Info about Sitia
Sitia is the place without mass tourism, located on East Crete.
In Sitia finds a charm and tranquility that is not often found in larger towns on Crete.
The men sit from the morning with a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés along the harbor promenade, discussing before they head to work, the same happens in the afternoon where they also play backgammon and continue their discussions.
There is a cozy atmosphere in the town, even though there is a harbor with ferries and boats that sail in and out daily, and you can't hear the airport despite it being only a 10-minute drive from the town. Sitia is relatively unspoiled by the sparse tourism that exists, so you can easily enjoy a Raki, Retzina, or local wine from the area while listening to the daily buzz of life from the harbor, small fishing boats, and the activities of the locals.
The beach in Sitia stretches for 2 km. The fine sandy beach starts right by the harbor and is very child-friendly as it is located in a bay that protects it from wind and large waves.
Sitia's old town has preserved its traditional houses and courtyards. Take a stroll through the atmospheric and charming stair streets or enjoy a leisurely walk along the waterfront promenade; wherever you go, it's picturesque, and there's always a scene you must capture with your camera.
Sitia is a port town and one of the economic centers in the Lasithi region of Crete, with ferry connections to several cities from Sitia, such as Heraklion and Chania, as well as Milos, Santorini, and Athens (Piraeus). Sitia also has an airport with domestic flights to Athens, Preveza, and Alexandroupolis.
Apollo and Spies fly directly to Sitia from Copenhagen and Norway, but most guests drive to hotels on the southern coast to the towns of Makrygialos or Ierapetra on Crete's southern coast.
Agriculture still has a significant influence on the economy of the Sitia area, where wine, raisins, olives, and some of the best olive oils are produced.
Sitia was founded by the Minoans, and when the Venetians conquered Crete in 1204, they expanded the city and used it as a base for operations in the eastern Mediterranean. The city was destroyed several times and later rebuilt by the Turks in 1870.
Read more about the history of Sitia here (https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sitia).