MUNICIPALITY of SITIA

It is the easternmost municipality of Crete and resulted from the unification of the former municipalities of Itanos, Lefki and Sitia. The region's economy is mainly based on primary agricultural production, whereas tourism industry has been a significant growth axis during recent years, developing high standards small and big hotels. Furthermore, the sector of Renewable Energy Sources has been tremendously developed. The municipality has many attractions, beautiful beaches and breathtaking natural scenery with alternating images of mountains, sea and plain. Archaeological sites exist in Zakros Itanos, Mochlos, Palekastro. In Sitia the visitor can also find the Monastery of Toplou, the best known of the Monasteries located in the region, due to the high tourism investment being in progress in the region. There are also other monasteries, such as Monastery of Kapsa and Monastery of Faneromeni.

Itanos Region

In Itanos there is Vai forest, the unique palm forest all over Greece and Europe, that occupies 200.000 sq. m., consisting of native palms of Theophrastus. A great part of the region's population is involved in tourism, since in Itanos the visitor can find some of the most scenic and pristine beaches of eastern Crete, such as Palekastro, Kato Zakros, Chiona, Kouremenos and Xerokampos.

Lefki Region

The area of Lefki is fertile and produces olive oil, magnificent grapes, wine and dairy products. In Ziros there are old churches, most important of which is the St. Paraskevi and Ag. Nicoalos, whereas both are decorated with frescoes and inscriptions dating since 16th century. There are also the caves of Agrilia and Lygias Spili. Hand bells for animals, an art that tends to disappear, are also made in this region.