Sitia is a charming town located on the northeast coast of Crete, 127 km east of Heraklion. It’s a wonderful place for a holiday, offering plenty to do, beautiful surroundings, and a more relaxed, less commercial atmosphere. We have visited this lovely town and we’ve enjoyed the ambiance and the scenery.

Sitia does have a beautiful promenade, decorated with many mature and tropical palm trees. Looking from this lovely promenade to above the town, you will find the ruins of Kazarma fortress on the top of the hill. Kazarma was one of the most important buildings of Medieval Sitia, and it served as soldier's barracks and army headquarters. The Kazarma and the imposing wall around it were originally built in the Late Byzantine period. The impressive walls were repaired by the Venetians many times and especially after the terrible earthquake in the year 1508 and the attack by the pirate Barbarosa in 1538

Alongside the promenade, you’ll find numerous cafés and terraces where you can relax and enjoy a glass of wine or a delicious Greek dish. You can find all kind of facilities in this city: supermarkets, pharmacy, post office, banks, a market, bakery etc.

Sitia is not only a charming town with ancient landmarks and a museum, but the surrounding area is also incredibly beautiful. The town itself boasts a lovely sandy beach, and just 10 km away, you’ll find Vai beach. While in Sitia, it’s also a great opportunity to visit the Toplou Monastery, located just 15 km away.

Things to do

The Archaeological Museum of Sitia

The Archaeological Museum of Sitia houses unique artifacts from excavations at Zakros, Petras, Mochlos, Psira, Palaikastro, Presos, Itanos, Agia Fotia, Lefki, Makrigialos, and other important Minoan-Hellenistic centers of East Crete. It offers an unparalleled experience. Many of the displayed items are related to olive cultivation, vineyards, livestock farming, fishing, beekeeping, and other aspects of agricultural life.

Sitia Beach

Sitia’s beautiful, well-organized sandy beach stretches for approximately 2.5 km. Located next to the harbor in the town, it offers all the amenities you need. In the summer, it’s a popular spot for various water sports, including jet skiing, surfing, water skiing, pedal boating, sailing, diving, canoeing, and kayaking.

You can park here when visiting Sitia: https://maps.app.goo.gl/K27yfBTMgsNzi5SZ8

You can also find more information in the blog article.