Visit Pitsidia , Heraklio

One of the most alluring and breathtakingly charming places you can visit in Crete is Pitsidia, in Heraklio! Located near Crete’s south coast where the bright warmth of the sun meets the luxurious azure of the sea, Matala and Kalamaki which are also around were one of the earliest hippie hubs of the area. As nature’s beauties attracted more and more tourists in the 70s and 80s, hippies and dedicated vacationers chose Pitsidia for their new untouched paradise location, not too far away!

Around the villa of Pitsidia, Crete

Pitsidia remains popular with tourists today as it is a perfect combination of nature and tradition. The gorgeous sandy beaches are the beautiful backdrop for the stone-built houses of the village that has developed to cater to guest needs without compromising its deep heritage and tradition. And not only that, but very affordably so! Pitsidia is not only one of the most beautiful but also one of the most affordable tourist destinations in Crete, with the traditional local flair imbuing every aspect of your vacation experience. You will have the opportunity to live and walk the roads and sidestreets of a traditional Cretan village that has managed to remain unadulterated even though it has developed to cater to tourists over the decades- a rare combination indeed, especially considering the comparably low budget required!

You will find Pitsidia about 65 kms southwest of Heraklion, just before the beautiful Messara bay. There is public transport available, but you’ll be missing out if you don’t take the drive there. Pitsidia’s people are the epitome of hospitality and friendliness, so you are in for a treat! Cretan hospitality is one of the most famed across Greece, and Pitsidia’s locals are experts. The restaurants and accommodation you can find definitely make the cut when it comes to good taste and comfort. There is also a wide range of selection, especially when it comes to choosing where you’ll stay.

From the moment you set off for Pitsidia, the one thing you will notice is the sheer beauty of it all. Even the drive to the village is extremely picturesque, with great vistas that will invite you to stop and take photos all the way there! If you visit at the right season, you will see a wide range of beautiful wild flowers and bushes, fragrant herbs and other flora. Just breathing in the clear, sun-kissed air around Pitsidia you will feel rejuvenated. It’s no accident that Pitsidia’s locals are among the longest living and healthiest folk. A combination of good food, good will and good atmosphere seems to be the ticket, and you have this unique chance of partaking, as the locals will take you in like good friends and family. In every location you will notice the impeccable cleanliness as well as the care taken for every service.

The village

Pitsidia is one of the most versatile places for vacationing, because in essence you can have several types of vacation wrapped up in one! You can have seaside fun days but also mountain hiking days. You can enjoy the hospitality of the village but also the quiet wilderness of nature. And of course, there is the great opportunity to visit international heritage and Greek heritage sites located quite near Pitsidia.

So, if you are a lover of history and antiquity, Pitsidia has you covered! You can use the village as your base to visit a wide assortment of ancient ruins and medieval monuments, including the famous Palace of Phaistos, the Minoan villa located at Trinity village, the monastery of Odigitria and the gorgeous gorge of Agiofarago. Pitsidia was the area where Nikiforos Fokas, a famous Byzantine commander, had his army rest and settle.

Agiofaraggo beach

It’s awe inspiring how this pure, near-pristine area of Crete has still managed to be the backdrop for so many historical eras and people- and now you can make it the backdrop for your special holiday experience, on your own or with your family or friends, and at a great price, too.