Travel Guide Sitia

Sitia, with its 13,000 inhabitants, is the largest city east of Crete. Nestling in a region living mainly from olive oil and wine production (one of the most famous on the island), it is built in an amphitheatre around a pretty bay. The atmosphere here is much calmer than in the other big cities of the island, and more authentic because little affected by tourism. With a university, it is populated all year round. The activity is concentrated in the port district in the old town, around the Place Polytechniou. Towards the south, the long and pleasant sandy beach below the road is never crowded, even in season. Before being Sitia, the ancient city of Itia stood on this spot and there used to be, as in the other important harbours of the island, a Venetian fortress which is now destroyed. Nevertheless, it is pleasant to stroll through its steep streets and along its port where the animation is in full swing. The volta (promenade), a practice inherited from the time of the Venetian occupation, is alive and well: the whole town meets in the evening along the palm tree lined promenade, especially on Sundays. A fruit and vegetable and clothing market is held in summer on Tuesday mornings behind the bus station. Ideal for buying fresh produce or a swimsuit. It is not in Sitia that you will find charming little addresses. As usual in the seaside resorts, you can choose between the restaurants on the seafront.