nikolaos early in the morning, for the
4 hour crossing to the magical island of Santorini, with breakfast
provided on the boat (and an evening meal on the return journey).
Once on the island there are optional organized tours, or you
can simply wander around alone. This is a long day, but it is
an excursion our clients always enjoy and recommend.
Agios
Nikolaos-Spinalonga
Agios Nikolaos is a well-established tourist destination, famous
for its jewellery shops, bottomless lake and the island of Spinalonga,
which was a leper colony until 1957! The journey by boat from
Agios Nikolaos harbour across the Bay of Mirabello to Spinalonga
is approx. 1 hour each way and a guide on the island will explain
its fascinating history. You may also wish to include a visit
to the traditional village of Kritsa, famous for its lace-making.
WALKING
/ DIVING
East
Crete is ideal for those who enjoy walking, be it a short
walk or a good hike! There are some routes in and around
Sitia and, in the Palekastro area, 5 routes of varying lengths
and difficulty
have been specifically mapped out. One of the walks is through
the gorge of Kato Zakros, at the end of which, there is a
section marked out for rock climbing.
Walking along sections of the E4 European mountaineering path
(which runs along the whole of Crete), you will discover some
of the most beautiful, wild terrain and meet equally memorable
people. Flower lovers will be amazed by the beautiful wild flowers
and herbs which cover the countryside during April and May. Divers
will also find the area to be of great interest.
Those
who explore the area will find that eastern Crete has remained
the most unspoiled area of Crete, the extreme eastern coast
being the most wild and beautiful on the island. There are
45 villages to discover in the area of Sitia, a region renowned
for its hospitality.
The
town was rebuilt amphitheatrically in the corner of the bay of
Sitia in 1870, having been previously destroyed by earthquakes
and pirates. The Venetian fort still stands high up in the town,
offering a magnificent view over the bay. It is especially beautiful
on summer evenings when the fort is used as an outdoor theatre,
a venue for the many cultural events organized for the “Kornaria” festival.
re
two fine museums 
in
Sitia, archaeological and folklore, with many fascinating exhibits.
Palekastro
is a lively, unpretentious village, its sources of income being
agriculture and tourism and is situated 19km east of Sitia.
Although the village is growing, it manages to retain its character
and charm. The village square is the centre of activities and
is lined with cafes and tavernas. Many a pleasant hour can
be passed here, watching the world go by. During the summer
months, weddings are often held in the village, with the huge
wedding feast taking place in the square, to which everyone
is invited. A chance to try your hand at Cretan dancing! 
An
enjoyable 20 minute walk through olive groves
leads to a number of beautiful, quiet beaches,
one of which being at Kouremenos bay, famous
for windsurfing. Europe’s largest natural
palm grove, bordering the beautiful beach of
Vai, is just 8km from Palekastro and is well-worth
a visit. Set in a rocky landscape 10km from Palekastro,
is the magnificent 14th century Toplou Monastery,
which is open to visitors and has a rich collection
of icons and other treasures, which can be viewed
in the museum. 
Xerokambos
is located in a relatively untouched region, 48km from Sitia,
10km from Zakros and 22km from Ziros. Mountains, olive groves
and magnificent isolated beaches make up the breathtaking scenery.
In the settlement, there is limited accommodation, with just
a handful of tavernas, cafeneions and mini markets. Xerokambos
boasts probably the finest beaches in the area and is ideal
for those seeking peace, quiet and relaxation. Public transport
stops in Zakros or Ziros, therefore anyone wanting to explore
the area would need to hire a car.
This
small village, 38km south of Sitia, overlooking the Libyan
Sea, was once a tiny fishing village, but is now becoming a
popular resort due to the friendly local hospitality. The village
is still unspoilt compared to the larger resorts on the north
coast and is an ideal spot for those searching for quiet holidays,
with visitors returning year after year. The name Makrigialos
means "Long Beach", which indeed it is - the long
sandy beach with its crystal clear, shallow waters, is perfect
for children and non-swimmers, and further out for more experience
d
swimmers. The beach is lined with a good variety of tavernas
to suit all tastes, the fishing port being the most picturesque
part of the village. From the port, there is a boat that leaves
each morning for the beautiful island of Koufonisi, returning
late afternoon. Makrigialos has a very good variety of shops,
tavernas and watersport facilities and attracts visitors of
all ages.
Kato
Zakros is a most impressive small fishing village, hidden away
in the south-east corner of Crete, behind a beautiful tamarisk-fringed
beach. There are several excellent fish tavernas on the beach,
ideal for relaxing, long lunches or for romantic evening meals!
Kato Zakros is also home to one of the most important archaeological
sites in Crete, the fourth in size Minoan Palace and has a
wonderful atmosphere of peace and tranquility. Although the
palace attracts many visitors during the day, by evening due
to a very limited supply 
of
accommodation, Kato Zakros is quiet again and as such is ideal
for the visitor who wants to get away from it all. Anyone staying
in Kato Zakros will want to walk down the “Valley of
the Dead”, approximately a 2-hour walk, which leads down
from Pano Zakros to the sea at Kato Zakros.
East
Crete is ideal for those who enjoy walking, be it a short
walk or a good hike! There are some routes in and around
Sitia and, in the Palekastro area, 5 routes of varying lengths
and di
fficulty
have been specifically mapped out. One of the walks is through
the gorge of Kato Zakros, at the end of which, there is a
section marked out for rock climbing.