Traditional House under Kazarma Fortress in Sitia

It is located at the old town of Sitia with a view over Sitia bay. It is fully furnished/air conditioned and consists of a dining/reception room with a working fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, 2 double bedrooms,2 bathrooms as well as a beautiful front yard for relaxing and chilling after coming back from the beach. The house is built with traditional stone. The interior consists of a central courtyard of mosaic-pebbled which leads to the living room as well as at the kitchen of the house. There is also a fireplace in the living room. While coming into the house from the main entrance, the visitor can access directly to the main living area which leads to the dining room. The bedrooms are located at the first floor of the house where the one of the two bedrooms has a private courtyard with barbecue. The house overlooks the sea and the beach of Sitia. Worth seeing in Sitia: The historic Kazarma fortress Kazarma (Casa di arma), the fortress of Sitia’s castle. Its history, tempestuous. From the Middle Ages to Byzantium and up to today, it’s been demolished, repaired and rebuilt many times over. Venetians, pirates, Ottomans, earthquake, all have left their mark on Kazarma. Every summer it hosts series of cultural events. The Beach of Sitia This well-organized beach consists of a long stretch of sand right next to the town and provides every facility the visitor might need. The beach offers a variety of water sports including jet ski, surfing, water skiing and pedalo. It has been awarded with two Blue Flags and is always busy. The beach of Sitia is only few minutes away from the house. The exotic palm forest in Crete Vai Some 20km west of Sitia, is one of the most spectacular sights in Crete, a palm tree forest covering an area of approximately 200,000 sq metres. According to local legend, the forest grew from the pits that were thrown here by Egyptian soldiers, Saracen pirates and King Mithridates’s army. What is definitely unbelievable is the incredible beauty you’ll encounter. The rare palm trees Theofrastou (Phoenix Theofrasti) embrace an exotic beach with golden sand and blue-green water that has been awarded a Blue Flag. Walk in Sitia Sitia welcomes you with its restaurants, cafes and charming waterfront. It’s an animated scene, with shops, tavernas and bars. Visit the Archaeological and Folklore Museum and then go swimming at the expansive sandy beach next to the centre of town. Ancient Itanos Near the beach, there are remnants of a colony built by the Phoenicians. Ancient Itanos, whose ruins are spread along a sandy hill, acquired its wealth and power by trading Tyrian purple, a rare dye for fabrics. It had its own currency and decorated its public buildings and temples with beautiful marble. It was prosperous until the Byzantine period. In 795 BC, a catastrophic earthquake and the raids of the Saracens in the 9th century signalled the end of its glory days. Today, you’ll see the ruins scattered across the width of the cape. Head for the beach Makrygialos, Xerokambos,kouremenos,erimoupoli, Goudouras, Koufonissi. On the beaches near Sitia you will enjoy swimming as well as water sports such as windsurfing and diving. Gorges and Hiking in Eastern Crete: Agii Pantes Gorge in Sitia This gorge is one of the most unknown of the eastern Crete, but it is important for the lovers of hiking and trekking to get acquainted with it. Though it is unknown, it is very beautiful and impressive. It is relatively easy to access. It is located 7 kms far from Sitia. The road of cement (3 kms before you arrive at the entrance of the gorge) is a sufficiently one. This road ends up in Faneromeni Monastery, just 2 kms far from the edge of the gorge. The gorge is consisted of two parts. The first one is broad and wide, but the second part becomes narrower and more interesting. There are no bluff banksides and the walk is easy and pleasant. On the way there are trees, which offer their shade in summertime. The path is clear-sighted. There are one or two points that you need to pay attention, when you come from the side of the sea. If you walk from the other side, you will meet no obstacles and in addition there are marks (red arrows) on the rocks showing you the way. There are also two fountains in the middle of the way, where you can quench your thirst with the clear cold water and have a rest there. Richtis Gorge Richtis Gorge (Greek: Φαράγγι του Ρίχτη, Faraggi tou Richti) is a gorge in Crete, Greece (Map of Richtis Gorge here). It is a state protected park near Exo Mouliana, Sitia, eastern Crete (Greece) 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. The hiking trail is about 4 km in length of easy (spring/summer/autumn) to moderate (winter) difficulty. Rich vegetation (mainly platanus trees, wild berries and local flowers and herbs) and animal life (mainly local species of butterflies, small reptiles, birds and small mammals) 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.