The Olive house Guidebook. Little gems around

Varvara
The Olive house Guidebook. Little gems around

Sightseeing

one of the most spectacular beaches of the region. Just a 20 min drive. Known for its crystal clear waters. Attention this is not an organised beach bring your ombrela ans snacks if you want to pass the day! the beach is divided in two by a small hill the beach behind the hill is amazing
33 locals recommend
Erimoupolis Beach
33 locals recommend
one of the most spectacular beaches of the region. Just a 20 min drive. Known for its crystal clear waters. Attention this is not an organised beach bring your ombrela ans snacks if you want to pass the day! the beach is divided in two by a small hill the beach behind the hill is amazing
beautiful sea side village an hour drive from sitia. you can combine it with an descend of the Gorge of the dead and a visit to the infamous archaeological sites. It offers many local taverns with fresh fish and a nice beach for swimming
32 locals recommend
Zakros
32 locals recommend
beautiful sea side village an hour drive from sitia. you can combine it with an descend of the Gorge of the dead and a visit to the infamous archaeological sites. It offers many local taverns with fresh fish and a nice beach for swimming
a great two hour excursion starting from the high mountains of zakros and descends at katw Zakros. At the entrance to the Canyon of the Dead from Kato Zakros, several climbing routes have been carved out on the vertical limestone cliffs. Most routes have permanent safeties along their entirety and include a wide range of difficulty levels, for both beginners and experienced climbers.
13 locals recommend
Zakros Gorge
13 locals recommend
a great two hour excursion starting from the high mountains of zakros and descends at katw Zakros. At the entrance to the Canyon of the Dead from Kato Zakros, several climbing routes have been carved out on the vertical limestone cliffs. Most routes have permanent safeties along their entirety and include a wide range of difficulty levels, for both beginners and experienced climbers.
Beautiful area with pristine beaches and nice tavernas. A great daily excursion an hour drive from sitia town
29 locals recommend
Xerokampos
29 locals recommend
Beautiful area with pristine beaches and nice tavernas. A great daily excursion an hour drive from sitia town
Beautiful beach with clear waters a 20 minute drive from sitia
10 locals recommend
Chiona
10 locals recommend
Beautiful beach with clear waters a 20 minute drive from sitia
Great beach reputed for the world class surfing. Crystal clear waters and sea front tavernas make it a great daily excursion
25 locals recommend
Kouremenos
25 locals recommend
Great beach reputed for the world class surfing. Crystal clear waters and sea front tavernas make it a great daily excursion
A great daily excursion for the whole family! Do not miss it.
15 locals recommend
Richti Gorge
15 locals recommend
A great daily excursion for the whole family! Do not miss it.
This reputed daily excursion worths the time and the drive!
129 locals recommend
Spinalonga
129 locals recommend
This reputed daily excursion worths the time and the drive!
this is one of the gems of the region. while there do not hesitate to have lunch at the small cafe inside the monastery premices! The lady offers some rare regional delicacies. If you do not feel like having lunch I highly recommend to try her spoon desert with local honey and a greek coffee.
61 locals recommend
Toplou Monastery
61 locals recommend
this is one of the gems of the region. while there do not hesitate to have lunch at the small cafe inside the monastery premices! The lady offers some rare regional delicacies. If you do not feel like having lunch I highly recommend to try her spoon desert with local honey and a greek coffee.
The world reputed Vai palm forest and beach. Spectacular but try to visit on early morning or evening to avoid the crowds
55 locals recommend
Vai
55 locals recommend
The world reputed Vai palm forest and beach. Spectacular but try to visit on early morning or evening to avoid the crowds
This is one of the hidden gems of the region. Through the Chochlakies gorge about an hour easy walk you find the secluded beach of karoumes. a daily excursion worth the trouble. Take provisions of water anf snacks with you!
Karoumes Beach
This is one of the hidden gems of the region. Through the Chochlakies gorge about an hour easy walk you find the secluded beach of karoumes. a daily excursion worth the trouble. Take provisions of water anf snacks with you!
This if a very nice day excursion starting from Chochlakies village and ending to karoumes beach. For the amateurs of rock climbing it also offers some very nice rock climbing opportunities ( specialised equipment needed). On your way out do not miss out the only village cafe/taverna. If it is open ask him to prepare an omelet with fries greek salad or "ntakos" and what ever else he has! This will be th ultimate culinary experience!
Chochlakies
This if a very nice day excursion starting from Chochlakies village and ending to karoumes beach. For the amateurs of rock climbing it also offers some very nice rock climbing opportunities ( specialised equipment needed). On your way out do not miss out the only village cafe/taverna. If it is open ask him to prepare an omelet with fries greek salad or "ntakos" and what ever else he has! This will be th ultimate culinary experience!
this is another daily excursion
15 locals recommend
ENTRANCE PATHWAY FOR Waterfall of Milona
15 locals recommend
this is another daily excursion
This is a remote paradise island in the south of Crete. Excursions can be arranged trough different travel offices at Makry Gialos or SItia.
17 locals recommend
Koufonisi
17 locals recommend
This is a remote paradise island in the south of Crete. Excursions can be arranged trough different travel offices at Makry Gialos or SItia.
This is another island to visit. A bit more touristic but stil beautiful. For organised trips : cretandailycruises elenacruises
107 locals recommend
Chrysi
107 locals recommend
This is another island to visit. A bit more touristic but stil beautiful. For organised trips : cretandailycruises elenacruises
a nice remote beach on the southern part of Lasithi. you can combine it with the Dragon cave taverne
7 locals recommend
Stáousa
7 locals recommend
a nice remote beach on the southern part of Lasithi. you can combine it with the Dragon cave taverne
15 locals recommend
Kazarma Fortress
15 locals recommend
Archaeological Museum of Sitia
25 locals recommend
visit chandras and the abandoned settlement of voila with Ottoman and Venetian buildings Voila is difficult to get to, you'll need your own transport. The village is set on a rocky hill about a kilometer from the village of Chandras. The buildings date back to the late 1500s, when it was a Venetian settlement, and also has a fortified tower from the later Ottoman period. The settlement is in ruins except for the 15th century church of Agios Georgios which is a little to the East of the village. There is a similar but abandoned church beside the Ottoman tower. The ground is quite rough and overgrown, but it's possible to get at most of the buildings. The only signs / maps are the ones by the car park, so you may want to take a snapshot before you start exploring. There are no facilities at the site but there is a mini-market and a couple of tavernas in Chandras.
Chandras
visit chandras and the abandoned settlement of voila with Ottoman and Venetian buildings Voila is difficult to get to, you'll need your own transport. The village is set on a rocky hill about a kilometer from the village of Chandras. The buildings date back to the late 1500s, when it was a Venetian settlement, and also has a fortified tower from the later Ottoman period. The settlement is in ruins except for the 15th century church of Agios Georgios which is a little to the East of the village. There is a similar but abandoned church beside the Ottoman tower. The ground is quite rough and overgrown, but it's possible to get at most of the buildings. The only signs / maps are the ones by the car park, so you may want to take a snapshot before you start exploring. There are no facilities at the site but there is a mini-market and a couple of tavernas in Chandras.
Beautiful seaside village. Makes a very nice day excursion. You can combine it with a tour of the reputed archeological site (there is an airbnb experience!)
20 locals recommend
Mochlos
20 locals recommend
Beautiful seaside village. Makes a very nice day excursion. You can combine it with a tour of the reputed archeological site (there is an airbnb experience!)
Katw zakros is a great one day excursion combining dramatic scenery, a day at the beach, local cuisine and fresh fish on the sea side and of-course archeological site seeing!
15 locals recommend
Minoan Palace of Zakros
15 locals recommend
Katw zakros is a great one day excursion combining dramatic scenery, a day at the beach, local cuisine and fresh fish on the sea side and of-course archeological site seeing!
Sympathetic daily excursion. You can combine it with hiking to pervolakia gorge and swimming at the Kapsa beach
11 locals recommend
Kapsa Monastery
11 locals recommend
Sympathetic daily excursion. You can combine it with hiking to pervolakia gorge and swimming at the Kapsa beach
Long sandy shallow beach. A nice day destination for a day at the beach with young kids. Plenty of restaurants at the proximity. Kaliotzina and votsalakia taverns are just ten minutes away and worth the detour
Makrygialos Lasithiou
Long sandy shallow beach. A nice day destination for a day at the beach with young kids. Plenty of restaurants at the proximity. Kaliotzina and votsalakia taverns are just ten minutes away and worth the detour
The wild and imposing gorge of Kapsas is located 8-9km east of Makrigialos and 33km east of Ierapetra. The gorge is also called Pervolakia, because its northern entrance is near the secluded and picturesque village of Pervolakia. When in the village, you should walk in the nearby traditional village of Pezoulas, with the amazing houses. The exit of the gorge is next to the Monastery of Kapsa, in the Libyan Sea. You can swim in the beautiful kapsas or ammoudi beach. The length of the gorge is about 4km and trekking in the canyon is not too hard. The hike lasts 2 hours if you choose to ascend from the southern exit (Monastery) to Perivolakia. If you, however, prefer the easier option, to descend into the gorge from Perivolakia to Kapsa monastery, it takes about 1.5 hours.
Perivolakia Gorge
The wild and imposing gorge of Kapsas is located 8-9km east of Makrigialos and 33km east of Ierapetra. The gorge is also called Pervolakia, because its northern entrance is near the secluded and picturesque village of Pervolakia. When in the village, you should walk in the nearby traditional village of Pezoulas, with the amazing houses. The exit of the gorge is next to the Monastery of Kapsa, in the Libyan Sea. You can swim in the beautiful kapsas or ammoudi beach. The length of the gorge is about 4km and trekking in the canyon is not too hard. The hike lasts 2 hours if you choose to ascend from the southern exit (Monastery) to Perivolakia. If you, however, prefer the easier option, to descend into the gorge from Perivolakia to Kapsa monastery, it takes about 1.5 hours.

Food scene and Cafes

On the sea front at Sitia town this is one of the oldest cafes and pastry shops of Sitia. You must try out "loukoumades" with honey and "galaktompoureko"!
6 locals recommend
Mitsakakis
6 Kon/nou Karamanli
6 locals recommend
On the sea front at Sitia town this is one of the oldest cafes and pastry shops of Sitia. You must try out "loukoumades" with honey and "galaktompoureko"!
A nice wine tasting experience worth a visit
Moni Toplou Winery And Wine Tasting Room
Ιερά Μονή Τοπλού
A nice wine tasting experience worth a visit
On your way out of Chochlakies gorge do not miss out the only village cafe/taverna. If it is open ask him to prepare an omelet with fries greek salad or "ntakos" and what ever else he has! This will be th ultimate culinary experience!
Café Chochlakies
On your way out of Chochlakies gorge do not miss out the only village cafe/taverna. If it is open ask him to prepare an omelet with fries greek salad or "ntakos" and what ever else he has! This will be th ultimate culinary experience!
This winery produces one of the finest and rarest wines in Crete. 2021 is a key year as the winery has announced new wines are to be introduced after years of waiting! Some times he accepts visitors but better send an email: domaine.economou@gmail.com
Domaine Economou - Winery Economou
This winery produces one of the finest and rarest wines in Crete. 2021 is a key year as the winery has announced new wines are to be introduced after years of waiting! Some times he accepts visitors but better send an email: domaine.economou@gmail.com
The best traditional pastry shop "to go" in Sitia! Daily cooked traditional cookies with cinnamon , almonds or orange zest and Kalitsounia (small pies with cinnamon and cretan cheese) are not to be missed from your breakfast table
Siteiaka Glyka "I Aretousa" O.E.
23 El. Venizelou
The best traditional pastry shop "to go" in Sitia! Daily cooked traditional cookies with cinnamon , almonds or orange zest and Kalitsounia (small pies with cinnamon and cretan cheese) are not to be missed from your breakfast table
if you want to enjoy the house but not cook this is a great address for take away. Delicious traditional greek and cretan specialties prepared every day. It is best if you go at lunch time for a greater selection!
Tavern To Steki
if you want to enjoy the house but not cook this is a great address for take away. Delicious traditional greek and cretan specialties prepared every day. It is best if you go at lunch time for a greater selection!
Kouvarakis dairy products, https://www.kouvarakis.gr if you want to by traditional cheese honey and yogurt this is a great address
Al. Papanastasiou 22
22 Alexandrou Papanastasiou
Kouvarakis dairy products, https://www.kouvarakis.gr if you want to by traditional cheese honey and yogurt this is a great address
The Bioeleonas Aggelakis oil mill,built in Kato Episkopi, started operating in 1931, traditionally organizedby a genuine Cretan family. Giorgos Aggelakis, modernized and reoparated the factory that his grand-father built with the main belief that the handmade olive oil was, is and will be the best medicine for the human. There you can also select, collect with your own hands and buy fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the beautiful farm. The plants are entirely bio from old vegetable varieties and of course have a unique taste and quality. So if you feel like cooking your dinner do not miss out making provisions there. Delivery is also an option. Kato Episkopi - Close to the church of Agion Apostolon, Sitia, Crete 72300 Greece
Bioeleonas Aggelakis
The Bioeleonas Aggelakis oil mill,built in Kato Episkopi, started operating in 1931, traditionally organizedby a genuine Cretan family. Giorgos Aggelakis, modernized and reoparated the factory that his grand-father built with the main belief that the handmade olive oil was, is and will be the best medicine for the human. There you can also select, collect with your own hands and buy fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the beautiful farm. The plants are entirely bio from old vegetable varieties and of course have a unique taste and quality. So if you feel like cooking your dinner do not miss out making provisions there. Delivery is also an option. Kato Episkopi - Close to the church of Agion Apostolon, Sitia, Crete 72300 Greece
Great cretan meze restaurant and one of the few with an excellent wine list from all over Crete. The owner can give you great advice for choosing the best wine to match your dinner
ΟΙΝΩΔΕIΟΝ
157 El. Venizelou
Great cretan meze restaurant and one of the few with an excellent wine list from all over Crete. The owner can give you great advice for choosing the best wine to match your dinner
Lounge cafe-bar on Sitia port with great coffee and coctails
CARRE BLANC
14 Konstantinou Karamanli
Lounge cafe-bar on Sitia port with great coffee and coctails
Ask for Ririka's tavern. The owners are a lovely couple preparing cretan delicacies staight from their gardens. Everything is pure and prepared with care. For an even better experience tell them you come from Mania ;). While there go around the village it is a beautiful traditional site
Skopi Kriti
Ask for Ririka's tavern. The owners are a lovely couple preparing cretan delicacies staight from their gardens. Everything is pure and prepared with care. For an even better experience tell them you come from Mania ;). While there go around the village it is a beautiful traditional site
Kouvarakis dairy products- Cretan cheese, traditional xygalo cheese, ris au lait and other dairy delicacies to take away
Al. Papanastasiou 22
22 Alexandrou Papanastasiou
Kouvarakis dairy products- Cretan cheese, traditional xygalo cheese, ris au lait and other dairy delicacies to take away
Very good pizza on the beach but also for take away and delivery. If you feel like ordering pizzas at the house ask our help to pass the order and explain them where they should bring them!
SITIA BEACH PIZZERIA RESTAURANT
28 Kon/nou Karamanli
Very good pizza on the beach but also for take away and delivery. If you feel like ordering pizzas at the house ask our help to pass the order and explain them where they should bring them!
Our personal favourite and maybe the best taverna in the region. Do not miss the daily fish. Try it on the bbq or a a soup locally known as kakavia . This is a must
Η Κακαβια
Χιονα
Our personal favourite and maybe the best taverna in the region. Do not miss the daily fish. Try it on the bbq or a a soup locally known as kakavia . This is a must
A new entry on the local food scene. Great location and good menu
Fotis Seaside
A new entry on the local food scene. Great location and good menu
One of the best places to eat if you want to combine dramatic setting, romantic as it gets location and good food. Best on a full moon.
7 locals recommend
Hiona Taverna
7 locals recommend
One of the best places to eat if you want to combine dramatic setting, romantic as it gets location and good food. Best on a full moon.
One great address for great food by the sea. Reservation are highly recommended during weekends and high season
31 locals recommend
Kaliotzína
Eparchiaki Odos Koutsouras-Stavrochoriou
31 locals recommend
One great address for great food by the sea. Reservation are highly recommended during weekends and high season
Nice tavern with great views
Botsalákia
Nice tavern with great views
One of the very few organised beaches (ammoudi beach) of the region yet isolated and beautiful. It is a steep way down to the beach so careful with children and mobility issues
Cavo Bianco Beach Club
One of the very few organised beaches (ammoudi beach) of the region yet isolated and beautiful. It is a steep way down to the beach so careful with children and mobility issues

Activities

If you are an amateur of water sports this is one of the advised addresses for renting equipment or taking lessons. they also rent bikes and electric bikes and propose tailored and organised bike tours
Freak Surf Crete
Kouremenos Beach Road
If you are an amateur of water sports this is one of the advised addresses for renting equipment or taking lessons. they also rent bikes and electric bikes and propose tailored and organised bike tours
ANother good address for water sports
Gone Surfing Crete Windsurfing/Foil Center
ANother good address for water sports
Kon/nou Karamanli 38
38 Konstantinou Karamanli
Bike rentals
The Bioeleonas Aggelakis oil mill,built in Kato Episkopi, started operating in 1931, traditionally organizedby a genuine Cretan family. Giorgos Aggelakis, modernized and reoparated the factory that his grand-father built with the main belief that the handmade olive oil was, is and will be the best medicine for the human. There you can also select, collect with your own hands and buy fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the beautiful farm. The plants are entirely bio from old vegetable varieties and of course have a unique taste and quality. So if you feel like cooking your dinner do not miss out making provisions there. Delivery is also an option. Kato Episkopi - Close to the church of Agion Apostolon, Sitia,
Bioeleonas Aggelakis
The Bioeleonas Aggelakis oil mill,built in Kato Episkopi, started operating in 1931, traditionally organizedby a genuine Cretan family. Giorgos Aggelakis, modernized and reoparated the factory that his grand-father built with the main belief that the handmade olive oil was, is and will be the best medicine for the human. There you can also select, collect with your own hands and buy fresh vegetables and fruits directly from the beautiful farm. The plants are entirely bio from old vegetable varieties and of course have a unique taste and quality. So if you feel like cooking your dinner do not miss out making provisions there. Delivery is also an option. Kato Episkopi - Close to the church of Agion Apostolon, Sitia,
Sitia Nature Park The history of this land has been flowing for thousands of years alongside the history of its people. And although the time of humans usually leaves gaps and unexplored points, the time of the land in Sitia has recorded its marks in every nook and cranny: on the rocks, in the ravines, in the caves and in its unique gorges. The courses of humans and land here, in eastern Crete, intertwine and complement each other. The marks of humans are revealed in the rich archaeological finds and in the present day, still unadulterated, life of its residents. The land is revealed in each of the hundreds of points of geological interest of the area. ://www.sitia-geopark.gr/en.aspx
Palaikastro Geopark info
Eparchiaki Odos Sitias - Palekastrou - Vai
Sitia Nature Park The history of this land has been flowing for thousands of years alongside the history of its people. And although the time of humans usually leaves gaps and unexplored points, the time of the land in Sitia has recorded its marks in every nook and cranny: on the rocks, in the ravines, in the caves and in its unique gorges. The courses of humans and land here, in eastern Crete, intertwine and complement each other. The marks of humans are revealed in the rich archaeological finds and in the present day, still unadulterated, life of its residents. The land is revealed in each of the hundreds of points of geological interest of the area. ://www.sitia-geopark.gr/en.aspx
Georoute 15 (toplou gorge) is considered one of the most significant georoutes of the area due to the exceptional geosites that it includes. The georoute begins west of Toplou Monastery, crosses the gorge and returns from a ridge back to its starting point. The entire georoute features a fantastic landscape and visitors can encounter numerous endemic flora species, fossils, as well as the erosional landforms called 'Tafoni'. In the small lakes formed in the canyon, one may encounter the Balkan Terrapin (Mauremys rivulata). At the end of the georoute, one should not neglect visiting Toplou monastery, which features a church museum and a winery.
61 locals recommend
Toplou Monastery
61 locals recommend
Georoute 15 (toplou gorge) is considered one of the most significant georoutes of the area due to the exceptional geosites that it includes. The georoute begins west of Toplou Monastery, crosses the gorge and returns from a ridge back to its starting point. The entire georoute features a fantastic landscape and visitors can encounter numerous endemic flora species, fossils, as well as the erosional landforms called 'Tafoni'. In the small lakes formed in the canyon, one may encounter the Balkan Terrapin (Mauremys rivulata). At the end of the georoute, one should not neglect visiting Toplou monastery, which features a church museum and a winery.
Althaea makes cosmetics from the best igredients cretan nature has to offer. If you look for a daily excursion visit them in Anatoly village on the mountains near Ierapetra. they also offer tours in their organically certified, bio-diversified small farm with a view to the Libyan Sea. the tour offers the opportunity to discover various endemic plants and their properties and the life of bees and their products and how people used them. It can be perfectly combined with a visit to the mylwnas gorge and waterfall
Althaea, handcrafted goods for wellbeing.
Eparchiaki Odos Kalou Choriou - Metaxochoriou
Althaea makes cosmetics from the best igredients cretan nature has to offer. If you look for a daily excursion visit them in Anatoly village on the mountains near Ierapetra. they also offer tours in their organically certified, bio-diversified small farm with a view to the Libyan Sea. the tour offers the opportunity to discover various endemic plants and their properties and the life of bees and their products and how people used them. It can be perfectly combined with a visit to the mylwnas gorge and waterfall
Amazing people knowing the region upside down and can help you organise visits ans excursions. Also a great shop with amazing local products selection
My SITIA SECRETS
Amazing people knowing the region upside down and can help you organise visits ans excursions. Also a great shop with amazing local products selection

services

http://www.cretandailycruises.com/index.en.html cruise agency for chrysi and koufonisi islands 00302843051825 0030282022888 info@koufonisidailycruises.com
Koufonisi Cruises
http://www.cretandailycruises.com/index.en.html cruise agency for chrysi and koufonisi islands 00302843051825 0030282022888 info@koufonisidailycruises.com
a reliable car rental in Sitia
Clubcars Sitia
Andrea G. Papandreou
a reliable car rental in Sitia