Sitia
From CruisersWiki
Sitia
 (Click links for more information)
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 | 35°12.5′N, 26°06.5′E |
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 | Photo gallery |
 | Local chartlet |
Click for larger view
Sitia (Σητεία) is a large and pleasant harbor in NE Crete. The town is sizable and very pleasant being outside the main tourist circuit. There are many pleasant stores and restaurants and the people here are friendly.
Charts
See Crete.
Radio Nets
See Crete.
Local Weather
See Aegean Sea.
See Crete.
There are no dangers in the approach.
Check-in facilities
Click for larger view
The harbour at Sitia is a rather grubby commercial harbour, with most of the quay space occupied by local or fishing boats on laid moorings. The only mooring place for yachts at the time of visiting (June 2009) is alongside the northern breakwater, where yachts can tie up in around 7 meters but will have to compete for space with the larger fishing boats. The quay is very dusty and there is no water or electricity except towards the root, where it is usually full of fishing boats. The outer end of the quay, where a yacht is likely to have to moor, is also quite exposed in any southerly winds, in which the waves have a fetch of up to two miles across the bay before flinging themselves onto the quay. A berth here in these conditions would be very uncomfortable at least and possibly even untenable in strong winds.
The alternative quay mentioned in some pilot books to the north of the harbour is unusable at the time of writing, since it is full of huge concrete blocks being used for work in progress to extend the ferry quay. In any case, there are no laid moorings at this quay and it is not known when or if it will be returned to use once the harbour works are completed.
Click for larger view
Offshore Islands and Groups
None.
Marinas & Yacht Clubs
None.
Anchorages
Yacht Repairs and Services
Marine Stores
Only fishing supplies.
Repairs/Yards
None.
Fuel, Water, & Electricity
- Fuel
- There is fuel station in town, you will have to carry jerry cans
- Water
- N/A (Not Available)
- Electricity
- N/A
Tourism and Things to do Ashore
Tourism
Sitia has an Archaeological Museum, a Venetian castle, an Ethnological Museum, and at least one movie house.
Sitia is also a good place to rent a scooter and explore the SE side of Crete that is not have safe anchorages.
Zakros
| Kato Zakros is the site of a Minoan Palace, the fourth in size in Crete. It is well worth a visit.
There is also a ravine, 6.5 km, from Ano Zakros to Kato Zakros along the slopes of which there are caves with Minoan burials. On my visit, hard as I tried - I checked every cave I saw - I was not able to locate anything Minoan or archaeological. I only found evidence of the presence of goats. Nevertheless the walk was very pleasant. Near the end of the gorge there are many laurel trees which give a very pleasant smell. |  The Minoan Palace at Zakros |
Toplou Monastery
On the way to Vai visit the Toplou Monastery (Τοπλού). They have an exemplary exhibit of Cretan icons, many from the Theotokopoulos (El Greco) school, early engravings, and many monastery papers and ecclesiastical books. One could not ask for a more well-lighted and labeled display. The monastery has been active through most of the Cretan modern history, from the early Ottoman possesion of Crete to the German occupation during World War II, a center of Cretan resistance. The Germans actually, in retaliation, confiscated all of the monastic property and closed down the monastery.
 The Toplou Monastery |
 Inside the Toplou Monastery |
Vai
| Vai (Βάϊ) is located very near Cape Sidero, but it is not a good anchorage (too rough to stay). It is a beach with a large forest of palm trees which is said to be unique in Europe (one could argue, of course, that Crete is not Europe). It is somewhat disappointing as it is very developed and overrun by tourists. Physically it is a beautiful beach and the palm trees look nice, but it is surrounded by a very large concrete parking lot full of cars and buses. The actual beach is covered with long chairs and umbrellas, packed with sunbathing people. There is a path up the hill which leads to a large overlooking restaurant.
Also see: Vai Beach | Click for larger view |
The Hohlakies Gorge
This a three hour walking expedition but well worth the effort. Driving back towards Zákros just after passing Kouremenos there is a sign "To Hohlakies Gorge 2 km." Follow this sign which leads to a small dirt road past a village into an olive grove. Then, the road ends abruptly. Follow a path on foot, and after several false turns you get to Hohlakies (Χοχλακιές). The gorge is a few kilometers long and very pretty. The path within the gorge is surprisingly well marked. After about an hour more walk it leads to the Karoumbes cove (Όρμος Καρούπμες).
Karoumbes is a lovely little cove, with crystal clear water, and best of all usually there there are no other people. It a great place to rest and have a swim before starting back up the gorge.
 The Hohlakies Gorge |
 The Karoubes Cove |
Grocery & Supply Stores
- There are many grocery stores and supermarkets
- You can find Camping Gaz In the inner street parallel to the waterfront.
Eateries
- The Michos restaurant is very good and serves mizithropites (Cretan cheese pies) and kontosouvli (pork grilled on the spit) together with a very good house wine. This restaurant is very old fashioned and does not seem to have been affected at all by the tourist boom
- There are many waterfront restaurants
- On the waterfront you can also get loukoumades (honey fritters), particularly popular in Crete
Internet/WiFi
In Internet cafés.
Laundry
Motorbike & Car Rentals
There are several agencies in the town.
Garbage Disposal
Trash cans.
Transportation
There are flights (Sitia has an airport) and ferries to Athens.
Routes/Passages To/From
See Crete.
Cruiser's Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Sitia (Wikipedia)
References & Publications
See Greece.
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- September 1997 --Istioploos
- June 2009 --Athene of Lymington
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
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| | HOMEPAGE | Wiki Contents | Mediterranean | Aegean Sea | Greece | Crete | Sitia | |
