Sisi, also known as Sissi, is a nice tourist village on the northeast coast of Crete. It was built around an old fishing port nestled discreetly in a small bay. The traditional fish taverns at the resort have made it a popular gastronomic attraction for tourists and locals in recent decades.
Sisi is situated in the municipal unit Vrachasi of Lasithi Prefecture, 7 km east of the tourist hub of Malia, 25 km northwest of the cosmopolitan town of Agios Nikolaos, and 43 km east of the administrative center Heraklion. Despite the extensive development of tourism in the area, the calm atmosphere of the old patriarchal village remained unaltered and life still flows at its natural pace.
The main attraction of Sisi is the beautiful narrow bay with its natural harbor, lined with restaurants and taverns with fresh fish and seafood, from where you can admire the splendid sunset.
After turning off from the national highway E90, there is a 2 km long coastal route through olive groves and green gardens, which is the iconic view of East Crete.
The entrance to Sisi seems not so impressive. The small hotels, villas with rooms for rent, tourist shops, and snack bars along the road do not betray anything of the surprise that awaits you. But slowly, the narrow winding streets of the village with old houses with colorful carpentry and flower-clad facades, catchy storefronts, and traditional taverns with smiling hosts will undoubtedly win your heart.
Driving downward, the road leads you to the little harbor, the well-hidden yet vivid heart of the village. A place where the horizon opens brightly above the blue sea and the smell of fresh fish becomes noticeable. During the Great Cretan Revolution (1866-1869), this was a strategic spot for unloading guns and munitions for the brave Lassithi rebels. Today, the sided pier protected by a small stone wave-breaker is where the local fishing boats dock and unload their fresh catch.
You may want to stop and fill yourself with this idyllic vision, but you better continue driving to find a parking spot and then double back to the charming little port.
Built high on the hill, above the pier, the restaurants, bars, and fish taverns are the main attraction. Here, visitors indulge in the soothing colors of the deep blue sea while enjoying delicious Cretan food. On the shore across from the port, is a small sandy beach for anyone who can't resist a dip in the crystal clear and calm water. There is a beautiful hotel garden near the beach, with numerous palms and colorful flowers that give the whole scenery a tropical vibe.
The small port of Sisi is certainly one of the most picturesque places in Crete. And being here around sunset is guaranteed to be a lovely memory of your summer holiday.
Sisi has four small beaches protected from the northern currents, which makes them perfect for swimming and relaxing.
Not very impressive, but the most central, the beach within the port is sandy and has calm waters, due to the wave-breaker wall. Boufos Beach, lying in the small bay of Harkoma, 500 meters east of Sisi, is a beach organized with umbrellas and sunbeds and a lounge bar overlooking the sea. The beach is a mix of rocks and sand, therefore wearing sea shoes is recommended.
Heading a little further east of Boufos Beach you will find the Avlaki (“the little garden”), a small beach formed among rocks at the exit of a narrow bay. You can access further the nearby beach of Kalimera Kriti Hotel, a beautiful, well-maintained sandy beach set on the shores of an artificial bay. This beach is protected by a stone jetty, making the smooth sea suitable for swimming, sea sports, and diving.
A few meters beyond the hotel, you will find the last beach in the Sisi area, called Spiliada, a quiet, sandy beach with many tamarisk trees, in the shade of which you can rest when you do not want to expose yourself to the sun.
This quiet and hospitable village is the ideal place to escape for couples and families, offering excellent accommodation facilities that cater to all tastes and budgets. At the top range of accommodation, you can find deluxe beach & spa resorts with a rich treatment menu to relax and rejuvenate.
There are also plenty of hospitable small hotels, with marvelous sea views and a friendly atmosphere. Holiday apartments, room to let, and pensions with a genuine charm offer you comfortable conditions for an autonomous and more private getaway.
For those who love boho-style adventures and prefer to experience the natural surroundings, there is Sisi camping, a rustic campsite by the sea, located approximately 800 m west of the village.
Sisi is well known for its fish tavernas that serve fresh seafood and fish straight from the harbor. There are many Greeks who visit Sisi to enjoy the delicious food. In addition to traditional tavernas, you will find many restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs. Nightlife enthusiasts will find some bars quite lively and open until very late. However, if you're looking for more nightlife options, it's recommended that you visit the neighboring resorts of Malia or Hersonissos.
The landscape around Sisi is blessed with spectacular views of vineyards, olive groves, beautiful flora, and fauna, which can be enjoyed on a scenic hike or bike ride around the village. After visiting Sisi, you may want to rent a car and explore the wider areas to discover the Cretan lifestyle, history, and landscape.
Traditional villages. Taking the road from the port to the mainland and only 1,5 km further, you arrive at the mountainous side of the settlement, called ”Epano Sisi” (“the upper Sisi”), a traditional village with some rustic tavernas. You may want to visit Milatos, a tiny fishermen's village almost untouched by tourism with popular seaside tavernas. The drive is approximately 15 minutes long to the east, following the road toward Elounda. From there you can take a short hike to Milatos Cave, the place of a dramatic page of Cretan history.
Archaeological sites. Sisi has become an important site of historical and archaeological interest. Very close to Avlaki, on Kephali Hill (or Bouffos), excavations have brought to light the remains of a settlement dating from the Bronze Age, considered the most important archaeological discovery of the last decade, due to its amplitude and complexity. Also, Malia’s Archaeological Site, the third-largest Minoan palace after Knossos and Phaistos, is 4 km west of Sisi.
Agios Giorgos Selinari Monastery. 8 km south of Epano Sisi, in the heart of the Selinari gorge, near the village of Vrachasi, is nestling the beautiful monastery of monks Agios Giorgos Selinari (Saint George of Selinari). The monastery was built in the second Byzantine period (961-1204) and was rebuilt after the major damage suffered during a pirate attack in 1538. The monastery hosts an old icon of St. George, the protector of travelers which is said to work miracles.
Lassithi Plateau and Zeus Cave. Driving about an hour to the south on the winding mountainous road, you reach the scenic Lassithi Plateau with white windmills. South of the plateau, situated at 1,025 meters above sea level and just 10 minutes walking distance from Psychro village, you find the Diktaean Cave (Psychro Cave or Dikteon Andron), a vast cave considered the birthplace of Zeus.
Other places worth visiting. Make sure to visit the renowned resort towns of Agios Nikolaos and Elounda, the historic lepers' island Spinalonga, as well as the stunning Vai Beach, with its picturesque palm trees. There are plenty of other noteworthy places to discover on the island, but your final itinerary should be based on your available time and how much you're willing to explore.
Sightseeing tour. With Happy Train, you can take a romantic one-hour tour through the Sisi resort in the evening. Also, Happy Train makes two half-day trips, one to Milatos and the other to the village of Varanasi, for 17 euros each.
Sisi is a secluded, lovely, and quiet place, about 2 km from the main road. A local bus goes up to the road and acts as a feeder service to intercity buses, but it only runs once a day at about 09.00.
The distance to Heraklion Airport is 34 kilometers. There are 4 ways to get from Heraklion to Sisi: by bus, taxi, car, or shuttle. Obviously, the bus transfer is the most economical (5 euros/person), but it can take up to 1 hour and 30 minutes, depending on how crowded it is and how many stations it has to do. Unfortunately for night arrivals, the bus service is not useful.
If you want to arrange a private transfer, the cost will be around 45-60 euros per way, which will depend on the company you choose. Taxi fare is usually 1 euro per kilometer. Some hotels provide shuttle bus services to their guests by default or at request.
However, the best way to get to the destination and explore this part of the island is to rent a car, and you can find many rental offices available.
In Sisi, you can find anything you need for the comfort of your vacation: minimarkets, internet cafes, souvenir shops, car & bike rentals, water sports equipment, taxi service, bank & ATM machines, and a pharmacy. There are Medical centers in Vrahasi and Neapolis or nearby in Malia or Hersonissos, for health emergencies.
We hope you enjoyed exploring with us this tourist village, authentic and picturesque! Really worth a visit! And if you are booking your next holiday in Sisi, we are sure you will fall in love with these wonderful places!
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