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Places near Kolones
Sitia Airport (IATA: JSH, ICAO: LGST) is a small community airport in the region Mponta of Sitia Municipality, on the eastern part of Crete in Greece. The facility is serving the city of Sitia. The airport is located 1 km north/northwest of the city center.
Even though the church dedicated to Saint Catherine appears to be relatively new—since it was rebuilt in the early 19th century—we can confidently identify its location as the site of the earlier Santa Caterina church of the Augustinians.
Its first belfry, on its south-western side, was constructed in 1938. The Bema was expanded with two auxiliary spaces in the early 1950s, and the dilapidated belfry was replaced in 1953-54.
Sitia Town, East Crete. Sitia, 18 km from Palekastro and 60 from Ierapetra, with a population of 9500 people, is the easternmost city on Crete and perhaps the least developed.
Even during the busy summer peak, Sitia retains a certain charm and laid-back style.
It has been inhabited since the Minoan period. At Petra, to the east of the town, a section of ancient settlement has been excavated. There is a waterfront with restaurants and cafes, a large public beach, and an archaeological museum which holds many of the findings from Palekastro.
Sitia Town in East Crete Sitia Town in East Crete Sitia Town in East Crete
Sitia is the seat of administrative and public services for the county and has road and sea connections with various places in the island and with Pireaus and other Aegean islands. There is also a small airport with connection to Athens, Kassos, Karpathos, Rhodes. During the Venetian occupation the town of Sitia was destroyed three times.
In 1508 by a terrible earthquake, in 1538 by the pirate Barbarosa and in 1651 by the Venetians so as not to fall in the hands of the Turks. For two centuries Sitia ceased to exist as a town, until 1869. The present city was built in 1870.
Kouremenos Beach and windsurfing in East Crete.
The longest beach of Palekastro area (1.5 km length) is only 2 km far from Palekastro village and 20 from Sitia. It is sandy and the bottom is ideal for divers. Very close to the beach you can find some taverns that serve fresh fish any time.
The beach here is mostly sandy with a few small pebbles dotted around, there is no need for booties here. The water is super flat but a small wind shadow directly off the beach is good for non-windsurfing spectators! The secluded bay offers a huge space which some times in July and August is frequented exclusively by windsufers.
The Area of Palekastro lies approximately 2,5 hours by car from the Heraklion airport on the far North Easterly point of Crete. The drive takes you through some stunning scenery along the Northern coast line with the most dramatic views through the winding roads of Eastern Crete. The drive is rewarded by a part of Greece that is devoid of mass tourism, some would say this is the Greece of 20 year ago.The lovers of windsurfing are attracted by it, as it is famous all around Europe for this sport. See in ythis article some windsurf- images.
Of course, Palekastro has more to offer. If you feel likehaving a day off or there is not enough wind for windsurfing, you don’t need to be worried about being bored. Round-trips in rental cars can also be recommended.
“Da Giorgio” embarks on journeys of savour. Standing at the edge of the harbor of Sitia overlooking the deep blue and exhilarating the visitor with the smells of the kitchen, invites you on a flavourful trip ... just like the old times ....
This is a restaurant that combines luxury and modern amenities with friendly atmosphere; an ambience where the Cretan tradition is our first priority.
You will be highly rewarded with the authentic Cretan cuisine cooked with passion and special care.
It is located just a few meters from the sea and the famous Sitia beach. The interior is lined with stone and traditional décor. With attentive personal work, our restaurant is configured to create a unique climate in which you can enjoy with your friends any meal.Our cuisine is relies on the Cretan Diet which is recognized and famous around the world. Our dietary philosophy dictates that we use only pure, local ingredients in our dishes and cook them with due respect for tradition and hygiene. Special emphasis is given on the experience of taste and the variety of healthy dishes. With this in mind we have organized menus for lunch (noon) and dinner (evening). The dishes served differ from day to day and are so tasty that can satisfy even the most demanding palates. Our traditional deserts and pies are an integral part of all our menus. You will love them.We undertake baptisms feasts, weddings, gatherings, children’s parties and any other events hall for 100 people and outdoor seating for up to 200 people.After your meal, the store offers local raki or raki, traditional sweets and also tiramisu or fruits.
The restaurant is located next to the picturesque harbor of Sitia and 150 m far from the well-known Sitia Beach. Sitting outside offer panoramic views to the Sea and to the east Crete mountains. Inside the building the traditional decor includes stones and wood. Our restaurant is designed and laid out to create a unique atmosphere where you and your company can enjoy your meals.Many of the products and ingredients we use are pure, locally, our production-cultured as olive oil, vegetables, chickens, rabbits, eggs etc. ..
All the dishes are cooked in extra virgin olive oil which adds to them a special flavour.
Itanos beaches are located 2 km north from Palm beach Vai, 8 from Palekastro and 26 from Sitia. The sandy beach of the ancient town of Itanos or Erimoupolis, Lassithi prefecture.
If you’re looking to kick back and relax and do nothing more serious than soak up the sun or occasionally dip your toe into crystal clear waters, then the beaches at Erimoupolis or Itanos in Lassithi Prefecture could be the place for you. Reached by walking a short distance from the small car park at the ancient site of Itanos it’s some distance to any facilities so it is essential to bring plentiful supplies of water. The beaches are quiet on weekdays but are popular at weekends so can become busy. The clear water and sandy beach are perfect for a lazy day with some palm trees offering much needed shade in the heat of the day.
Area description:
There is another longer sandy beach that you can get to - on foot - over the low hill to your left, where the main road stops.
In fact, there are 3 beaches here: the first is the one at the end of the road, the second is reached walking to the north (the beach on the 1st photo) and the third is also reached walking south behind the small fortress. The third one is also suitable to spend time under the shade of the palm-trees.
However the best selection for swimming is the northern, sandy beach. The bottom of the sea is rich. There is a whole ancient city down there giving home to a variety of fish. It is a paradise for the lovers of diving.
These are amazing beaches in Crete, secluded with perfect water. During the week it is sparsely populated but come the weekends it becomes crowded especially during July and August.There are no amenities at the beach and the closest restaurant is a 10minute drive (Palm Beach Vai), so take your own water etc. Parking can be found near the ancient site of Itanos.
What to do..
The site of Ancient Itanos is well worth a visit, particularly as it was once the most important settlement on Crete. Visitors to the site today can see ruins including a black stone tower, and Early Christian churches. Keen snorkelers will be pleased to hear that some of the site is under water, making the views through the crystal clear water even more rewarding. The town of Sitia nearby is off the well-worn tourist track in Crete so has retained much of its charm and relaxed atmosphere. With a busy harbour, a good variety of shops, a pretty seafront and a large sandy beach of its own, it’s a good base for exploring unspoilt Crete at its best.
Above the beach of Erimoupolis one can observe the red marbles that are unique to the area and which belong to the Phyllite-Quartzite unit. The rock formations can be seen from the road leading to Kyriamidis Bay.
Hotel Elysee in SitiaHotel Elysee is situated on the main road that runs along the picturesque port of Sitia, just 150 m. from the town center and 50 m. from the beach.
Α group of four (4) small islands at the north of the Sitia Bay, at a distance of 9 miles from Sitia. Two of them, Giannisada and Dragonara, are the biggest ones with mostly cedar-trees from Lebanon and the other two, Paximada and Paximadaki, are just small rocky islands. According to Mythology, the island was created by god Dionysus who was worshipped there and the islands were named after him. In antiquity, the islands belonged to the people of Itanos. On Dragonara, the island with the most vegetation, there are obvious traces of habitation and tombstones of the first Christian time have been found. On the eastern part of the same island, there is a cave and on the western part there are natural rocky "pillars" rising out of the sea water.There is also the small church of Agios Antonios, a small house and a small port. These islands belong to the Municipality of Sitia and according to recent research the construction of infrastructure work for the protection and the balanced tourist development of the islands is being planned. 25 years ago pasturing was forbidden; therefore the vegetation grew and the rabbits that always lived there multiplied. Dionisades Islands in Sitia, East Crete Dionisades Islands in Sitia, East Crete
Windsurfing
Windsurfing is a world renowned sport in Kouremenos Bay, within Sitia Natural Park. Every year, hundreds of visitors from around the world meet here to practise and compete at their favourite sport, since Kouremenos Bay combines strong favourable winds, with the absence of strong waves and offers ideal conditions for windsurfing.
Kouremenos beach. Unspoilt by mass tourism, still offers deserted places, idyllic villages and cosy tavernas. What makes this area so attractive is its pristine, authentic atmosphere.
Come to Palekastro in summer and you will find everything your windsurfer’s heart could possibly desire – especially if you have been infected with the surfer virus for some time. East Crete area stands for strong winds.
The meltemi blasts in from the north between the hills, with forces of 7 – 8 no rare occasion in summer. Kouremenos has the position, where the meltemi is at its most reliable and strongest. Around Palekastro, the Meltemi wind increases its power through the local thermal and a funneling effect that gives the ground wind an additional 2 Beaufort. This makes Kouremenos Bay one of the most wind-certain spots in the whole of Europe. This is also why the largest wind farms in Greece are in the surrounding area of Palekastro.The Municipality of Itanos placed some showers along the beach.
The beach here is mostly sandy with a few small pebbles dotted around, there is no need for booties here. The water is super flat but a small wind shadow directly off the beach is good for non-windsurfing spectators! The secluded bay offers a huge space which is frequented exclusively by windsufers.
Kouremenos Bay offers perfect flat-water conditions near the shore, with great bump and jump conditions further out . This location is perfect for slalom and freestylers alike, and great for the progressive intermediates cracking their first gybes or chop hops.
The Area of Palekastro lies approximately 2,5 hours by car from Heraklion airport on the far North Easterly point of Crete. The drive takes you through some stunning scenery along the Northern coast line with the most dramatic views through the winding roads of Eastern Crete. The drive is rewarded by a part of Crete that is devoid of mass tourism, some would say this is the Greece of 20 year ago.
We feel that Crete is an ideal location for intermediate to advanced sailors that like to blast on the very flat water and strong wind conditions. Beginners are also catered for but this is a strong wind spot so learning time can be limited.
Of course, Palekastro has more to offer. If you feel likehaving a day off or there is not enough wind for windsurfing, you don’t need to be worried about being bored. Round-trips in rental cars can also be recommended.
Recently the cost of board transporting has been lowered sufficiently. Today it is very easy and cheap for you to have your own board at your holidays resort. This is what we recommend unreservedly. The car rental companies can provide to you a car with roof racks for the transportation of your board in incomparable prices at Iraklio airport.
The main feature of the region is the rocks and cliff. The wild raw is perfectly combined with deep blue of the sea and sky.
The rocks expanded in the sea create refuge for a lot of fish. The sea at Tenta is ideal for the lovers of fishing and scuba diving. It is popular on the whole Crete and a lot of visitors come here to enjoy the magic of fishing. There is also pisciculture here.
Though the rocks rule over the whole area, there are some small, private voes with sandy beaches ideal for swimming hidden far from nosey eyes.
In Papadiokambos you’ll meet a long beach with large stones and rocks and an archaeological site. In some places a few bays with pebbles are formed, where you can swim. The only sure thing is that you’ll be alone, since the place is completely secluded. There is almost no infrastructure around, so be sure you have supplies with you.
Papadiokambos’ strong winds and big waves keep most visitors away. This, however, even in winter attracts the lovers of windsurfing. Papadiokambos (known by windsurfers as Faneromeni) is one of the best spots for wave sailing in Greece. Wave sailing is one of the most striking aspects of the sport. The area has strong currents, large waves 3-4m high and has actually no beach. Some places are very dangerous and you should be very careful and in advanced level, so as not to break your equipment on the rocks.
The hotel Porto Heli is a traditional complex of apartments only 1km from the village of Palekastro, nearby the beautiful beach of Kouremenos, famous for its windsurf Club, and only 8km from the unique palm beach of Vai.
The distance from Sitia Port-Airport is 20km and from Heraklion Airport 148km.
If you’re looking to kick back and relax and do nothing more serious than soak up the sun or occasionally dip your toe into crystal clear waters, then the beaches at Erimoupolis or Itanos in Lassithi Prefecture could be the place for you. Reached by walking a short distance from the small car park at the ancient site of Itanos it’s some distance to any facilities so it is essential to bring plentiful supplies of water. The beaches are quiet on weekdays but are popular at weekends so can become busy. The clear water and sandy beach are perfect for a lazy day with some palm trees offering much needed shade in the heat of the day.
Area description:
There is another longer sandy beach that you can get to - on foot - over the low hill to your left, where the main road stops.
In fact, there are 3 beaches here: the first is the one at the end of the road, the second is reached walking to the north (the beach on the 1st photo) and the third is also reached walking south behind the small fortress. The third one is also suitable to spend time under the shade of the palm-trees.
However the best selection for swimming is the northern, sandy beach. The bottom of the sea is rich. There is a whole ancient city down there giving home to a variety of fish. It is a paradise for the lovers of diving.
These are amazing beaches in Crete, secluded with perfect water. During the week it is sparsely populated but come the weekends it becomes crowded especially during July and August.There are no amenities at the beach and the closest restaurant is a 10minute drive (Palm Beach Vai), so take your own water etc. Parking can be found near the ancient site of Itanos.
What to do..
The site of Ancient Itanos is well worth a visit, particularly as it was once the most important settlement on Crete. Visitors to the site today can see ruins including a black stone tower, and Early Christian churches. Keen snorkelers will be pleased to hear that some of the site is under water, making the views through the crystal clear water even more rewarding. The town of Sitia nearby is off the well-worn tourist track in Crete so has retained much of its charm and relaxed atmosphere. With a busy harbour, a good variety of shops, a pretty seafront and a large sandy beach of its own, it’s a good base for exploring unspoilt Crete at its best.
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