CreteTravel

Sitanos Authentic Cretan Stone Farmhouses

Our View

The philosophy of back to basics has found true meaning at Sitanos Authentic Cretan Stone Houses ... time flows slowly here.

Authentic Cretan Stone Farmhouses is a single complex of restored authentic traditional houses located in the oldest neighbourhood of the village Sitanos in eastern Crete nearby Zakros Village.

Sitanos forgotten neighborhood consists of three neigh-boring independent stone residences (Anna, Athena and Maria) built around 1850 A.C. right in the heart of the Natural Park of Sitia which belongs to the UNESCO Geopark net.

At the time of speed and oblivion, owners tried to restore scenes from the life of Cretan countryside in earlier times, as it was described by their grandmothers and grandparents, a life based on human relationships, respect, and love.

Above all, visiting Sitanos Houses is an experience worth having ideal for all people who love nature, authentic rural life, culture, and contact with local people.

“Sitanos forgotten neighborhood” is a single complex of restored authentic traditional houses located in the oldest neighborhood of the village Sitanos in eastern Crete (distance from Sitia 19 Km – 620 m altitude), right in the heart of the Natural Park of Sitia which belongs to the UNESCO Geopark net.

It consists of three neighboring independent stone residences (Anna, Athena & and Maria), which are representative examples of Cretan rural folk houses of the 18th-century type "kamarospito" and constitute important monuments of architectural heritage, history, and culture of Eastern Crete.

Altogether with their landscaped surroundings, their cobbled streets and gardens form a single aesthetic whole.

Moments of relaxation and absolute serenity in an authentic old Cretan neighborhood, without depriving the comforts of the modern lifestyle that we have discreetly incorporated into our homes.

The residences are typical samples of 18th-century rural folklore Cretan “kamarospito” (“arch house”) and they are important monuments of the architectural inheritance, history, and civilization of Eastern Crete. They follow the traditional Cretan architecture with Venetian details and they are completely adjusted to their surroundings, built exclusively with local stone, which the original owners used centuries ago. Each is built on a different level due to the ground slope.

Staying in these traditional houses, you will find the tranquility of the semi-mountainous inland countryside with many marked hiking trails and simultaneously with just 25 to 30 minutes drive to some of the best beaches in Crete (Kato Zakros, Xerokambos, Kouremenos, Xiona, Vai).

Why We Like It

- Outstanding! The owners have put their whole hearts into creating these beautiful Sitanos Houses.

- Maria and Kostas are wonderful, helpful, and available hosts. They provide you with little welcoming extras like a carafe of local wine, a bottle of raki, some fruits, coffee, tea, cookies, and other products for a breakfast at no extra cost.

- Sitanos Houses is an experience worth having… ideal for all people who love nature, authentic rural life, culture, and contact with local people.

- Sitanos is situated in the mountains, but it only takes a small drive to visit beaches, settlements, or monasteries in the area.

Good To Know

- Private parking is provided 70m away from the houses.

- No breakfast and meals are provided, but upon agreement, owners can supply the required materials and local products to prepare your own breakfast at the house.

- You need to rent a car as other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent.

The Houses

Sitanos Authentic Cretan Stone Farmhouses consist of three neighboring independent stone residences (Anna, Athena, and Maria), which are representative examples of Cretan rural folk houses of the 18th-century type "kamarospito" and constitute important monuments of architectural heritage, history, and culture of Eastern Crete.

1. Athena House (up to 4 people):

- The Rural Residence “ATHENA” is an authentic, stone Cretan rural house with a rectangular layout of about 54 m2, a “kamarospito” (“arch house”) with a private yard and a view of the hills, valleys, vineyards, and gardens which surround the Sitanos village. It is built entirely with local stone which the original owners used centuries ago and it can accommodate up to 4 people.
- A stone arch divides the ground plan into four autonomous areas, without disrupting the unity of the space. The areas are adjusted to the contemporary needs of accommodation preserving their original form and they include a sleeping area, a kitchen, and a living room area with the authentic fireplace (which was used for heating and cooking) and a bathroom. A special feature of this house is the painting on the rock which is embedded in the stone wall of the house over the old grape press which has been transformed into a comfortable double bed. A handmade sofa transforms into a double bed in the living room area and two handmade wooden armchairs become a single bed in the sleeping area providing a hospitable shelter for friends and family.
- There is a private yard with the necessary furniture, a garden, a separate main entrance, a fully equipped kitchen (oven, ceramic cooker, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, etc), a dining area, a living room area, a fireplace, a desk, a sleeping area with double bed, a bathroom with a shower and a washing machine, an ironing board, Internet Wi-Fi, etc. We provide free towels and sheets.
- About 70 meters from the house there is a private parking area.
- The guests also have access to the communal open space “SELENA TERRACE” which has a dining space, wood oven, and BBQ.

2. Maria House (up to 6 people) :

- The Rural Residence “MARIA” is an authentic, stone Cretan rural house with a rectangular layout of about 94 m2, a “kamarospito” (“arch house”) of two ground levels, following the slope of the mountain, with two private yards and a view of the hills, valleys, vineyards, and gardens which surround the Sitanos village. It is built entirely with local stone which the original owners used centuries ago and it can accommodate up to 6 people.
- The entrance to the house from the front yard leads to the first level which consists of a big open plan space divided by a stone arch into four autonomous areas, without disrupting the unity of the space. The areas are adjusted to the contemporary needs of accommodation preserving their original form and they include a kitchen, a dining area, a living room area consisting of two handmade armchairs and a built sofa and a stone “grape press” which in the old days had double use (for crashing grapes in September / bed for the children for the rest of the year) which was preserved in its original form containing old household utensils. Right across the “grape press” it is rebuilt in its original form the traditional, elevated, wooden, double bed (“tavlado”) which can sleep, two people.
- On the first level, on the left of the open-plan space is “the room with the fireplace”. A double stone bed and the authentic old fireplace of the house create a comfortable area to entertain your friends and family.
- At the back of the open-plan space, a double-door with a stone arch leads to the second level of the house to space which in the past was used as a storage area for food and drink (wine, olive oil, grain, etc). This level is about 1 m higher than the rest of the house. Here οwners preserved the interesting features of the original building like the two stone arches and the embedded large rocks on the walls. They have also embedded a double built bed and this is the main bedroom of the house “the room with the arches”. The old barn, right next to this space, was converted into a spacious bathroom with a shower, a built washbasin, and a washing machine.
- The stone walls of the old stable and the surrounding rocks have been preserved in their original form and have become the inner open-air yard which can be used as an open-air dining room or as a place to relax on the comfortable built sofa. A stone staircase leads to the private roof with its open-air sitting area (with a panoramic view of the hills, the valleys, the vineyards, the gardens, and the whole village), to the communal open space “SELENA TERRACE” with a dining space, wood oven and BBQ and the garden.

3. Anna House (up to 4 people) :
- The Rural Residence “ANNA” is an authentic, stone Cretan rural house with a rectangular layout of about 63 m2, a “kamarospito” (“arch house”) with a private yard and a view of the hills, valleys, vineyards, and gardens which surround the village. It is built entirely with local stone which the original owners used centuries ago and it can accommodate up to 4 people.
- A stone arch divides the ground plan into four autonomous areas on the side, without disrupting the unity of the space. The areas are adjusted to the contemporary needs of accommodation preserving their original form and they include two sleeping areas with two double beds, a kitchen, and a living room area with the authentic fireplace (which was used for heating and cooking). A very special feature of the house is the stone grape press which was preserved in its original form and is used as a second sleeping area. There is also a spacious bathroom of about 23 square meters which was originally a storage area for the agricultural produce of the family which is by the house with a separate entrance (not accessible from the inside of the house), equipped with all modern facilities like a shower, an independent toilet area, handmade basin furniture, a washing machine, and wardrobe.
- There is a private yard with the necessary furniture, a garden, a separate main entrance, a fully equipped kitchen (oven, ceramic cooker, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, etc), a dining area, a living room area, a fireplace, a desk, two sleeping areas with double beds, a bathroom with a shower and a washing machine, an ironing board, Internet Wi-Fi, etc.
- About 70 meters from the house there is a private parking area.
- The guests also have access to the communal open space “SELENA TERRACE” which has a dining space, wood oven, and BBQ. We provide free towels and sheets.

Eating

Each Sitanos House has its own fully equipped kitchen (oven, ceramic cooker, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, etc), a dining area and a living room area with the authentic fireplace (which was used for heating and cooking).

No breakfast and meals are provided, but upon agreement, owners can supply the required materials and local products to prepare your own breakfast at the house.

Also, please note that In Sitanos Village you will find products grown traditionally, without chemicals such as vegetables, olives, fruits, eggs, local cheeses, honey, local wine, raki, and extra virgin olive oil.

In the nearby village of Chandra (8 Km) you can find mini markets and traditional taverns and a bit further in the seaside village of Zakros (15 Km) the guests can bigger mini markets and more taverns with stunning sea views.

Sitanos village has just a small traditional kafenio ( coffee house).

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome to Sitanos Cretan Houses.

Children till 5 years old are free of charge.

Activities

- Sitanos village is built on the slope of two hills and the orientation of the old neighborhood is such that it offers impressive views from all the residences and is located in the heart of Sitia Natural Park which recently joined the UNESCO Geopark network.

- The village Sitanos is located 19 kilometers south of Sitia and 53 kilometers east of Ierapetra. It can be reached by the road connecting Sitia (and Ierapetra) with Chandras following the road to Voila – Katelionas – Sitanos – Karydi. There is also a secondary road connecting Sitia – Piskokefalo – Katsidoni – Sitanos – Karydi. It is a typical mountainous and semi-mountainous Cretan village where the Cretan rural architecture remained unchanged through the centuries.

- Its name is connected to the name of ancient Itanos. It is believed that the etymology of its name has to do with the Italians who, according to a legend, when they scattered after the earthquakes and the pirate raids came to the site where the village Sitanos (= of Itanos just as Sitia = of Itia) is today. Emmanouil Angelakis (Sitiaka A’, page 17) writes that the village existed during the Venetian occupation but it was destroyed by Turkish pirates in 1471 and was re-inhabited in the 16th or 17th century.

- Its history is lost through the centuries of its existence. It starts at Later Minoan Times (Bronze Age 3000 to 1000 BC), since 150 meters west of the village at the site “Katalymata” after surface research, remains of a (well-preserved) Minoan settlement was located (Davaras K. 1978 and Plato 1959). In the 1583 census data of the Venetian occupation, Sitanos is mentioned among the other villages of Sitia having 54 residents.

- The village is situated in beautiful, rocky Cretan mountains. Easy walks can be done, following the local georoutes or the E4 European Path- Route.

- Only 25 to 30 minutes drive and you reach the beautiful beaches north, east, and south of Sitia province (Kato Zakros, Xerokambos, Kouremenos, Chiona, Vai).

- Enjoy the area's peace and serenity, listen to the melodic sounds of the birds, cicadas, the wind, or the rustling of leaves, and these tremendous mountain views.

- Swim, stroll down to the beaches of Kato Zakros, famous for the clarity of the water- are covered either by pebbles or by fine sand. They are rich in fish and are suitable for either an amateur fisherman or a spear fisherman and a professional fisherman as well. The path to the beach goes past small gardens, which the Zacrites (the inhabitants of Zakros) have to produce their vegetables, potatoes, fruit, and citrus fruits. The beach is about a 7 or 8 minutes walk ( of course it is less by car) and it is a very pleasant route.

- But if lying lazily on the hammocks or the armchairs reading, makes you bored, if swimming and enjoying the sun on the beach sounds dull, if exploring the sea-bed or fishing is not your style if you are not interested in using the gym because you want an activity closer to nature, then don’t forget to take your best climbing boots with you.

- What’s more, if you are interested in climbing, there is a secure climbing field at the exit of the Dead’s Gorge at Kato Zakros.

- Hike the Dead's Gorge. This road used to connect Ano Zakros with Kato Zakros and a visitor “must” either drive or walk along with it because the view to the Gorge from it, as she/he moves along its edge, is truly grandiose.

- Eat fresh fish and more at the tavernas of Kato Zakros, read, write, make conversation, and visit the Minoan Palace of Zakros. Zakros palace was the last Minoan palace to have been discovered (1962) and the excavations proved remarkably fruitful.

- The Cave of Pelekita is situated at a distance of 5km northeast from Kato Zakros, and is one of the biggest caves in Crete with a length of up to 310m and occupies an area of approximately 500m2. The interior is unique as spectacular stone blocks alternate with the stalactites and the stalagmites that decorate it. Tour the mountain villages and other coastal points nearby, including Xerokambos. Xerokambos is a quiet village and farming settlement on the far southeastern side of lovely Crete. Its isolation means that tourism is pretty much low-key, the busiest period is July and August. There are two splendid beaches and a few scattered tavernas.

- Visit the Toplou Monastery which is located about 11km east of Sitia, one of the wealthiest, most beautiful, and most important monasteries in Crete. The historic monastery has a very special architecture with a square shape and it looks more like a castle.

- Small excursions should include the Kapsa Monastery above the gorge of Perivolakia (about 10 km east of Makrygialos) and the remains of the medieval village of Vóila.

- You can also make longer trips to the famous palm beach of Vaï (but don’t go in July or August when it gets sadly crowded), the lively seaside town of Agios Nicolaos on the northern coast, the Lasithi Plateau famous for its 7,000 (or so) windmills, or, closer to ‘home’, the island of Koufonisi, to see the remains of the ancient Roman theatre and to go for a swim from the wonderful sandy beaches.

- Sitia Town is an absorbing place to wander around, doing no more than enjoying atmosphere. The small narrow streets behind the seafront feature the everyday scenes of a Cretan provincial small town: villagers in to stock up on news and necessities and stores which cater to their every conceivable need.

- For more uplifting activities in East Crete!

House Rules

- Check-in: 14.30 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season

- Payment Policy:
Credit card details (Visa or Mastercard) are required to charge the deposit amount in order to confirm the reservation.
No additional charges will be made to the credit card unless cancellation charges have to be applied.
The Balance amount is to be paid directly to Sitanos Houses.

- Cancellation Policy:
Up to 4 weeks before arrival - full refund.
After that period, the deposit is not refundable if you cancel.
Not arriving at the hotel for your booking: the full balance will be charged (at the hotel's discretion).
Departure before booked departure date: at the hotel's discretion, the full balance may be charged by the Sitanos Houses.

MHTE: 00000029620 & 00000029816

How To Get There

- Sitanos Authentic Cretan Stone Farmhouses is a single complex of restored authentic traditional houses located in the oldest neighborhood of the village Sitanos in eastern Crete (distance from Sitia 19 Km – 620 m altitude), right in the heart of the Natural Park of Sitia which belongs to the UNESCO Geopark Net.

- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Sitia (26km) and, more frequently, to the capital Heraklion (145km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.

- By Sea
The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Heraklion Port (145km from the Hotel). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.

- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.

- By Taxi
Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com

Facilities

- Dining: The Sitanos Houses have a most functional kitchen with all the equipment you could wish for delicious meals. There is also a kitchenette, fitted with an oven. A microwave and toaster are also offered, as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. In addition, house owners could provide you (upon request) the ingredients to prepare your breakfast in your house.

- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout

- Swimming Pool: Not available

- Spa Treatments: Not available

- Disabled Access: Not suitable

- Pets: Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges

- Languages Spoken: Greek, English

- Parking: Private parking is offered off-site, 70 m away from houses

Non-Smoking Rooms
Child-Friendly
Self Catering
Restaurants nearby
Street Parking
Family
BBQ
WiFi Internet
Pets Allowed (on request)
Village Atmosphere
Eco
Architecture & Style
Great Outdoors
Mountains
Quiet Location/Relaxed
Adventure
Family Rooms

rooms types

Anna House

Anna House (up to 4 people) :
- The Rural Residence “ANNA” is an authentic, stone Cretan rural house with a rectangular layout of about 63 m2 , a “kamarospito” (“arch house”) with a private yard and a view of the hills, valleys, vineyards and gardens which surround the village. It is built entirely with local stone which the original owners used centuries ago and it can accommodate up to 4 people.
- A stone arch divides the ground plan into four autonomous areas on the side, without disrupting the unity of the space. The areas are adjusted to the contemporary needs of accommodation preserving their original form and they include two sleeping areas with two double beds, a kitchen and a living room area with the authentic fireplace (which was used for heating and cooking). A very special feature of the house is the stone grape press which was preserved in its original form and is used as a second sleeping area. There is also a spacious bathroom of about 23 square meters which was originally a storage area for the agricultural produce of the family which is by the house with a separate entrance (not accessible from the inside of the house), equipped with all modern facilities like a shower, an independent toilet area, handmade basin furniture, a washing machine and wardrobe.
- There is a private yard with the necessary furniture, a garden, a separate main entrance, a fully equipped kitchen (oven, ceramic cooker, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, etc), a dining area, a living room area, a fireplace, a desk, two sleeping areas with double beds, a bathroom with a shower and a washing machine, an ironing board, Internet Wi-Fi, etc.
- About 70 meters from the house there is private parking area.
- The guests also have access to the communal open space “SELENA TERRACE” which has a dining space, wood oven and BBQ. We provide for free towels and sheets.

WiFi Internet
Towels & Linen Provided
Babies & Children’s Material
Hairdryer
Patio
Bath Amenities
Sofa Bed
Mountain View
Bathroom With Shower
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Iron

From: € 80 Per Night

Athena House

Athena House (up to 4 people):

- The Rural Residence “ATHENA” is an authentic, stone Cretan rural house with a rectangular layout of about 54 m2 , a “kamarospito” (“arch house”) with a private yard and a view of the hills, valleys, vineyards and gardens which surround the Sitanos village. It is built entirely with local stone which the original owners used centuries ago and it can accommodate up to 4 people.
- A stone arch divides the ground plan into four autonomous areas, without disrupting the unity of the space. The areas are adjusted to the contemporary needs of accommodation preserving their original form and they include a sleeping area, a kitchen and a living room area with the authentic fireplace (which was used for heating and cooking) and a bathroom. A special feature of this house is the painting on the rock which is embedded to the stone wall of the house over the old grape press which has been transformed into a comfortable double bed. A handmade sofa transforms into a double bed in the living room area and two handmade wooden armchairs become a single bed in the sleeping area providing a hospitable shelter for friends and family.
- There is a private yard with the necessary furniture, a garden, a separate main entrance, a fully equipped kitchen (oven, ceramic cooker, fridge, coffee maker, toaster, etc), dining area, a living room area, a fireplace, a desk, a sleeping area with double bed, a bathroom with a shower and a washing machine, an ironing board, Internet Wi-Fi, etc. We provide for free towels and sheets.
- About 70 meters from the house there is private parking area.
- The guests also have access to the communal open space “SELENA TERRACE” which has a dining space, wood oven and BBQ.

WiFi Internet
Babies & Children’s Material
Hairdryer
Patio
Bath Amenities
Bathroom With Shower
Fully Equipped Kitchen
Iron

From: € 80 Per Night

Maria House

Maria House (up to 6 people) :

- The Rural Residence “MARIA” is an authentic, stone Cretan rural house with a rectangular layout of about 94 m2, a “kamarospito” (“arch house”) of two ground levels, following the slope of the mountain, with two private yards and a view of the hills, valleys, vineyards and gardens which surround the Sitanos village. It is built entirely with local stone which the original owners used centuries ago and it can accommodate up to 6 people.
- The entrance to the house from the front yard leads to the first level which consists of a big open plan space divided by a stone arch into four autonomous areas, without disrupting the unity of the space. The areas are adjusted to the contemporary needs of accommodation preserving their original form and they include a kitchen, a dining area, a living room area consisting of two handmade armchairs and a built sofa and a stone “grape press” which in the old days had double use (for crashing grapes in September / bed for the children for the rest of the year) which was preserved in its original form containing old household utensils. Right across the “grape press” it is rebuilt in its original form the traditional, elevated, wooden, double bed (“tavlado”) which can sleep two people. - On the first level, on the left of the open plan space is “the room with the fireplace”. A double stone bed and the authentic old fireplace of the house create a comfortable area to entertain your friends and family.
- At the back of the open plan space a double-door with a stone arch leads to the second level of the house to a space which in the past was used as a storage area for food and drink (wine, olive oil, grain, etc). This level is about 1 m higher than the rest of the house. Here οwners preserved the interesting features of the original building like the two stone arches and the embedded large rocks on the walls. They have also embedded a double built bed and this is the main bedroom of the house “the room with the arches”. The old barn, right next to this space, was converted into a spacious bathroom with a shower, a built wash basin and a washing machine.
- The stone walls of the old stable and the surrounding rocks have been preserved in their original form and have become the inner open-air yard which can be used as an open-air dining room or as a place to relax on the comfortable built sofa. A stone staircase leads to the private roof with its open-air sitting area (with a panoramic view of the hills, the valleys, the vineyards, the gardens and the whole village), to the communal open space “SELENA TERRACE” with a dining space, wood oven and BBQ and to the garden.