Guidebook for Koutsouras
Food Scene
Kalliotzina, a marvelous classic seaside taverna (operating since 1953) in the village of Koutsouras, offers a unique ambience. Tables are laid out in a whitewashed courtyard under tamarisk trees and elderly women cook just like they would at home in an open kitchen. Selections here include roast goat with artichokes, aubergine pie and rabbit in wine sauce.
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Kaliotzína
Eparchiaki Odos Koutsouras-StavrochoriouKalliotzina, a marvelous classic seaside taverna (operating since 1953) in the village of Koutsouras, offers a unique ambience. Tables are laid out in a whitewashed courtyard under tamarisk trees and elderly women cook just like they would at home in an open kitchen. Selections here include roast goat with artichokes, aubergine pie and rabbit in wine sauce.
In Stavrochori, housed in a former village square café-restaurant, features small tables under the shade of a big plane tree. The chorus of cicadas provides a relaxing audio backdrop. Owner is serving profoundly delicious traditional Cretan dishes, such as casseroled snails in a tomato sauce, as well as rooster in a tomato sauce with hilopites pasta. Impromptu celebrations with live Cretan music are common here.
Stavrochori
In Stavrochori, housed in a former village square café-restaurant, features small tables under the shade of a big plane tree. The chorus of cicadas provides a relaxing audio backdrop. Owner is serving profoundly delicious traditional Cretan dishes, such as casseroled snails in a tomato sauce, as well as rooster in a tomato sauce with hilopites pasta. Impromptu celebrations with live Cretan music are common here.
Piperia, a taverna in picturesque Pefki, located above the bay of Makry Gialos, is legendary. Cretan culinary delights include the spot's top-selling paraxeni (strange) salad, made with greens, pomegranate, cherry tomatoes and house balsamic vinegar; delicious stuffed courgette flowers; as well as small pies filled with eight types of sautéed wild greens.
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Piperia
402 Epar.Od. Ierapetras - SitiasPiperia, a taverna in picturesque Pefki, located above the bay of Makry Gialos, is legendary. Cretan culinary delights include the spot's top-selling paraxeni (strange) salad, made with greens, pomegranate, cherry tomatoes and house balsamic vinegar; delicious stuffed courgette flowers; as well as small pies filled with eight types of sautéed wild greens.
Spilia tou Drakou, beyond Makry Gialos, adheres to the same principles. Owner superb outdoor space offers a stunning view of the Libyan Sea, prepares traditional Cretan dishes in an exemplary way. The vegetables, olive oil, staka, bread and rusks are all produced in-house.
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Ταβέρνα - Η Σπηλία του Δράκου "Dragon's Cave"
ΛαγκάδαSpilia tou Drakou, beyond Makry Gialos, adheres to the same principles. Owner superb outdoor space offers a stunning view of the Libyan Sea, prepares traditional Cretan dishes in an exemplary way. The vegetables, olive oil, staka, bread and rusks are all produced in-house.
At the taverna Dolphin in Xerokampos, proprietor Mrs Eleni prepares mouth-watering homestyle dishes using ingredients they have produced themselves. Specialities include a pie filled with ten types of sautéed greens, lamb from Ziros highlands, and amazing kakavia fish soup.
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Xerokampos
At the taverna Dolphin in Xerokampos, proprietor Mrs Eleni prepares mouth-watering homestyle dishes using ingredients they have produced themselves. Specialities include a pie filled with ten types of sautéed greens, lamb from Ziros highlands, and amazing kakavia fish soup.
At Hiona, amid a magically serene setting, the family-run Hiona taverna, which is located right next to the sea, serves well-prepared seafood dishes such as prawn spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce and basil.
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Hiona Taverna
At Hiona, amid a magically serene setting, the family-run Hiona taverna, which is located right next to the sea, serves well-prepared seafood dishes such as prawn spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce and basil.
Drinks & Nightlife
Koursaros Coctail and Coffee bar is a standout choice among the seafront spots, from early in the morning until late at night!
Koursaros Cocktail & Coffee Bar
Eparchiaki Odos Koutsouras-StavrochoriouKoursaros Coctail and Coffee bar is a standout choice among the seafront spots, from early in the morning until late at night!
Everything Else
The capital of the regional unit of Lasithi has been a popular tourist destination since 1960s. Lake Voulismeni, in the heart of the town, is a central feature.
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Agios Nikolaos
The capital of the regional unit of Lasithi has been a popular tourist destination since 1960s. Lake Voulismeni, in the heart of the town, is a central feature.
Built amphitheatrically around a broad seafront, Sitia features an important archeological museum artefacts from the wider region, including the renowned Palaikastro Kouros statuette. It is also worth exploring the Venetian-era Kazarma fortress, The 15th-century Toplou Monastery, featuring a very interesting ecclesiastical museum, is located roughly 15km from the town.
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Sitia
Built amphitheatrically around a broad seafront, Sitia features an important archeological museum artefacts from the wider region, including the renowned Palaikastro Kouros statuette. It is also worth exploring the Venetian-era Kazarma fortress, The 15th-century Toplou Monastery, featuring a very interesting ecclesiastical museum, is located roughly 15km from the town.
Greece and Europe southernmost town. The seaside, 13th-century Venetian Kales fortress is an impressive monument. The Archeological Collection, housed in a listed building -the former Commercial Ottoman School, is also worth seeing, with artefacts from the Minoan to Roman periods.
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Ierapetra
Greece and Europe southernmost town. The seaside, 13th-century Venetian Kales fortress is an impressive monument. The Archeological Collection, housed in a listed building -the former Commercial Ottoman School, is also worth seeing, with artefacts from the Minoan to Roman periods.
Sightseeing
The Minoan palace Kato Zakros, strategically located and once surrounded by an ancient town, is one of the four Minoan palaces discovered in the island. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Villa De Mezzo, a 15th-century architectural gem in Etia, an abandoned medieval village, as well as the ruined settlement of Voila in the Ziros highlands.
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Zakros
The Minoan palace Kato Zakros, strategically located and once surrounded by an ancient town, is one of the four Minoan palaces discovered in the island. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the Villa De Mezzo, a 15th-century architectural gem in Etia, an abandoned medieval village, as well as the ruined settlement of Voila in the Ziros highlands.
Visit the archeological site Itanos, once one of Grete's main ports from the Minoan to early Byzantine period. The Trypitos archeological site, located on the peninsula of the same name, 3km from Sitia, is also important. Excavation work here has brought to light a Hellenistic-period city.
Itanos
Visit the archeological site Itanos, once one of Grete's main ports from the Minoan to early Byzantine period. The Trypitos archeological site, located on the peninsula of the same name, 3km from Sitia, is also important. Excavation work here has brought to light a Hellenistic-period city.
Spinalonga island is known for having served as a leper colony until 1957. The remains of houses, the hospital, the school and a Venetian-era fort may be seen.
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Nisida Spinalonga
Spinalonga island is known for having served as a leper colony until 1957. The remains of houses, the hospital, the school and a Venetian-era fort may be seen.
Parks & Nature
Zakros Gorge begins slightly beyond the village of Ano Zakros and ends at Kato Zakros beach. The path running through this gorge is the last segment of Europe's long distance E4 path.
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Zakros Gorge
Zakros Gorge begins slightly beyond the village of Ano Zakros and ends at Kato Zakros beach. The path running through this gorge is the last segment of Europe's long distance E4 path.
Richtis gorge begins just beyond the village Exo Mouliana and ends at Richtis beach. Flowing through the gorge is a river that one point forms a 20-meter-tall waterfall.
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Richtis Gorge
Richtis gorge begins just beyond the village Exo Mouliana and ends at Richtis beach. Flowing through the gorge is a river that one point forms a 20-meter-tall waterfall.
Ha Gorge, on the western flank of the Thrypti mountain range, features plunge pools and rocks with unique colours, Abseiling equipment is required to descend through this gorge.
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Ha Gorge
Ha Gorge, on the western flank of the Thrypti mountain range, features plunge pools and rocks with unique colours, Abseiling equipment is required to descend through this gorge.
A boat ride away from Makry Gialos, Koufonisi - features golden beaches with turquoise water, as well as significant ancient finds. One of these is an ancient theatre, but it is not yet open to the public.
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Koufonisi
A boat ride away from Makry Gialos, Koufonisi - features golden beaches with turquoise water, as well as significant ancient finds. One of these is an ancient theatre, but it is not yet open to the public.
Shallow coves with crystal-clear turquoise waters; sand dunes dotted with junipers, shrubs and pines; tree trunks bent by the force of the winds blowing in from the Libyan Sea; wild artichokes and sea daffodils with flowers turned to face the sun; sandy beaches covered in seashells-it is said that the Minoans used one of these species to extract the pigment used to dye their royal robes purple- all come together to form a striking and exotic landscape of breathtaking beauty. It is in fact home to one of the most important coastal forests of large-fruited junipers in the Mediterranean (Natura 2000). Please do enjoy the beauty of the island, but respect it, too, because it's so very fragile.
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Chrysi
Shallow coves with crystal-clear turquoise waters; sand dunes dotted with junipers, shrubs and pines; tree trunks bent by the force of the winds blowing in from the Libyan Sea; wild artichokes and sea daffodils with flowers turned to face the sun; sandy beaches covered in seashells-it is said that the Minoans used one of these species to extract the pigment used to dye their royal robes purple- all come together to form a striking and exotic landscape of breathtaking beauty. It is in fact home to one of the most important coastal forests of large-fruited junipers in the Mediterranean (Natura 2000). Please do enjoy the beauty of the island, but respect it, too, because it's so very fragile.
It is said that palm trees need to have their "feet in the water, their head in the sun and their trunk in the shade". Vai is a magnificent palm forest that is unique not just in Greece and Europe, but in the entire world. The forest extends over 12 hectares and consists of one type of palm, named Phoenix theophrasti after the ancient philosopher and botanist Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle. At the feet of the impressive seaside forest of some 4,500 plants lies a carpet of golden sand. Vai, thanks to its rare ecosystem, is protected under the Natura 2000 network, gets its name from the Greek word "vagio", meaning "palm frond".
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Vai
It is said that palm trees need to have their "feet in the water, their head in the sun and their trunk in the shade". Vai is a magnificent palm forest that is unique not just in Greece and Europe, but in the entire world. The forest extends over 12 hectares and consists of one type of palm, named Phoenix theophrasti after the ancient philosopher and botanist Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle. At the feet of the impressive seaside forest of some 4,500 plants lies a carpet of golden sand. Vai, thanks to its rare ecosystem, is protected under the Natura 2000 network, gets its name from the Greek word "vagio", meaning "palm frond".
To the east of Ierapetra is the popular beach Agia Fotia, fully organized spot complete with a beach bar; and Achlia beach, covered with fine pebbles.
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Paralía Achlión
To the east of Ierapetra is the popular beach Agia Fotia, fully organized spot complete with a beach bar; and Achlia beach, covered with fine pebbles.
The Makry Gialos area features Kalamokania beach, an unserviced beach with fine pebbles and tamarisk trees, as well as the Diaskari and Lagada beaches. Also, the impressive Ammoudi beach (Spilia tou Drakou), endowed with blue water and fine, smooth white rocks; Kalo Nero, a sensational beach with large rocks and tiny coves.
Kalamokaniás
The Makry Gialos area features Kalamokania beach, an unserviced beach with fine pebbles and tamarisk trees, as well as the Diaskari and Lagada beaches. Also, the impressive Ammoudi beach (Spilia tou Drakou), endowed with blue water and fine, smooth white rocks; Kalo Nero, a sensational beach with large rocks and tiny coves.
Xerokampos, featuring a main stretch of beach with small, golden sandy coves and rocks protruding from the sea, as well as large and small isolated bays on either side, is one of Greece's most impressive and otherworldly coastal locations. Vourlia, a serviced, sandy beach, and Alatsolimni, featuring a salt marsh next to the sea, are located further north. Alona, also known as Katsounaki, is blessed with clear blue water. Caretta caretta sea turtles create nests on this beach's sea daffodil-covered dunes, as well as Roussospasma, a nudist beach. Next up is Hiona, a white sandy beach with shallow water offering a view of Grandes islets. It is followed by Kouremenos, a classic windsurfing spot.
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Μεγάλη Παραλία Ξερόκαμπου
Xerokampos, featuring a main stretch of beach with small, golden sandy coves and rocks protruding from the sea, as well as large and small isolated bays on either side, is one of Greece's most impressive and otherworldly coastal locations. Vourlia, a serviced, sandy beach, and Alatsolimni, featuring a salt marsh next to the sea, are located further north. Alona, also known as Katsounaki, is blessed with clear blue water. Caretta caretta sea turtles create nests on this beach's sea daffodil-covered dunes, as well as Roussospasma, a nudist beach. Next up is Hiona, a white sandy beach with shallow water offering a view of Grandes islets. It is followed by Kouremenos, a classic windsurfing spot.
After Vai, a superb, exotic beach of golden sand and clear-blue water located next to Europe's biggest palm forest. Three bays, side by side, part of Erimoupoli Beach, are located north of Vai, in the ancient Itanos area. The first of the three bays is calm, sandy and offers palm trees for shade. The middle bay, situated in front of the archeological site, has tamarisk and is more open and exposed to the wind. The third bay, the largest and most popular, has crystal-clear turquoise water and fine sand.
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Erimoupolis Beach
After Vai, a superb, exotic beach of golden sand and clear-blue water located next to Europe's biggest palm forest. Three bays, side by side, part of Erimoupoli Beach, are located north of Vai, in the ancient Itanos area. The first of the three bays is calm, sandy and offers palm trees for shade. The middle bay, situated in front of the archeological site, has tamarisk and is more open and exposed to the wind. The third bay, the largest and most popular, has crystal-clear turquoise water and fine sand.
Entertainment & Activities
Kouremenos beach is considered to be one of Europe's leading windsurfing spots, with equipment and lessons available from Freak Surf (6979253861)
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Kouremenos Beach
Kouremenos beach is considered to be one of Europe's leading windsurfing spots, with equipment and lessons available from Freak Surf (6979253861)