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Siteia is a picturesque city, lying on the hill gazing the sea. The seafront facing the harbour is lined up with taverns and restaurants and during summer gets busy by travellers who can stay in the hotels of the area. The long sandy beach and the quieter environment compared to the bustling cities of Chania or Heraklio make Sitia a place ideal for families.
The first settlements date back in the Minoan times. Sitia is proud of being the birthplace of Myson of Chen, one of the Seven Sages of Greece in antiquity and Kornaros, the poet of the epic poem “Erotokritos”. In the Venetian era it has been fortified but destroyed several times by earthquake and invasions. The remnants of the Venetian fortress can be seen in Kazarma.Siteia spans an area of 277 sq. km. with a total population of 8.748 residents. It is located on the easternmost part of Crete and Lasithi region, on the north, facing the Cretan Sea and the Dodecanese on the east.Iteia was named the ancient city of Eastern Crete that was built roughly in the region where Sitia is found nowadays. Visit the Archaeological and the Folklore museum, wonder in the Venetian fortress of Kazarma, the Monastery of Toplou, Monastery of Kapsa, the Venetian residence in Etia, the devastated Medieval village of Voila and near to Sitia admire the Minoan Palace of Zakros, Hellenistic Itano, Minoan settlements in Mochlos and Palaiokastro and the Roman Theatre in Koufonisi. The most popular beaches in Siteia are: the isolated beaches of Chionas in Xerokampos, Makris Ghialos and Vai with the only palm trees forest in Europe.
Try the local cuisine and especially kaltsounia, xerotigana, stafidota and the unique raki of Sitia.
By air from Athens International Airport or by ferry boats departing from Piraeus Port in Athens. There is also boat connection with the islands of the Dodecanese.Police: +30 28430 22259
Port Authorities of Siteia: +30 28430 22310
Airport: +30 28430 24666
Local Buses Services: +30 28430 22272
Hospital: +30 28433 40100From May till October and especially during “Kornareia”, a series of festivities that last from June till September with theatrical, musical and dancing performances and art exhibitions.
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Map for Siteia