Hidden at the end of a narrow, winding road, Sissi is a picturesque seaside village on the north coast of Crete. It was a strategically important port under the Republic of Venice and is home to the remains of a Minoan civilisation archaeological site.
Take a dip from Sissi’s port-side cove or relax on the scenic sands of Paralia Mpoufos. In addition to umbrellas and sun loungers for rent, there’s a small bar serving drinks and snacks. Kids will love the shallow waters of Good Morning Beach, which is a popular base for water sports.
A short drive from Sissi is the Malia Palace Archaeological Site, which preserves the remains of a Minoan palace dating back to 1,650 BC. Wander between its loggia, theatre and workshops and admire the immense jars used for holding wine and oil. On the other side of Sissi are the rock-hewn caves of Milatos.
Getting there
Sissi is around 40 minutes’ drive from the centre of Heraklion and Nikos Kazantzakis International Airport, which has seasonal flights to destinations across Europe and the Middle East. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Sissi and the village is small enough to explore on foot.