Sitia – Authentic, Slow-paced Old Town and Charming Fishing Harbour

Sitia is not beautiful in the true sense of the word, but it has a charming vibe being a slow-paced and traditional Greek town set in the stunning landscape of easternmost Crete.

The pictursque port of Sitia at sunset, Sitia is a traditional town at the east Crete near the beach of palm trees, Vai, Crete Greece
The pictursque port of Sitia at sunset, Sitia is a traditional town at the east Crete near the beach of palm trees, Vai

Arriving by boat to Sitia harbour or by plane to the local airport you will see the old tranquil town with whitewashed houses on a hillside above the fishing harbour. Steep stairways connect the port with the old town and the ruins of the Venetian castle on the hilltop. The waterfront below is full of life with tavernas and cafés lined up on the wide seaside promenade.

Where is Sitia in Crete?

Travel to Siteia town, Eastern Crete, Greece
Moment of tranquility in Sitia town

Sitia refers both to the port town, with 8,900 inhabitants and to the municipality with around 19,000 inhabitants in Lasithi, Crete. It lies to the east of Agios Nikolaos and to the northeast of Ierapetra. Sitia port is on the Sea of Crete, which is a part of the Aegean Sea and is one of the economic centers of the Lasithi region. European route E75, which ends in Vardø, starts in Sitia. Sitia has not experienced the effects of mass tourism. It is a authentic, quiet town with a long beach along the road leading to Vaï Palm beach and several places of historical interest.

Sitia on a map

Crete map - Lassithi with Sitia, Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra, Greece
Map of Lassithi with Sitia, Agios Nikolaos and Ierapetra – Click to enlarge map

How to reach Sitia in Crete?

Sitia is one of the biggest and most important towns in Crete and as such it has its own airport with daily flights from Athens International Airport Eletherios Venizelos, and with connections to Rhodes, Kassos, Karpathos, Alexandroupolis, and Aktio. Sitia Airport (IATA: JSH, ICAO: LGST), known as Sitia Public Airport also has a limited amount of charter flights from different cities in Europe During the summer months.

The pictursque port of Sitia at sunset, Sitia is a traditional town at the east Crete near the beach of palm trees, Vai, Crete Greece
The pictursque port of Sitia at sunset, Sitia is a traditional town at the east Crete near the beach of palm trees, Vai

Which airlines fly to Sitia Crete?

The airlines flying to Sitia Crete are Aegean Airlines, and during the summer months Lufthansa, and British Airways.

To Sitia by ferry

If you come from Athens or one of the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea you can also choose to embark a ferry for Sitia. You will find daily ferries from Piraeus (main port of Athens).

Driving to Sitia from other parts of Crete

The Richtis Gorge waterfall is located in a state protected park near Exo Mouliana, Sitia, eastern Crete. The hiking trail is about 4 km in length of easy to moderate difficulty, Sitia, eastern Crete Greece

Cretan Luxury Adventure

7 HOUR’S ADVENTURE TO RICHTIS WATERFALL, MINOAN SITES, THE OLDEST TREE, AND NORTH COAST

If you arrived in Crete to one of the other major airports or ports, you could rent a car and drive to Sitia. There are two main roads in Crete: the North Road Axis passing the cities on the north coast and the South Road Axis on the south coast.

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Beaches near Sitia

Amazing sandy beach of Xerokampos, Sitia with turquoise waters at the East part of Crete island, Greece.
Amazing sandy beach of Xerokampos with turquoise waters in Sitia

What to do in Sitia Crete?

Sitia is a perfect base for exploring nearby Vaï, ancient Zakros, Toplou Monastery, and the eastern coast of Crete. While traveling in eastern Crete Sitia also has a few sights visiting. Sitia is not depending on mass tourism, agriculture is still the base of local economy.

Beautiful Vai Palm Beach in Crete Greece

Full-Day Excursion

SITIA TOWN, TOPLOY MONASTERY & VAI PALM BEACH

  • Kazarma fortress – is the fortress built above Sitia town. It is a 13th century Venetian fortress abandoned by the Venetians in 1651 and partly destroyed by them to prevent its use by the Turks.
  • Toplou Monastery – one of the most significant monasteries in Crete, dedicated to Panagia (Virgin Mary) and St. John the Theologian. Toplou Monastery was founded in the 15th century, probably on the ruins of an earlier convent.
    Read more about Toplou Monastery
  • Petras – a Minoan site near the town of Sitia
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  • Vaï Palm Beach – is one of the largest attractions of Crete. It features Europe’s largest natural palm forest, consisting of the Cretan Date Palm. You will find it near Sitia
    Read more about Vaï Palm Beach
  • Ancient Zakros – often divided into Epano (Upper) Zakros and Kato (Lower) Zakros – is a site on the eastern site of Crete containing ruins from the Minoan civilization. It is located approx. 38 km from Sitia. Zakros town was dominated by the Palace of Zakros built around 1900 B.C. The ruins of the palace are a popular tourist attraction.
The peaceful village of Kato Zakros at the eastern coast of Crete. Beach and tamarisks, Greece
The peaceful village of Kato Zakros at the eastern coast of Crete
  • Mochlos is an island in the Gulf of Mirabello in eastern Crete, and the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan settlement.
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  • Richtis Gorge – is a state protected park near Exo Mouliana in Sitia, its hiking trail being about 4 km long.
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  • Dead’s Gorge, alsoknown as the “Canyon of the Dead” is close to the archaeological site of Kato Zakros in Sitia Municipality
The "Canyon of the Dead", also known as "Dead's Gorge", close to the archaeological site of Kato Zakros, Sitia Municipality, Lasithi prefecture, Crete island, Greece
The “Canyon of the Dead”, also known as “Dead’s Gorge”, close to the archaeological site of Kato Zakros, Sitia Municipality

Ancient history of Sitia

The Minoan site of Petras

Minoan site at Petras close to the town of Sitia, Crete overlooking the sea from a small plateau. There is evidence that a palace got built and houses. Inscriptions like the Minoan axe can be found
The Minoan site at Petras is close to the town of Sitia, it is overlooking the sea from a small plateau

The earliest settlement of the town dates back to before Minoan times; excavations in the neighbouring site of Petras have unearthed architectural remains that date back to the end of the Neolithic period 3000 BC and continue throughout the Bronze Age 3000-1050 BC. There is evidence that a palace got built and houses. Inscriptions like the Minoan axe can be found. In addition, there are several Minoan settlements unearthed in the various archaeological sites in the municipality, such as in Itanos and in Mochlos.

Mochlos island in the Gulf of Mirabello

Mochlos is an island in the Gulf of Mirabello in eastern Crete, and the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan settlement. There is evidence that Mochlos was not an island in Minoan times, but was attached to the mainland and acted as an eastern harbor. The name Mochlos also applies to the small fishing village and resort located on the main island of Crete, opposite Mochlos island. Only 150 metres separate them. The island is administered from Tourloti which is only 9 km away.

Richtis Gorge (Faraggi tou Richti)

Richtis Gorge (Faraggi tou Richti) in Crete (Map of Richtis Gorge here) is a state protected park near Exo Mouliana in Sitia, that starts at the traditional village Exo Mouliana, which is located on the national road between Agios Nikolaos and Sitia and ends at the secluded Richtis beach, just east of the village Kalavros. Richtis gorge is one of the most beautiful trails in Crete; the hiking trail is about 4 km long. From spring to autumn it is a easy trail and during winter it is moderately difficult. It has a rich vegetation (mainly platanus trees, wild berries and local flowers and herbs) and the fauna consists mainly of local species of butterflies, small reptiles, birds and mammals. They can be observed along the way, as well as old stone bridges and water mills before it culminates with the Richtis Waterfall and beach, making Richtis gorge trail one of the most diversified hiking experiences in Crete.

Weather and climate in Sitia Crete

JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
Day15°15°17°20°23.5°27°28°28°26.5°23.5°20°17°
Night12°12°14°17°20°24°26°26°24°20°17°14°
Average monthly day and night temperatures in °C in Sitia Crete