Pitsidia

Pitsidia (Pitsidia)

The village of Pitsidia is located 65 km southwest of Iraklion at an altitude of 80 m a.s.l, just before the magnificent bay of Messara. The village with aproximately 700 inhabitants is the seat of the Pitsidia-Matala community.
Pitsidia is the oldest village of the area and is refered that it was the place where the s oldiers of Nikiforos Fokas, commander of the Byzantine army, settled. The army, famous for its bravery, came from Pisidia of the south Asia Minor, and this is probably the origin of the name Pitsidia.

The road from Iraklion is fairly good and passes the Mt. Psiloritis and the Messara valley. Regular public transportation is available for visiting Pitsidia-Matala.

The climate is temperate and it promotes longevity and well-being, as the inhabitants of the village are famous for their longevity.

Pitsidia is a quiet village, with a long tradition of hospitality. The spotlessly clean accommodation units, the taverns with their traditional cuisine, the cafes with their aroma of Greek coffee, as well as the cosmopolitan ambiance of the area during the summer months, warranty a memorable stay to all visitors. Visitors are always welcomed at Pitsidia.

The surrounding landscape is of exceptional natural beauty with archaeological and historical sites which attract a large number of tourists each year. You find here small supermarkets, a butcher, a playground, haircutter, bakery, rent-a-cars.....

Within the Pitsidia community, 4 km to the southwest, lies the renowned resort of Matala.

At a distance of 800 m. lies the long sandy beach and the antiquities of Kommos.

Also, the village of Pitsidia can be the starting point for outing and excursions to the archaeological sites in the broader area. Some of the most interesting sites are the ancient mansion of Pitsidia, the archaeological sites of Phaistos, Agia Triada and Gortys, the monastery of Odigitria, the gorge of "Agiofarago".

Most things in Pitsidia happen around the Plateia (main square). There you will find some cafes and tavernas. Tourists flock to the traditional kafenions around the square. Pensions and tavernas line the narrow and picturesque streets around the plateia

In the heart of Pitsidia, a still contemplative village in the central south of Crete, you will find the “Kentriko Kafeneion Kriton KOSTAS” of Antonios Sfakakis.

Situated near to the fruitful Plain of Messara, this Traditional Cretan Kafeneion is an excellent paradigm for the combination of traditional Cretan hospitality, Greek tolerance and modern gastronomy.

For many years Pitsidia - the probably oldest place of the area - is a popular destination of primarily individual travelers. Since 1922 Kafeneion “KOSTAS” is meeting place, Post Office and one of the social hubs of that about 700 inhabitants counting municipality.

The Kafeneion is only a few steps away from the central market place. It's directly at the old village route with numerous off branching bent and close lanes and partly beautiful flower gardens.

Apart from letting of private-rooms and apartments, agriculture is still the main source of income in Pitsidia. Olive trees and the extraction of oil, cultivation of wine and goats or sheep raising still affect everyday life of many inhabitants. In the small shops of Pitsidia you can buy these products favorably.

As facet-rich as the place, where also many artists found their second home, also the public is at the Kafeneion.

Like that "KOSTAS" is a popular place both with the tourists in summertime as also during the whole year with the natives. Even if you like to philosophize about the beauty of Crete, to discuss politics or to get the latest news from the village…