Crete rarely appears in a guide to the quieter Aegean, and the island’s package-holiday coastline is the reason. Sitia, Palekastro and Kouremenos are far enough away from the international airports to have totally escaped the net and therefore have retained their charm and character.
Sitia is the main port and town of the eastern extremity of Crete. The frenetic lifestyle of its more famous westerly neighbours has escaped this charming, cosmopolitan town. A lively waterfront has many excellent tavernas and cafes. These, together with a long, sandy beach where water sports are offered are the mainstay of holiday life and will be more than enough to keep most holidaymakers occupied. An interesting aside are the town’s folklore and archaeological museums.
A car opens up the wider area, and it is worth having. A short drive away is The Monastery of Toplou. Famed for its eighteenth century icon, it is the amazing cloisters festooned with beautiful flowers that most visitors remember. A little further and the renowned beach of Vai which adorns many a publicity shot of Crete, virtue of its astonishing grove of palm trees, will come into view. There are many other excursion possibilities to keep the restless happy.
19 kilometres east of Sitia lies the charming, unpretentious village of Palekastro. It is the sort of place that wins people over on the first afternoon. The village oozes charm and character, the main square lined with cafes, tavernas and the village church. Wedding feasts are a common sight in the square during the summer with all-comers welcome.
The coast is just a little further east from the village and can be walked in about 30 minutes. Here, a series of sandy beaches including Kouremenos and Chiona offer super swimming, a wind-surfing school and some truly excellent tavernas.
Agathias is a small village of some 200 inhabitants. It is located between Palekastro village and Chiona Beach. Its main features are old, narrow streets and traditional houses and tavernas.
Sitia & Palekastro/Kouremenos can be booked as a two centre and can also be combined with Athens, Halkidiki, Rhodes, Karpathos, Kassos, Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros & Milos.
Things to do
There is a windsurfing school at Kouremenos/Chiona. Mountain bikes can be hired in Palekastro Village and there are many walking paths in the Palekastro area.